Episodes
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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. -
October 22, 2024 - Catherine Allgor, Project STEP, and Jenny Johnson
Today on The Culture Show we continue our series, “Countdown to 2026,” with historian Catherine Allgor leading the way. This month she focuses on slavery in Boston and Massachusetts and how much a part of life it was and how central it was to the business of trade and Boston's economic structure. Catherine Allgor is an author, President Emerita of the Massachusetts Historical Society, and visiting scholar with the Department of History at Tufts University. Her book recommendation for this month is “Belonging: An Intimate History of Slavery and Family in Early New England,” by Gloria McCahon Whiting.From there Culture Show’s James Bennett II discusses Project STEP, a rigorous program that trains young, minority students to be professional, classical musicians.Finally, Jenny Johnson joins The Culture Show to talk about a new cookbook that she co-authored with longtime media partner, Billy Costa. “A Taste of Boston!: The Definitive Cookbook of the City We Love,” is filled with recipes from the city's most legendary chefs and restaurateurs. Jenny Johnson and Billy Costa co-host NESN's "Dining Playbook" and "Meet Boston with Billy and Jenny." -
October 21, 2024 - Hugh Hayden, Harry Potter: The Exhibition, and the Post-Meridian Radio Players
Artist Hugh Hayden’s solo exhibition, “Hugh Hayden: Home Work,” is on view at the Rose Art Museum. It surveys Hayden’s extensive body of work over the last decade, including a site-responsive installation newly conceived for the Rose Art Museum. “Home Work” focuses on the artist’s exploration of the “American Dream,” its pathways, and architecture. Hayden states, “All of my work is about the American dream, whether it’s a table that’s hard to sit at or a thorny school desk. It’s a dream that is seductive but difficult to inhabit.” Hayden, who also has a commission currently on view at the deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum, joins The Culture Show to talk about his work.From there we enter the world of wizardry and witchcraft by way of “Harry Potter: The Exhibition.” It’s an interactive experience, on view at CambridgeSide through January 5th. Created and developed by Warner Bros. Discovery Global Entertainment, in partnership with Imagine Exhibitions and Eventim Live, the show celebrates the iconic characters, creatures, and scenes from the “Harry Potter” books and films. Tom Zaller, president and CEO of Imagine Exhibitions joins “The Culture Show,” for an overview.Finally, Culture Show producer Kate Dellis takes us into the old-timey world –and behind the scenes – of The Post-Meridian Radio Players ahead of their upcoming Halloween performances of “The Unseen Worlds of H.G. Wells.” -
October 18, 2024: Week in Review - BOS Nation, Liam Payne, and boba backlash
Today Culture Show co-hosts Jared Bowen, Callie Crossley, and Edgar B. Herwick III go over the latest headlines on our arts and culture week-in-review.First up: The National Women’s Soccer League Franchise. It made a dangerous play this week when it debuted in Boston. For starters its name, BOS Nation was universally panned, then they added injury to insult with their slogan “Too Many Balls,” considered male-centric and transphobic, the league is now on the defensive apologizing for being so out of bounds.From there they look at the brief but influential life of the singer-songwriter Liam Payne who died at age 31. As a leading member of One Direction he helped to reinvent the boy band, creating one of the most definitive pop groups of his era along the way.Plus, a painting by abstract expressionist Norman Lewis is rescued from a condemned house on Cape Cod.Finally, What’s black, white and ridiculously adorable all over? Pandas. -
October 17, 2024 - Nicholas Ma and upcoming film festivals
Nicholas Ma joins The Culture Show to talk about his latest documentary, “Leap of Faith.” It follows 12 Christian pastors who are working to find hope and fellowship even though they hold deeply different beliefs .As they grapple with rifts within the Christian community they’re trying to reconcile that friction with their calling to promote tolerance and connection at the pulpit. “Leap of Faith,” has its opening night at The Coolidge Corner Theatre on Friday, October 18th.From there, Culture Show Contributor Lisa Simmons, artistic and executive director of the Roxbury International Film Fest and program manager at Mass Cultural Council, joins us to talk through the bumper crop of film festivals this season and she’ll offer some recommendations for horror films to take in ahead of Halloween. -
October 16, 2024 - Casey Soward and Imari Paris Jeffries
Casey Soward has been a force in the performing arts sector. Recently he was named President and CEO of the Boch Center, home to the iconic Wang and Shubert Theatres. He joins us to talk about his vision and what it takes to have one of the most high-profile jobs in Boston’s art scene.From there Imari Paris Jeffries, President and CEO of Embrace Boston, reflects on Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy. With Election Day on the horizon, he focuses on King’s fight for voting rights and his mission of fostering peace in a nation on edge. He also gives us a preview of this year’s Embrace Boston's Arts and Culture Summit.
