The Culture Show Podcast

Nemr is a Lebanese-American stand-up comedian who is credited with pioneering the stand-up comedy scene throughout the Middle East. On June 13th he’s bringing his “Extremely Unextremist” show to The Wilbur. He joins The Culture Show for a preview. From there we continue our countdown to 2026 with a look at the role Somerville played in the American Revolution, it’s the focus of the Somerville Museum’s programming “History on the Line.” Stephanie Marlin-Curiel, the museum’s Executive Director and Jennifer Dorsen join The Culture Show. To learn more about the Somerville Museum’s programming go here. Finally Mahesh Daas, President of Boston Architectural College, joins The Culture Show for a conversation about the enduring legacy of architect Frank Lloyd Wright. Mahesh Daas is a Culture Show contributor who joins us monthly. He is co-author of the graphic novella about artificial intelligence, titled “I, Nobot.”

Don Gillis and Ray Flynn join The Culture Show to discuss Gillis’ new book “The Battle for Boston: How Mayor Ray Flynn and Community Organizers Fought Racism and Downtown Power Brokers.” On June 5th at 6:00 Don Gillis will be at a book event at the Roslindale Public Library. To learn more go here.From there comedian and actress Lane Moore joins The Culture Show to talk about turning online dating into an enduring hit comedy show “Tinder Live! With Lane Moore.” Lane Moore will be taking her show to Arts at the Armory on on June 5th. To learn more go here.Finally Oliver Barker, Director of Cape Ann Museum, joins the culture show to talk about their summer programming, which includes a range of interesting walking tours,which are designed to highlight the natural landscape of Gloucester that has inspired so many artists. To learn more about all that the Cape Ann Museum has to offer go here.

Andy Husbands, chef and owner of The Smoke Shop BBQ, has co-authored the “Quick and Easy Burger Cookbook,” which will bump your burger game with creative recipes. He joins The Culture Show to talk about how we can turn our nothing burger into a something burger. On June 16th Husbands will be at a book signing event at WBUR’s City Space. To learn more go here.From there Boston-based artist Massiel Grullón joins The Culture Show to talk about being TD Garden’s 2025 House Artist. Last month she debuted her mural at TD Garden, which celebrates women in sports.Finally Uli Lorimer, Director of Horticulture at Native Plant Trust joins The Culture Show to talk about how to plant a garden that is both beautiful and ecologically sound. Uli Lorimer is the author of “The Northeast Native Plant Primer: 235 Plants for an Earth-Friendly Garden.” To learn more about Native Plant Trust go here. And to learn more about lawn alternatives Cornell university has a great resource.

Today Jared Bowen, Callie Crossley and Edgar B. Herwick III co-host our arts and culture week-in-review starting with a reflection on the groundbreaking ceremony for the new Holocaust museum in Boston’s Downtown Crossing.From there they discuss Harvard University, which will give up ownership of historic photos of enslaved people, following a legal fight with Tamara Lanier, a descendent of one of the people who was photographed.Then they’ll explore the Labubu mania and why the plush toy has become a must have accessory and the forthcoming Harry Potter series on HBO Max.Finally they remember rocker Rick Derringer whose hits include “Hang on Sloopy,” and “Rock & Roll, Hootchie Koo.”

Vincent Valdez is an American artist who explores identity, social justice, and American history. Not to mention our particular capacity, as a society, to forget our episodes of violence. Just a Dream… is the artist’s first major museum survey including work from over twenty years across all media. He joins The Culture Show to talk about his process, vision and this exhibition, which is on view now at MASS MoCA. To learn more go here.From there musical theatre writing duo Kit Buchan and Jim Barne join The Culture Show to talk about their hit musical comedy “Two Strangers (Carry A Cake Across New York),” which is onstage now at the American Repertory Theater. To learn more go here.Finally Culture Show contributor Julia Swanson takes us on a tour of public art hiding in plain sight with a focus on buildings, from IDEO’s office in Central Square to the United Shoe Machinery Corporation Building in the financial district. 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 of art across Greater Boston.

Ron Chernow―prizewinning author of seven books, including the National Book Award winner “The House of Morgan,” the Pulitzer Prize winner “Washington: A Life,” and the George Washington Book Prize winner “Alexander Hamilton”―joins The Culture Show to talk about his new biography “Mark Twain.” On June 2nd he’ll be at the First Parish Church at a book event presented by Harvard Book Store. To learn more go here.From there we talk to National Geographic Explorer in Residence Tara Roberts. She joins The Culture Show to talk about her book “Written in the Waters: A memoir of History, Home and Belonging.” Tonight The Museum of African American History, Boston and Nantucket, in collaboration with GBH, presents an evening with Tara Roberts. To learn more go here.Finally we get a preview of the 46th Boston Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival. Gail Wang, President of the festival’s board and Jeff Wang, the festival’s Vice President of Racing join The Culture Show to talk about what goes into hosting nearly 70 teams and 50,000 athletes and attendees. The Festival is on June 8th. To learn more go here.

Arrival - a new biannual art fair. The inaugural edition features exhibitors from across the country. It kicks off on June 12th and runs through June 15th and is situated in North Adams at the TOURSITS hotel. Two of the founders join The Culture Show for an overview. Yng-Ru Chen is owner of the Boston-based Praise Shadows Art Gallery and Crystalle Lacouture is an artist based in Boston and North Adams. To learn more about Arrival go here.From there the versatile actor Tituss Burgess joins The Culture Show. He has graced both screen and stage, appearing in the musical comedy series Central Park, the Aretha Franklin biopic “Respect, and in Broadway’s “Moulin Rouge!” Most recently, he stepped into the role of Mary Todd Lincoln in the hit Broadway Show “Oh, Mary!” Now Burgess is coming to town, for two nights only–with a concert performance at the Umbrella Arts Center in Concord on Friday and Saturday. It’s billed as “An Evening with Tituss Burgess.” To learn more go here.Finally Jane Eaglen, a Grammy-winning dramatic soprano who’s performed on the world’s greatest stages joins The Culture Show to preview Wagner & Vino: Spring 2025, a night of music and merlot. It’s at The Burren in Somerville May 28th at 7:00. To learn more go here. Jane Eaglen is on the faculty at New England Conservatory and is the President of the Boston Wagner Society.

Actor and author Marianne Leone joins The Culture Show to talk about her latest book, “Five-Dog Epiphany: How a Quintet of Badass Bichons Retrieved Our Joy,” From there New Bedford poet Erik Andrade joins The Culture Show to talk about poetry as activism. Erik Andrade is an award winning spoken word poet. Recently his work was included in “Black Fire This Time Vol. 2,” a groundbreaking anthology celebrating the legacy and future of the Black Arts Movement. Finally, the music duo Eric and Will. Eric Vloiemans is a Dutch trumpet sensation, Cambridge native Will Holshouser is an accordion master – together they create original, evocative compositions that build on jazz, classical and folk music.

Edgar B. Herwick III, Callie Crossley and James Bennett II co-host our arts and culture week in review. First up, reconstructing the Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese feud timeline, focusing on how the media are fanning the flames and how outside commentary about race is making this an ugly rivalry.From there it’s an analysis of another feud, Bruce Springsteen versus President Trump. Springsteen has been criticizing the Trump administration while on tour and the president is retaliating on social media.Then we raise a glass to actor George Wendt who was best known for his portrayal of Norm Peterson, a regular at the bar Cheers and on the eponymous hit sit-com.Finally, “Mission Impossible: A Final Reckoning” hits theaters. Are we ready to say goodbye to this blockbuster franchise?

Actor and activist George Takei joins The Culture Show to talk about his debut with the Boston Pops. He’s narrating a multimedia program that explores the intersection of music, space, and science fiction. This program was developed in partnership with the Museum of Science, Boston and its Center for Space Sciences. This concert also offers a post-performance meet and greet with Astronaut Sunita Williams and George Takei. This event is on May 23rd and Mary 24th at 7:30pm at Symphony Hall. To learn more go here.From there the social media star B. Dylan Hollis joins The Culture Show to talk about his new book “Baking Across America: A Vintage Recipe Roadtrip.” On May 24th he’ll be at First Parish Church at an event presented by Harvard Book Store. To learn more go here. Finally with Boston Calling – the three day, multi stage music festival–kicking off this Friday we get the ultimate overview. Victoria Wasylak, an award-winning journalist and Boston music editor at “Vanyaland,” joins The Culture Show to talk about the national and local acts to listen out for.

Sebastian Smee is a Pulitzer Prize-winning art critic at The Washington Post. He joins The Culture Show to talk about his recent piece, which breaks down Bob Dylan’s “Ballad of a Thin Man.” Sebastian Smee’s latest book is “Paris in Ruins: Love, War and the Birth of Impressionism.”From there Dr. Greg Skomal joins The Culture Show to talk about preparing for white shark season and how the movie “Jaws,” which is nearing its 50th anniversary, inspired him to become a marine biologist. Greg Skomal is an underwater explorer, photographer, and author. He is a fisheries scientist with the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries and heads the Massachusetts Shark Research Program. On June 22nd, he’ll be at a special event at The Old Whaling Church in Edgartown, titled “Jaws Revisited," as a part of Amity Week. To learn more, go here.Finally we continue our “Countdown to 2026” series with a look at the Battle of Chelsea Creek, which marks its 250th anniversary on May 27th-May 28th. Kate Fox, Executive Director of the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism, which is leading the Massachusetts 250 campaign and Lourdes Alvarez, the Arts, Culture, and Creative Economy Manager at City of Chelsea, join The Culture Show to preview events celebrating the battle’s anniversary. To learn more go here.

Marc Sheehan, Executive Chef and Owner of Northern Spy in Canton and Will Gilson, Chef and Partner of Cambridge Street Hospitality Group, join The Culture Show to talk about the Michelin Guide coming to Boston and what it will take for local restaurants that are contenders to prepare.From there playwright Jocelyn Bioh joins The Culture Show to talk about her Tony Award nominated play “JaJa’s African Hair Braiding,” which is presented by SpeakEasy Stage Company, onstage at Calderwood Pavilion at Boston Center for the Arts through May 31st. To learn more go here.Finally Mahesh Daas, President of Boston Architectural College, joins The Culture Show for his analysis of what makes for an effective public space. Mahesh Daas is a Culture Show contributor who joins us monthly. He is co-author of the graphic novella about artificial intelligence, titled “I, Nobot.”

The Sandwich Glass Museum is featuring the artistry of Josh Simpson in the exhibition “50 Years of Visionary Glass.” Josh and his wife, retired NASA astronaut Cady Coleman, will be signing books and giving a joint presentation on May 31st. Cady Coleman’s new book is “Sharing Space: An Astronaut’s Guide to Mission, Wonder and Making Change.” Josh Simpson’s new book is “Josh Simpson: 50 Years of Visionary Glass.” They join The Culture Show to talk about their complementary careers and upcoming event. To learn more go here.From there we get a preview of the Boston Public Art Triennial. Ahead of opening day on May 22, culture show contributor and Triennial Artistic Director Pedro Alonzo, and one of the featured artists, Laura Lima, join The Culture Show to talk about Lima’s work. To learn more about the Boston Public Art Triennial go here.Finally Chris Robinson joins The Culture Show. He’s an American Sign Language/English interpreter who is a leader in the field of Disability Access and Equity.He is the Founder and Vice President of Think Outside the Vox and he is organizing Commonwealth Shakespeare Company’s entire access program for their Shakespreare on the Common production of “As You Like It,” which will be onstage July 23rd through August 10th. To learn more about Think Outside the Vox go here and to keep abreast of Commonwealth Shakespeare Company’s programming go here.

Today Jared Bowen, Edgar B. Herwick III and Culture Show contributor Lisa Simmons – artistic and executive director of the Roxbury International Film Festival and program manager at Mass Cultural Council– go over the latest headlines on our arts and culture week in review.First up, the Michelin guide will officially debut in Boston. From there Waymo, the driverless car company, has plans to come to Boston. And from left field, Major League Baseball has reinstated Pete Rose and “Shoeless” Joe Jackson, making them eligible for the Baseball Hall of Fame. Finally, Tom Cruise at 62 is still doing his own stunts. Culture Show cohosts reflect on his career now that he’s completed the Mission Impossible franchise with the ultimate film “The Final Reckoning.”

“New York Times” bestselling author Alison Bechdel joins The Culture Show to talk about her new comic novel “Spent.” Bechdel will be at The Brattle Theatre on May 22nd at an event sponsored by Harvard Book Store. Tickets to this event are sold out but there will be a stand-by line at the Brattle Theatre. To learn more go here.From there it’s a celebration of landmark women composers. Betsy Hinkle, a violinist and Founder of The Boston Public Quartet and Jason Amos, a violist in the Boston Public Quartet join The Culture Show to preview their concert “A Radical Welcome: Source Code.” The Boston Public quartet will perform works by five women composers from the late romantic period to the present. The concert is May 22nd at The Strand Theatre. Tickets are “pay what you want.” To learn more go here.Finally Kayla Tabb joins The Culture Show to talk about her new role as the Chef-in-Residence at the Boston Public Library. She runs the Nutrition Lab at their Roxbury branch, cultivating cooking programs and teaching nutritional literacy. To learn more go here.Kayla Tabb's book recommendations:On Food And Cooking: The Science And Lore Of The Kitchen - Harold McGeeThe Food Lab: Better Home Cooking Through Science - J. Kenji Lopez-AltStart Here: Instructions for Becoming a Better Cook - Sohla El-Waylly

Every year snowy owls fly from the Arctic to Boston's Logan Airport to find food. Norman Smith catches them and releases them far away to keep the owls and passengers safe. While he is the only owl catcher at Logan Airport, other airports are following his lead. Norman Smith is a raptor specialist who has worked at Mass Audubon for nearly 60 years and rescued more than 900 Snowy Owls since 1981. Photographer Raymond MacDonald has been collaborating with Smith for more than 15 years, chronicling his rescues. They join the Culture Show to talk about their shared possession for wildlife.From there Tomasina Ray, Director of Collections at RMS Titanic Inc., joins The Culture Show with an overview of “Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition.” The exhibition brings us face to face with the dramatic maritime disaster. Visitors encounter artifacts from all manner of life aboard the Titanic, all recovered from the ocean floor. “Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition,” is on view at The Castle at Park Plaza through June 1st.

David Leonard, President of the Boston Public Library, joins The Culture Show to talk about how public libraries are under siege, from book bans to funding cuts. He wrote about this, and the need to defend these institutions, in a recent piece for the Boston Globe. To keep abreast of all of the programming and resources the Boston Public Library has to offer go here.From there it’s politics and eggs. Mike's City Diner, the legendary South End breakfast and lunch hotspot is turning 30. It’s famous for big portions and for being the spot where bigwig politicians meet. It’s also a beloved Boston institution among neighborhood locals, cabbies, cops and employees at the nearby hospitals. Jay Hajj opened Mike’s in 1995. He joins us to talk about building a mainstay of the Boston dining scene. To learn about all things Mike’s City Diner and anniversary specials go here.

Ryan Miller, co-lead singer of Guster and Guster’s drummer Brian Rosenworcel join The Culture Show to talk about their recent performances at The Kennedy Center, which Miller wrote about for The Atlantic. They also previewed two shows in the region; one in North Adams at MASS MoCA on July 26th and Guster’s On the Ocean music festival, August 8-August 10 in Portland, ME. To learn more go here.From there Kirk Carapezza joins The Culture Show to talk through a recent episode of College Uncovered, the podcast that he co-hosts with Jon Marcus. In “The Revenge of the Humanities,” they explore how some colleges are rebranding liberal arts as “applied humanities” or “leadership studies” to better connect with career paths and market demand. Kirk Carapezza is the Managing Editor and Correspondent for higher education at GBH News. College Uncovered is a collaboration between GBH News and The Hechinger Report.Finally, former US poet laureate and Pulitzer Prize winner Tracy K. Smith. She joined us the day after the election and she chose to share her poem titled “Declaration,” from her book “Wade in the Water.”

Today Culture Show co-hosts Callie Crossley, Jared Bowen and Edgar B. Herwick III go over the latest headlines on our arts and culture week-in-review.First up, Pope Leo XIV is the first American Pope. What are the cultural implications and did pop culture anticipate this moment? From there it’s a review of the MET Gala, which celebrated dandyism, Black excellence and menswear. Then it’s a look at President Trump’s plans to put a 100 percent tariff on foreign films. Finally, a production that will be filmed in the United States: “The Real Housewives of Rhode Island.”

Alex Alvear is an Ecuadorian composer, bassist, and vocalist who has three shows at Long Live Roxbury, which is a weekly music series bringing top-notch acts to the Long Live Beerworks taproom. The performances are free and the programming is the brainchild of Michael Feldman, the CEO of Feldman Geospatial. Alex Alvear and Michael Feldman join The Culture Show to talk about upcoming shows and how Long Live Roxbury is reviving Boston’s jazz scene. Alex Alvear and musicians Curi Cachimuel and Roberto Cachimuel also previewed tonight’s show with in-studio performances. To learn more about Alex Alvear’s shows and Long Live Roxbury and their other upcoming shows go here.From there Mary Grant, president of MassArt, joins The Culture Show to recap Creative Sector Advocacy week, to preview the MassArt Fashion Design Fashion Show and to reflect on what’s next for MassArt’s class of 2025 with graduation on the horizon.

James Parker joins The Culture Show to talk about his latest book “Get Me Through the Next Five Minutes: Odes to Being Alive.” He’s a staff writer at “The Atlantic.” Since 2011 he has been running the Black Seed Writers Group—a weekly writing workshop for homeless, transitional, and recently housed writers–and editing “The Pilgrim,” a literary magazine from the homeless community of downtown Boston.From there Fabiola Méndez, the celebrated Puerto Rican cuatrista and singer, joins The Culture Show for an in-studio performance. Finally Kiernan Schmitt joins The Culture Show to talk about his new book “Secret Boston: An Unusual Guide,” which takes us into the curious corners and around town. Kiernan Schmitt co-hosts the “Out of Office” travel podcast with Ryan Davis.

Boston Pops conductor Keith Lockhart joins The Culture Show to reflect on his 30th anniversary with the Boston Pops. He also gives an overview of the Boston Pops spring season, which includes an opening night concert with Cynthia Erivo, JAWS in Concert, and the musician, composer, and singer-songwriter Cody Fry. To learn about all of their programming go here. From there, Imari Paris Jeffries, President and CEO of Embrace Boston, joins The Culture Show to reflect on Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s letter from a Birmingham jail and the lessons it offers for leading peaceful protests in 2025.Finally Jameson Johnson joins The Culture Show to talk about Boston Art Review. She is Founder and Executive Director of this organization, which is a magazine, an online platform and so much more. To learn about BAR, go here.

Nonie Gadsen, Katharine Lane Weems Senior Curator of American Decorative Arts and Sculpture at the Museum of Fine Arts, and the MFA’s Benjamin Weiss, the Leonard A. Lauder Senior Curator of Visual Culture, join The Culture Show for our recurring series, “American Revolution: Frame by Frame.” Each month the curators and experts from the MFA join the show to talk about works in their collection that offer insight into the American Revolution. This is an extension of Museums 250. Today Nonie Gadsen and Benjamin Weiss discuss the "Goddess of Liberty" weathervane. From there David Coffin, a musician, music-educator and a maritime specialist is also a guide for Boston Harbor City Cruises. He joins The Culture Show for an overview of their “Lighthouses and Tales of Boston Harbor,” cruises, which run through May 15th. To learn more go here. Finally, we get an overview of “Utopian Hotline,” a theatrical experience that asks the question: “How would you envision a more perfect future?“ It’s staged by Theater Mitu and here in Boston, it’s presented by ArtsEmerson and the Museum of Science. It plays through May 18th at the Museum of Science Charles Hayden Planetarium. Denis Butkus, Theater Mitu Company Producer and co-creator of “Utopian Hotline,” joins The Culture Show. To learn more go here.

Today on our arts and culture week-in-review Culture Show co-hosts Jared Bowen, James Bennett II and Edgar B. Herwick III go over the latest headlines.First up, Bill Belichick’s controversial interview on CBS Sunday Morning. From there, it’s the viral debate that the Internet can’t get enough of: 100 men vs. one gorilla.Then it’s a look at the Tony nominations and a listen to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's Class of 2025 inductees. Finally, how a former employee at Market Basket has recreated its soundtrack as a Spotify playlist.

David Lindsay-Abaire is a Boston native and a Pulitzer Prize winning playwright. He joins The Culture Show to talk about the “Kimberly Akimbo,” which is coming to the Emerson Colonial Theatre by way of Broadway in Boston. The 2023 Tony-winner for Best Musical is based on David Lindsay-Abaire's play of the same title. It features a score by Jeanine Tesori and lyrics by David Lindsay-Abaire. To learn more go here.From there we get a jump of “May the Fourth Be With You,” the unofficial holiday for “Star Wars” fans. This Sunday at the Somerville Theatre, the New England Film Orchestra presents May the Fourth Concert, celebrating the music of Star Wars. Gina Naggar, conductor, founder, and music director of NEFO joins us for a preview. To learn more go here.Finally we mark Native Plant Trust’s 125th anniversary,the nation’s first plant conservation organization and the only one solely focused on New England’s native plants. Uli Lorimer, their Director of Horticulture joins us. He’s the author of “The Northeast Native Plant Primer: 235 Plants for an Earth-Friendly Garden.” To learn more about Native Plant Trust go here.

Award winning writer and poet Kwame Alexander joins The Culture Show to talk about the PBS Kids debut of “Acoustic Rooster.” Based on Alexander’s beloved children’s book “Acoustic Rooster and His Barnyard Band,” the “Acoustic Rooster” universe is coming to PBS KIDS with a special and a short-form series produced by GBH. This will feature “Acoustic Rooster and his Barnyard Band” a one-hour special, and “Acoustic Rooster: Jazzy Jams,” a new animated series of 20 shorts that will introduce viewers ages 3-5 to jazz music. To learn more, go here.From there Lt. Governor Kim Driscoll joins The Culture Show to talk about what the state can do when it comes to funding the arts and culture sector now that so many federal grants for museums and libraries have been cut. Finally, the pink wave makes a splash at the Emerson Colonial Theatre. “Mean Girls” the musical is onstage through May 4th. Two of the lead actors, Katie Yeomans and Maya Petropoulos join The Culture Show to talk about this satirical take on teenage drama and the perils of popularity. To learn more, go here.

Hannah Selinger is a James Beard Award-nominated lifestyle writer. She joins The Culture Show to talk about her debut memoir, “Cellar Rat: My Life in the Restaurant Underbelly.” On April 30th she’ll be at the Boston Public Library Central Library in Copley Square for an author talk. To learn more, go here.From there director Carson Lund joins The Culture Show to talk about his debut feature film “Eephus,” a quintessentially New England baseball film. Find out more, here.Finally, photographer Eric Antoniou discusses his new book “Rock to Baroque: Four Decades of Music Photography.” The book’s official release is Thursday, May 1 with a photo exhibition at the Panopticon Gallery at Boston’s Commonwealth Hotel. To learn more, go here.

Three-time U.S. Poet Laureate Robert Pinsky joins The Culture Show to talk about retiring from Boston University where he has been a professor since 1989. He’ll preview his retirement celebration, which is this Thursday, May1st atop “The Jenga Building” on the BU campus. He’ll recite poetry, there will be screenings and a reception. The event is open to the public and it's free. To learn more, go here.From there it’s Creative Sector Advocacy Week. We’re using this as an opportunity to look at the state of the arts and culture sector in Massachusetts with a focus on funding. Julie Wake, Executive Director at Arts Foundation of Cape Cod, and Ami Bennitt, an advocate and founder of Art Stays Here, join The Culture Show for this conversation.Finally, Culture Show contributor Julia Swanson takes us on a tour through Kendall Square with a look at SciArt. 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 of art across Greater Boston.

Culture Show co-hosts Jared Bowen, Callie Crossley and Edgar B. Herwick III go over the latest headlines on our arts and culture week-in-review.First up, Pope springs eternal. Pope Francis was a champion of the arts. He is the only pontiff who has attended the Venice Biennale, he opened up a gallery for contemporary art in the Vatican Library and he convened over 100 comedians to share a communal laugh at the Vatican.From there, YouTube turns 20. Everything from “Hot Ones,” to “how to” videos have become online mainstays and along the way, the most-viewed “Baby Shark” has accumulated nearly 16 billion views.Finally, a roundup of high profile trials, from Harvey Weinstein facing a new jury to Karen Read’s retrial to Sean Combs heading to court next week.

Dana Caspersen is a conflict engagement specialist, award-winning performing artist, and best-selling author. She joins The Culture Show to talk about her latest book, “Conflict Is an Opportunity: Twenty Fundamental Decisions for Navigating Difficult Times.”From there, Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter and folk music legend Loudon Wainwright III, joins The Culture Show ahead of his show in Northampton, MA at The Iron Horse and at The Town and The City Festival in Lowell. Finally Emma Chubb, Charlotte Feng Ford '83 Curator of Contemporary Art at Smith College Museum of Art joins The Culture Show for an overview of their exhibition, “Younes Rahmoun: Here, Now,” which is on view through July 13, 2025. To learn more, go here.

Mark Mothersbaugh and Gerald Casale, the cofounders of the new wave band Devo join The Culture Show to talk about cultural de-evolution, the genesis of their band, how they came to be one of the most original groups in the history of rock music. In 2023 they kicked off their 50th anniversary tour, which has been extended.” Devo: 50 Years Of De-evolution...continued!” comes to MGM Music Hall at Fenway on May 9th. To learn more, go here.From there acclaimed artist Alan Michelson discusses his “The Knowledge Keepers,” his site-specific sculptures created for the Museum of Fine Arts inaugural “Huntington Avenue Entrance Commission.” His installation honors local Indigenous presence and is, in part, a challenging response to Cyrus Dallin’s Appeal to the Great Spirit (1909), a sculpture that has occupied the entrance plaza since 1912. The MFA commissioned Michelson for this project and produced this in partnership with the Boston Public Art Triennial. Alan Michelson is a Mohawk member of Six Nations of the Grand River and School of the Museum of Fine Arts at Tufts University alumnus.Finally, an interior revolution is underway at Boston’s Old North Church with artisans working on a conservation and restoration project to uncover 18th-century painted angels lost to history and layers of paint - until now.

National Book Award winner Martín Espada joins The Culture Show to talk about his new collection of poetry, “Jailbreak of Sparrows.” On April 23rd Martín Espada will be at Porter Square Books in Cambridge at 7:00. To learn more, go here. In celebration of MIT’s new Thomas Tull Concert Hall, Radius Ensemble will perform works by MIT faculty on April 24th. Oboist Jennifer Montbach, Radius Ensemble’s Artistic & Executive Director and Eran Egozy, a clarinetist and Professor of the Practice in Music Technology at MIT join The Culture Show for a preview. To learn more about the concert, go here. Finally Harvard-trained neuroscientist and New York Times bestselling author Lisa Genova joins The Culture Show to talk about her latest novel, “More or Less Maddy,” which is about a young woman diagnosed with bipolar disorder.

Alton Brown, the television personality, food show presenter, food scientist, author, voice actor, and cinematographer joins The Culture Show to talk about his book “Food for Thought: Essays and Ruminations.” From there we head to candlepin city: Worcester. Vanessa Bumpus, Exhibits Coordinator for the Museum of Worcester gives us an overview of a recent exhibition that focussed on the history of Candlepin Bowling.Finally, Orville Peck joins The Culture Show to talk about what it’s like to be regarded as country music’s most mysterious outlaw.

Culture Show co-hosts Jared Bowen, Callie Crossley and Edgar B. Herwick III go over the latest headlines on our arts and culture week-in-review.First up, Blue Origin’s all-female space flight and the backlash that followed. From there how venerated architect Antoni Gaudí may become a saint and as we near the 250th anniversary of the American Revolutionary war, the surplus of events in Massachusetts that await history buffs, from the reenactment of Paul Revere’s Midnight Ride to the reconstruction of the battles of Lexington and Concord. Finally, “Phantom of the Opera,” returns to New York under a new name–”Masquerade,” and with an immersive experience twist.

Bring your big appetite to Boston’s Big Queer Food Fest, a multi-day happening, celebrating the contributions of the queer community to the culinary world. It kicks off on April 28th and wraps up on May 4th. David Lewis, co-founder of Big Queer Food Fest, and participating Chef, restaurateur and Food Network's Tournament of Champions winner Tifanni Faison join The Culture Show for a preview. To learn about the Big Queer Food Fest and to get tickets, go here.From there we continue our ongoing series celebrating the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution with historian Sean Osborne. He’s the co-founder of the Association of Black Citizens of Lexington, which recently launched the Black Patriots of Lexington. A project that includes a nine-part YouTube series exploring the lives of soldiers and residents who fought for freedom and were witnesses to history.Finally Mary Grant, President of Mass Art joins The Culture Show for her monthly appearance. Today she talks about Project Beethoven, a collaboration between Mass Art and Handel + Haydn Society.

As we near the 250th anniversary of Patriots’ Day, Kate Fox and David Wood join The Culture Show for a conversation about the major events that ignited the first year of the American Revolution: the battles of Lexington and Concord. Kate Fox is the Executive Director at the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism, which is leading the Massachusetts 250 campaign. David Wood is the Curator at Concord Museum. His latest book is “Eyewitness to Revolution: The American Revolution Collection at the Concord Museum.”From there, Karina Corrigan joins The Culture Show for an overview of the Peabody Essex Museum’s exhibition “Saints, Sinners, Lovers and Fools: Three Hundred Years of Flemish Masterworks." Karina Corrigan is PEM's Associate Director–Collections and The H.A. Crosby Forbes Curator of Asian Export Art.Then, Culture Show contributor Pedro Alonzo joins us for his monthly appearance. He is a Boston-based independent curator who specializes in public art projects. He is also the Artistic Director of the Boston Public Art Triennial.Finally, we return to 1775 by way of some archival audio from WGBH’s vault, a recording of the late Doctor Alfred Worcester recalling the story his great grandmother told him about experiencing Patriots’ Day in 1775.

Imari Paris Jeffries, President and CEO of Embrace Boston, joins The Culture Show to talk about the 60th Anniversary of the 1965 Freedom Rally. As part of the Everyone 250 Initiative and other 250 celebrations, Embrace Boston, in collaboration with the City of Boston and other community partners, will gather at the Embrace Monument/Parkman Bandstand. To learn more about the event, go here.From there Jeremy Siegel, the global transportation correspondent for The World and GBH News, joins The Culture Show to talk about his recent travels to Tokyo, and the lessons Boston can learn from their world class transportation system.Finally, Culture Show contributor Joyce Kulhawik joins The Culture Show for a roundup of the latest plays, movies and television to see right now. Joyce Kulhawik is a Culture Show contributor, Emmy-award winning arts and entertainment reporter and president of the Boston Theatre Critics Association. You can find her reviews at Joyce’sChoices.

David Grann, author of “The Wager,” and “Killers of the Flower Moon, is a #1 “New York Times” best selling author and an award-winning staff writer at “The New Yorker” magazine. He joins The Culture Show to talk about his writing and reporting process, and adapting his work for the screen. On April 27th he’ll be honored at the Associates of the Boston Public Library's 35th annual Literary Lights dinner.From there Ian Judge, Creative Director at The Somerville Theatre, gives us an overview of “Wonderful & Strange: A Tribute to David Lynch. It kicks off on April 16th and runs through April 19th. To learn more, go here.Finally, Daniel Mendelsohn—Charles Ranlett Flint Professor of Humanities at Bard College, and frequent contributor of essays to The New Yorker and The New York Review of Books where he is Editor-at-Large—discusses his new translation of Homer's “The Odyssey.” Tonight he’ll be at Harvard Bookstore for an event at 7:00. To learn more, go here.

Culture Show co-hosts Jared Bowen, Callie Crossley and James Bennett II go over the latest headlines on our arts and culture week-in-review, which includes the Museum of Fine Arts. Following a global search, they announced that Pierre Terjanian will be the museum’s next Ann and Graham Gund Director and CEO. He joins The Culture Show to talk about his vision for the MFA.From there it’s “A Minecraft Movie, “ which has exceeded box office expectations and sparked mayhem in the movie theaters along the way.Then it’s onto the National Recording Registry with a listen to some of the 25 recordings added this year. Plus, how Trump’s tariffs could affect arts and culture, from the price of books to Hollywood.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of Harvard Square’s iconic Harvest Restaurant. To kick off this milestone birthday year, Harvest is inviting alumni chefs to cook a selection of special dinners. Their first one is Harvest Alumni, noted cookbook author and TV Personality Sara Moulton. She joins The Culture Show for a preview. The dinner will take place on Friday. To learn more go here.From there Culture Show contributor Lisa Simmons weighs in on how China is threatening to respond to Trump’s tariffs by banning Hollywood flms.. Lisa Simmons is the artistic and executive director of the Roxbury International Film Festival and program manager at Mass Cultural Council. Finally Felipe Torres Medina, an award-winning comedian and writer on “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert,” discusses his new book, “America, Let Me In: A Choose Your Immigration Story.”

Bestselling author Amor Towles has another bestseller, “Table for Two.” It’s a collection of short stories that land us in New York. The second part of the book moves us to Los Angeles in a novella set during the Golden Age of Hollywood. We caught up with Towles back in September when he was in town for a book event. He joins us again, now that “Table for Two” is out in paperback to continue the conversation, with a focus on the second part of the book, “Eve in Hollywood.”From there we continue our series “Countdown to 2026,” with Nina Zannieri, Executive Director of the Paul Revere House. She joins The Culture Show with an overview of the events and programming commemorating the 250th anniversary of Paul Revere’s Midnight Ride, which is April 18th. To learn more about everything that the Paul Revere House has to offer, go here,Finally Mahesh Daas, president of Boston Architectural College, discusses the lasting impact of COVID on higher education. Mahesh Daas is a Culture Show contributor who joins us monthly. He is co-author of the graphic novella about artificial intelligence, titled “I, Nobot.”

Actors’ Shakespeare Project closes out their 2024-25 Season with their latest production of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.” Actor De’Lon Grant, who stars as Demetrius, joins The Culture Show to talk about the production. “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” is on stage, April 11- May 4 at the Dorothy and Charles Mosesian Center for the Arts in Watertown. To learn more, go here.From there James Poniewozik joins The Culture Show to talk about today’s political TV dramas and how their adherence to White House procedures and protocols are disorienting compared to the real drama that plays out daily in Trump’s White House. Poniewozik wrote about this recently in his essay “The Sudden Weirdness of TV Presidents.” James Poniewozik is chief TV critic for The New York Times and author of Audience of One: Donald Trump, Television, and the Fracturing of America.Finally Katie Hanson, William and Ann Elfers Curator of Paintings at the Museum of Fine Arts, joins The Culture Show for an overview of their exhibition “Van Gogh: The Roulin Family Portraits.” It’s on view through Sep 7, 2025. To learn more, go here.

“Night Side Songs,” a new musical created by brothers Daniel and Patrick Lazour is a work that explores the myriad experiences of catastrophic illness–the fear, blame and reconciliation. Produced by the American Repertory Theater in association with the Philadelphia Theatre Company, “Night Side Songs” is onstage at Hibernian Hall in Roxbury April 9th through April 20th. Daniel and Patrick Lazour join The Culture Show for an overview. To learn more, go here.From there, famed countertenor Anthony Roth Costanzo, He is the new General Director and President of Opera Philadelphia and he’s on a mission to make opera more accessible and affordable. Case in point: there’s plenty to sing about with the company’s new $11 tickets. On the heels of announcing their 2025-2026 season, he joins The Culture Show to talk about his vision for Opera Philadelphia. Finally, GBH’s Paris Alston joins The Culture Show to preview the launch of “GBH News Rooted,” a new television show that continues the conversation about the Black experience. To learn more, go here.

Culture Show co-hosts Jared Bowen, Callie Crossley and Edgar B. Herwick III go over the latest headlines on our arts and culture week-in-review.First up, the fate of TikTok, which is nearing its Saturday deadline to find a new buyer under federal law or it’ll have to go dark as a result of a ban in the United States.Then it’s the Netflix series “Adolescence,” which has provoked a conversation about toxic masculinity and teenagers in crisis.From there it’s a look at Sam Mendes, who has announced the cast of his Beatles biopic.Plus more White House DOGE cuts are putting a chokehold on arts and culture in this country. In the crosshairs this week: The National Endowment of the Humanities which will see 70-80% of its staff cut. And The Institute of Museum and Library Services which has just been gutted.Finally, reflecting on the career of actor Val Kilmer who died earlier this week at age 65.

Artist Cicely Carew joins The Culture Show to talk about her solo exhibition at the Fuller Craft Museum, BeLOVEd, a visionary site-specific installation uniting multiple media: sculpture, video and a soundscape to create an immersive, meditative experience. To learn more, go here.From there Samuel Brewer joins The Culture Show. He is a co-founder of FlawBored, a multi award winning disability led theatre company. Their show, “It’s a Motherf**king Pleasure,” is presented by ArtsEmerson, onstage through April 13th. To learn more, go here,Finally, we get an overview of the New England Aquarium’s “retirement home” island for aging penguins. Kristen McMahon, the aquarium's curator of pinnipeds and penguins, joins The Culture Show.

Boston Lyric Opera mounts an 80th Anniversary production of "Rodgers & Hammerstein's CAROUSEL,” eight decades to the day of its first Boston run, and in the same venue where the final pre-Broadway tryout played in 1945, the Colonial Theatre. BLO Artistic Associate Anne Bogart stages a tribute to this classic and she joins The Culture Show for an overview. To learn about upcoming performances, go here.From there the Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist Elizabeth Strout joins The Culture Show to talk about her latest book “Tell Me Everything” and to discuss her upcoming visit to Boston on April 27th where she will be the keynote speaker at the 35th annual Literary Lights dinner, sponsored by the Associates of the Boston Public Library. Finally Erika Rumbley, the Director of Horticulture at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum joins the Culture Show to talk about the annual return of their Hanging Nasturtiums, which is on display through April 14th. To learn more, go here.

Matthew Teitelbaum, Director of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston and Ethan Lasser, John Moors Cabot Chair, Art of the Americas, join The Culture Show to kick off a new series. Each month the curators and experts from the MFA will be on the show to talk about works in their collection that offer insight into the American Revolution. This is an extension of Museums 250.From there Culture Show contributor Joyce Kulhawik joins The Culture Show for a roundup of the latest plays, movies and television. Joyce Kulhawik is a Culture Show contributor, Emmy-award winning arts and entertainment reporter and president of the Boston Theatre Critics Association. You can find her reviews at Joyce’sChoices .Finally, we kick off National Poetry Month with artist, educator and activist Amanda Shea. She is the curator and host of “Outspoken Saturdays,” ​​a spoken word poetry event for emerging artists, which happens every first Saturday of the month. To learn more, go here.

Peter Drummey, Chief Historian at the Massachusetts Historical Society, joins The Culture Show for an overview of their new exhibition “1775: Rebels, Rights & Revolution.” The exhibition explores the pivotal events and personal stories that ignited the American Revolution. It’s on view through December 2025. To learn more, go here.From there playwright Robert Horn joins The Culture Show to talk about the Tony Award-winning musical, “Shucked,” which comes to Citizens Opera House by way of Broadway in Boston, April 8 through April 20th. To learn more, go here.Finally Culture Show contributor Julia Swanson takes us on a tour of public art that will get us outdoors and in the mood for spring. 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 of art across Greater Boston.

Today on The Culture Show, co-hosts Jared Bowen, Callie Crossley and Edgar B. Herwick III go over the latest headlines on our arts and culture week-in-review.First up, President Trump’s latest directive to control culture. Yesterday he signed an Executive Order intended, in his words, to Restore Truth and Sanity to American History. He’s called for the restoration of monuments, memorials and statues quote “improperly removed or changed in the last five years to perpetuate a false revision of history.” From there it’s Mayor Michelle Wu on “The Daily Show,” where she defied its reputation as a racist city by promoting it as diverse and welcoming.Plus a look at Dawn M. Simmons' next act as the artistic director of the SpeakEasy Stage Company.And the countdown to “The White Lotus” season finale. With only two episodes to go, will the show succeed in surprising audiences?Finally, George Foreman’s legacy as a boxing champ turned king of the grill, making millions with his “lean, mean, fat-fighting machine.”

When it comes to Jeff and Julie Kinney, their life is one for the books. Jeff Kinney is the author of the blockbuster, best selling “Wimpy Kid,” kingdom, which is reaching a milestone this year, with Kinney publishing his 20th title, .“Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Partypooper.” Together, Jeff and Julie own An Unlikely Story bookstore and cafe,” in downtown Plainville, MA, which they opened ten years ago. Now they are writing a new chapter for their adopted hometown, with an ambitious five year plan to revitalize it. They join The Culture Show to talk about their vision.From there Imari Paris Jeffries, President and CEO of Embrace Boston joins The Culture Show to talk about the launch of the Everyone250 campaign celebrating America’s 250th anniversary. Finally playwright Ricardo Pérez González joins The Culture Show to talk about his play “Don’t Eat the Mangos.” A Huntington Theatre production, it’s onstage through April 27th in the Calderwood Pavillion at the Boston Center for the Arts. To learn more, go here.