Crosstown Conversations

Jason Waggenspack and Jimmy Hornbeak of THE RANCH Film Studios; Jebney Lewis, sculptor and musician

Liza Sherman, Chief Operating Officer of Tulane Hillel; Jenna Sherry, Artistic Director of Birdfoot Festival; Sarah Quintana, Singer-Songwriter

Linda Pompa, Executive Director of Oretha Castle Haley Boulevard Merchants & Business Association; Ginette Bone, Owner of Boyd Satellite Gallery; Bryan C. Lee, Jr., Director of Place + Civic Design, Arts Council of New Orleans

Chris Cajoleas, Founder and Manager of Swimming Entertainment; John Swenson, Consulting Editor of Offbeat Magazine; Dr. Jean Montès, Artistic Director of Greater Youth Orchestra of New Orleans

Brian Camelio, Founder and CEO of ArtistShare; Ghazi Shami, Founder and CEO of EMPIRE Distribution; Anne Roberts, Curator of New Orleans Museum of Art

Chef Daniel Esses, CEO of Dryades Public Market; Robert Tannen, Artist and Urban Planner; David G. Spielman, Photographer

Tank and the Bangas, Erin Greenwald of the Historic New Orleans Collection, Dr. Valerie Francis for Porgy & Bess at Nicholls State University

Flor Serna with Electric Girls, Lee Rouse for Botanical Park Spring Show, Brian Knighten owner of Broad Street Theater

Tim Williamson and Victoria Adams Phipps of Idea Village describe and talk about promoting the "entrepreneurial mindset" in New Orleans communities, and role of disruption in shaping in creative economies. Then, Chris Groh with Startup Weekend New Orleans discusses his organization's bootcamp for local entrepreneurs, and why it's important for them to share their ideas for startups instead of alwa...

A special show on St. Patrick's and St. Joseph's Days, featuring Ronald Lewis, Director of the House of Dance and Feathers, discussing the history and tradition of the Mardi Gras Indians; award-winning Irish dancer Joni Muggivan of the Muggivan School of Irish Dance; and award-winning Executive Chef Matt Murphy of The Irish House pub on St. Charles.

Jeanne and Jonathon Glus, CEO of the Houston Arts Alliance, talk about how the City of Houston is working to improve the quality of life and business climate for its young creative entrepreneurs, and how the lessons learned in Houston can be applied in New Orleans -- particularly for lower-income creatives.

Clancy DuBos of The Gambit and Jeanne break down the results from Super Tuesday, and discuss what they mean for Bernie Sanders, Hillary Clinton, and Donald Trump. Then artist and activist Imani Brown from Blight’s Out talks culture and politics, and gentrification trends in New York and New Orleans. Finally, Aimee Smallwood of the Louisiana Cultural Economy Foundation and Miranda Restovic of the L...

First, Rev. Willie Calhoun joins Jeanne to discuss concerns about a new plan to construct homes on more than 200 vacant lots in the Lower Ninth Ward. Then, Mary Beth Romig of the New Orleans Housing Authority details and defends the planning process behind the initiative. Finally callers, including artist Robert Tannen, join in to share their views about redevelopment plans in the wake of Katrina,...

First, Troy Powell, Artistic Director of the Ailey II dance company, talks about his life as a dancer and an upcoming event in New Orleans. Then, Jasiri X, a Pittsburgh-based hip-hop artist, talks about empowering members of marginalized communities to express themselves using music and technology; and we preview one of his tracks. Finally, we’re joined by New Orleans native Anais St. John, a jazz...

New Orleans native Jacqueline Humphries calls in from Brooklyn to discuss her exhibition of silver and blacklight paintings at the Contemporary Arts Center, and her influences as an artist. Then, opera singer Valerie Francis and Father William Maestri of the Archdiocese of New Orleans promote Dr. Francis’ upcoming “Musical Prelude to the Celebration of Easter” performance at Old Ursuline Convent i...

Two members of the legendary Batiste family, Damon and David Sr., join Jeanne to discuss the history of their musical family, and the legacies of prominent musical families in New Orleans. Then, New Orleans local Telley Madina of Oxfam America joins the panel to talk about the need to diversify the local economy by investing in the creative industry.

Chuck Perkins fills in for Jeanne, and topics include the Canal Street fire, the case for marijuana legalization, and justice system reform.

Brenda Breaux, Chief Operating Officer of the New Orleans Redevelopment Authority (NORA) and Andreanecia Morris of HousingNOLA join host Jeanne Nathan to discuss housing and development issues in New Orleans, plus Mike Park with the Army Corps of Engineers stops by to discuss recent flooding along the Mississippi River.

Aimee Smallwood, CEO of the Louisiana Cultural Economy Foundation, and stops by to discuss the prospects under a new governor for better support of the state's creative industry. Then, Kiyoko McCrae, Managing Director of Junebug Productions, talks her company’s multimedia civil rights retrospective, and the current controversy over removing Confederate monuments in New Orleans.

New York Times bestselling author John Barry talks about the challenges of flood protection in Louisiana. Then, advertising creative Marlon Lee talks about his career in Amsterdam, and how the City of New Orleans might emulate the Dutch to grow its cultural economy.

Andreanecia Morris, Vice President of Homeownership and Community Development for Providence Community Housing, talks about HousingNOLA’s 10-year plan to address affordable housing issues in New Orleans. Then, Gia Hamilton, Director of the Joan Mitchell Center, discusses how center’s residency program for visual artists.

Local artist Robert Tannen and Jeanne recap the most compelling social and cultural developments of 2015, including the Black Lives Matter movement, mass shootings and gun violence, the specter of climate change, and the rise of Donald Trump as a political force.

Tulane University architecture professor Errol Barron talks about architecture in New Orleans, and Errol’s career as an artist. Then, local artist Bruce Davenport, Jr. talks about his work depicting marching bands, and the influences on his art. Finally, Katie Tommaseo, head of tourism for St. Bernard Parish, and historian Bill Hyland of discuss the art and cultural history of the parish.

Local politico and Louisiana Justice Institute Co-Director Jacques Morial previews the upcoming runoff election for governor. Then, celebrated dancer Donald Williams, and Jenny Hamilton, Executive Director of the New Orleans Ballet Association, drop by to discuss NOBA’s mission and history, and Donald’s career and ongoing collaboration with NOBA. Finally, New Orleans native Jacqueline Humphries, d...

Jeanne remembers the life and legacy of Allen Toussaint, joined by Don Marshall, Executive Director of the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Foundation; veteran composer and film scorer Jay Weigel; and Los Angeles-based musician and songwriter Ned Albright. Also, Julie Schwam Harris, co-chair of Louisiana Agenda for Women, Latonja Silvester, President of SEIU Local 21LA, and Telley Madina of Oxfam Ame...