The City Lights Collective

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre’s interim artistic director Matthew Rushing and choreographer Hope Boykin discuss Ailey’s upcoming performances at the Fox Theatre. Plus, Atlanta Jym Davis, better known as “False Face,” joins us to discuss his upcoming solo art exhibition, “Final Form,” which opens at Reinhardt University’s Fincher Visual Arts Center on...

Playwright Zora Howard discusses the world premiere of “BUST,” coming to the Alliance Theatre from February 13 through March 16. Corian Ellisor takes the spotlight in our series, “Speaking of Dance.” John B. White Jr., life director of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, celebrates 50 years of ASO broadcasts on WABE. Fantastic Negrito reflects on the 10th anniversary of NPR&rsq...

Raymond Carr, puppeteer and founder of Ninja Puppets, and Jason Hines, artistic director of the Center for Puppetry Arts join Lois for a conversation about “The Muppet Movie,” recorded live at the Plaza Theater for “City Lights Cinema.” Plus, Author Zaria Ware discusses her book, “"BLK Art: The Audacious Legacy of Black Artists and Models in Western Art.” See om...

Director Matt Torney and actor Andrew Benator discuss the Atlanta premiere production of “The Lehman Trilogy,” presented by Theatrical Outfit and the Bremen. The show opens today at the Balzer Theatre at Herren’s and runs through March 2. Jon Ludwig, former artistic director of the Center for Puppetry Arts, talks about the new Disney plus documentary “Jim Henson: Idea Man,&...

True Colors artistic director Jamil Judea and director Ibi Owolabi detail their new production of “Jaja’s African Hair Braiding,” coming to Southwest Arts. Plus, PBS travel expert Rick Steves joins us for “ATL Up and Away,” and conductor Jonathan McPhee discusses the music behind the Atlanta Ballet’s upcoming production of “The Rite of Spring.” See o...

Author Victoria Christopher Murray discusses her new book, “Harlem Rhapsody.” Plus, we talk to Grammy-nominated R&B artist Ruben Studdard ahead of his performance at the Roswell Roots Festival, and we learn about the budget cut to Fulton County’s arts and culture funding. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Emory Film and Media professor Dan Reynolds and Goodrich C. White Professor & Interim Chair in the Film and Media department Matthew Bernstein detail Emory Cinematheque's free film screening series, "Film on Film." Plus, H Johnson stops by for the latest edition of "H Johnson's Jazz Moment," SCAD Fash curator Rafael Gomes discusses their new Sandy Powell exhibition, "Dressing the Part: Costume...

Drag queen Brigitte Bidet discusses her upcoming one-woman show, “Chick with a Schtick,” on stage at City Winery on February 9. Plus, Dr. Scott Stewart stops by for the latest installment of “Music in Media,” and we hear about a new Artist-in-Residence opportunity with Public Art Futures Lab. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Musicians and sound engineers Dr. Tommy Joe Anderson and Fyodor Cherniavsky share some of their favorite Atlanta Symphony Orchestra memories and celebrate 50 years of ASO broadcasts on WABE. Plus, Rahbi takes the spotlight for our series, “Speaking of Music,” and Rough Draft Atlanta’s senior editor and dining editor, Beth McKibben, joins us for our next installment of “The...

Charlotte-based artist and photographer Micah Cash discusses his new photography exhibition, "Waffle House Vistas," at the Georgia Museum of Art through June 1. Plus, Anthony "Firefly" Gasaway, Jr. and Joy "Kuma" Rowe of the FyreNation Crew take the spotlight for our series, "Speaking of Dance," and actor and musician Dua Saleh stops by ahead of their upcoming concert at Vinyl. See omnystudio.com/...

Grammy award-winning singers Rebecca and Megan Lovell of the band Larkin Poe discuss their new album, “Bloom.” Plus, we hear about an upcoming concert celebrating Milt Gabler and Commodore Records, and we celebrate the life and legacy of David Lynch. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“Nickel Boys” director and co-screenplay writer RaMell Ross discusses why he shot the award-winning film entirely from a first-person point of view. Plus, actor Linseigh Green discusses her extraordinary achievements in theater and advocacy, artist and music enthusiast Kosmo Vinyl stops by for “Kosmo’s Vinyl of the Week,” and violinist Jason Anick and pianist Jason Ye...

Bestselling author Abbott Kahler discusses their new book, “Eden Undone: A True Story of Sex, Murder, and Utopia at the Dawn of World.” Plus, actor James Morrison details his new one-man play that chronicles the struggles of a parent whose son is battling brain cancer and artistic director Yao Lu tells us about the Magic Eastern Ensemble’s upcoming Lunar New Year concert, “...

Director Mark Valdez discusses the Alliance Theatre’s world premiere stage adaptation of the Newbery Award-winning picture book “Doctor De Soto.” Plus, H Johnson stops by for “H Johnson’s Jazz Moment,” artists Savonna Nicole Atkins and Rachel Gant detail their new exhibition, “Through Windows and Across Parks,” and Atlanta Symphony Orchestra principa...

Mezzo-soprano Jamie Barton joins ‘City Lights’ ahead of her upcoming performance at Spivey Hall on January 19. Plus, Choreographer Frankie Mulinix discusses the art of Butoh dance, Dr. Scott Stewart joins us for our series, Music in Media, and gallerist Shawn Vinson details the joint grand openings of The Sun ATL and One Contemporary Gallery. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy inf...

Atlanta actor and artist Danielle Deadwyler discusses her new film “The Piano Lesson,” which is streaming now on Netflix. MJQ co-owners Murphy and Ryan Purcell discuss the iconic club’s last days on Ponce de Leon Avenue and its upcoming grand opening in Underground Atlanta. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In a special live show, Lois Reitzes and Rose Scott reflect on 10 years of City Lights and Closer Look. On January 12, 2015, both shows launched as a part of WABE’s format shift to news and talk radio. The hosts share stories from the first decade on air and how they continue to amplify Atlanta.   Guests include longtime contributors and friends of both programs:   Camille Russell...

In the second hour of our 10th Anniversary Special, Lois Reitzes and Rose Scott revisit memorable interviews and stories from the last decade, including conversations with actor Colman Domingo, civil rights icon Xernona Clayton, choreographer Hope Boykin, REM frontman Michael Stipe, as well as Closer Look’s investigative series on Atlanta traffic and the unhoused.     Explore more...

Atlanta History Center director of community collaborations, Dr. La’Neice Littleton, and Judge Brenda Cole discuss the upcoming Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebration at Atlanta History Center on January 18. They’ll participate in a panel discussion on women in the Civil Rights era. Plus, Atlanta Symphony Orchestra’s principal flutist Christina Smith joins us to celebrate 50 year...

Former U.S. poet laureate Rita Dove discusses her upcoming performance of “The Bridgetower,” her poem to be recited in concert with the Emory Chamber Music Society on January 17 at the Schwartz Center for Performing Arts. Plus, we hear about Iggy Pop’s “The Passenger” on “Kosmo’s Vinyl of the Week,” and we’ll learn how “The Frisky Whisker...

Travel expert and PBS host Rick Steves joins us for the latest edition of "ATL Up and Away." This month, he explains how research can help make your trip more rewarding. Plus, artist Honey Pierre updates us on the effects of Mint Gallery's sudden closure this past summer. Antoine Gibson takes the spotlight for "Speaking of Music," and Emmy-nominated actor and comedian Matt Walsh discusses his upco...

Emory University film experts Matthew Bernstein and Eddy Von Mueller discuss the centennial anniversary of Columbia Pictures. Plus, Pauline Johnson takes the spotlight for our series, “Speaking of Comedy,” and Rough Draft Atlanta’s Beth McKibben joins us for the latest installment of “The Beverage Beat.” This month, she explores Atlanta’s many zero-proof and N/A...

Atlanta Symphony Orchestra executive director Jennifer Barlament joined “City Lights” host Lois Reitzes to discuss the annual Martin Luther King Celebration Concert, which will be broadcast on WABE on January 20 at 8 p.m. The ASO and Ebenezer Baptist Church, along with special guests, partnered to present this beloved concert. Plus, Atlanta artists Grace Kisa, Corrina Sephora, and Sabr...

Former President Jimmy Carter passed away at the age of 100. He was a Nobel Peace Prize winner, Georgia governor, humanitarian, and devoted family person. In 1982, he founded The Carter Center with his beloved wife, Rosalynn, and through that organization they have provided humanitarian aid across the globe. Carter was also a poet in addition to his extensive list of achievements. “City Ligh...

Curator Rafael Gomes details the SCAD FASH exhibition "Imane Ayissi: From Africa to the World," which is on view through February 23. Plus, "Jimmy Carter: Rivers and Dreams" co-author Jim Barger Jr. discusses President Jimmy Carter's love of fly fishing. Did you know that both "City Lights" and "Closer Look" are turning 10 in January? It's true, and we'll be celebrating with a special anniversary...