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‘Home of egg rolls, jazz and blues,’ Chan’s celebrates 120 years in Rhode Island
Music lovers put this Woonsocket music venue and restaurant on their bucket lists.
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August 1, 2025 - Week in Review: AI chatbot girlfriends, a White House ballroom, and Sydney Sweeney's jeans
Jared Bowen, Callie Crossley and Edgar B. Herwick III host our arts and culture week-in-review.First up, Elon Musk releases “Ani,” an AI anime sexualized chatbot. From there we look at how an anti-pronography group has pressured Itch.io and Steam to de-index thousands of titles that have adult and NSFW content.Then we head to DC to look at Republican lawmakers' push to rename the Kennedy Center after President Trump, and we’ll look at Trump’s plans to build a $200 million ballroom at the White House.Plus American Eagle and Dunkin’ have stirred things up with ads that focus on genetics, perpetuating notions about beauty norms, on that front Vogue has introduced an AI model, furthering unrealistic notions of beauty.Finally we raise a glass to the “Golden Girls.” The sassy sitcom is celebrating its 40th anniversary. -
July 31, 2025 - The legacy of Jonathan Demme, Neuroscientist Emily Falk, and public art in Zone 3
David M Stewart joins The Culture Show to talk about his latest book is “There's No Going Back: The Life and Work of Jonathan Demme.” Stewart is a film journalist who teaches film and media studies at Emerson College, Plymouth State University, South College and Southern New Hampshire University. His latest book is “There's No Going Back: The Life and Work of Jonathan Demme.” He has some upcoming book events: On August 4th he’ll be in New York City at the Bryant Park Reel Talks Series and on August 7th he’ll be in Concord, New Hampshire at Gibson's Bookstore. You can find him on social media @filmnerddave.From there Emily Falk joins The Culture Show to talk about her recent piece for the New York Times, which explains the science behind doomscrolling. Emily Falk is a leading neuroscientist and expert in the science of behavior change. She is a professor of communication, psychology, and marketing at the University of Pennsylvania and Vice Dean of the Annenberg School for Communication. Her new book is “What We Value: The Neuroscience of Choice and Change.” Finally we enter Zone 3 on Western Ave. Julia Swanson takes us on a tour of the public art hotspot. She’s 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. -
July 30, 2025 - James Sullivan, Presidential Pets at the JFK Library, and Mary Grant
“Which Side?: A Protest Music Teach-Out,” is a concert and discussion series celebrating protest music. The series is inspired by James Sullivan’s book Which Side Are You On?: 20th Century American History in 100 Protest Songs. James Sullivan, a journalist, author and longtime contributor to the Boston Globe, joins The Culture Show to talk about his book and this series. The next event is scheduled for August 13th at The Lizard Lounge. To learn more go here.From there Alan Price, Director of the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, joins The Culture Show for an overview of their current exhibition “Presidential Pets.” To learn more go here.Finally Mary Grant, president of MassArt, joins The Culture Show for her monthly appearance. Today she discusses how President Trump is changing the arts and culture landscape, as well as the continued impact of federal funding cuts on higher education. -
July 29, 2025 - Paula Plum, Tiffany Jenkins, and New Bedford's revolutionary history
The Hub Theatre Company of Boston’s production of Theresa Rebeck’s "The Understudy," is onstage at Club Café through August 2nd. Paula Plum, a five-time Elliot Norton Award winner, is directing the play. The acclaimed actor, director, writer and educator joins us for an overview, To learn more about the production go here.From there sociologist and writer Tiffany Jenkins joins The Culture Show to talk about her new book, “Strangers and Intimates: The Rise and Fall of Privacy.” From ancient times to our digital present, Jenkins takes us through the emergence of private life and the forces – from social media to surveillance – that are now threatening it.Finally we continue our series “Countdown to 2026.” Ashley Payne, Director of Tourism & Marketing for the City of New Bedford, joins The Culture Show to talk about the role that the whaling city played in America’s fight for independence. -
July 28, 2025 - The Moonwalkers, Jane Eaglen, and Unearthing Childhood: 300 Years of North End Kids
Lightroom and Paquin Entertainment Group have brought The Moonwalkers: A Journey With Tom Hanks to Boston. This is an immersive experience combining storytelling and rare NASA archival footage to bring the stories of the Apollo missions to life. It is narrated and co-written by Tom Hanks. Producer Richard Slaney, CEO of Lightroom, joins The Culture Show for an overview. This exhibition is on view at the Saunders Castle at Park Plaza. To learn more go here. From there Culture Show contributor Jane Eaglen, a Grammy-winning dramatic soprano, joins us to talk about opera as a contact sport. Jane Eaglen is on the faculty at New England Conservatory and is the President of the Boston Wagner Society. Finally we head to Boston’s North End with a look at Old North Church’s exhibition “Unearthing Childhood: 300 Years of North End Kids.” Emily Spence, Director of Education at Old North Illuminated and Nadia Kline, Public Archaeologist for the City of Boston, join The Culture Show for an overview. To learn more about this exhibition go here.
