Georgia State University student Imani Okwuosa and GSU Artist-in-Residence Tom Luse discuss the student-created film “Rejuvenation,” which is available to stream on Tubi and Amazon Video on Demand. Plus, Nilüfer Yanya details her most recent album and her creative process ahead of her October 11 show at Terminal West. See Privacy Policy at https://…

Core Dance artistic director Sue Schroeder discusses “Braiding Time, Memory and Water,” an outdoor performance on October 19th at Powers Island on the Chattahoochee River. Plus, H Johnson stops by for the latest installment of “H Johnson’s Jazz Moment,” and we speak with soprano Chelsea Lehnea ahead of her performance at Morningside Presbyterian Ch…

Atlanta Symphony Principal Oboist Elizabeth Tiscione discusses her upcoming performances of "The Flower Clock" by Jean Francaix alongside her ASO colleagues. Plus, comedian Nate Rowland is in the spotlight for our series, "Speaking of Comedy. "Food historian Akila McConnell and chef Asata Reid from the WABE podcast "Savory Stories" detail the histo…

Children’s book author and illustrator Duncan Tonatiuh, alongside playwright and lyricist Jessica Rosa Espinoza, discuss their live puppetry adaptation of “Pancho Rabbit and the Coyote: A Migrant Story.” The production is on stage at the Center for Puppetry Arts through October 20. Plus, we’ll kick off the Halloween season with Chantelle Rytter, th…

Producer, director, screenwriter, and comedian Judd Apatow discusses “Judd Apatow and Friends.” The live comedy showcase is on stage at Variety Playhouse on November 3. Plus, film director Nicholas Ma details his new documentary, “Leap of Faith, which screens at the Tara Theatre on October 18. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and Cal…

Curator Kimberli Gant discusses the new exhibition at the High Museum of Art, “Giants: Art from the Dean Collection of Swizz Beatz and Alicia Keys.” Plus, Dr. Scott Stewart joins us for the latest edition of “Music in Media,” curator Faron Manuel details the downtown Atlanta digital art installation “Local Stories,” and we hear about the new mural …

MacArthur Fellow, social entrepreneur, multimedia artist, and founder of the Sphinx Organization, Aaron Dworkin, discusses his new memoir, "Lessons in Gratitude." Plus, we celebrate Whole World Improv Theater's 30th anniversary and we hear about the No Words Music Festival, which takes place at multiple Atlanta venues October 11-13. See Privacy Pol…

Dr. Eve Byrd and Georgia state representative Kim Schofield discuss the “Healing Arts Atlanta” conference and event series, which takes place at multiple Atlanta locations through October 11. Plus, independent rock artist Tron Austin takes the spotlight for our series, “Speaking of Music,” and master woodworker and sculptor Doug Pisik walks us thro…

Playwright Lloyd Suh and actor Keiko Agena discuss “The Chinese Lady,” which is on stage at the Alliance Theatre through October 17. H Johnson stops by for the latest edition of “H Johnson’s Jazz Moment” with the story behind The Ink Spots. William Bell enters the National R&B Hall of Fame and Catfight! band members Katy Graves, Jennifer Leavey, an…

Director Rachel May discusses Synchronicity Theatre's production of "POTUS: Or, Behind Every Great Dumbass are Seven Women Trying to Keep Him Alive." Plus, hospitality in the service industry is the focus of this week's Savory Stories, and we hear from the Art Farm at Serenbe's executive director, Madalynn Mentor, with details on "Celestial," the n…

Joe Barry Carroll, former NBA player, author, and artist, discusses his upcoming conversation with the Decatur Book Festival’s 2024 keynote speaker, Joyce Carol Oates. Plus, director and producer Michael McNamara details his documentary “Catwalk: Tales from the Cat Show Circuit,” screening at KSU on October 7, and travel expert Rick Steves stops by…

For two decades Muscogee Nation has been fighting for their ancestral tribal land. We hear from Raelynn Butler, the secretary for culture and Humanities for the Muscogee Nation, and attorney Mary Kathryn Nagle regarding a lawsuit against the Poarch Band of Creek Indians over their handling of sacred land dating back to 2012. Plus, a shelter-in-plac…

Voting Rights Activist and author Stacey Abrams discusses the third installment of her children’s book series “Stacey Speaks Up.” Stacey Abrams will be the Kidnote speaker at the Decatur Book Festival on Saturday, October 5th at 10am. Plus, we hear from the co-writers of The Lion King, both the animated film and the stage version, Roger Allers and …

“In the Beginning” is a new group art exhibition at Quinlan Visual Arts Center in Gainesville. It brings together an international assembly of artists whose work explores fundamental human identity and the ways our cultures distinguish themselves. “City Lights” host Lois Reitzes speaks with Nairika Cornett, the museum's executive director. Plus, we…

Lois Reitzes speaks with Atlanta Art Week founder Kendra Walker about the annual event, which brings together a community of galleries, patrons, collectors, artists, and art industry professionals from all over the city. It takes place September 30th through October 6th. Plus, Atlanta artist Pilar discusses her new exhibition at the Atlanta Hartsfi…

Former Georgia Governor Nathan Deal discusses his new children’s book, “Veto, the Governor’s Cat,” written in honor of his late wife, Sandra. Plus, Lois speaks with Pam Morton, director of the Arts & Authors program at the Marcus Jewish Community Center of Atlanta, and Olivia Aston Bosworth, director of “The Curious Cardinal,” which is showing at t…

Literary expert Alison Law and Lois Reitzes kick off the “Bookmarked” series by discussing Banned Books Week and Decatur Book Festival. Plus, we hear from psychedelic/soul band Khruangbin ahead of their Atlanta concerts at the Fox Theatre and The Eastern. We also listen back to Lois’ conversation with Executive Producer John Zaller about “Titanic: …

Jazz musician Will Scruggs details his plans to open the Phoenix City Jazz Club in Decatur. Plus, we’ll hear about the Computer Museum of America. The museum is in Roswell, Georgia, and executive director Rena Youngblood joined us to discuss their Apollo 11 exhibition. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at…

This year, the students at Global Village Project are celebrating their achievements in music with the release of “Imagine a Circle: The Global Village Project Songbook.” The songs are written by and with GVP students, and selections will be performed at a celebration concert on September 28th at the Oakhurst Center for Community. “City Lights” hos…

Rachel Parish and Sarah Cameron Sunde explain the story behind their upcoming “Atlanta to the Atlantic” Flux Project installation. Terminus Modern Ballet co-founders Rachel Van Buskirk and Tara Lee discuss changes and a forthcoming farewell performance. Plus, artist Greg Mike details the new ABV gallery space in East Atlanta, and we hear about the …

Tomer Zvulun, Atlanta Opera artistic director, and Dr. Carlos del Rio, infectious disease expert from Emory University School of Medicine, discuss the Atlanta Opera’s “Bohème Project.” Plus, hear about the “Pianos for Peace” project; musician John Michael, also known as Ralph Laurie, takes the spotlight for our series, “Speaking of Music,” and we l…

Jimmy Carter’s grandson, Jason Carter, tells us about “Jimmy Carter 100: A Celebration in Song.” The eclectic concert will be held at the Fox Theatre on September 17. Plus, playwright Topher Payne and actor Amanda Cucher discuss “The Attala County Garden Club” at OnStage Atlanta September 13- 28, and we hear about “Off the Wall,” a film projection …

Recorded live at Monday Night Garage, Lois speaks with Monday Night Brewing founders Jeff Heck and Joel Iverson. In the last 13 years, their company has evolved from a backyard post-work meet-up into an award-winning national beer company that we see in grocery stores, gas stations, bars, and restaurants. Then, we learn about the art and craft of b…

Challenge the Stats founder Angelica Hairston, and musician Jessy Diaz discuss their Latin Jazz Concert on September 14 at 3121 Norman Berry Dr, East Point, GA 30344. Comedian, writer, and performer Will Amato details “The Parlor Show,” coming to Dynamic El Durado on September 13. Plus, we hear from executive director Kara Walker about this year’s …

Theatrical Outfit artistic director Matt Torney and Dominion Entertainment executive producer Robert John Connor discuss their new production of “A Raisin in the Sun,” which opens on September 11. Plus, we hear from artist and founder Peter Ferrari about this Saturday’s upcoming “Forward Warrior” mural festival. Artists Amberly Hui Hood and Helen C…

Nikki Bedi, host of “The Arts Hour” on BBC World Service, discusses “The Arts Hour on Tour,” which comes to WABE studios this Saturday. Tabernacle Choir president Michael O. Leavitt details their upcoming collaborations with Spelman and Morehouse colleges. Plus, we hear about Scraplanta’s expansion to Adair Park and the Cosplay Medics of Dragon Con…

Tony Award-winning performer Shuler Hensley discusses directing the upcoming production of “The Music Man” for City Springs Theatre Company, which is on stage at Sandy Springs Performing Arts Center September 6-22. Plus, food historian Akila McConnell and chef Asata Reid from the WABE podcast “Savory Stories” share the culinary history of barbecue,…

Travel expert Rick Steves stops by for the latest ATL Up and Away installment. Emory Chamber Music Society of Atlanta’s artistic director, Will Ransom, shares what’s in store for their new season. Plus, Muralist Nicole Merizalde, writer, poet, and artist Constance Collier-Mercado, and information on the first annual East Lake Music Fest. See Privac…

Playwright Bill Balzer and director Lynna Schmidt talk about the play, “Two Drink Minimum.” A story of a mother entering dementia while her son struggles to keep their relationship grounded. Plus, we hear from Rough Draft Atlanta assistant editor Sammie Purcell and AJC senior editor Mike Jordan about this weekend’s festivals and activities. We also…

In this “City Lights” episode, we discuss what you’re not supposed to discuss outside of Write Club. Write Club. One of the co-founders, Nicholas Tecosky talks about this unique literary battle where local writers duel through dynamic reading. We hear from WABE’s music contributor, Dr. Scott Stewart, about the late summer films coming out and their…

We celebrate 100 years of the activist and writer James Baldwin by revisiting Lois Reitzes’ 2018 conversations on “If Beale Street Could Talk.” She spoke with director Barry Jenkins and actor Colman Domingo, who portrays Joseph Rivers in the film. Also, we listened back to Reitzes’ conversation with author Robert Jones Jr. about his 2021 novel, “Th…

Alonzo Bodden details the upcoming “Wait, Wait… Don’t Tell Me” stand-up comedy show at Symphony Hall. Plus, we hear how Anne Byrn brings history and insight to her new book, “Baking in the American South.” See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.…

Alliance Theatre artistic director Tinashe Kajese-Bolden discusses “The Mountaintop,” which is on stage at the Alliance from August 30 through September 22. Plus, Lila Ramani of the band Crumb joins us ahead of their August 25 show at the Buckhead Theater, and we speak with the CEO and founder of Eclipso Atlanta, Antoine Lieutaud, about their new V…

Kathleen Bertrand, executive producer of the Bronzelens Film Festival, discusses the event, which runs from August 21 to 25 and is hosted at various Atlanta venues. Plus, food historian Akila McConnell and chef Asata Reid from the WABE podcast Savory Stories discuss the culinary history of America’s favorite lunch food, the sandwich, and Atlanta au…

Beth McKibben, senior editor and dining editor at Rough Draft Atlanta, discusses the many theme bars in Atlanta. Plus, Sally Faulkner, principal of the design firm Faulkner + Locke, details “The Art of Signia,” and Chef Demetrius Brown shares his vision as the new co-owner of the restaurant Bread and Butterfly. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.c…

Atlanta drag queen Tyra Rex discusses "Shamilton!" The parody musical is on stage at City Winery on August 22, 24, 25, and 28. Plus, celebrated outdoor photographer Peter Essick explores the unnatural world of construction sites for his new book, "Work in Progress," and we hear about MOCA GA's Working Artist Project. See Privacy Policy at https://a…

Atlanta Quilt Festival co-founder O.V. Brantley and Dr. Arshley Emile, who directed the new documentary “Stitch,” discuss the film and the festival which is running through September 8. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.…

Actor Colman Domingo discusses his starring role in the new film, “Sing Sing.” Plus, Erin Drakeford takes the spotlight for our series, “Speaking of Art,” and Dr. Scott Stewart talks about the scores of Westerns for “Music in Media.” See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-se…

Atlanta jazz trumpeter Joe Gransden shares how he tracked down his prized Trans Am 30 years after selling it. Plus, Artist Treyvian Dowell takes the spotlight for our series, “Speaking of Art.” See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.…

Music producer John Snyder joins us for our new series, “Notes and Narratives.” This month, Snyder shares stories about his time working with jazz alto saxophonist and composer Paul Desmond. Plus, “Cabaret” is on stage at Actor’s Express, and artistic director Freddie Ashley explains why the musical continues to be relevant. See Privacy Policy at h…

Essential Theatre artistic director Peter Hardy and managing director Jennifer Kimball discuss Essential Theatre Play Festival’s 25th anniversary, from Aug 9-Sept 1. Plus, H Johnson stops by for our series, “H Johnson’s Jazz Moment and we hear about the upcoming Mighty Shorts Film Slam. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California…

Najee Dorsey, founder and CEO of Black Art in America, discusses the second annual Atlanta Fine Art Print Fair, running from August 9 to 11. Plus, food historian Akila McConnell, from the WABE podcast “Savory Stories,” shares the history of the Georgia Peach, and we hear about The Try Guy’s “Eat the Menu” tour, which comes to the Buckhead Theater o…

Travel guru Rick Steves stops by for our monthly series, “ATL Up and Away.” This month he gives advice on how to ensure that happy travels are healthy travels. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Playwright Aaron Levy and director Megan Cramer discuss Destination Theater’s “The Student Body,” which opens at Galloway School’s Chaddick Theater on August 9. Plus, Jeff Fallis takes the spotlight for our series, “Speaking of Poetry.” See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not…

Playwright Pearl discusses “Something Moving: A Mediation on Maynard,” which opens August 2 at the Alliance Theater. Plus, today is National Pinball Day, and we learn the story behind the celebration and why the game was once illegal. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-s…

Petite Violette co-owners Anthony and Michael Gropp discuss the restaurant’s upcoming 50th anniversary celebrations. Plus, Dr. Scott Stewart stops by for the latest installment of “Music in Media.” This week he discusses the scores of some of the hottest video games. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at h…

The documentary series "The National Parks: America's Best Idea," directed by Ken Burns, chronicles the creation of National Parks and follows the stories of those who worked and continue to work to make them a reality. We revisit Lois's 2020 conversation with writer and producer Dayton Duncan. Plus, artist Hyland Mather joins us to discuss his new…

Claire Haley, VP of Special Projects at the Atlanta History Center, discusses their exhibition "Telling Stories: 'Gone with the Wind' and American Memory." We also listen to Lois's conversation with author ReShonda Tate about her book, "THE QUEEN OF SUGAR HILL, A Novel of Hattie McDaniel." See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and Califor…

Artist Gyun Hur discusses her new public art installation “Our mothers, our water, our peace.” Plus, H Johnson stops by for the latest episode of “H Johnson’s Jazz Moment.” See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Writer, editor, and unapologetic author ally Alison Law discusses some of her favorite picks from this year’s “Bitter Southerner’s Summer Reading Roundup.” Plus, Brandon Nicole takes the spotlight for our series, “Speaking of Music.” See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-se…