City Lights with Lois Reitzes

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Sir Donald Runnicles, former principal guest conductor of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, helps us celebrate 50 years of ASO broadcasts on WABE. Plus, comedian and improv artist Colin Mochrie, along with Kevin Gillese, Atlanta-based comic and producer, discuss Mochrie’s new live show – coming to Variety Playhouse on June 20. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Actor Richard Kind stops by ahead of his upcoming July 19 performance at Symphony Hall, “How Not to Be Famous: A Conversation with Richard Kind.” Plus, librettist Selda Sahin, and the Atlanta Opera director of community engagement and education, Jessica Kiger discuss “Steele Roots” which makes its world premiere at the Atlanta Opera on June 20, followed by an encore performance June 22 at the Ray Charles Performing Arts Center at Morehouse College. And Floyd Hall, the Executive Director of Atlanta Contemporary, discusses their upcoming annual “Art Party” on June 21. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Artist EuGene V. Byrd III discusses his Beltline West End Trail mural, “Works in Progress: An Honest Look at Fatherhood.” Plus, comedian, writer, and actor Lisa Ann Walter joins us ahead of her standup show at Helium Comedy Club on June 21. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Comedian Ali Siddiq joins us ahead of his Atlanta performance at the Fox Theatre on June 13. Plus, Kosmo Vinyl shares the story of Gill-Scott Heron’s version of “Me and the Devil,” and we listen back to Lois’s 2023 conversation with Metropolitan Museum of Art president Daniel H. Weiss about his book, “Why the Museum Matters.” See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Atlanta Symphony Orchestra acting principal cellist Daniel Laufer joins Lois to celebrate 50 years of ASO broadcasts on WABE. Plus, travel expert Rick Steves stops by with tips on visiting lesser-traveled European countries. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A new box Richard Pryor box set is out now on Rhino Records, and comedian and “What’s Good Atlanta” co-host Mark Kendall reflects on the icon’s legacy. Plus, Sarah Higgins, the executive and artistic director of Art Papers, discusses the decision to sunset the publication after 50 years, and we revisit Lois’s 2018 conversation with Atlanta playwright Pearl Cleage as part of our “Farewell Favorites” series. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“Young John Lewis” makes its world premiere at Theatrical Outfit. The hip-hop musical was written by Psalmayene 24 and composed by Eugene H. Russell IV. “City Lights” host Lois Reitzes speaks with both of them about this riveting new play. Additionally, we revisit Reitzes’ conversation with the author of “The Swans of Harlem” and a Black ballerina featured in the book. As part of the "City Lights" series of "Farewell Favorites," we listen back to Lois's 2018 interview regarding Alliance Theatre’s stage adaptation of the Pulitzer Prize-winning poetry book, “Native Guard.” See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“Young John Lewis” makes its world premiere at Theatrical Outfit. The hip-hop musical was written by Psalmayene 24 and composed by Eugene H. Russell IV. “City Lights” host Lois Reitzes speaks with both of them about this riveting new play. Additionally, we revisit Reitzes’ conversation with the author of “The Swans of Harlem” and a Black ballerina featured in the book. As part of the "City Lights" series of "Farewell Favorites," we listen back to Lois's 2018 interview regarding Alliance Theatre’s stage adaptation of the Pulitzer Prize-winning poetry book, “Native Guard.” See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Atlanta Opera’s artistic director, Tomer Zvulun, sits down with “City Lights” host Lois Reitzes to discuss the rare gem of Baroque opera, George Frideric Handel’s “Semele,” which will be on stage June 7, 10, 13, and 15. Plus, we spotlight the Atlanta band Shock Tea in our series “Speaking of Music.” And we revisit another “Farewell Favorite” conversation between Lois and former Spelman president, Mary Schmidth Campbell. They discuss her 2018 book “An American Odyssey: The Life and Work of Romare Bearden.” See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

"Accentuate the Positive: The Music of Arlen and Mercer” is a concert-cabaret show premiering at The Breman this Sunday. Flying Carpet Theatre founder Adam Koplan and executive director of The Breman, Leslie Gordon discuss the timeless classics and melodies Johnny Mercer and Harold Arlen wrote throughout their career. Plus, WABE music contributor Dr. Scott Stewart looks at the latest summer blockbuster soundtracks in “Music in Media.” And we listen back to one of Lois’ “Farewell Favorite” segments with humorist and author David Sedaris discussing his book, “Happy Go Lucky." See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“Young John Lewis” makes its world premiere at Theatrical Outfit. The hip-hop musical was written by Psalmayene 24 and composed by Eugene H. Russell IV. “City Lights” host Lois Reitzes speaks with both of them about this riveting new play. Additionally, we revisit Reitzes’ conversation with the author of “The Swans of Harlem” and a Black ballerina featured in the book. As part of the "City Lights" series of "Farewell Favorites," we listen back to Lois's 2018 interview regarding Alliance Theatre’s stage adaptation of the Pulitzer Prize-winning poetry book, “Native Guard.” See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Alice Hong, co-founder of the new Classical Remix Music Festival, joins us. The festival kicks off with three nights of music on June 8 at Leafmore Creek Park Club. On June 22, the festival will be held at St. Luke's Episcopal Church, and the event on June 27 will take place at the Historic Dekalb Courthouse. Plus, in "Wildcat," the 2023 movie about the author Flannery O'Connor, we hear the question, "If imagination impacts reality, isn't faith where those rivers meet?" Co-written and directed by Ethan Hawke, the movie stars his daughter, Maya Hawke, and explores O'Connor's intellect and the role of faith in her life. As part of the "City Lights" series of "Farewell Favorites," we listen back to Lois's 2023 conversation with Ethan Hawk. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When City Lights host Lois Reitzes announced her retirement from daily hosting earlier this year, she sat down with WABE's All Things Considered host Jim Burress to reflect on her broadcasting career. In this special edition of the City Lights podcast, we hear an extended version of their conversation. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Virtuoso banjoist Béla Fleck discusses his upcoming performance with the ASO of George Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue.” The show takes place at Atlanta Symphony Hall on June 11. Plus, The Renaissance Orchestra takes the spotlight for our series, “Speaking of Music.” See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Former First Lady of Atlanta Valerie Jackson reminisces about her time as a WABE host and shares some highlights from Mayor Maynard Jackson’s career. Plus, we hear from music enthusiast Kosmo Vinyl for “Kosmo’s Vinyl of the Week.” We also listen to Lois Reitzes’ conversation with Indigo Girls’ Emily Saliers as part of her “Farewell Favorites.” They discuss the Indigo Girls’ documentary “It’s Only Life After All.” See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Delta Flight Museum in Atlanta is reopening after recent renovations, unveiling new art, exhibitions and interactive experiences for its big centennial. It includes an interactive mural designed by artist and SCAD MFA student Jennifer Wee. “City Lights” host Lois Reitzes spoke with Wee and Nina Thomas, Delta Flight Museum director of exhibits and public programs. Plus, we hear from Rough Draft Atlanta’s editor in chief, Beth McKibben, for this month’s “Beverage Beat” on margaritas. And we kick off “Lois’ Farewell Favorites” with award-winning actor, producer and author Henry Winkler. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jason Lynn, tenor section leader for the Atlanta Gay Men’s Chorus, discusses the new Voices of Note concert showcase, “Broadway Sideways.” Plus, we’ll explain why Atlanta art organizations are reeling as the National Endowment for the Arts cancels funding. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Freddie Ashley, artistic director at Actor’s Express details the company’s new production of “Doubt, A Parable.” Plus, WABE CEO Jennifer Dorian discusses the Lois Reitzes Art Fund. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Atlanta-based journalist and culture critic Christina Lee previews the “American Music Awards,” which airs on CBS on May 26. Plus, this weekend Atlanta hosts one of the fastest-growing “all ages” anime conventions, MomoCon, and we’ll learn why the event attracts tens of thousands of fans to our city. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.