State of the Arts

State of the Arts Episode 143 now available on Spotify! Mr. Eli Rooney is a content creator who specializes in holograms, teleporters and clones. His high tech videos are afro-futuristic, science fictitous and fantastic. This remarkably imaginative creative is also a photographer and videographer. He is on multiple platforms including YouTube, Instagram and Tik Tok. With previous experience in man...

State of the Arts Episode 142 now available on Spotify! Theatre for the New City presents Life on the Third Rail, an outdoor musical that addresses many social justice and environmental issues. My co-host Anthony Bonilla and I had the privilege of seeing this delightfully entertaining production yesterday. This brilliant masterpiece was the creation of renowned director, actress, writer and theatr...

Fireplace Concepts is a multi-label online fashion concept boutique. Many international designers' works can be found at Fireplace Concepts. The attire is unique, diverse and sustainable. Dundu.nstore is a premier fashion retailing platform dedicated to showcasing the exceptional creativity of independent designer brands. All of their pieces are made out of recycled materials. Currently at the...

Rest in peace, Tony Bennett. This tribute episode is in honor of one of music's greatest legends. From humble beginnings as a grocer's son in Astoria, Queens, Anthony Benedetto extensively studied voice and painting. This diligence resulted in his rise to stardom after serving in the army during World War II. Actor Bob Hope was impressed by this young singer's talent in a night club an...

Eavan Boland was a legendary poet who was born in Dublin, Ireland. She emerged as one of the foremost female voices in Irish literature. Her poetry is known for subverting traditional constructions of womanhood as well as offering fresh perspectives on Irish history and mythology. Over ten volumes of poetry were written by her. Eavan Boland was an honorary member of the Royal Irish Academy and a m...

State of the Arts Episode 138 just published! Westchester dog parents have been blessed with a new haven in White Plains when 4mydogs opened this year on East Post Road. 4mydogs is an all-purpose dog supply and service boutique that offers everything from dog daycare to grooming to training to walking to events to merchandise. There are even some items for cats as well. Everything edible is carefu...

State of the Arts Episode 137 just published! White Plains, Hartsdale, Harrison, Silver Lake. The quaint, yet modernized areas that are just a train ride away from New York City are the hidden gems of Westchester. In this tribute to a treasure of a region, I explore the day to day lives of two locals. A White Plains resident and a Hartsdale resident. Museums, farmers markets, a diverse array of re...

In the bustling streets of New York City is an artist who continuously spreads joy, fun and unity as he moves from location to location with his high-tech portable sound system. Visual artist Nelson Betancourt was inspired to bring his creativity to the public areas of Manhattan during the gloomy silence of the 2020 COVID lockdown. That was when Love Train was born! Equipped with a full-size speak...

This week I welcome videographer, filmmaker, Burning Treehouse Film Company founder and my fellow Manhattanville College alumni Joe Hughes to my podcast. With well over a decade of film work under his belt, this experienced video producer is the proud founder and CEO of Westchester's leading video productions business. Burning Treehouse Film Company handles all aspects of productions with Joe&...

My guest this week is singer, model, content creator and environmental activist Rae Simone. As a part of The Hudson Valley Blues Society, this multi-talented artist performs steadily at various New York venues. She has graced many local hotspots with her talents including Rockwood Music Hall, Carmine’s Deli and Studio Around the Corner. With her recorded music available for sale, she includes a li...

State of the Arts Episode 133: The Father's Day Special just released! This week I commemorate Edwin Anthony Osborne II, my grandfather on my father's side. The Osborne family relocated to the United States from the United Kingdom in the late 1700s for business purposes. There is a strong possibility that they were related to The Duke of Leeds in Yorkshire (the lineage has not been traced...

The Van Gogh Immersive Experience is an art exhibit celebrating the life and work of Vincent Van Gogh. This exhibit offers a dalliance for the senses as patrons step inside paintings through virtual reality, digital exhibitions and a theatrical set-style room. This experience can be found in cities all over the world in many different nations. I had the opportunity to enjoy this mesmerizing advent...

State of the Arts Episode 131: The Pride Month Special just released. The legendary Greek Poetess Sappho was most likely born around 620 BCE to a prominent family on the island of Lesbos during a golden age for culture and art. Sappho is considered by many scholars as one of the best poets of all time. She is often referred to as "The Poetess" as Homer is often referred to as "The P...

State of the Arts Episode 130; the Mental Health Awareness Month Special just released. This week my esteemed co-host Anthony Bonilla and I team up to review the 1944 classic drama film Gaslight. In addition, this is the unofficial second half of the Angela Lansbury Tribute Episode as she was the supporting actress in this gripping film noir. Gaslight was a ground-breaking film that dared to addre...

State of the Arts Episode 129: The Asian Heritage Month Special just released! Cantonese opera is an elaborate form of performance that combines extravagant costumes, striking makeup, lively theatrics and powerful vocals. I warmly recall my grandparents using the slang word "douk douk chong" to refer to Cantonese opera. This astonishing form of opera was first performed during the reign...

State of the Arts Episode 128 The Mother's Day Special just released: This week I commemorate Oressa Osborne, my grandmother on my father's side. Descended from a British, German and Austrian lineage, she was born in New York City as Oressa Anderson. Her father, William Anderson, was the Chief Editor of The Brooklyn Gazette Newspaper and her mother was a spirited homemaker. Growing up in 1...

State of the Arts Episode 127: Fashion designer and Loola Doola boutique owner Lauren Morris joins me on my podcast for an intriguing interview. Loola Doola is a charming boutique with original pieces that range from playful accessories to cutting edge apparel to vintage items. Feminine, fun, exotic, chic, timeless or elegant. Loola Doola has something that suits every woman's style. Lauren M...

State of the Arts Episode 126: The Autism Awareness Month Special just released! Spectrum Designs is an enterprise that creates meaningful and inclusive employment opportunities for people on the Autism Spectrum. This remarkable business produces apparel, office items, posters, tote bags and other merchandise. Spectrum Bakes and Spectrum Suds are also affiliates of Spectrum Designs. All proceeds f...

State of the Arts Episode 125: the Earth Day Special just released! A hundred year-old former hat factory stands regally in Norwalk, Connecticut. This building withstood a century's worth of storms, heat, cold and changing social climates. Sturdy as a fortress to ensure protection against an enemy invasion back in the World War eras, its structure has proven itself unshakable many times over. Now...

As a multimedia artist, post-production professional and harpist Amanda Peckler is a dynamic creative who brings her phenomenal abilities to multiple arenas. This Skidmore College graduate has been involved in several documentaries, transmedia projects, narratives and podcasts. She is an accomplished member of The Post New York Alliance, The Blue Collar Post Collective, The Future NOW Media Founda...

State of the Arts Episode 123 just published! Michael William Stanton is a painter, musician and lyric writer whose exquisite work can be found online. As a painter he specializes in portraits, line works, landscapes and murals. Over ten of his pieces were selected to be displayed at a luxury nursing facility in Connecticut. He was also commissioned to paint a mural at a dining establishment and o...

State of the Arts Episode 122 just published! My guest this week is Debbie Daum, a gemologist with a background in the jewelry industry who turned her passion into a career when she opened an all-purpose bead store in White Plains, New York. Bead Everything offers supplies for all beading needs, jewelry making classes, ready-to-wear pieces and even literature. From semi-precious stones to Swarovsk...

This week's episode is an honorable tribute to late acting legend Dame Angela Lansbury who passed away tranquilly last year at ninety six. Dame Angela Lansbury was an Irish-British and American actress, dancer and singer whose extraordinary career graced the silver screen, prime time television and the stage. Her career had humble beginnings as she took small roles in classic low budget movies...

The You Frontier is a startup that transforms unused buildings and commercial space into co-working, creative and community spaces. Their business model is similar to that of a gym offering people reasonably priced subscriptions for virtually unlimited access to their space. The You Frontier offers a way to make use of existing space, a physical social network and a chance for subscribers to have...

In this epic, larger-than-life episode of State of the Arts my co-host Anthony Bonilla and I give a rave review of the new adaptation of Tennessee Williams' legendary play Cat on a Hot Tin Roof. This astonishing Off Broadway show is a Ruth Stage production directed by Joe Rosario. Matt de Rogatis of Ruth Stage, who was a guest on State of the Arts last year, owns the lead role of troubled alcoholi...