The City Lights Collective

Sonic Youth co-founding guitar player and vocalist Thurston Moore joins City Lights music contributor Chad Radford to discuss his new memoir, “Sonic Life.” Plus, Ashlee Haze takes the spotlight in our series, “Speaking of Poetry,” and we hear the annual IrishFest coming to Historic Roswell this weekend.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

John Hodgman and Jesse Thorn, co-hosts of the "Judge John Hodgman" podcast, join us ahead of their live show on October 29 at Variety Playhouse. Plus, WABE photojournalist Matthew Pearson recaps his recent story about the Atlanta Hair and Makeup Artists' labor dispute, artist Vanna Black takes the spotlight in our series, "Speaking of Art," and the co-hosts of "How Do You Atlanta" share some weekend events.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Acclaimed actor and director Ethan Hawke discusses his new film, “Wildcat,” which stars his daughter, Maya Hawke, as writer Flannery O'Connor. Plus, Zakiya Harmony takes the stage in our series, “Speaking of Music,” and director Heidi McKerley tells us about Horizon Theatre’s production of “Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812.”See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dr. Mindy Stombler, professor of sociology and pedagogy, as well as principle senior lecturer at Georgia State University takes the spotlight in our series, “The Art of Teaching.” Plus, we hear about International Production Design Week, and we profile artist Britney Bongang for our series, “Speaking of Art.”See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Brandi Hoyos, the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra’s director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, details the ASO’s Día de los Muertos festival and concert on October 29th.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Composer Michael Shapiro discusses his new, original score to the film “Frankenstein” which will be performed by the Atlanta Opera alongside the classic horror movie on October 28 at Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Director Rachel May and actor Bethany Lind discuss Synchronicity Theatre’s production of “Home, I’m Darling” on stage through October 29. We hear about “Atlanta Hip-Hop Innovators,” the new 4-week course at the Museum of Design Atlanta.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“That’s My Stop,” a project that aims to transform bus stops in Midtown with functional, custom art pieces, is looking for artist submissions, and we explain how to apply. Plus, Tommy Bottoms takes the spotlight in our series, “Speaking of Poetry, and artist Olu Amoda and curator Kate Driscoll discuss “Scavenging and Scanning: Sculptural Exploration of the Earth’s Belly,” on view at the Hudgens Center through October 28th.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Frogtown Mountain Puppeteers Erik and Brian Torbeck discuss their original family show, “The Headless Horseman of Silly Hollow,” on stage at the Center for Puppetry Arts through October 27.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Leigh Burns, director of the Fox Theatre Institute, and preservationist Timothy Crimmins discuss 15 years of efforts to preserve historic spaces in Atlanta.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chef Benny Vega of Citizens Market Atlanta stops by to help celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month. Plus, we’ll hear about the Grand Marshalls of this year’s Atlanta Pride Parade, “Voices of Note,” and learn how the Billionaire Boys Club Creator’s Lab at Cam Kirk Studios is helping to provide Atlanta Creatives with free access to innovative equipment.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Director Shuler Hensley discusses City Springs Theatre's "Fiddler on the Roof" production on stage at the Byers Theatre through October 22. Plus, Dwayne Wiggins, Raphael Saadiq, and Timothy Christian Riley of the R&B super-band "Tony! Toni! Tone!" join us ahead of the performance at the Fox on October 22, and City Lights producers Kim Drobes, Jeannine Etter, and Summer Evans present some upcoming Atlanta Halloween events.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dr. Richard Banz, Executive Director of Southern Museum and Kennesaw Museum Foundation, discusses “The Great Locomotive Chase.” Plus, Elizabeth Grove of “Edible FX” takes the spotlight for our series, “Speaking of Y’allywood,” and curator Cynthia Thompson and artist David Antonio Cruz detail “{UNDER}flow, A Group Exhibition,” on view through December 9 at the Zuckerman Museum.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Grammy award-winning singer and songwriter Macy Gray discusses her new album, “The Reset” ahead of her live show in Atlanta on Friday. Plus, we’ll revisit our conversation about “Carterland.” The film is currently screening at the Plaza Theater and then moves to the Tara Theater on Friday.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Greta Gerwig’s “Barbie” movie is breaking box office records, and today, we discuss the film with local film scholars Dr. Maura Ryan Bernales, Dr. Matthew Bernstein, and Dr. Michele Schreiber. Plus, we hear commentary from local moviegoers about the film, and Chris Escobar, executive director of the Atlanta Film Society and owner of the Plaza and Tara Theaters, gives his thoughts on the intersection of Barbie and Oppenheimer, aka “Barbenheimer.”See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

40+Double Dutch Club founder Pamela Robinson and the director of the Atlanta division, Jerri McElroy, discuss how the club helps women over 40 improve their physical and mental health. Plus, we visit with Megan Schaeffer, creator and operator of Decatur’s Little Free Art Gallery.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Director Jake Guinn discusses the new production of "Dracula: The Failings of Men," on stage at Shakespeare Tavern, October 7 through 31. Plus, WABE's H Johnson joins us for a listen to the Tony Bennett and Bill Evans recording of "We'll Be Together Again."See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The life of an introvert gets a tender, funny and inspiring inside look in a new special from the animated world of “Peanuts.” Released earlier this summer on Apple TV+, the special is called “Snoopy Presents: One-of-a-Kind Marcie,” following the adventures of the clever but cautious Marcie. “City Lights” host Lois Reitzes speaks with the executive producer Craig Schulz and director Raymond S. Persi. Plus, we listen back to Lois’ conversation with blues guitarist Joe Bonamassa. His album “Blues Deluxe Vol. 2” comes out October 6. Artist and curator Matt Terrell shares the details about his exhibition “Living Room, San Francisco, 1986.” See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“City Lights” host Lois Reitzes speaks with Atlanta-based author Vanessa Riley about her new book “Queen of Exiles.” Her historical novel is based on the extraordinary life of Marie-Louise Christophe, the only Queen in the history of Haiti. Plus, we spotlight Atlanta comedians Damon Sumner and Zain Sharif ahead of their appearances at the Laughing Skull Comedy Festival Oct. 5-8. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In our series “ATL Up and Away,” PBS host and travel guru Rick Steves shares his tips for eating and dining abroad. Plus, “City Lights” host Lois Reitzes speaks with comedian, podcaster, and former Obama White House speech writer Jon Lovett. He’s performing at Center Stage on Oct. 5 as part of his “Lovett or Leave it: The Errors Tour.” See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“City Lights” host Lois Reitzes speaks with renowned composer Carlos Simon about illustrious career and about his latest album “Brea(d)th”, written to the memory of George Floyd. Plus, we spotlight the Atlanta band Black Cat Rising in our series “Speaking of Music.” And we listen back to Lois’ 2021 conversation with Tanjuria Willis, the founder of “Sustainable Fashion Week ATL.” See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“City Lights” host Lois Reitzes speaks with photographer Chelsea Mukenya, this year’s Atlanta Celebrates Photography 2023 Emerging Artist honoree. Her solo exhibition “Nyumbani” opens at MINT Gallery Sept. 30. Plus, a conversation with Rep. Malcom Kenyatta and director Tim Harris about their documentary “Kenyatta: Do Not Wait Your Turn.” The film is screening at the Out on Film Festival on Sept. 30. And we hear from the hosts of “How You Do Atlanta” about this weekend’s events. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“City Lights” host Lois Reitzes speaks with Amir Nizar Zuabi, artistic director of The Walk Productions, the non-profit organizing the world tour of the 12-foot puppet “Little Amal.” She stops in Atlanta on October 8th and 10th. Plus, food contributors Chef Asata Reid and culinary historian Akila McConnell discuss the history of Atlanta’s pizza scene and share their favorite restaurants. And we hear the Urban Regatta, one of Atlanta’s newest neighborhood festivals that invite the public to dress their bicycles up as boats for a one-of-a-kind street race. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Director Amanda Washington discusses “Cullud Wattah” on stage at Actor’s Express. This powerful play is set during the 2016 Flint, Michigan Water Crisis and it’s ultimately about secrets, family, and the choices we make for survival. We spotlight Atlanta comedian Tamar Rubin in our series “Speaking of Comedy.” Plus, “City Lights” producer Summer Evans speaks with renowned photographer Barbara Van Cleve and curator Mark Medley about The Booth Museum’s exhibit “Barbara Van Cleve: Women of the West.” See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Trumpeter, vocalist and jazz bandleader Joe Gransden discusses his new “Jazz Milestones” concert series. It begins October 1 at the Roswell Cultural Arts Center with “Sinatra and Friends.” We spotlight Irish dancer Erin Connolly in our series “Speaking of Dance.” And we listen back to “City Lights” senior producer Kim Drobes’ 2022 conversation with Nappy Roots rappers Skinny DeVille and Fish Scales. They discuss their Castleberry Hill brewery Atlantucky Brewing. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Director Eric J. Little discusses True Colors Theatre’s production of “That Serious He-Man Ball.” We spotlight Atlanta visual artist Nigel Davis as part of our “Speaking of Art” series. We hear about Emory Cinematheque’s series “The Cinematic Worlds of David Lynch” from Dr. Timothy Holland, the Emory Department of Film and Media Studies along with Millie de Chirico, film programmer and film historian. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We hear from Atlanta-based artist Yehimi Cambrón about her Oglethorpe University Museum exhibition ”Documenting the undocumented in the south.” Today’s “Speaking of Dance” spotlight is on dancer and Terminus Modern Ballet Theatre co-founder, Rachel Van Buskirk. And we hear about National Mofongo Day this Sunday at The Atlanta Battery. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Authors Andrew Moskos and Pep Rosenfeld dicuss their new book "Boom Chicago Presents the 30 Most Important Years in Dutch History." The Brower Sisters is an Atlanta-based band performing at this year’s East Atlanta Strut festival. The play reading of “Native Gardens” is being held at South Fulton Institute. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Composer Paul Moravec and Librettist Mark Campbell discuss The Atlanta Opera’s new production of “The Shining.” Plus, we hear about two pedestrian events, “Streets Alive” & “Westside Stride,” learn about Spivey Hall’s upcoming season, and find out what’s in store for this year’s “Out on Film” festivalSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Darrin "DJ" Sims, Director of the Truth and Transformation Initiative at the NCCHR, and WABE producer Brianna Carr discuss "(Re) Defining History: Uncovering the 1906 Atlanta Race Massacre," premiering on WABE-TV on September 24. Plus, Rewop takes the spotlight in our series, "Speaking of Poetry," and we learn about the grandfather of Southern folk art, Howard Finster, and hear about this weekend's Finster Fest at Paradise Garden.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Filmmaker Ben Tuff discusses the personal story behind “Swim Tuff: How I Swam My Way Out of The Bottle.” Plus, comedian, actor, and journalist Roy Wood Jr. stops by before his upcoming Buckhead Theater performance.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Reeves House Visual Arts Center director and curator Nicole Lampl and co-curator and artist Haydee Alonso detail “LatinX Voices,” on view through October 8. Plus, comedian Joel Byars joins us, we hear about the upcoming Morehouse College Human Rights Film Festival, and H Johnson stops by for the latest edition of “H Johnson’s Jazz Moment.”See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Cookbook author Adeena Sussman discusses "Shabbat: Recipes and Rituals from My Table to Yours." Plus, Mr. B Rockstar takes the spotlight in our series, "Speaking of Poetry," and the High Museum of Art's curator of photography, Gregory Harris, details their new exhibition, "A Long Arc: Photography and the American South since 1845."See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Poet, playwright, and storyteller Jon Goode joins us ahead of his upcoming performance at the Serenbe Wildflower Meadow for “A Night of Spoken Word.” Plus, we’ll hear about the Rosenwald Schools, check in with Mondaii for “Speaking of Music,” and learn about two free movie events ahead of the “Out on Film” festival.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Joseph C. Phillips, professor in theater and communications at Clark Atlanta University, takes the spotlight in our series, “The Art of Teaching.” Plus, we’ll hear about “Wicket: A Parody Musical” coming to Dad’s Garage on Friday and OYE Fest, happening this Sunday.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Producer Chelsea Tafoya and host Stephen Satterfield discuss their web series, “The Descendant Cookout.” Plus, artist Jaia Robinson takes the spotlight in today’s edition of “Speaking of Art,” and we visit with Gaetan Le Divelec, the new Vice President of Artistic Planning for the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Director and writers William Eric Bush-Anderson and Cindy Kunz-Anderson, the filmmakers behind "Lanier," dive into Georgia's Lake Lanier's history and rumored hauntings. Plus, "Blk Hiking Club founder" Tracy Stephens discusses why his organization seeks to provide the Black community with safe hiking experiences, poet Abyss takes the spotlight in our series, "Speaking of Poetry," and we catch up with "Barbie" at this year's Dragon Con. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Actor Ben Butters discusses his role as Chase, the German shepherd police dog in “Paw Patrol Live!,” on stage at the Fox Theatre September 8 through 10. Plus, artist Bob Landstrom takes the spotlight in our series, “Speaking of Art.”See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Actor and comedian Brett Gelman and Dad’s Garage alum Kevin Gillese discuss Gelman’s upcoming performances on September 8th and 9th at Dad’s Garage. Plus, movement artist Billy J Hawkains takes the spotlight in our series, “Speaking of Dance,” and we hear about the “Swim In” movie series at Piedmont Park.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Travel expert Rick Steves joins us for “ATL Up and Away.” This month, he explains why traveling during shoulder season can save you time and money. Plus, A diverse slate of solo exhibitions fills the gallery walls at Echo Contemporary Museum with five artists presenting new bodies of work in mediums from painting to textiles to cut paper, clay sculpture, and more. Represented are Angela Davis Johnson, Tracy Murrell, Allen Peterson, and Jena Dost, and painter and fabric artist Honey Pierre. Pierre and Echo Contemporary curator Jessica Helfrecht join City Lights to discuss the exhibition.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

DJ Kemit stops by to discuss the upcoming "House in the Park" party on Sunday at the Grant Park Recreation Center. We'll also learn about Callanwolde Fine Art Center's coinciding solo exhibitions and then director/choreographer David Rossetti and musical director Ann-Carol Pence detail "Beautiful: The Carole King Musical" on stage at Aurora Theater through September 17.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Celebrity chef Marcus Samuelsson discusses Marcus Bar & Grille, now open in Atlanta’s Old Fourth Ward. Plus, WABE podcast host Jewel Wicker tells us about “The Boom,” Yoshee takes the spotlight in our series “Speaking of Comedy,” and we hear about the Pianos for Peace Festival. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Artist Harmonia Rosales discusses her first major traveling museum exhibition, "Master Narrative," on view at Spelman College Museum of Fine Art through December 2. Plus, WABE contributor Mike Jordan examines the Black brunch scene in Atlanta, and fiddler Mark O'Connor explains how classical collides with bluegrass next week at Emory's Schwartz Center for Performing Arts.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Giving Kitchen’s co-founder Jen Hidinger-Kendrick discusses the organization’s mission after celebrating 10 years. Plus, award-winning food blogger Erica Key stops by, and Virgine Drujon-Kippelen takes the spotlight in our series, “Speaking of Art.”See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

WABE's newest podcast is The Boom, a weekly look at Atlanta’s growing film and television industry, through trending topics and origin stories of local filmmakers, cast, and crew. Hosted by entertainment and culture reporter Jewel Wicker, new episodes are out every Friday morning, wherever you get your podcasts.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Atlanta playwright, author, poet, and political activist Pearl Cleage stops by to discuss winning the 2022 Paul Robeson Award. Plus, we’ll hear about busking in Atlanta, and executive director Shalondra Henry details the youth dance organization, “Moving in the Spirit.”See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Director Shadi Ghaheri discusses “English,” the humorous, moving, and Pulitzer-winning exploration of immigrant life on stage now at the Alliance Theater. Plus, City Lights producer Jeannine Etter explores the art of sound healing, and we shine a light on SinsEar in our series, “Speaking of Poetry.”See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Curators Shawnya Harris and Jeffrey Richmond-Moll detail "Southern/Modern," on view at the Georgia Museum of Art through December 10. Plus, The Waymores take the stage in our series, “Speaking of Music,” we hear about “Strange” at Terminal West, and artist Marryam Moma discusses her solo exhibition “ICONoclasts,” on view at the Emma Darnell Aviation Museum & Conference Center through September 8th.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Georgia Tech professor Mark Leibert discusses the future of Art and Artificial Intelligence. Plus, actor, director, musician, poet, and Atlanta resident Malcolm Jamal Warner stops by, and Khaled Elchooufi takes the small stage in our series, “Speaking of Comedy.”See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kelsey Fritz, museum director for the Center for Puppetry Arts, shares the story behind the Center’s connection to Jim Henson. Plus, we celebrate 41-year-old Trackside Tavern in our “Cheers” series, and fine art photographer Mallory Brooks takes the spotlight in “Speaking of Art.”See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.