State of the Arts

State of the Arts Episode 168 now available on Spotify! For the Black History Month/Valentine's Day Special, State of the Arts will explore some of the jazz, blues and r&b songs that marked milestones in my relationship with my husband Joe. I would even call these legendary hits (collectively) the soundtrack of our romance. From our first date when Joe brought up classic jazz standards, which made...

State of the Arts Episode 167 now available on Spotify! For the Lunar New Year Special, State of the Arts welcomes steel sculptor Robert Spinazzola whose most recent collection is a metal trio of Chinese characters. These fetching works; “Fire”, “Love” and “Climb” are currently displayed at One Martine Gallery in White Plains, New York. This exceptional visual artist began his flourishing career i...

State of the Arts Episode 166 (Part II) now available on Spotify and other platforms! Last week’s episode continues with Dan Masiello. This inspiring founder of the Short Film Production Meetup Group, a group with over 2000 members, continues our in-person home studio conversation. This filmmaker brings others in the field of indie filmmaking together in the many networking events he coordinates....

State of the Arts Episode 165 (Part I) now available on Spotify and other platforms! Dan Masiello, the inspirational founder of the Short Film Production Meetup Group, a group with over 2000 members, joins me this week in an in-person home studio interview. As an indie filmmaker himself, he diligently unites others in the industry through the various networking events he hosts. His most recent wor...

State of the Arts Episode 164 now available on Spotify and other platforms! Comic book illustrator and author Alfonso Wong was a Hong Kong legend whose work became appreciated internationally. Like a combination of Charles Shultz and Jerry Seinfeld, Alfonso Wong created a simple, yet humorous, comic book series about day-to-day life in the bustling metropolis that was Hong Kong under the United Ki...

State of the Arts Episode 163 now available on Spotify and other platforms! A young creative without formal training in fashion or business had a dream to create a clothing line. With the support of a loyal group of friends turned associates, Randy launched his designs about a decade ago. This self-taught fashion designer and business owner has grown his brand, "Godspeed" into a successful New Yor...

State of the Arts Episode 162 now available on Spotify and other platforms. On the first episode of 2024 I am proud to welcome filmmaker, multi-media teacher and content creator Michael Castaldo to State of the Arts! Michael Castaldo is an independent filmmaker who continues to make his mark in the local industry with his short films. His most recent work "Ashley," a comical horror short...

State of the Arts Episode 161: The New Year's Eve Special is now available on Spotify! To ring in 2024, State of the Arts welcomes guitarist and painter Julie Rosenberg who makes her cutting-edge mark in the art world with her hand-painted guitars and live music. This dedicated member of the Reservoir Road Band creates unique works by painting both electric and pick guitars. Her guitars have b...

State of the Arts Episode 160 now available on Spotify! For the 2023 Holiday Special of State of the Arts, I am overjoyed to introduce a champion of all art forms, Monique Langlais Ford. A visual artist, an arts events coordinator and a performing arts manager. This pillar of the arts community was a teacher before she entered into arts administration and events management. In Katonah, the town wh...

State of the Arts Episode 159 now available on Spotify! Actress, singer, guitarist and YouTube content creator Lola Lukas joins me this week on my podcast. Originally from the Ukraine, this independently educated artist has made a splash in the New York theatrical entertainment industry. As a member of a performance company that is a staple of the Theatre for the New City, she is currently in Terr...

State of the Arts Episode 158 now available on Spotify! Natalia Paruz, also known as The Saw Lady is my enchanting guest this week. Saw playing is a unique musical form with more than one origin in different parts of the world. Natalia Paruz has mastered the art of saw playing, along with the timeless art of bell ringing, only to become an international sensation. Her accomplishments include perfo...

State of the Arts Episode 157 now available on Spotify! This week my distinguished cohost Anthony Bonilla and I review stage director/writer Terry Lee King’s current production “Questions” which can be seen at The Theatre for the New City in East Village, Manhattan. “Questions” is a beguiling musical that touches upon several current social justice issues. This captivating show takes the audience...

State of the Arts Episode 156: The Thanksgiving Special now available on Spotify! In this epic podcast episode I have the great honor of interviewing acclaimed film composer Joel Diamond. A composer, a teacher, a musician and a studio producer. Joel Diamond has vast experience in many arenas of the world of professional music. He was featured by Variety in the top 20 Creatives to Watch. “The Belie...

State of the Arts Episode 155: The Native American Heritage Day Special now available on Spotify! My husband Joe and I are broadcasting a tribute this week to the new Martin Scorsese film Killers of the Flower Moon, which we had the chance to watch together the day before the closing of the Cinema Du Lux in our area. This compelling movie is based on the true story of the Osage Native American tri...

State of the Arts Episode 154 is now available on Spotify! Christine Santori is the founder and owner of CommunityStroll.com, a unique greeting service that welcomes new residents to several towns in Connecticut. My marvelously dynamic podcast guest is also a best-selling author of an inspirational book for female professionals and a natural skincare/makeup direct seller. Another hat this extraord...

State of the Arts Episode 153 now available on Spotify. Pratt Institute graduate D.L. Skandle is an accomplished illustrator and author. Her self-published children's book "Little Duckie's Day" is a delightful celebration of parenting during early childhood. As a mom of a young daughter, she drew inspiration from her own life experience for this adorable book. After publication,...

State of the Arts Episode 152: The Halloween Special now available on Spotify! In this haunting new podcast episode my chilling cohost Anthony Bonilla and I attend the tale of Sweeney Todd, the infamous fictional serial killer who graced the silver screen, Broadway stage and ink-blotted paper. From humble beginnings as the villain of the penny dreadful which was comic book-esque literature from th...

State of the Arts Episode 151 now available on Spotify! The secret project spoiler alert. Keep a lookout next year for a fictional scripted podcast episode on State of the Arts. This week my husband Joe Grado Jr. and I give a sneak peek of the sci-fi audio production we have been collaborating on for the past year and a half. This teaser episode explores the plot, the characters and the music of t...

State of the Arts Episode 150 now available on Spotify! Angel Isaac is a promising, young Film and Media studies major at Amherst College in Massachusetts. This budding Latino talent is originally from San Antonio Texas, where he went to high school and launched his YouTube Channel as a teenager. As a high school student he participated in band, but once he reached college he decided to join the r...

State of the Arts Episode 149 now available on Spotify! A glorious podcast interview with one of my most incredible guests! Polina Lilu is a brilliantly talented self-taught illustrator who recently published her first adult coloring book "Chaos to Clarity." This enriching publication features breathtaking mandalas, exercises for self-care and personal stories from individuals who value...

State of the Arts Episode 148: The Hispanic Heritage Month Special is now available on Spotify! This week, my husband composer Joe Grado and I pay homage to late Latino music legend Antonio Carlos Jobim. He was known as "the father of the Bossa Nova." Born in 1920's Brazil, he grew up with a stepfather who introduced him to the piano. His mother started a music school where he receiv...

State of the Arts Episode 147 now available on Spotify! For the first time ever on my podcast, my guest is an adorable chihuahua! Belle the Precious One is an online influencer who is an indie actress and model. She is joined in this interview by her human, Francisco, who is also her manager, publicist, agent, stylist and personal assistant. Currently Belle the Precious One has well over a thousan...

State of the Arts Episode 146 now available on Spotify! This week I proudly welcome my cousin Jen Tumey onto my podcast. Jen is a professional organizer who owns Neat Nesting, a company that specializes in helping clients get organized in whatever way is best suited for them. She works with each client to customize an organizing system that fits their needs and their lifestyle. After receiving ext...

State of the Arts Episode 145 now available on Spotify! MiMi Fischer is an actress, comedic performing artist, storyteller, hula hoop dancer and active SAG member. This dynamic creative became a masterful hula hoop dancer while partaking in a hula hoop dance challenge. Eventually this magnificent performer ended up on public access television and ascended to the mainstream networks. "MiMi on The H...

State of the Arts Episode 144 now available on Spotify! I feel tremendously blessed this week to have interviewed contemporary art extraordinaire Carmen Einfinger! In this in-person, in-depth interview, which I conducted in the charming Elizabeth Street Garden, I take a deep dive into the colorful world of this enchanting creative. Carmen's mesmerizingly playful work is in galleries and museum...