The Confluence Cast

Slam brought poetry out of academia in the early 1990s. Since then it has grown and become an outlet for performers around the globe. Local poet and performance artist Barbara Fant sat down to talk about the finer workings of the medium and her evolution in it. We also focused on the importance of mentors, the difference between writing and performance, her volunteer work, how to deal with burning...

With a little over two years of episodes out in the world, it’s high time to give a little more behind the scenes on how the Confluence Cast gets made. This is a rebroadcast of an episode I recorded with the local podcast the Sounds of Bustown. They interviewed me about where the Confluence Cast came from, what the goals for it are, and how the show gets made. Shownotes The Confluence Cast T...

Elected officials should reflect their constituencies. That’s the essential thesis of the Matriots, an Ohio nonpartisan political action committee founded by a group of women who participated in the Women’s March on Washington. I sat down with their executive director, Elissa Schneider, to talk about the organization and their big hairy audacious goal of equal representation of women in publ...

Magicians guard an empty vault. Columbus-based magician and comedian Erik Tait won’t hesitate to show you that. We talked this week about the Columbus magic scene that you may not have heard of, his path in the local and national magic scene, and the importance of intellectual property for performers. Shownotes Erik Tait Erik on Penn & Teller Fool Us Humber College Erik’s trick on...

How do artists work, both alone and together? I sat down with organizer and artist Stephanie Rond to preview this weekend’s Columbus Open Studio and Stage and learn how she herded cats to get here. Shownotes Stephanie Rond Stephanie Rond on Columbus Makes Art Carnegie Gallery Columbus Open Studio & Stage Art Makes Columbus Bryan Christopher Moss April Sunami Brick Box Studios Tom Katzenm...

How can women break into male-dominated fields? In the case of hip-hop artist and rapper Domenique Larue, they just do it. We sat down to discuss how she got started, how she creates her work, the music business, and dealing with depression and anxiety. Enjoy the interview and a sampling of her music.   SHOWNOTES Dominique Larue Columbus Makes Art Fort Hayes MEC Veteran’s Memorial BHB H...

Are land use and development a civic responsibility or just a monetary transaction? Yaromir Steiner, the Founder, Chief Executive Officer of Steiner + Associates has an opinion. He sat down with Columbus Underground’s urban development staff contributor Brett Warren to talk in-depth about that, the importance of density in Columbus, and the future of everything from Downtown to Easton. SHOWN...

Art and artists don’t evolve in a vacuum. That’s certainly true for Columbus-based mixed media artist April Sunami. We sat down to discuss her work, how she translates the identities of women of color in her work, working with and without the support of those around you, her influences, the importance of finding communities, and the importance of outreach. SHOWNOTES April Sunami Art Ma...

In the fall of 2017, the owner of the Columbus Crew SC announced their intention to move to Austin, Texas. Almost immediately, a grassroots movement was born; aptly named, Save the Crew. Since then, lots of things have been said, proposals floated, and actions are taken. This week, we get a primer on the whole situation up to this point and sit down with a representative from Save the Crew to find...

Happy Comfest! Get a preview of the already-begun festival season and hear from a selection of bands gracing the stage at this weekend’s Comfest. SHOWNOTES Comfest InkCarceration Festival Holler Scott Woods episode Maroon Arts Group Midwest Queer Comedy Festival John Glen Astronomy Park Summer Jam West Hilltop Rising Sculpture Hilltop Bean Dinner Hilltop Neighborhood episode Pelotonia Flyove...

Sometimes comedians make the best politicians. I sat down with Travis Irvine, Ohio’s libertarian gubernatorial candidate, for a live interview at the Columbus Podcast Festival, to talk about his rich and varied history running for political office, making fun of John Kasich, and his upcoming feature film, Killer Raccoons 2 . SHOWNOTES Travis Irvine Libertarian Party of Ohio Columbus Podcast Festiv...

Once they find success, how do artists choose the right commercial and creative collaborations?  I sat down with Ramble Jon Krohn, better known as RJD2, to talk about his journey from 8-year-old classic rock fan to hip hop DJ and producer, his many collaborative projects over the years, how Columbus has grown up as an incubator of creativity and the primacy of the groove in his musical vision. SHO...

How does one lead the rebirth of a performing arts organization? I sat down with Peggy Kriha Dye, General and Artistic Director of Opera Columbus, to talk about this weekend’s production of Orphée Et Eurydice (running April 20-22 at the Southern Theatre), her beginnings as a singer, how she came to call Central Ohio home, and the unique opportunities for collaboration and growth inherent in the Co...

What’s it like to be a local media personality? I sat down with Drew Hanson, former WNCI DJ and self-proclaimed “D-List Celebrity,” for a freewheeling conversation about his experience in Columbus media, why he decided to leave Columbus and why he ultimately came back. Shownotes: WNCI Mark Dantzer “ Parents Just Don’t Understand ” Bradley Cooper Power 107.5 The Art of War Jym Ganahl Sunny 95 Confl...

What is the role of a conductor in helping an orchestra perform to the best of its ability? I sat down with David Danzmayr, music director of ProMusica Chamber Orchestra, for an engaging conversation about his surprising journey from Austrian piano prodigy to American music director, how ProMusica impressed him with its singular focus and commitment and why musicians should focus on emotional expr...

What has 2017 meant for those of us living in and around 270? I sat down with Anne and Walker Evans, the owners of Columbus Underground, for our year-end roundup of the website’s top ten stories. We also covered the inside scoop on the latest developments in Central Ohio public life and culture, and some of the great things happening in our city to watch for in 2018. Shownotes: The Top 20 Columbus...

How did Central Ohio become the gaming hub of the Midwest? I sat down with Chris Volpe, President and CEO of Multivarious Games, to talk about his journey from working in healthcare to managing a video game startup, Multivarious’ origins in the Columbus game developer community, and several exciting projects he and his team have on the horizon. Shownotes Multivarious Games Central Ohio Gamedev Gro...

How do we make the best use of our time and resources to make the biggest impact in our neighborhoods and in our city? I sat down with Matthew Goldstein, Executive Director of Besa, to talk about helping people and businesses give back to their community, innovative, technology-driven approaches to service, the important work being done by non-profits in Columbus, and the ongoing need for all of u...

How do the choices artists make in their creative process affect what we experience as an audience? I sat down with Bebe Miller, acclaimed choreographer, dancer and director of the Bebe Miller Company to talk about how she arrived at dance as an art form, her newest work In a Rhythm , the keys to appreciating modern dance and how the artistic process shapes the artistic end product. Shownotes In a...

What’s the role of locally-produced art in shaping our identity as a city? I sat down with Brandon Anderson, General Manager of Shadowbox Live and Backstage Bistro to talk about the Columbus theater scene, the origins of Shadowbox, what it means to be the general manager of America’s largest resident theater company, and the responsibility we have as creatives, business leaders and citizens...

How do commercial real-estate developers create community? I sat down with Brian Suiter, Director of Real Estate Development for Kaufman Development to talk about the future of development in Columbus, Kaufman’s development goals and philosophy, the many moving parts involved in large-scale real estate, and The Gravity Project, an impressive new mixed-use building (and community concept) currently...

How do cultural art centers decide what’s worthy of presentation? I sat down with Lane Czaplinski, the Wexner Center for the Arts’ new director of performing arts to talk about his journey from literature student to art curator, his impressions of Columbus, and some of the exciting shows coming up in the Wexner Center’s fall performing arts season. Shownotes Wexner Center for the Arts The Ba...

Next week, the capital city will be taken over by Cartoon Crossroads Columbus, a free, citywide arts festival hosted by people and places with a passion for cartoon arts. On the occasion of the festival, I sat down with Columbus-based artist creator Jeff Smith to talk about the festival, his work, and why Columbus is the perfect place to host the festival. Shownotes: Cartoon Crossroads Columbus Bo...

Dine Originals Week is fast approaching! Hear from the organization’s executive director about the deals you can take advantage of while enjoying Columbus’s finest independent restaurants and learn about the pitfalls of public relations in Columbus. As a bonus this week, I sat down with the founders of the new restaurant Ambrose and Eve, slated to open in German Village next year. Show...

The Columbus City Charter is essentially the Columbus Constitution. It defines the structure and role of the city and its leaders. I sat down with the chairman of the most recent comprehensive Charter Review Commission, Mike Curtin, to talk about the origins of our charter, why we have the structure that we do, and his predictions on the future of the city. Shownotes Mike Curtin (Wikipedia) The Co...