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Devo at 50: ‘We're like the house band on the Titanic at this point’
Devo's 50th anniversary tour called "50 Years of De-Evolution… Continued!" is headed to Boston on May 9.
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September 16, 2024 - Zadie Smith, the Boston Film Festival, and the Gun Violence Memorial Project
Writer Zadie Smith’s latest novel, “The Fraud” is historical fiction, set in Victorian England. Based on real events in 19th century Jamaica and England, her characters are grappling with many of the issues that we’re grappling with today: class, gender, and the reverberations of slavery.This is a work that is about so much – it’s a novel about a mediocre novelist falling out of favor, it’s about the relationship between England and Jamaica, and it’s an exposition on truth. Zadie Smith joins us ahead of her event at Brookline Booksmith.From there Robin Dawson, executive director of Boston Film Festival, joins us for an overview of their 40th season, which kicks off this Thursday, bringing a diverse slate of films and world premieres to the city,Finally, “The Gun Violence Memorial Project.” The exhibition showcases the magnitude of gun violence in America and it also makes it personal, featuring victims of gun violence, their mementos and the stories that they leave behind. “The Gun Violence Memorial Project,” is created by MASS Design Group and Songha & Company, along with gun violence prevention organizations Purpose Over Pain and Everytown for Gun Safety. Now on display in Boston, Jha D. Amazi, a principal at MASS Design Group joins us to talk about launching this project and bringing it to Boston. -
September 13, 2024 - Week in Review: A Taylor Swift endorsement, the Emmys, and James Earl Jones
On today’s arts and culture week-in-review Jared Bowen, Edgar B. Herwick III and Culture Show contributor Lisa Simmons, the artistic and executive director of the Roxbury International Film Festival and program manager at Mass Cultural Council, go over the latest headlines.First up, Taylor Swift endorses Kamala Harris for president and encourages everyone over the age of 18 to register to vote. Will this make an impact on the race?From there we remember the magisterial and masterful actor James Earl Jones and preview this Sunday’s Emmy awards.Finally, we look at Glenn Lowry, the director of the Museum of Modern Art. He is the latest high-profile leader to exit the museum world. What will the next generation of leaders bring to our major arts institutions and what challenges do they face? -
September 12, 2024 - The Embrace Massó "¡Con Salsa!”, Silver Scream Con with Ice Nine Kills, and Mary Grant
Imari Paris Jeffries, President and CEO of Embrace Boston and José C. Massó III, the longtime host of WBUR’s “¡Con Salsa!,” join The Culture Show to preview The Embrace Massó "¡Con Salsa!” International Music Festival, a celebration of music, culture, and social justice. From there it’s Swampscott native Spencer Charnas. The frontman of the horror metal band Ice Nine Kills is also the curator of The Silver Scream Con. He joins us ahead of its Friday the 13th kickoff in Worcester.Finally Mary Grant, president of MassArt, joins The Culture Show for her monthly segment to talk about a range of topics, which this month includes colleges teaching AI, Governor Ron DeSantis’ severe budget cuts to the arts, and the story of a museum, an ancient broken jug, and forgiveness. -
September 11, 2024 - Romeo and Juliet at the A.R.T., Veronica Robles, and Alex Buchanan
The Tony winning Artistic Director of the American Repertory Theater Diane Paulus.She is a master revivalist. If you thought you knew the story of “Porgy and Bess,” or “Pippin,” Paulus has given the classics a new life by giving audiences a new way of experiencing them. Now she’s reframing “Romeo and Juliet,” with an emphasis on the lovers’ love. Diane Paulus and theater legend Terrence Mann join us.From there we get a jump on Mexican Independence Day with mariachi singer Veronica Robles – a cultural force as a performer and as a leader whose cultural center offers Latin American arts and culture programming and jobs for youth.And, artist Alex Buchanan. A Coast Guard veteran and former mariner, rope is now his medium of choice. He literally weaves it and other maritime materials together to figuratively weave the threads of waste, ocean health and maritime culture. -
September 10, 2024 - Eugene Mirman, the Wurlitzer pipe organ, and JM Varese
Actor and Comedian Eugene Mirman was born in Moscow, raised in Lexington, and he honed his craft working the stages of Boston's comedy circuit. Today he is known as the voice of Gene Belcher on the FX animated hit “Bob’s Burgers” and for his inventive standup.. He joins The Culture Show ahead of his appearance at the Crystal Ballroom in Somerville.From there, Edgar B. Herwick III takes us to Worcester’s Hanover Theatre and Conservatory for the Performing Arts. That’s where the wondrous Wurlitzer pipe organ can still be experienced as a single instrument that wows with its mighty orchestral sound. Finally, author JM Varese joins The Culture Show to talk about his latest novel, a Victorian Gothic thriller that is rooted in the real-life Victorian scandal when arsenic was used to make decorative wallpaper. JM Varese is Director of Outreach for The Dickens Project at UC Santa Cruz.