The Culture Show Podcast

Turn up the volume because we have three takes on music, from Bob Dylan to Cole Porter to populist punk.First up, the Irish dramatist Conor McPherson wrote and directed a play incorporating 20 songs by Bob Dylan. This is no JukeBox musical. And though it is set in Dylan’s hometown of Duluth, Minnesota it’s no bio-musical either. It’s titled “Girl From the North Country.” He joins us to talk about weaving Dylan’s songbook into a deeply stirring show. From there it’s singer-songwriter Janie Barnett. She has reimagined Cole Porter, Americana style. We talk to her about this genre-bending work and what it took to be the queen of the jingle, belting out classic, commercial earworms.Finally, the populist punk band “Already Dead” wrote an anthem about our housing crisis with their track “Landlord.” Now they take on the economic divide in their new release “The Spirit of Massachusetts Avenue.”

Summertime, and the living is easy. Or, if you’re Audra McDonald, you make it look and sound easy. The award winning singer and actor earned her fifth – of a record-breaking six– Tony awards for her portrayal of Bess in the Broadway hit “The Gershwins Porgy and Bess,” which was mounted right here at The American Repertory Theater.Jared Bowen caught up with McDonald when she was in Boston for a one-night only performance.Then it’s another star of the stage Leslie Odom, Jr. The award winning actor and singer’s portrayal of Aaron Burr in“Hamilton,” gave us a new way to think about America’s historyAnd if history doesn’t repeat itself, it rhymes. In his latest return to Broadway, Odom starred in a play that skewers racism in America. He joined The Culture Show to talk about performing on Broadway and his latest album, “When a Crooner Dies.”

Today on The Culture Show, P Carl. He built a life as a queer woman. But all the while he had a yearning to become more fully realized. For him that meant transitioning to another gender. He wrote about it in his 2020 memoir, “Becoming a Man,” which he adapted for the stage in a play that made its world premier at the American Repertory Theater. From there it’s multi-media, artist Miranda July on her new novel, a coming-of-middle-age story about a woman who is either experiencing a turning point or is turning her world upside down.Finally, artist Lorraine O’Grady’s slow burn of a career. At nearly 90- years-old she is having a moment–from receiving a Guggenheim fellowship to having her first ever museum retrospective at the Davis Museum.

Today on The Culture Show, the one-man media conglomerate: Matt Farley. For him quality IS quantity. The Danvers based singer-songwriter is prolific. He’s written, produced and recorded more than 25,000 songs. He also makes movies, hosts podcasts and writes books. Then, It’s music to environmentalists’ ears. We check in with Adam Gardner. The lead singer of Guster is also leading the way to make the music industry more sustainable. Finally, how many pianos does it take to Celebrate Charles Ives? The pioneer in avant-garde music was recently celebrated at New England Conservatory with a series of concerts marking his 150th birthday. NEC’s Stephen Drury joins us to talk about Ives’ genius and where we can hear his influence today

First up, after months of speculation about divorce, Bennifer is over, again. The highly publicized rollercoaster of a romance that’s spanned decades has its own wikipedia entry, there are numerous analyses breaking down their breakups, legal experts weighing in on the potential financial fallout….so what does our fascination with the on again off again relationship between Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez say about fame, fortune and us?Then we remember Phil Donahue. A pioneer of TV talk show who paved the way for Jerry Springer and Oprah Winfrey; using the format of live audience participation to tackle what were then, taboo topics for daytime TV–– such as sexual assault and race relations.From there, we look at the relationship between comedy and news by way of a forthcoming CNN show taking on the weekly headlines with humor.

Judy Collins, the Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter is bringing her unmistakable, ethereal voice, and her legendary repertoire to Tanglewood..Ahead of her performance, she joins The Culture Show to talk about her landmark 1967 album, “Wildflowers,” her 2022 studio album of original material titled ”Spellbound,” and her fight for social and environmental justice.From there we enter the unsettling universe of acclaimed artist Jamie Wyeth. The haunting, ominous and menacing worlds that he has conjured over decades are on view in a new exhibition at the Farnsworth Art Museum in Rockland, ME titled “Jamie Wyeth: Unsettled.” Finally, GBH News digital producer Alexi Cohan joins us from Chicago with her highlight reel, recapping four days of the Democratic National Convention.

In the 1970’s photographer Jack Lueders-Booth went to MCI Framingham, the women’s prison, to teach the incarcerated photography. He transformed a vacant wing of the prison, building darkrooms…and a community. During his nearly 10 years there he collaborated with the women who lived in the prison; teaching technique, learning their stories and making a series of color Polaroid images. They number nearly 200 and now a selection of these portraits appears in his new photo-book, “Women Prisoner Polaroids.”From there we look at Artists For Humanity. The nonprofit trains youth in art and entrepreneurship. This summer, through a partnership with the city of Boston, they became one of the largest employers of teens in the city by creating 460 jobs. Anna Yu, executive director of Artists for Humanity and Jason Talbot, Co-Founder and Managing Director of Program join the culture show to talk about their mission and work.Finally we time travel to the 16th century by way of King Richard’s Faire. The largest and longest running Renaissance festival in New England kicks off on August 31st. Seasoned performers Mikayla Kanode and Frank Dixon join us for a preview.

Filmmaker Jason Pollard joins The Culture Show to talk about his latest documentary. “Old Dirty Bastard: A Tale of Two Dirtys,” which premieres on A&E on august 25th. This authorized biography looks at the life, career and legacy of Russel Tyrone Jones, AKA, Ol’ Dirty Bastard, the founding member of Wu-Tang Clan.From there Edgar B. Herwick III and producer Kate Dellis take us to a place that is woven into Nantucket’s creative community, economy and history: Nantucket Looms.Finally, a day in the life of Perry T. Rathbone, one of America’s great museum directors who brought the Museum of Fine Arts into a new era. A new book, “In the Company of Art: A Museum Director's Private Journals,” gives us insight into what it took to successfully run a megawatt art institution like the MFA. The book was compiled by Belinda Rathbone, an historian, biographer and daughter of Perry T. Rathbone.

By day Roxbury rapper Cakeswagg is a theater teacher working with youth, by night, she puts her theatrical skills to use, assuming the larger-than-life alter ego, Cakeswagg.Fresh off Boston Calling, her sophomore album, “Michelin Star” drops this week. She joins us for a pre-release party, performing some of her new tracks. From there, Dream Role Players gives actors an opportunity to play their dream roles, which includes a new production of Richard III with an all female presenting cast. We talk to the creative force behind this adaptation, producer and Dream Role Players founder Lisa Burdick, and actor Elizabeth Ross who stars as Richard III.Finally, we talk to Jean Mineo, executive director of Bellforge Arts Center in Medfield, about their expansion plans and upcoming events, which include a Rathskeller Reunion and CultureFest 2024.

Today on The Culture Show co-hosts Jared Bowen, Callie Crossley and Edgar B Herwick III go over the latest headlines.First up, a rallying cry for political rallies. Musicians are sick of the same old tune, having to threaten politicians with legal action for using their music as a soundtrack for their own political ambitions–without permission. Celine Dion and the estate of Issac Hayes are just the latest to object – but what protections do they actually have?From there it’s another spin on politics and music, with the D.J. in chief, Barack Obama. The release of his summer playlist is a much-anticipated tradition that gives unknown artists a boost along the way.Then, it’s Banksy’s graffiti managerine, the artists wraps up nine days of nonstop animal muralsAnd we remember the great actress Gena Rowlands and Wallace Amos, the man behind Famous Amos cookies.

Kate Pierson, an original member of the B-52’s, also has a solo career, which includes an upcoming album, “Radios and Rainbows.” Though it will be released next month, you can get a preview at the 20th annual Cape Cod Jazz & Arts Festival on August 21st where she will be debuting her new material. She joins us to talk about her upcoming show, discovering the ocean as a Cape Cod resident, and why she is hooked on interior design.From there we stay on the Cape by way of the Gifford House. It is one of the last grand inns in Provincetown and now it has a new life with proprietor Steven Azar bringing it into the 21st century and reviving it as an arts and entertainment hub. Ahead of Carnival Week, he joins The Culture Show to talk about all that the Gifford House has to offer.Finally Culture Show contributor Lisa Simmons, the executive and artistic director of The Roxbury International Film Festival, joins us to talk about the anatomy of a summer blockbuster, if Hollywood star power can save Broadway, and what local events to take in.

In 1838 Angelina Grimké made delivered a groundbreaking speech to the Massachusetts Legislature demanding the immediate end of the slave trade. This was the first time in US history that a woman had addressed a legislative body. Now this history has been brought to life in the play “ A Light Under the Dome,” which is staged where it all took place: at the Massachusetts State House.This, along with two other forthcoming productions, I’s produced by the site specific theater company Plays in Place in collaboration with the National Parks of Boston. The director Courtney O’Connor and Liza Stearns, deputy superintendent of the National Parks of Boston, join The Culture Show to discuss. From there we head to the North End by way of the 114th annual Fisherman’s Feast, which kicks off August 15th and runs through August 18th. Domenic Strazzullo, the president of the Fisherman’s Feast, and The Boston Guido, one of the meatball competitions judges, join us for the ultimate overview. Finally, we top things off by topping one off. Marsha Lindsey, the principal Bartender at SRV in Boston’s South End serves up summer drink suggestions.

Fifty years ago a federal court forced Boston to desegregate its schools with busing. Known as the Boston busing crisis, it was fraught with racism and violence and it tore the city apart. To take stock of this anniversary, Imari Paris Jeffries, president and CEO of Embrace Boston, joins us to look at the role that Martin Luther King, Jr. and Coretta Scott King played in fighting for school desegregation. From there Damon Lehrer, an artist and founder of the Boston Figurative Art Center, joins us to talk about their Art Gym, a space where artists can drop in and get their creative workout.Finally, Sarah Bob, founding director of New Gallery Concert Series and multimedia performance artist Daniel Callahan, join us to talk about MAGIA, a multimedia immersive experience that blends contemporary music and visual art. The event kicks off this Saturday at 7:30.

At The London offices of Pierpoint & Company there is still the residue of the old boys' network on the trading floor where backs are stabbed, fortunes are made as quickly as they're lost and hedonism abounds. This is the fictional investment bank depicted in HBO’s workplace drama “Industry, ” which both romanticizes and rebukes the world of finance. Actor Ken Leung is central to the show’s drama and searing satirical take on the finance world, playing Eric Tao, a senior banker. He joins us to talk about season three, which premiered on HBO yesterday.From there we talk to Yssis Cano-Santiago. The Associates of the Boston Public Library recently announced that she will be the writer-in-residence for 2024-25. The organization has been running its writer-in-residence program for 20 years, supporting emerging writers.Finally, the future of the Cape Ann Museum is getting bolder, bigger and for visitors, free-er. The museum’s director, Oliver Barker, joins us to talk about their capital campaign, which coincides with the museum’s 150th anniversary next year.

Today on the Culture Show co-hosts Jared Bowen, Callie Crossley and Edgar B. Herwick III take on the latest headlines on out arts and culture week-in-review, First up, So much for sacking the Sacklers. Though dozens upon dozens of institutions have severed ties with the Sacklers because of their ties to the opioid epidemic, the family still has a hold on Harvard. After a long review, the university has decided to keep the Sackler name on some of their properties, which includes the Harvard Art Museums. Then we look at the state’s budget and if a theater tax credit still has a chance to boost the local arts economy and build a Boston to Broadway pipeline along the way.Plus, when it comes to another Aerosmith concert, fans will have to “Dream On.” with news that they will no longer be touring.

Today on The Culture Show we preview The Mission Hill Arts Festival Saturday event. Executive Curator and organizer Luisa Harris joins us for an overview. We’re also joined by featured artist, Ivanna Cuesta who is a Dominican jazz drummer and composer. She’ll be performing compositions from her new album “A Letter To The Earth.” Ivanna Cuesta, along with Max Ridley on bass and Fall Raye on sax, also treat listeners to an in-studio jam session.From there we look at one of the strangest events in Olympic history, the 1904 St. Louis Marathon. Ashwin Rodrigues wrote about it for “Runner’s World” in an article entitled “The Unbelievable True Story of the Craziest Olympic Marathon.” Ashwin Rodrigues is a freelance writer and former Boston resident whose work has been featured in GQ, Outside Magazine, and VICE.Finally, we hit the Massachusetts Ice Cream Trail, making a stop at the Boston Children's Museum Hood Milk Bottle. Carole Charnow, President and CEO of Boston Children’s Museum joins us to talk about the Hood Milk Bottle’s history, and the museum’s current exhibitions.

Reginald Dwayne Betts, who was incarcerated when he was 16, is an award-winning poet, a lawyer and founder of Freedom Reads, a first-of-its kind organization working to bring books into prisons. Now in a first, Freedom Reads, along with the National Book Foundation, and the Center for Justice Innovation, has launched the “Inside Literary Prize,” which is awarded exclusively by currently incarcerated people. The award-winning author was announced on Friday — Imani Perry for her book, “South to America: A Journey Below the Mason Dixon to Understand the Soul of a Nation.” Dwayne Betts joins The Culture Show to talk about the award and the winning book that resonated with the judges.From there we mark the 50th anniversary of Dungeons & Dragons, the venerable tabletop roleplaying game, with a look at how it has shaped pop culture and how it shaped Ethan GIlsdorf. In a recent piece for The Boston Globe he writes about how it saved his life. Gilsdorf is the author of “Fantasy Freaks and Gaming Geeks.” Finally, MassArt president Mary Grant joins The Culture Show to talk about the Olympics and if it’s time for art – as it once was – to be an official Olympic sport.

Germaine Jenkins has made it her mission to do something about the food deserts in her native South Carolina. In 2014, she co-founded Fresh Future Farm on a vacant city lot with $600 from a family tax refund. What thrives today is a food Oasis.. Her ongoing fight for food justice is the focus of the documentary film “Rooted.” She joins us ahead of a screening event at the Martha’s Vineyard African American FIlm Festival.Then, Culture Show contributor James Bennett II gives us an explainer on one of the more obscure and complicated Olympic sports, the Pentathlon.Finally, best-selling author J. Courtney Sullivan joins The Culture Show to talk about her latest novel, “The Cliffs.” It is an intricately layered novel of family, spirits, and secrets set on the seaside cliffs of Maine.

Today on the Culture Show, after nearly 90 years, the giant sea monster, known as Morton, returns to Nantucket. Edgar B. Herwick III joins us live from the island with a play-by-play to rival Snoop Dogg’s sports commentary.From there it’s The Indigo Girls –Amy Ray and Emily Saliers. They join us to talk about their artistic process, and the community they’ve built through their music ahead of their performance at Tanglewood. Finally, the new play “HOOPS” looks at hoop earrings and what they say about cultural identity. A Company One production, onstage at The Strand Theatre through August 10th, two of the lead performers, Brandie Blaze and Karimah WIlliams join The Culture Show.

The Olympics - Should Snoop Dogg get a gold for bringing the party to Paris? If anyone has Joie De Vivre, it is he! From dancing with the gymnastics team to swimming with Micahel Phelps, to calling the badminton highlights – we look at what the celebrity correspondents are bringing to Olympics coverage.From there, the longtime local music venue Great Scott is getting a reboot after a COVID closure, finding new diggs– just up the street from its old stomping grounds.And , it’s a milestone for MASS MoCA, marking its 25th anniversary. One of the largest contemporary art museums in the country, it’s brought world class art to the region but has it managed to bring about an economic revival?

In his debut feature film, Sean Wang depicts the agonies of adolescence: alienation, awkwardness and angst. You know, all the things we try to bury and never remember again. But Wang makes them visible and hilarious. Titled “DIDI,” it’s the story of Chris, a 13-year old Taiwanese-American boy searching for belonging in suburban California – just as Facebook and MySpace are changing everything. It’s a time and place Wang knows well because in some respects, it’s his story. He joins us ahead of a screening at Coolidge Corner Theatre.From there we get an overview of the Cape Cod Chamber Music Festival. Classical pianist Jon Nakamatsu, who is also one of the Artistic Directors, joins us to talk about its 45th anniversary.Finally, Edgar B. Herwick III takes us to Nantucket where the island is preparing for the return of an 80-foot sea monster.

With so much attention on Paris for the Olympics, many of us have a longing to be in The City of Light. But there is another way to make that French connection – by way of George and Ira Gershwin’s musical, “An American in Paris.”Part of Reagle Music Theatre’s 55th season, it’s onstage August 9th through the 18th. The Elliot Norton award-winning Rachel Bertone – Reagle Music Theatre’s Artistic Director–joins The Culture Show for a preview.From there it’s violinist Lindsay Deutsch, a genre-defying musician known for applying the rigors of classical music to pop and rock, creating mesmerizing mashups along the way. She joins us ahead of her trio TAKE3’s upcoming show at Music Worcester.Finally, “Synchronicity,” The Police’s landmark 1983 album is celebrating its 40th anniversary with a six-disc limited edition box set.In a recent piece for The Washington Post, their national arts reporter Geoff Edgers asks if Synchronicity, the band’s biggest album, killed The Police. And he went to get answers about their premature end – interviewing Sting, Stewart Copeland and Andy Summer, among others.

Kamala Harris is on the verge of making history –again–by becoming the first Black woman to serve as a major party's presidential candidate. And she will be the first to acknowledge that her political path was paved by those who fought for racial justice and civil rights. Imari Paris Jeffries, President and CEO of Embrace Boston joins us to talk about how Martin Luther King Jr. has made this moment possible.From there we head to Portland, Maine by way of Guster. Frontman Adam Gardner joins us to preview their annual beach bash “On the Ocean Musical Festival” and their new album–their first in five years.Finally, artist Keefer Glenshaw has turned playing cello into an endurance sport. In May he performed for 24 hours, this past Sunday another work took him into the woods of Lexington.

The documentary film, “The Queen of Versailles,” is a rags to riches to rags story about one of America’s most opulent couples – David Siegel and his wife Jacqueline – and their quest to build the largest private home in America, Named Versailles, it’s modeled after the French palace. Now it is musical, making its pre-Broadway world premiere at Emerson Colonial Theatre. Starring Kristin Chenoweth, she joins The Culture Show to talk about bringing humanity to Jacqueline Siegel, a woman hell bent on living the high life.From there we head to the Berkshires by way of the Williamstown Theatre Festival. Raphael Picciarelli, their Managing director of Strategy and Transformation, joins The Culture Show to preview their mini-festival within a festival, WTF IS NEXT.Finally Billy Dean Thomas, Engagement Director of City Hall Plaza, and new media artist, composer and percussionist Maria Finkelmeier join the Culture Show to preview this Saturday’s future fest, which will transform Boston City Hall Plaza into a futuristic playground.

Today Jared Bowen, Edgar B. Herwick III and Culture Show contributor Joyce Kulhawik go over the latest headlines on our arts and culture week-in-review.First up, the pop culture response to the presidential race, and the puzzle it presents: is it life imitating art, or art imitating life when it comes to HBO’s Veep? The satirical series following Selina Meyers’ political path from VP to President is surging in viewership as Kamala Harris seeks the Democratic nomination. And, what is a presidential race without celebrity endorsements? Could Hulk Hogan and George Clooney deliver votes for their respective candidates?From there, while President Biden is passing the torch to Kamala Harris, rap legend Snoop Dogg is literally passing it as the Olympics official torch bearer.Finally, two big reveals about the identities of Hello Kitty and SpongeBob SquarePants.

A two hour romp through history considers all of America’s first ladies and their varied roles over the decades. Titled “46 Plays for America’s First Ladies,” The Hub Theatre Company’s production is a “pay-what-you-can" that also includes, a voter registration drive will be held in conjunction with this production. Lauren Elias, Hub Theatre Company founder and producing artistic director joins us along with actor Yasmeen Duncan.From there we look at the life and untimely death of Keith Haring by way of Brad Gooch’s new biography of the legendary artist, “Radiant: The Life and Line of Keith Haring.”Finally, we head to Lowell by way of their 37th annual Folk Festival. One of the performers – multi-instrumentalist, composer and singer Yoni Battat joins us ahead of this weekend’s three-day event.

Michael C. Thorpe is a storyteller. Using bright colors, textures and geometric shapes, he literally stitches them together to figuratively stitch together scenes from everyday life. He has the eye and instinct of a painter who uses the art and tradition of quilt making. Now his quilted masterpieces are on view in his solo exhibition at the Fuller Craft museum, it’s titled “Michael C. Thorpe. Homeowners Insurance.” He joins us to talk about it.With the Olympics kicking off at the end of the week one of the most talked about topics is the river Seine. It is notoriously dirty and microbiologists are saying it’s not meant for swimming. But given how dirty the Charles River is, who are we to judge? Well, efforts to clean up the Charles – decades in the making –is paying off. Now people can swim in it, one day each year. Edgar B. Herwick III, Culture Show co-host and human guinea pig joins us to talk about what it was like to take that plunge.Finally, Mary Grant, president of MassArt, joins The Culture Show to talk about the college’s collaboration with the City of Boston to bring more public art to the city.

Over the last four years, British Consul General of New England Peter Abbott OBE has represented the UK in a number of incredible moments –from the Prince and Princess of Wales’s visit to Boston for the Earthshot prize, to the coronation of King Charles. Along the way he has traveled across New England to promote trade and political alliances. Last winter, in a true display of diplomacy, he was on Boston Harbor for the 250th anniversary of the Boston Tea Party. Before he leaves for London next week, he joins us to reflect on his time here and to discuss where he thinks the UK and US are best poised to help in world affairs.From there Lindsay Mís, executive director of Massachusetts Design Art and Technology Institute, also known as DATMA, joins us to talk about their sixth season’s cultural exhibition “Transform: Reduce, Revive, Reimagine,” which is on view now through October 14th in New Bedford. Finally, the play Revolution’s Edge takes into the hours leading up to the Revolutionary war. It was written by Patrick Gabridge for Old North Church by Plays in Place, an organization that works with historic sites and cultural institutions to create site-specific productions. Patrick Greenbridge and Nikki Stewart, executive director of Old North Illuminated, join us.

NALEDI is a vocalist, composer and educator from Johannesburg, South Africa. Her music is grounded in Jazz, the church, and her heritage. Her dreams of studying music in the United States were realized when she landed a full scholarship to New England Conservatory. Then, after receiving a prestigious Kennedy Center Artist in Residence honor, her career took off with performances at storied venues such as Jazz at Lincoln Center. She joins us to talk about her debut album BATHO, and upcoming performance at Cambridge Jazz Festival.From there it’s multi-media artist and professional glassblower Morgan Peterson. The Boston native, who recently emerged the winner of the NETFLIX glassblowing competition TV series, “Blown Away,” joins us ahead of her event at the Sandwich Glass Museum.Finally, Grace Elton, CEO of New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill, joins us to talk about their vast, kinetic, public art installation, “Flora in Flight.”

Today Edgar B. Herwick III, Henry Santoro and Lisa Simmons go over the latest headlines on our arts and culture week-in-review.First up, the Emmy nominations are out–again. We’ll look at the surprises, snubs and snoozers. From there it is an epic loss of TV personalities and stars, from Bob Newhart, who managed to play unassuming characters while stealing the show, to the self-proclaimed “Clown prince of fitness,” Richard Simmons, to TV sex therapist Dr. Ruth and finally, actress Shannen Doherty who played the bad girl everyone loved to hate, but was also burdened by a real-life bad girl reputation.From there, the MFA’s courtyard concerts are back with a full schedule featuring seven summer shows, plus a climate change commentary comes to the Greenway by way of a new public art exhibit .Finally, it’s follow up Friday with an update on the stories we’ve been tracking, which includes André 3000 and why he feels like an outcast as a jazz musician.

LaToya Hobbs is a painter and a printmaker whose themes are expressions of motherhood, home and cultural identity. While she often reveals her experiences as an artist and an African American woman, her work also has universal resonance.Her monumental series, “Carving Out Time” is both personal and utterly relatable. And it’s massive. She joined The Culture Show ahead of her debut exhibition at the Harvard Art Museum.From there, it’s into the wild world of artist Raqib Shaw. He uses porcupine quills and enamel to create landscapes that are electrified by color. They are lush, opulent and ornate. But, his paintings are also beset by a lurking menace. The Culture Show caught up with him when he was in town to open his exhibition at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum.Finally, we get a tour of the Arnold Arboretum’s bonsai collection.

The Grammy Award-winning Boston Modern Orchestra Project (BMOP) led by conductor Gil Rose releases Vijay Iyer: Trouble on its eponymous label. Marking his debut recording as an orchestral composer, he joins The Culture Show to talk about this work. In his new book, “Baseball: The Movie,” sportswriter and film critic Noah Gittell takes us through the history of the baseball movie, with a look at how those films have changed–from feel-good, to nostalgic, to cynical–are a reflection of how American values have changed. Finally Zola Simone, who will be performing at Cambridge Crossing Summer Nights Series’ free outdoor concert, joins The Culture Show for a preview.

The Million Year Picnic is the oldest comic book store in New England and since the 1970’s it’s been a fixture in Harvard Square. This summer it marks its 50th anniversary. Tony Davis, the owner, joins The Culture Show to talk about its legacy and how they are marking this moment.Then we’re off to Lowell by way of their annual folk festival, which features a mariachi band, parades, a yo-yo-world champion, Creole music, bluegrass, honky tonk and more. The director, Lee Viliesis, joins The Culture Show for a preview.Finally we plumb the depths of the human imagination by plunging into the depths of the ocean with a look at Sea monsters, the subject of a new exhibition at the Harvard Museum of Natural History. Peter Girguis, guest curator and Harvard professor of organic and evolutionary biology joins us to talk about it.

Kneecap, a Belfast-based rap group known for their fiery social and political commentary is on the rise…with a new album and biopic starring Michael Fassbender, which has it’s nationwide release on August 2nd. They join us to talk about it all.From there it’s the return of BosTix, the discount theater ticket kiosk. Catherine Peterson, Executive Director of ArtsBoston joins The Culture Show to talk about what its return means for the arts and culture sector.Finally we enter the world of German composer Richard Wagner. Jane Eaglen, president of the Boston Wagner Society, joins The Culture Show to talk about their forthcoming Boston Wagner Institute program, which includes masterclasses, performances and some taproom tippling.

Today on The Culture Show, co-hosts Edgar B. Herwick III, Callie Crossley and James Bennett II go over the latest headlines on our arts and culture week-in-review.First up: D is for dismal. The report card is in for the world’s orchestras and they get a capital D on diversity. Then it’s a capital F for flop. Kevin Costner’s “Horizon: An American Saga,” bombs at the box office. Plus we remember actress Shelley Duvall and her subversive screen presence, from “Nashville,” to “Annie Hall” to “The Shining.”From there it’s follow up-Friday where we catch up on the stories we’ve been tracking, among them, the Beyonce bounce. Did her Texas two step into country music pave the way for Shaboozey’s chart topping hit? Finally, it’s not a summer cookout without–what Callie Crossley calls– the surefire song of joy: “Before I let go” by Frankie Beverly and Maze.

In her book, Muppets in Moscow, Natasha Lance Rogoff pulls back the iron curtain on what it was like to work in Russia as a TV producer in the 1990’s. There were absolute triumphs of Big Bird diplomacy, moments when capitalism collided with the legacy of communism, and a deep realization that a country undergoing radical change, can only change so much . Then it’s a conversation about music as memory.Jeremy Eichler joins us to talk about his new book, “Time’s Echo,” which looks at how Shostakovich and other composers used classical music to not only articulate the unspeakable horrors of WWII but to also memorialize the victims of the Holocaust.

Quilling is the ancient art of coiling long strips of paper around a needle–or going back to its namesake– around a quill. In a twist of fate, Huong Wolf has ended up on a mission to keep this tradition alive. Today she and her husband run the Framingham-based business, Quilling Card, a fair trade company that sells handcrafted cards–and now handcrafted art. She joins The Culture Show to talk about the history of quilling and what it means to bring it into these times. From there, Boston Ballet, by way of a 360 dome, has created a portable portal to dance that’s making its way through Massachusetts. Ming Min Hui, the Executive Director of Boston Ballet, joins The Culture Show to talk about its upcoming appearances at Tanglewood and Woods Hole.Finally, it’s still Shark Week on the Discovery Channel, which means it’s still Jump the Shark Week on The Culture Show – if you think we’ve jumped the shark, Culture Show contributor Joyce Kulhawik is bringing her life boat and her list of what she thinks has just gone too far.

What is a prescription for anxiety or isolation that doesn't need FDA approval and won’t get churned through big pharma to drive up prices? Art and culture.Known as “social prescriptions,” there is a growing movement of physicians writing out prescriptions for dance classes, nature walks or a trip to the museum as a way to help treat mental and behavioral health concerns.Now Massachusetts is the first in the nation to have a statewide program. Michael J. Bobbitt, Executive director of the Massachusetts Cultural Council and Dr. Priscilla Wang, Associate Medical Director of Primary Care Health Equity at Mass General Brigham join The Culture Show to talk about this new initiative.From there, It’s still “Shark Week” on the Discovery Channel, which means it’s still “Jump the Shark Week” on The Culture Show, where we look at what in the zeitgeist has gone the way of the Fonz on water skis. Today Culture Show co-host James Bennett II joins us for his list of things that have gone too far.Finally independent curator and Culture Show Curator Pedro Alozno joins us to talk about the latest exhibition he’s curated, “The Objects We Choose,” at the Tanya Bonakdar Gallery in New York.

Ben Shattuck’s latest book, “The History of Sound: Stories” is a collection of interconnected stories that examine the lives and landscapes of New England where Shattuck spans centuries in these haunting and often humorous stories. He joins “The Culture Show” ahead of his event at Harvard Book Store.And, it might be “Shark Week” on the Discovery Channel, but on The Culture Show, it’s “Jumping the Shark Week” where we ask: what in the zeitgeist has gone the way of the Fonz when he took that fateful jump? Culture Show co-host Edgar B. Herwick III joins us for his take.Finally, “The Winter’s Tale.” Shakespeare’s parable of human failings and forgiveness comes to life next week at the Parkman Bandstand by way of Commonwealth Shakespeare Company’s annual –and FREE–Shakespeare on The Common. Bryn Boice, Commonwealth Shakespeare Company’s Associate Artistic Director, and actor Nael Nacer join The Culture Show for a preview.

Today on The Culture Show, The play “Fat Ham.” It’s a modern-day adaptation of Shakespeare’s Hamlet, where the court of Denmark is transported to a backyard barbecue in the South, but the most radical change is the sublimation of Shakespeare’s epic tragedy into an uproarious comedy. Playwright James Ijames won a Pulitzer for Fat Ham in 2022. We caught up with him when Fat Ham was onstage in Boston. From there, a behind-the-scenes look at the making of Jaws and the turbulence on the set, from the actors feuding with one another to a mechanical shark that was more blundering than plundering. The actor Robert Shaw, who played Quint , a world-weary shark hunter, used to bring his son Ian to the set of Jaws. In an epic and oedipal twist, Ian Shaw played his dad in the “Shark is Broken,” a play that he also co-wrote. Ian Shaw joins The Culture Show to talk about the making of Jaws and the play that it inspired.

Coming up on The Culture Show….We are steeped in American history, starting with the Boston Tea Party. Fed up with the tyranny of taxation without representation, American colonists took matters into their own hands–literally: tossing three shiploads of tea into Boston Harbor. The theatrics alone made it one of THE most celebrated rebellions. But to understand the true ideals and motivations behind it, we turn to the Massachusetts Historical Society.And in his latest book, writer AJ Jacobs documents living as closely to the original meaning of the Constitution as possible, which includes carrying a musket, and personally delivering a list of grievances to Congress. Although his constitutional immersion is humorous, Jacobs is not in this just for the laughs. He finds a nation losing its hold on the values implicit in the constitution: responsibility, community and civic engagement. Finally, sisters are doing it for themselves. As America prepares to celebrate the 250th Anniversary of the American Revolution, Lexington, Massachusetts is telling a story about the women who were a part of this history but were forgotten or erased and never celebrated. Hence, the monument “Something is Being Done.” Jared Bowen talks to Meredith Bergmann, the acclaimed Massachusetts sculptor who created this monument and Jessie Steigerwald, president of LexSeeHer, Inc.

Will Dailey is an independent recording artist, performer and artist advocate. He’s won numerous Boston Music awards, including best album and best artist. He’s shared the stage and studio with some of the greats, such as Eddie Vedder, Willie Nelson and Brandi Carlile. Now he has a new gig: elevating other artists and musicians As artist-in-residence at the Omni Boston Hotel at the Seaport, he curates a soundscape for the hotel, orchestrating a lineup of local artists who perform throughout the space. This includes a collaboration with the Boston Jazz Foundation as a way to highlight local jazz musicians.WIll Dailey, and Boston Jazz Foundation’s Vice Chair Moriah Phillips join The Culture Show to talk about their collaboration and concert series.Then, it’s the tiny tugboat that’s making waves. Known as the Boomin’ Beaver, at only 19 feet, it plays a vital part in keeping the Navy’s most powerful vessels safe. Culture show co-host Edgar B. Herwick III explains the starring role it will play this 4th of July.Finally, fresh off the cricket world cup, we keep cricket fever alive. Mahesh Daas, President of Boston Architectural College is also a player and enthusiast. He joins us to talk about its history, its resurgence and the sport’s connection to Boston

Poetry often has a stigma that’s hard to shake. That it’s inscrutable, elite and out of reach. Even with the rhyming. And brevity. But give poetry a chance, explore its roots, its history of experimentation and the beauty of its language and it comes alive.This is what Elisa New has done with “Poetry in America,” the PBS series. She joins The Culture Show to talk about its latest season. Elisa New is the director and host of “Poetry in America” and Distinguished Professor of Practice at Arizona State University.From there actress Denee Benton. She made her Broadway debut in “Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812” and later went on to take over the female lead of Eliza Schuyler in the Broadway run of “Hamilton.” Now she is in “The GIlded Age,” playing Peggy Scott, an aspiring writer and journalist from a prominent Black family. Aheady, she joins The Culture Show to talk about making Peggy SCott a more well-rounded, authentic character. Finally Ned Hinkle, Creative Director of Brattle Theatre, talks about their special screening of Jaws and why it’s the perfect film for the Fourth of July,

“What to the American slave is your Fourth of July?” That is the question Frederick Douglass posed to an audience of abolitionists at an event commemorating the signing of the Declaration of Independence. It was July 5, 1852 in Rochester, New York.In that speech, Douglass confronted the hypocrisy of a day celebrating freedom in a country that still endorsed the forced labor and bondage of more than 3 million people. It’s a speech with deep resonance today. This is why Mass Humanities sponsors public readings of this speech, which happen across the region. Brian Boyles, executive director of Mass Humanities, and Paula Elliott, a vocalist and one of the organizers of the first Frederick Douglass reading on the Boston Common in 2009 join The Culture Show.Then it’s another take on Independence Day. On July 5th the Boston Public Library’s Special Collections is hosting an open house, to showcase the multiple original printings of the Declaration of Independence held within the Rare Books and Manuscripts Department. Jay Moschella, Manager & Curator of Rare Books, joins The Culture Show for an overview.Finally, it’s Boston Harborfest 2024, a four-day spectacular with events that mark Boston's heritage. Michael Nichols, President of the Downtown Boston Business Improvement District and George Comeau who is their senior manager of destination events and the Navy Band Northeast’s Crosswinds Woodwind Quintet pack into The Culture Show studio for an overview.

Mfoniso Udofia. Frustrated as an actor when she didn’t see roles reflecting her or her reality, she picked up the pen, and never let go.In total she wrote a nine-play cycle chronicling three generations of a Nigerian-American family. Now a coalition of local theaters and arts organizations are putting on a two-year festival celebrating and producing these works.Then, it’s a casting conundrum. In 2008 Sean Penn played the openly gay politician Harvey Milk, and won an oscar. Today he says that a “timid and artless” climate makes it impossible for him to play a gay role today.Finally, it’s follow-up Friday, where we update you on the stories we’ve been tracking, which includes the sisterhood of the traveling museum exhibit that’s skirting a gender discrimination suit.

Danza Orgánica, a Boston-based dance company, has been collaborating with members of the Aquinnah Wampanoag in a performance that explores the indigenous people of two islands, Martha’s Vineyard and Puerto Rico, and what the two cultures have in common. Titled, “We Still Dance,” it is a multimedia theatrical performance, making its Boston Premiere this Saturday in a free performance at MassART. Mar Parilla, choreographer and founder of Danza Orgánica, joins The Culture Show for a preview.Then, has the time come to prop up the local theater scene? A proposed theater tax credit could turn Massachusetts into a breeding ground for Broadway if the Massachusetts Legislature passes Governor’s Healey’s economic development bill. Lt. Governor Kim Driscoll has experienced this first-hand. As the former Mayor of Salem, she knows the power of arts and culture tourism. She joins The Culture Show to talk about why this tax credit is included in the economic development bill.Finally, we head to Hancock Shaker Village. Their Executive Director and CEO, Caroline Holland joins The Culture Show to talk about marking the 250th anniversary of Shaker design, which includes the US Postal Service issuing a Shaker Design forever stamp collection.

Percussionist and vocalist .Sheila E. is known for her solo work and her collaborations with Prince, and a setlist that spans R&B, Funk, Jazz, and Latin Pop. Now she's bringing her beats to Boston by way of two shows at City Winery. She joins The Culture Show with the preview.From there, how does Boston, the city of champions, honor the stars who made this town a sports town? With public art. Julia Swanson takes us on a tour of the bronzes and bursts of color celebrating athletic greats. Julia Swanson is a multidisciplinary artist and award winning photographer who is the creator of The Art Walk Project, a series of self-guided micro tours.Finally, we get a jump on what is known as the “Met Gala of Massachusetts.” Queer Art +Fashion – a fashion show put on by the nonprofit Love Your Labels. They have their Queer AF kick off tonight, looking for models of all sizes and identities to walk the runway. Joshua Croke, president and founder of Love Your Labels, a non-profit that supports queer and transgender youth in Central Massachusetts.

Today on The Culture Show, contributor Joyce Kulhawik goes over the latest plays and movies to take in. She’s an Emmy-award winning arts and entertainment reporter and president of the Boston Theatre Critics Association. From there we enter the Gilded Age. When families such as the Carnegies, Rockefellers, and Vanderbilts expanded their wealth, they needed to spend it. In the summers, they decided to do that in Newport, Rhode Island, creating one of America’s first resort towns by building mansions on the rugged coastline. This is the Gilded Age most people know. But it’s far from the full story. This was also a time of Black prosperity and Newport was a place where African heritage families were an active part of the community.An exhibition at Rosecliff Mansions places Black history in the context of The Gilded Age. It’s on view through the end of the month. Culture show co-host James Bennett II gives us an overview. Finally, Sebastian Junger. He is an author and award-winning journalist whose reporting takes him–and his audiences- into treacherous places. He plunged us into the horrors of commercial fishing by way of his bestselling book, “The Perfect Storm.” Through his reporting and filmmaking he showed us what war looked like, embedding with a US platoon in Afghanistan’s Korengal Valley. But it is from his home on Cape Cod where he brings us into his most palpable encounter with death–that would be his own death.It’s the subject of his latest book “In My TIme of Dying: How I Came Face to Face with the Idea of an Afterlife.”

On The Culture Show we talk a lot about museums and their efforts to be more accessible, but that has been the mission of the Museum of Bad Art. Since its inception it’s been free to the public, with wall text that easy to understand –and entertaining, and now that their home is Dorchester Brewing you can even drink a beer while taking in their collection. With MOBA marking its 30th anniversary, Louise Riley Sacco, Permanent Acting Interim Executive Director of the Museum of Bad Art and MOBA’s Curator- in- Chief, Michael Frank join The Culture Show to talk about the making of MOBA, From there it’s “Dirty Old Boston,” the facebook page with a cult following. Jim Bottielli started it in 2012, uploading photos that captured a city slipping away amid development, construction and gentrification. Two years later it became a book. Now this archival photo project is on view at City Winery through June . He joins us to talk about a city in transition.Finally, we get a preview of this year’s BAMSFest–a massive music festival featuring Black and brown artists playing R&B, funk, soul, hip-hop, house and more. Catherine T. Morris, the founder and artistic director of BAMSFest, joins The Culture Show to talk about it.

Today on The Culture Show, co-hosts Callie Crossley, Edgar B. Herwick III and James Bennett II go over the latest arts and culture headlines on our week-in-review,First up, start spreading the news. Literally. France has opened its first museum of cheese, honoring dairy excellence from their famous cheeses to their traditional cheese makers. From there we reflect on the legacy of Willie Mays - the 'Say Hey Kid' who was considered baseball's best all-around player, and speaking of MVP’s, we consider Jaylen Brown’s role as the athlete activist.From there it’s Donald Sutherland, the towering actor whose off-kilter screen presence spanned decades of movies, from “M.A.S.H.” to “The Hunger Games.”Then we recap the Tony awards, from the snubs, surprises and usual suspects.And we top it all off with a cherry–that is centuries-old boozy cherries discovered at Mount Vernon.That and more is next on The Culture Show’s week-in-review. Stay with us.