Arts on Fire

On this months Arts on Fire Live we had an amazing performance from the Fredonia Guitar Quartet. FGQ is an ensemble from Fredonia University and are directed by Dr. James Piorkowski. Beyond performing the quartet also talked with WFRA's Anthony Merchant in between songs to discuss the group and how they all individually discovered their musical talents. WATCH THE PERFORMANCE ON THE WRFA YOUTUBE PA...

Jamestown artist and creator Bill Thomas joins WRFA's Anthony Merchant in studio to discuss the return of Third Thursday to downtown Jamestown after taking a hiatus in 2019. The two discuss the work that goes into putting on the show, local music and local scenes, the importance of support from your community, continuing to add events beyond music to Third Thursday, the introduction of Industry Ni...

Katie Henry talked with WRFA's Anthony Merchant about recording her sophomore record earlier this year, seeing the world through touring, performing in Jamestown at the end of May, why 2022 is her year of firsts and much much more https://katiehenrymusic.com/ https://www.instagram.com/katiehenrymusic/ https://www.facebook.com/katiehenrymusic https://twitter.com/katiehenrymusic http://www.wrfalp.co...

NOTE: Hyprov at the Reg Lenna has been postponed as of Wednesday, June 1, 2022. A make up date will be announced at a future time. Improv legend Colin Mochrie (Whose Line Is It Anyway?) and Master Hypnotist Asad Mecci join WRFA's Anthony Merchant to discuss their Hyprov show that they'll be bringing to the Reg Lenna in Jamestown on June 3rd, 2022. The three discuss the origins of Hyprov, how the p...

WRFA's Anthony Merchant was joined in studio by Len Barry of the Reg Lenna Center for the Arts to talk upcoming events at the Reg, the return of live performances, why the theater experience is unmatched, bracing for tons of summer events in Chautauqua County and much more https://reglenna.com/

WRFA's Anthony Merchant went to the Roger Tory Peterson Institute to see and discuss the new Art of the Field Guide exhibit with RTPI's Maria Ferguson and David Niles. The group talked about the artwork on display, what goes into putting together an exhibit, all the summer events coming to RTPI and more The Art of the Field Guide exhibit is up from now until July, 17 2022 https://rtpi.org/exhibiti...

WRFA's Anthony Merchant joined Jamestown Community College musical director Neil Flory in the music department of JCC to discuss the renovations to the department, new facilities, ensemble performances for the end of semester, what to look for at JCC this May and much more https://www.sunyjcc.edu/events https://www.sunyjcc.edu/faculty-staff-directory/neil-flory

On Thursday Night, April 21 WRFA welcomed Feverhawk to the Reg Lenna Media Arts Studio for a special live broadcast performance. Feverhawk is a Jamestown, NY-based rock band that records and performs original "old school heavy rock." According to its Bandcamp page, Feverhawk is into 70s metal and werewolves. Current members include Matthew Baxter (guitar, voc), Jay Peterson (bass) and Daniel Withe...

WRFA's Anthony Merchant was joined in studio by Jamestown musician Mike Brunacini. The two chatted about Mike's upcoming album "Summer's End", the way Mike writes songs, knowing what your talents are, why it will be great to have the new album on vinyl and so much more. https://mikebrunacini.wixsite.com/mikebrunacini https://mikebrunacini.bandcamp.com/ https://www.youtube.com/mikebrunacini https:/...

WRFA's Anthony Merchant spoke with Syracuse musician Sydney Irving about her April 9th show in Jamestown, NY, early influences, performing live versus playing with a backing band, future goals for her music, the enjoyment of creating a song in the studio and much more https://sydneyirvingmusic.com/ https://www.instagram.com/sydneyirvingmusic/ https://www.facebook.com/SydneyIrvingMusic/ https://www...

WRFA's Anthony Merchant sits down with head of the music department at Jamestown Community College - Dr. Neil Flory. They discuss upcoming musical events going on at the college for the month of April 2022, recent renovations to the music department, what else to expect before the end of the semester and much more. https://www.sunyjcc.edu/events

WRFA's Anthony Merchant discusses the 2022 Banff Mountain Film Festival with Roger Tory Peter Institute's Programs and Events Manager David Niles. The two discuss the upcoming film festivals stop in Jamestown, NY, all the breathtaking moments viewers can expect, upcoming events at RTPI and much more. https://www.banffcentre.ca/banffmountainfestival/tour https://rtpi.org/

WRFA's Anthony Merchant talks to Chautauqua County native and filmmaker Travis Carlson to discuss his newest film Mother's Day and what it was like filming locally and doing a continuous one shot film. The two also discuss growing up in Chautauqua County, what sparked Travis's love for film, advice for aspiring filmmakers and much more. Mother's Day is now available on DVD, Blu-Ray, and streaming...

WRFA's Anthony Merchant talks with author William McKeever, who recently wrote his first book "Secret Places of Western New York: 25 Scenic Hikes" with wife Jennifer Hillman Anthony and Bill discuss writing your first book, the influence of environmentalist Bruce Kershner and his writings, finding pieces of history in nature, the vast amount of trails and hikes in Western New York, teaching the ne...

On Thursday, March 17, WRFA welcomed Sixpence to the Reg Lenna Multimedia Studios for a special live broadcast performance! Sixpence is a folk music duo providing an alchemic mix of harp, guitar and voices featuring Celtic, British, and American folk music and inspired original songs. William Russell on guitar and vocals, and Ellen Paquette on harp and vocals. ABOUT AOF LIVE: Arts On Fire LIVE bri...

On Tuesday Night, Feb. 22, WRFA welcomedThe Probables to the Reg Lenna Multimedia Studios for a special live broadcast performance! The Probables are a rhythm-driven, folkcana/roots rock band from Jamestown, New York. The band formed in March of 2016 and hit the ground running by releasing their EP in July of the same year. The Probables follow-up release, “Cumberland Line,” brought to fruition in...

WRFA's Jason Sample talks with Local photographer Cathy Panebianco, who is publishing her first book entitled "Holding Time." "Holding Time" is a love story about family. By using her dad’s Kodak slides taken in the 1950s and 60s and physically holding them in her home and around Jamestown, Cathy literally melded her past with her present. This might be her family’s story, but it’s really every fa...

WRFA's Jason Sample talks with actor LeLand Gantt about his one-man show, "Rhapsody in Black", which will be presented at the Reg Lenna Center for the Arts on Friday, Feb. 4, 2022. The show focuses on the issue racism in America, as told through the personal experiences of Gantt, an African-American actor and artist. Originally airing Friday, Jan. 29, 2022 on Arts on Fire.

Dr. Neil Flory, director of the Jamestown Community College Music Department, discusses the two free winter concerts in December that are open to the public. The choir and concert band will showcase a variety of music styles during a combined performance at 7 p.m. Dec. 7 in the Jamestown Campus student union. The event will also feature special guests The Pearl City Jazz Ensemble directed by Ralph...

WRFA's Jason Sample Discusses 'Holidays at the Lodge' with David Niles from the Roger Tory Peterson Institute. Holidays at the Lodge focuses on artists of the North Shore Artist Alliance selling their holiday-inspired work at RTPI. Buy a unique, local piece of art for yourself or a loved one for Christmas. Samples of RTPI's bird-friendly, locally-roasted coffee will also be available, and visitors...

on Saturday night, Nov. 13, WRFA will welcome Cold Lazarus to the Reg Lenna Multimedia Studios for a special live broadcast performance! Cold Lazarus melds funk, psychedelic rock, reggae and soul with indie-style vocals and introspective lyrics. Featuring guitarist/keyboardist Adam Gould, guitarist/keyboardist Jeremy Bunce, bassist Gavin Paterniti, and drummer Nick Campbell. ABOUT AOF LIVE: Arts O...

WRFA welcomes Mike Brunacini to the Reg Lenna Multimedia Studios for a special live broadcast performance on Saturday night, November 6, 2021. Mike Brunacini is an American songwriter hell-bent on crafting wistful melodic pop with retro sensibilities. His melancholic lyrics disarm with their quiet introspection while his lush, cinematic string and horn arrangements transport the listener to sepia...

A special focusing on Michigan-based singer/songwriter John Latini, a long-time friend and frequent guest of Ken Hardley on his Rolling Hills Radio and Woodsongs Coffeehouse Radio Hour programs, featured on WRFA.

On Saturday night, Oct. 16, WRFA welcomed Cindy Haight & Sara Rafaloski to the Reg Lenna Multimedia Studios for a special live broadcast performance. Cindy Haight, aka Cindy Love, has performed regionally since the late1990s, solo and in bands including her own band, Djava and as lead singer of The Derbines. In 2009, Cindy Love released her first, all-original CD titled “Songs of Love and Haight.”...

The performance was broadcast live at 8 p.m. on 107.9 FM and also video streamed live on the WRFA Youtube Channel and Facebook page. Ken Hardley and Mandy Andrews are a unique musical duo, to say the least. As a singer- songwriter, Hardley’s presence as an entertainer, storyteller, and musician will draw you in as few performers can. Long-time WRFA listeners know Ken for being the host and driving...