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The 25-hour Moby Dick Marathon sails on in New Bedford
Every winter, thousands of fans descend on the New Bedford Whaling Museum to hear the novel out loud.
Listen to previous shows
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May 13, 2025 - David Leonard of the Boston Public Library and Jay Hajj of Mike's City Diner
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. -
May 12, 2025 - Ryan Miller and Brian Rosenworcel of Guster, "The Revenge of the Humanities," and Tracy K. Smith
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.” -
May 9, 2025 - Pope Leo XIV, the Met Gala, and Hollywood tariffs
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.” -
May 8, 2025 - Alex Alvear and Michael Feldman, and Mary Grant
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. -
May 7, 2025 - James Parker, Fabiola Méndez, and Secret Boston: An Unusual Guide
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.
