The City Lights Collective

Sonic Youth co-founding guitar player and vocalist Thurston Moore joins City Lights music contributor Chad Radford to discuss his new memoir, “Sonic Life.” Plus, Ashlee Haze takes the spotlight in our series, “Speaking of Poetry,” and we hear the annual IrishFest coming to Historic Roswell this weekend. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

John Hodgman and Jesse Thorn, co-hosts of the "Judge John Hodgman" podcast, join us ahead of their live show on October 29 at Variety Playhouse. Plus, WABE photojournalist Matthew Pearson recaps his recent story about the Atlanta Hair and Makeup Artists' labor dispute, artist Vanna Black takes the spotlight in our series, "Speaking of Art," and the co-hosts of "How Do You Atlanta" share some weeke...

Acclaimed actor and director Ethan Hawke discusses his new film, “Wildcat,” which stars his daughter, Maya Hawke, as writer Flannery O'Connor. Plus, Zakiya Harmony takes the stage in our series, “Speaking of Music,” and director Heidi McKerley tells us about Horizon Theatre’s production of “Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812.” See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dr. Mindy Stombler, professor of sociology and pedagogy, as well as principle senior lecturer at Georgia State University takes the spotlight in our series, “The Art of Teaching.” Plus, we hear about International Production Design Week, and we profile artist Britney Bongang for our series, “Speaking of Art.” See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Brandi Hoyos, the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra’s director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, details the ASO’s Día de los Muertos festival and concert on October 29th. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Composer Michael Shapiro discusses his new, original score to the film “Frankenstein” which will be performed by the Atlanta Opera alongside the classic horror movie on October 28 at Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Director Rachel May and actor Bethany Lind discuss Synchronicity Theatre’s production of “Home, I’m Darling” on stage through October 29. We hear about “Atlanta Hip-Hop Innovators,” the new 4-week course at the Museum of Design Atlanta. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“That’s My Stop,” a project that aims to transform bus stops in Midtown with functional, custom art pieces, is looking for artist submissions, and we explain how to apply. Plus, Tommy Bottoms takes the spotlight in our series, “Speaking of Poetry, and artist Olu Amoda and curator Kate Driscoll discuss “Scavenging and Scanning: Sculptural Exploration of the Earth’s Belly,” on view at the Hudgens Ce...

Frogtown Mountain Puppeteers Erik and Brian Torbeck discuss their original family show, “The Headless Horseman of Silly Hollow,” on stage at the Center for Puppetry Arts through October 27. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Leigh Burns, director of the Fox Theatre Institute, and preservationist Timothy Crimmins discuss 15 years of efforts to preserve historic spaces in Atlanta. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chef Benny Vega of Citizens Market Atlanta stops by to help celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month. Plus, we’ll hear about the Grand Marshalls of this year’s Atlanta Pride Parade, “Voices of Note,” and learn how the Billionaire Boys Club Creator’s Lab at Cam Kirk Studios is helping to provide Atlanta Creatives with free access to innovative equipment. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information...

Director Shuler Hensley discusses City Springs Theatre's "Fiddler on the Roof" production on stage at the Byers Theatre through October 22. Plus, Dwayne Wiggins, Raphael Saadiq, and Timothy Christian Riley of the R&B super-band "Tony! Toni! Tone!" join us ahead of the performance at the Fox on October 22, and City Lights producers Kim Drobes, Jeannine Etter, and Summer Evans present some upcom...

Dr. Richard Banz, Executive Director of Southern Museum and Kennesaw Museum Foundation, discusses “The Great Locomotive Chase.” Plus, Elizabeth Grove of “Edible FX” takes the spotlight for our series, “Speaking of Y’allywood,” and curator Cynthia Thompson and artist David Antonio Cruz detail “{UNDER}flow, A Group Exhibition,” on view through December 9 at the Zuckerman Museum. See omnystudio.com/l...

Grammy award-winning singer and songwriter Macy Gray discusses her new album, “The Reset” ahead of her live show in Atlanta on Friday. Plus, we’ll revisit our conversation about “Carterland.” The film is currently screening at the Plaza Theater and then moves to the Tara Theater on Friday. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Greta Gerwig’s “Barbie” movie is breaking box office records, and today, we discuss the film with local film scholars Dr. Maura Ryan Bernales, Dr. Matthew Bernstein, and Dr. Michele Schreiber. Plus, we hear commentary from local moviegoers about the film, and Chris Escobar, executive director of the Atlanta Film Society and owner of the Plaza and Tara Theaters, gives his thoughts on the intersecti...

40+Double Dutch Club founder Pamela Robinson and the director of the Atlanta division, Jerri McElroy, discuss how the club helps women over 40 improve their physical  and  mental health. Plus, we visit with Megan Schaeffer, creator and operator of Decatur’s Little Free Art Gallery. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Director Jake Guinn discusses the new production of "Dracula: The Failings of Men," on stage at Shakespeare Tavern, October 7 through 31. Plus, WABE's H Johnson joins us for a listen to the Tony Bennett and Bill Evans recording of "We'll Be Together Again." See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The life of an introvert gets a tender, funny and inspiring inside look in a new special from the animated world of “Peanuts.” Released earlier this summer on Apple TV+, the special is called “Snoopy Presents: One-of-a-Kind Marcie,” following the adventures of the clever but cautious Marcie. “City Lights” host Lois Reitzes speaks with the executive producer Craig Schulz and director Raymond S. Per...

“City Lights” host Lois Reitzes speaks with Atlanta-based author Vanessa Riley about her new book “Queen of Exiles.” Her historical novel is based on the extraordinary life of Marie-Louise Christophe, the only Queen in the history of Haiti. Plus, we spotlight Atlanta comedians Damon Sumner and Zain Sharif ahead of their appearances at the Laughing Skull Comedy Festival Oct. 5-8.  See omnystud...

In our series “ATL Up and Away,” PBS host and travel guru Rick Steves shares his tips for eating and dining abroad. Plus, “City Lights” host Lois Reitzes speaks with comedian, podcaster, and former Obama White House speech writer Jon Lovett. He’s performing at Center Stage on Oct. 5 as part of his “Lovett or Leave it: The Errors Tour.”  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“City Lights” host Lois Reitzes speaks with renowned composer Carlos Simon about illustrious career and about his latest album “Brea(d)th”, written to the memory of George Floyd. Plus, we spotlight the Atlanta band Black Cat Rising in our series “Speaking of Music.” And we listen back to Lois’ 2021 conversation with Tanjuria Willis, the founder of “Sustainable Fashion Week ATL.”  See omnystud...

“City Lights” host Lois Reitzes speaks with photographer Chelsea Mukenya, this year’s Atlanta Celebrates Photography 2023 Emerging Artist honoree. Her solo exhibition “Nyumbani” opens at MINT Gallery Sept. 30. Plus, a conversation with Rep. Malcom Kenyatta and director Tim Harris about their documentary “Kenyatta: Do Not Wait Your Turn.” The film is screening at the Out on Film Festival on Sept. 3...

“City Lights” host Lois Reitzes speaks with Amir Nizar Zuabi, artistic director of The Walk Productions, the non-profit organizing the world tour of the 12-foot puppet “Little Amal.” She stops in Atlanta on October 8th and 10th. Plus, food contributors Chef Asata Reid and culinary historian Akila McConnell discuss the history of Atlanta’s pizza scene and share their favorite restaurants. And we he...

Director Amanda Washington discusses “Cullud Wattah” on stage at Actor’s Express. This powerful play is set during the 2016 Flint, Michigan Water Crisis and it’s ultimately about secrets, family, and the choices we make for survival. We spotlight Atlanta comedian Tamar Rubin in our series “Speaking of Comedy.” Plus, “City Lights” producer Summer Evans speaks with renowned photographer Barbara Van...

Trumpeter, vocalist and jazz bandleader Joe Gransden discusses his new “Jazz Milestones” concert series. It begins October 1 at the Roswell Cultural Arts Center with “Sinatra and Friends.” We spotlight Irish dancer Erin Connolly in our series “Speaking of Dance.” And we listen back to “City Lights” senior producer Kim Drobes’ 2022 conversation with Nappy Roots rappers Skinny DeVille and Fish Scale...