State of the Arts

This week I welcome acoustic guitarist Jason Jacob to my podcast. His intensive music background includes formal training at UMKC Music Conservatory, a full scholarship to the Rudi E. Scheidt School of Music where he studied under Lily Afshar for his Masters degree and an Artist’s diploma at SUNY Purchase studying under world-renowned guitarist Frederic Hand. The impressive list of festivals Jason...

State of the Arts Episode 48 just published. Lonai Mosley has built an empire. Marketing, videography, photography, visual arts, indie upcycled fashion design and arts education are the pulse that drives her enterprise. Her diverse, all-encompassing business is comprised of Dahya Pix.com , The Dahya Community and Dahya Visuals. Denim/African fabric fashion designing, brand marketing, logistics pro...

In 1935 a black and white horror movie was created as a sequel to the original, Frankenstein. The Bride of Frankenstein was a masterful piece of theatre directed by James Whale. In this Halloween special, I am joined once again by returning guest host Derek Upright who is a film connoisseur. Together we discuss this classic film which stars Elsa Lanchester and Boris Kalroff. We address every topic...

My guest this week is Jennifer Rutheny who is a jewelry designer, sculptor and entrepreneur. Her luxury boutiques can be found in both Tarrytown, New York and Manhattan. Delightful flowers, adorable animals, breathtaking gemstones and daring prints; her stunning pieces capture the beauty of the natural world. Recently she has added fauna wall art to her impressive array of creations. Lindblad Expe...

This week I am so pleased to be joined on my podcast by marketing consultant and life coach Emma Medina. This high school teacher and mother is the founder of The Emma Marketing Solution, which is a business that offers marketing services focused on social media as its medium. Emma is also a life coach who guides her clients into a positive mindset. With fitness being another one of her passions,...

Along side Derek Upright, my guest co-host, I welcome Academic Actor, Director, Production Manager and Patron of the Arts Anthony Bonilla. Like Derek and myself, Anthony attended Manhattanville College. He became very active in the performing arts ever since he accepted the role of a sailor in "Anything Goes" at Cushing Academy. Since then, he has acted in, directed and produced many academic prod...

With great excitement I welcomed singer, guitarist, songwriter, parodyist, actress, comedianne and "professional smart aleck" Carla Ulbrich. Her songs and parodies cover a wellspring of topics from current events to everyday pet peeves to aspects of humanity to pop culture references. She has nine CDs that have aired on numerous radio stations including WFUV, BBC and Dr. Demento. Since the 1990's...

This week I am so pleased to be joined by actor, comedian, songwriter, singer, live event host, director, producer and LGBTQ community activist Tym Moss. He has been in various independent films including his most recent musical Junk. The star of a critically acclaimed cabaret show, Tym takes to the stage quite frequently. "If These Walls Could Talk" is a live stream talk show that Tym co-hosts wi...

State of the Arts Episode 41 just published! This week my guest is one of my most dynamic college friends, Ashley Westbrook who has a successful travel blog on Instagram and TikTok called DigiAshley. With a diversely cultured background, Ashley reveals her exquisite photography to the world with her captivating blog.  Ashley has studied Shakespeare in London, spent an autumn in France and has...

This week my guests are Chef Brandon Summers and his fiancée, one of my closest friends, Henrissa. They are the owners of Summers Henn Meals, which is a small food delivery service in Pennsylvania. From Pilipino dishes to salads to pasta to American classics to imaginative fusion delights, their meals span across multiple cultures. The menu is diverse and changes with each season. Fresh, organic,...

State of the Arts Podcast 

This week Derek Upright returns to my podcast to help me commemorate music's iconic pop-rock band The Monkees, who began their careers on a television comedic show created about a band called "The Monkees." The creators of this show gathered an eclectic group of actors and musicians to audition for the roles. They ultimately chose folk rocker/songwriter Michael Nesmith, folksinger/musician Peter T...

This week I welcome back a returning guest: guitarist, singer and songwriter Sharon Ostrov. Besides being a frequent guest on the CTV show The Cool Spot, she is also the host and producer of the Staten Island Community Cable variety show The Music Express. Her two albums "Emotional Rollercoaster" and "Strawberry Obsession" are filled with her impressive original work. After being the founder of th...

This week I'm joined on my podcast by gospel, rock, blues and disco drummer Dijon Smith. As a child, Dijon became interested in the drums when his grandparents brought him to church. So, he started playing around with pots and pans at home. Currently he has become a vital part of many church worship bands. Involved in multiple churches, he plays the drums for the Lord on a regular basis. This volu...

Screenwriter Aleesha Dineros-Canuto joins me on my podcast this week to discuss her remarkable work. Educated at Stuyvesant High School and Baruch College, this talented young artist has written many screen plays including a new adaptation of the Tell Tale Heart by Edgar Allan Poe. On her website, two short films she created herself can be found: a light-hearted romantic comedy called "In A Flash"...

I'm joined this week by Billy Little who is a celebrity impersonator, drag performer, fashion designer and painter. Billy has won multiple contest titles including Ms. Fire Island Elite and most recently Mr. Tropicana International. Being the first black member of The Imperial Court in Manhattan, he has stayed with this festive, entertaining organization for nearly thirty years. Once a student at...

This week I am delighted to welcome my good friend and former Manhattanville College classmate Derek Upright who is a classic cinema connoisseur, a DC comic book buff and a peer specialist. In high school, he was involved in the performing arts, acting in various school plays. By the time he was studying at Manhattanville, he became a videographer for many campus productions. An expert on a vast n...

This week I am delighted to welcome my good friend and former Manhattanville College classmate Derek Upright who is a classic cinema connoisseur, a DC comic book buff and a peer specialist. In high school, he was involved in the performing arts, acting in various school plays. By the time he was studying at Manhattanville, he became a videographer for many campus productions. An expert on a vast n...

This week my podcast guest is drummer, technology expert and former stand-up comic Alan David. A frequent visitor of the Westchester area, Alan jams with local legends and can be found in many popular hot spots. He has played with various music greats, including Gil Parris, Bernie Williams and Curtis Winchester. He has been in a few bands including his most recent, The Jaded Babies. By day he work...

This week I'm joined by Tom Sullivan who is a radio show host on WVOX, a stand up comedian, a comedy writer and a stage actor. He co-hosts the Crisis Help radio show alongside Fran Sisco. This uplifting show encourages positive thinking, perseverance and teamwork. When he was a social worker for New York City, Tom spent his nights entertaining audiences in comedy clubs and singing at cabarets. Emb...

My podcast guest this week is Ricardo Hanley Jr. who is a poet, published author, orator and social media artist. His poetry covers a diverse array of topics ranging from light candy for the heart to philosophical mind-benders to powerful statements concerning social justice. At the young age of twelve he began writing while being inspired by nursery rhymes and children's' books. He has now author...

This week I'm joined by local historian Dennis McKay who is a retired interior designer, former hotel manager and the florist who assembled my elopement bouquet. Together we explore the enchanting facts about this beautiful little city we call home. White Plains has three old banks that were converted into two restaurants and an art museum. It has many apartment buildings that were erected in the...

This week I'm joined by illustrator and founder of Nori Glory Art, Nori Abramson. A graduate of Long Island University, Nori is educated in art history and theory. She is now a graphics designer and freelance illustrator. Her artwork is fun, powerful, adorable and intriguing. From sci-fi warriors to superheroes, from Disney princesses to TV show characters, her art is a celebration of an entire cu...

This week my podcast guest is my late father's best friend, softball buddy and fellow artist, David Colonello. Dave is a gospel saxophonist and pianist. He is also a retired music teacher. Not a fan of social media or public speaking, Dave steps out of his comfort zone to help me commemorate my late father, Edwin Anthony Osborne III. There is also a brief appearance of Dave's lovely wife Jean who...

My guest this week is Bradley Jacobs who is the jewelry designer and founder of Bradleyware. He is also a photographer, videographer and a dedicated community activist. A champion for LGBTQ rights and autism awareness, Bradley stays very active in making a difference. For years he has worked at Spectrum Designs, where he started as a volunteer. Spectrum Designs gives many career opportunities to t...