Episodes
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May 30, 2025 - Week in Review: The Labubu craze, Harry Potter, and Audra McDonald vs Patti LuPone
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.” -
May 29, 2025 - Vincent Valdez, Two Strangers (Carry A Cake Across New York), and public art around Bost
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. -
May 28, 2025 - Ron Chernow, Tara Roberts, and the Boston Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival
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. -
May 27, 2025 - The Arrival Art Fair, Titus Burgess, and Jane Eaglen
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 Titus 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. -
May 26, 2025 - Marianne Leone, Erik Andrade, and Eric and Will
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. -
May 23, 2025 - Week in Review: Caitlin Clark vs Angel Reese, Springsteen vs Trump, and remembering George Wendt
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? -
May 22, 2025 - George Takei, B. Dylan Hollis, and a preview of Boston Calling
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. -
May 21, 2025 - Sebastian Smee, Dr. Greg Skomal on Jaws at 50, and the 250th anniversary of the Battle of Chelsea Creek
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. -
May 20, 2025 - The Michelin Guide in Boston, JaJa's African Hair Braiding, and Mahesh Daas
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.” -
May 19, 2025 - Josh Simpson and Cady Coleman, the Boston Public Art Triennial, and Shakespeare in ASL
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.
