Episodes
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November 5, 2024 - The BSO's Duke Ellington Tribute Concerts, Puppet Free Library, and "Countdown to 2026"
Thomas Wilkins, the Boston Symphony Orchestra’s artistic partner for education and community engagement and vocalist Renese King join The Culture Show to talk about the BSO’s tribute to Duke Ellington concerts, which includes a free concert on Friday, November 8 at 7 p.m. The performance will take place at Boston’s Basilica in the Mission Hill neighborhood. The all-Duke Ellington program marks the 50th anniversary of Ellington’s death with a selection of the jazz great’s most seminal works, including excerpts from his three Sacred Concerts, featuring vocalist Renese King and a specially formed ensemble of singers. To learn more about the free concert go here. And find out more about the November 7th concert here and the November 9th concert here.From there legendary puppeteer Sara Peattie joins us to talk about running the Puppet Free Library, which lives in the basement of Emanuel Church on Newbury street. Sara Peattie is the co-founder of the Puppeteers’ Cooperative, a nonprofit started in 1976 with the late puppeteer George Konnoff.Finally, we continue our series, Countdown to 2026, with historian Catherine Allgor leading the way, with a focus on the culture, the people on the ground, and the events leading up to the American Revolution. Catherine Allgor is President Emerita of the Massachusetts Historical Society, an author, historian and visiting scholar with the Department of History at Tufts University. On this month’s episode we’re looking at the fight for women’s rights by way of Abigail Adams and her famous letter to John Adams, urging him to “Remember the Ladies.” -
November 4, 2024 - The Ufot Family Cycle and Andre Dubus III
Growing up in Southbridge, Massachusetts the acclaimed playwright Mfoniso Udofia rarely saw stories about Africans and African Americans that felt true to her own family. Inspired in part by August Wilson’s Century Cycle, she set out to create a cycle of nine plays that follows one Nigerian American family through three generations. Titled the Ufot Family Cycle, all nine of those plays will be produced as part of a two-year city-wide festival in Greater Boston. Led by the Huntington Theatre Company, a wide range of local cultural organizations will collaborate on the project. With the first play of the cycle, “Sojourners,” onstage now, Mfoniso Udofia and the Huntington’s artistic director Loretta Greco join The Culture Show to talk about launching this unprecedented endeavor. “Sojourners,” is on through December 1st. To learn more, click here.From there the writer Andre Dubus III joins The Culture Show. His nine books include the New York Times’ bestsellers “House of Sand and Fog,” “The Garden of Last Days,” and his memoir, “Townie.” His most recent novel, “Such Kindness,” was published in June 2023, and today he joins the show to talk about his latest work, a collection of personal essays, “Ghost Dogs: On Killers and Kin,” Andre Dubus teaches writing at the University of Massachusetts Lowell. To learn more about his upcoming appearances and events, click here. -
November 1, 2024 - Week in Review: Martha Stewart, Teri Garr, and Mariah Carey's early return
November 1, 2024 - Week in Review: Martha Stewart, Teri Garr, and Mariah Carey's early return -
October 31, 2024 - Secret Byrd, Night of the Living Books, and Mary Grant
St. Paul’s Cathedral in Boston will transform into a clandestine location for six intimate performances October 31st through November 2nd, of Concert Theatre Works’ production of “Secret Byrd,” an immersive musical experience celebrating the music and activism of English Renaissance composer William Byrd. Presented by Revels, this is how Byrd intended for his Mass for 5 Voices to be sung- for worship and in strict secrecy. “Secret Byrd,” was created and directed by Bill Barclay, and features The Gesualdo Six, one of England’s leading vocal ensembles, and Abendmusik, New York’s Early String Band. Bill Barclay Artistic Director of Concert Theatre Works and Revels Senior Artistic Advisor, Paddy Swanson join The Culture Show. Tickets and information are at revels.org. From there we get a preview of Porter Square Books’ “Night of the Living Books ( a Halloween Party).” It kicks off at 7:00 PM at the Porter Square Books: Boston Edition in the Seaport District. Assistant Store Manager Jen Fryar joins us for a preview. To see Porter Square Books' staff recommendations, visit their website.Finally Mary Grant, President of Massachusetts College of Art and Design, joins The Culture Show for her monthly appearance to discuss a range of topics, which includes her thoughts on Ballot Question 2, and the recipients of the 2024 MassArt Common Good Award, which celebrates individuals who demonstrate the transformative impact of the arts on civic life.The Culture Show, which presents,Community Canvas, is an initiative at GBH that features artwork from community members on our Digital Mural. Today’s mural, in the spirit of Halloween, is titled Spooky Mookie by Corinn Colford. -
October 30, 2024 - Subject:Matter, Keith Mascoll, Pedro Alonzo and Sam Durant
Subject:Matter, the Boston-based tap ensemble joins The Culture Show to perform and preview their debut jazz album “Songbook,” which will be released on November 8th. They will also be performing at the ICA on November 8. Ian Berg, a choreographer, composer and founder of Subject:Matter, Dance Captain Sam Emmond and Subject:Matter Music Director Max Ridley discuss it all with Jared Bowen.From there Keith Mascoll previews a live taping of his podcast at the Museum of Science, “Living The Triggered Life Podcast, “ which he co-hosts with his wife Roxann Mascoll. They are a Black couple who have their own trauma histories. On their podcast they talk about love, mental health, relationships and family dynamics. Finally culture show contributor Pedro Alonzo, the Boston-based independent curator and interdisciplinary artist Sam Durant join The Culture Show for our recurring segment AI: Actual Intelligence. Sam Durant, who grew up near Boston discusses how being part of Boston Busing influenced his perspective as an artist. -
October 29, 2024 - American Sports Story: Aaron Hernandez, the best books of 1925, and Erik Andrade
Nina Jacobson and Brad Simpson, Executive Producers of FX’s “American Sports Story: Aaron Hernandez,” join The Culture Show to talk about adapting his story to a 10-part limited series.From there Linda Weld, who is a board member of the Associates of the Boston Public Library and co-chair of the Hundred-Year Retroactive Book Award joins us to talk about their Hundred-Year Retroactive Book award and the upcoming deadline to vote for the 1925 literary work that has the most relevance today.Finally, poet Erik Andrade joins us to talk about his work, being included in the prestigious anthology, “Black Fire This Time Vol. 2,” and the tradition of the spoken word as a form of activism. For more information about Andrade's upcoming open mic nights in New Bedford, visit his Instagram page. -
October 28, 2024 - Titus Kaphar, the Old North Church's crypt tours, and Unfinished Democracy: Artistic Reflections
Contemporary painter, sculptor and installation artist Titus Kaphar has built a reputation for grappling with history and racism and for exploring whose stories get told, and whose don’t. Now he’s working with a larger canvas–the movie screen–to tell his story. His debut film, “Exhibiting Forgiveness,” is in theaters now. Kaphar joins The Culture Show to talk about this film, which is about family, generational healing, and the power of forgiveness. From there, a perfect subject for people who like a good helping of history with their Halloween. Over 1,100 bodies lie beneath the sanctuary of Old North Church and you can explore this historic site by way of Old North After-Hours Crypt Tours. Nikki Stewart, the Executive Director of Old North Illuminated, joins The Culture Show to talk about the tour and the history of the crypt. The tours run every night through November 2. To learn more about tickets and times, go here.Finally, ahead of Election Day, we get an overview of “Unfinished Democracy: Artistic Reflections,” which is on view at the Cultural Center of Cape Cod through November 5th, which includes an Election Night closing event. Molly Demeulenaere, Executive Director of the Cultural Center of Cape Cod joins The Culture Show. -
October 25, 2024 - Week in Review: Idris Elba, Hallmark ageism, and a BBQ museum
First up: Actor Idris Elba has a 10 year plan to bolster the film industry in Africa. Born in London to a Ghanaian mother and Sierra Leonean father, he’s on a mission to do this right by moving to several countries, from Accra to Zanzibar, making sure a new generation of filmmakers can tell stories beyond slavery and trauma.Then, If you’re over 40 -years old, no mistletoe for you. Hallmark has been slammed with an age discrimination lawsuit, claiming studio execs wanted to replace their old actors with younger talent. Plus, the Whitney Museum is implementing our favorite four letter word: FREE. there will be no admission for anyone 25 years-old and younger.Finally, it’s time to get fired up for the world’s first museum dedicated to barbecue. -
October 24, 2024 - Raj Tawney, bus shelters as public art, and Cirque of the Dead
Writer Raj Tawney’s work largely reflects his multiracial American upbringing. Born to an Indian, Puerto Rican, and Italian American family, Tawney has explored his identity and family history through personal essays, a memoir and now he’s applying the edict “write what you know” to his forthcoming young adult novel, “All Mixed up.” It’s a coming-of-age story that follows a friendship forged between Kamal, a multi-ethnic American and Jaz, a Pakistani immigrant in the aftermath of 9/11.From there we meet the artist who is brightening our commute, The Public Art Fund and the advertising company JCDecaux have been collaborating to expand public art. One initiative is transforming bus shelters into public exhibition spaces.The latest installation features artist Adrienne Elise Tarver. Her series, recently unveiled at 300 bus shelters in New York City, Chicago and Boston, is titled “She Who Sits.” The panels feature portraits of seated women and are the artist’s consideration of the enduring influence and significance of the Black matriarch. Finally, Boston Circus Guild is taking Halloween to new frights and literally heights, with “Cirque of the Dead.” It is an adults-only spooky spectacular full of aerial arts, acrobatics, and a story about the spiritualist movement of the 1920s. Ellen Waylonis and Eileen Little join us for a preview. Ellen Waylonis is the creative producer of this year’s “Cirque of the Dead,” and you can see her perform in it. Eileen Little is the director of this year’s “Cirque of the Dead,” which kicks off tonight and ends on October 31st. There are a total of five performances at Arts at the Armory in Somerville. For more information go here. -
October 23, 2024 - Swoon, Keefer Glenshaw, and Mahesh Daas
Today we’re having another edition of countdown to 2025, as in countdown to the first Boston Triennial of public art, which opens next year. It’s curated by Culture Show contributor Pedro Alonzo who is also the Artistic Director of the triennial. It will feature dozens of large-scale public art commissions by local, national and international artists, which includes the acclaimed street artist and filmmaker Caledonia Curry aka SWOON. She and Pedro Alonso join The Culture Show for a preview.From there it’s Keefer Glenshaw. The artist has turned playing cello into an endurance sport. In May he performed for 24 hours. In July another work took him into the woods of Lexington. We caught up with him this summer. Now that his debut album, PURITY, has been released, we’re rebroadcasting that conversation and in-studio performance. Glenshaw is also partnering with Leesta Vall to record vinyl singles of the album. You can learn more here.Finally it’s another edition of AI: Actual Intelligence with Mahesh Daas. He is president of Boston Architectural College and the co-author of the graphic novella about artificial intelligence, titled “I, Nobot.” This month he discussed the Walter Hood exhibition, Native(s), which is on view at the BAC McCormick Gallery.
