Arts Weekly

Tune is this Saturday 3.14 (PIE DAY!) to Arts Weekly on Smooth Jazz 92.3 FM. I get to interview the amazing educator, essayist, and poet, Kristie Robin Johnson. Kristie is an Assistant Professor of English and Department Chair for Humanities at Georgia Military College, and we talk about her upcoming book, High Cotton and she recites her poem, “Boy” from the Golden Blocks Manuscript. Then we look ahead through the coming week and it is PACKED. Check it all out at www.events.augustaarts.com!

Arts Weekly Radio Podcast for Week of 3/5 and beyond. This week my guest Mary Ann Bigger with Arts and Heritage Center of North Augusta joined Brenda to talk about Paint Your Palate 2020 on March 20, 2020. We took a few minutes to talk about Springfest as well-March 12. Of course I covered Events for this week-end and beyond; so many choices: Ed Turner and # 9 at the Imperial, Karen Brown at Humanitree House, Founders of Aiken County Day, An Evening with George Winston and more. Interested? Catch the Podcast anytime- from www.AugustaArts.com. Brenda

The first segment of the podcast had to be omitted due to technical difficulties. We will make sure to resolve the problem. Thank you. Arts Weekly Podcast Augusta has so many arts choices! This week we had a full program of events to cover- some days and nights are so tempting I wish the cloning machine still worked. Of course, I covered events for this weekend; The Wet Paint Party & Sale on Saturday. Tommy Emmanuel at the Miller, 10th Annual Black History Jazz Concert, Astronomical Aspirations Art Show by Sally Kat and more. Check out all the Augusta art and entertainment via our website www.Augustaarts.com. That's where you can find a full calendar of events, call for art, art classes, and jobs. You can sign up for our newsletter, join the Arts Council and learn about the arts in Augusta in a one-stop-shop. Of course, I covered events in the future. Catch the podcast on the website. Get out there and have some fun! Brenda

This week the Arts Weekly Radio Show and Podcast has a focus on Gertrude Herbert Institute of Art. Guests Lillie Hardy Morris and Larry Millard shared information about the current Show Larry Millard, No Vacancy and Lillie's upcoming abstract workshop. If you have not been in the Gertrude Herbert, or, if it's been a while, Friday February 28 is a closing reception so you can see two shows as well as the recent renovations. Go! Of course I covered many events on the Arts Calendar including our Mardi Gras Carnivale on Saturday and the Wet Paint Party & Sale on 2/29. Get out and have some fun. Check out the calendar www.Augustaarts.com Listen to the Show podcast anytime www.AugustaArts.com Show Airs on Saturday morning at 9:30 on Smooth Jazz 92.3 FM

Arts Weekly Radio Show and Podcast, This week was a ‘no-guest’ catch-up week. Brenda Durant the Executive Director of the Greater Augusta Arts Council covered events for the week-end of Feb 15 and 16 as well as into the future. For the 2nd segment Brenda did a Public Art Update catching us up on the James Brown Mural and Gateway Project; so far 3 community theme session were held with one more to come at Commissioner Frantom’ s District 3 meeting on March 7. Don’t miss our Mardi Gras Carnavale in The Common on February 22 and our Member event the Wet Paint Party and Art Sale on February 29. You can see a full calendar of local events, sign up for our newsletter and join the Arts Council At www.AugustaArts.com Have some fun! Brenda

"Listen this week to meet Allyssa Blair with the Augusta Mini Theatre taking about the Mini Theatre Show “All God’s Children Got Guns” (Truth or Myth). Next week-end is the last show and the only date left is Sunday February 16 at 3PM. This is a great show to see with your children, sparking a conversation About guns for days after. The Mini Theatre programs a January/February show dedicated to the legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr and Black History Month. Next on the Show this week is Mark Swanson to talk about his play ‘A Scythe of Time’ presented at the Maxwell Theatre by Theater Aug. This play, inspired by two stories by Edgar Allan Poe is “a dark and delectable little comedy. A ghoulishly prankish satire set in Victorian London..”” –The New York Times The show earned many awards at the New York Musical Festival and now you can see it in Augusta February 13-16. More details on these shows and everything discussed on the podcast can be found on our arts calendar on our website Events.Augustaarts.com Get out there and have some fun in Augusta!" Brenda

This week, Pax interviewed George Wingard about his documentary film, “Discovering Dave: Spirit Captured in Clay” which will be showing at the Main Branch of our public library on Thursday, Feb 6th at 6:00 pm. We also hear all about the great programs coming up at our 6 public library branches from Leah Holloway.

Joining Brenda in the Studio this week are Jim Garvey and Olivia Pontoo, actors in the Augusta Junior Players production of Anne and Emmett, the story of Anne Frank and Emmett Till in an imaginary place called “Memory”. Also in the studio is Rhian Swain to help cover a backward glance at the array of Arts Events in Augusta in 2019. With a little time left we covered events for this week-end. You can find a full calendar of local arts at www.AugustaArts.com

Arts Weekly—a podcast about Arts and Entertainment in Augusta GA and the River Region. This week Brenda Durant took a minute to reflect on the life of Ellis Johnson. Mr. Johnson died this week leaving a legacy of support for the arts especially the Jessye Norman School who named their Gallery after Ellis and his wife Ann. Ellis was on the Board of the Arts Council when I was hired in 1997, he was president a few years later, hosting the staff for regular lunches to catch up on what we were working on and where we were going. I loved when he would talk about himself- the premier tenor in Augusta in the 50’s and 60’s later supporting the Augusta Chorale, The Arts Council, The Jessye Norman School for the Arts and numerous arts events- always escorted by his elegant wife. Coco Rubio shared a photo of Ann and Ellis walking into the Miller Theatre on opening night; they were first thru the doors. The perfect couple to be the first to greet this downtown jewel. In the next segments I covered events for this week-end and beyond.

"It was a musical day in the Arts Weekly studio this week. I invited Wycliffe Gordon to talk about the An Evening with Branford Marsalis at the Augusta University Maxwell Theatre on January 16 plus Joe Stevenson to share his numerous Music Experiences like Southeastern Songwriter Series #13, the Hometown Harmony Project and more. Wycliffe is the Director of the Jazz Studies Program at AU and brings international Jazz musicians to Augusts via the Lyceum Series of the University. Do listen to the Radio Show on Saturday morning at 9:30 on Smooth Jazz 92.3 FM or catch the podcast via our website: www.AugustaArts.com I am always so excited to hear about creative endeavors. It is so heartwarming to hear from our local musicians about all the events, concerts and live music in the Augusta Area. Do take a few minutes to listen-you'll learn about musical llamas, listening rooms, Wycliffe's interest in including Jazz in the singer-songwriter scene and ...more. Yes, I covered events for the weekend and beyond." Brenda Durant

Arts Weekly Radio Show and Podcast—Listen each week as we pull back the curtain on Arts, Artists and people who are working hard to make your playing easy. This week Brenda Durant covers events for the 1st week-end of the New Year—Cirque Du Soleil Presents Ovo! At the James Brown Arena and Poison Peach 2020 Film Festival at the Imperial Theatre. Saturday January 4 features Horror Night! The rest of the show is a peek into 2020- Featuring An Evening with Branford Marsalis on Thursday January 16 at the Maxwell Theatre. We also covered: The Augusta Symphony Gala, Tuesday Music Live, The Business Of Being an Artist class at the Gertrude Herbert, facilitated by Staci Swider, Burlesque at Le Chat Noir and more… The Show airs on Saturday mornings at 9:30 on Smooth Jazz 92.3 FM or catch the podcast here

Arts Weekly with Jezebel Anat & Katie Cason by Brenda Durant

"Arts Weekly Radio Show and Podcast. Brenda’s guests this week-- A Bing Crosby Christmas starring Jared Bradshaw and Maggie Salley. Of course, Cuthbert Rubio was in the house to cover Miller Theater events leading into 2020. I loved meeting Jared and Maggie who grew up in Thomson and Augusta so this show is a homecoming. You will hear them singing at the end of the first segment. The Bing Crosby show is a mix of Bing's Christmas songs and well as his popular songs with stories to entertain us. Who knew that Bing was the most famous person on the planet for 20 years! Bring your parents, bring your grandchildren, a 4 pm show is the perfect time on a Sunday afternoon. Brenda covered events for this week-end and shared some New Year’s Eve options along with an update on our Speaker Series “ 6x6+A Mix. You can catch the show on Saturday morning at 9:30 on Smooth Jazz 92.3 FM or catch the podcast anytime via our website www.AugustaArts.com or iTunes. Thanks for listening!" Brenda Durant

"Arts Weekly Podcast and Radio Show, Guests this week are Kim Overstreet with Sacred Heart and Steve Walpert with Ft. Gordon Dinner Theatre. Lots of Holiday events coming up, we cover two:9 Lessons and Carols at Sacred Heart Cultural Center and The Game's Afoot or Holmes for the Holidays At Ft. Gordon Dinner Theatre. Great events. Of course, we covered events for the weekend and beyond Listen anytime via our website www.AugustaArts.com or iTunes or catch the radio show on Saturday morning at 9:30 on Smooth Jazz 92.3 FM. Tickets make great gifts. Keep Warm!" Brenda

"Arts Weekly it's Nutcracker time! This week we interviewed Richard Justice about the Colton Ballet presents “The Nutcracker”. Fear not, we spent an entire segment covering a plethora of Christmas shows. That's right, Christmas. Augusta does not fear the word Christmas. Of course, we covered holiday shows and events happening all over the River District. I think we have at least 2 more Nutcrackers, so dance away! You can listen to the podcast via our website www.AugustaArts.com or iTunes or catch the Radio Show on Saturday morning at 9:30 on Smooth Jazz 92.3 FM"

Arts Weekly with Karlton Clay and Ferneasa Cutno

Arts Weekly with Karen Gordon & Latasha Lewis by Brenda Durant

Arts Weekly Radio Show & Podcast, guest hosted by Pax Bobrow. Guests: Keith Shafer, Director of Music for St. Paul’s Church & Artistic Director for Tuesday’s Music Live Corey Rogers, Historian at the Lucy Craft Laney Museum of Black History Sala Allen, Visual Artist and Composer Ashley Gray, Ceramicist

Jeffery Jones Instructor in English Paine College Nancy Bookhart Department Chair Humanities 22nd Evelyn G Etheridge Conference on the Harlem Renaissance Opens Monday October 28

"Arts Weekly Radio Show with Matthew Buzzell. So, this year Mathew promised to come on the show to talk about The Cinema Series at Augusta University. Today was my lucky day. LIsten on Saturday morning at 9:30 to Smooth Jazz 92.3 FM to hear about the Diabolic Double Feature on Friday, October 25. I am intrigued by the Super-Secret Cinema Society--you can take the pledge and get your membership card at 8:45 that night. Of course, I covered events for this week-end beyond. if you miss the radio show catch the podcast on the website www.augustaarts.com or iTunes." -Brenda Durant #augustaarts #iloveaugusta

ARTS WEEKLY podcast with Angelika Bondar & Linda Levine

"Corey Rogers is my guest this week on Arts Weekly Radio Show. A man of many hats: First we talked about Star War Reads Day at the Downtown Library, next the Quilt Exhibit at the Lucy Craft Laney Museum of Black History. and then the Fall Camp at the Museum. Of course, we covered events this week-end ** Westobou Festival 2019 ** Theatre, Festivals and more. We had time to cover a few events coming up this Fall. Check out our online calendar for the complete view-- www.augustaarts.com You can catch the Radio Show on Saturday Morning at 9:30 on Smooth Jazz 92.3 FM or via podcast from our website or iTunes. Farewell Jessye Norman. We are better for knowing you." Brenda

ft G Dinner Theatre

Arts Weekly with Rebecca Rogers by Brenda Durant

Brenda talked about the Arts in the Heart Festival so a newcomer could find their way around the event. September 20-22, 150 fine arts and crafters, 5 stages of non-stop entertainment and 150 juried fine arts and crafters. Download the new Festival app by texting ‘arts’ to 55741

Kevin Grogan is in the house this week talking about Southern Soul and Song at the Imperial Theatre this year. We also talked about the Musical Petting Zoo on Sunday and Public Art. Listen and Learn! You can listen to the Radio Broadcast on Saturday Morning at 9:30 on Smooth Jazz 92.3 FM or the Podcast, anytime from our Website www.AugustaArts.com or iTunes. We covered events for this week-end and beyond. Check out the Arts Calendar and Artist Directory via our website www.AugustaArts.com Did you buy your Arts in the Heart of Augusta tickets yet? Have a great weekend Brenda Durant The Greater Augusta Arts Council

Brenda Durant with Patricia Childs & Travis Shaw talking about the CSRA All-Stars Swing Benefit Concert on Friday September 6 to benefit the Augusta University Jazz Studies Program

Arts Weekly guest this week Russell Joel Brown & Scott Seidl. They talked about Ragtime and Augusta Players Show opens Sept 27 at the Imperial Theatre.

"My Arts Weekly guest this week is Deke Copenhaver: of course, we chatted about his book "The Change Maker, the art of building better leaders". Deke is a positive man, a mentor, a leader, a writer, lecturer, and an all-around nice person. We had a great conversation--I think you'll enjoy it and learn something. Deke is interested in helping the next generation of leaders to run for office and share how to engage in our community. He offered to coach members of the community in positive action, in fact, he gave his phone number on air In the few minutes remaining (7!) I covered events for this weekend and beyond. You can listen to the Radio Show on Saturday morning at 9:30 on Smooth Jazz 92.3 FM or catch the podcast at your leisure from www.AugustaArts.com or iTunes." - Brenda Durant, Host, Arts Weekly #AugustaArts

Arts Weekly host Brenda Durant spoke with 3 guests this week - Ed Fuqua, with 4 Seasons Chamber Jazz series on August 16, as well as Karen Gordon and Arthur Ross to talk about the Soulful Sunday Brunch coming up August 12. Tickets are on sale for both of these great music events, more information at events.augustaarts.com

This week I had the pleasure to interview Baruti Tucker and Art Theartist Abdon for the Arts Weekly Radio Show and Podcast. How to prepare to talk with Baruti? I visited his FB page and printed out some upcoming events, I caught up on his recent travels, I wore my lucky bracelet and got on my toes. We had a great talk! Art and Baruti took time to talk about their artistic lives...my favorite part of 10 years of interviews. You too can listen on Saturday morning at 9:30 on Smooth Jazz 92.3 FM. You can listen anytime to our Podcast on our website www.AugustaArts.com or iTunes. With limited time remaining, I covered events for this weekend and beyond all on our website calendar. Onward #localartistaug

ARTS WEEKLY with Jason Craig, local artist by Brenda Durant

Coco Rubio joined me this week on Arts Weekly Radio Show to talk about the Miller Theater's upcoming shows. We started with Christmas, why not? A Charlie Brown Christmas, Cirque Dreams Holidaze and Moscow Ballet Great Russian Nutcracker. It was great to catch up with Coco; he shared how he books local artists (when promotors allow) on the Miller Stage. Listen to the Radio Show on Saturday morning at 9:30 on Smooth Jazz 92.3 FM or the Podcast anytime via our website www.AugustaArts.com or iTunes. Honestly, Coco and I chatted for so long I only had a few minutes to cover events for this weekend and beyond. Fear not--our Calendar is full of events for now and the Holidays. Brenda #alwayssomethingtodoinAugusta #localartistsaug

Tripp Bowden Author of "Freddie & Me" and most recently "The Caddy's Cookbook: Remembering Favorite Recipes from the Caddy House to the Clubhouse fo Augusta National Golf Club", is my guest this week on Arts Weekly Radio Show. We talked about his book, the "Freddie & Me movie", cooking, shoes, Haloween and the Augusta National during the tournament. Tripp brought me a Burger Patty as God intended, "no condiments, no rising yeast, Just you, your favorite seasonings and the freshest ground beef you can find". It was delicious, Robert Tyre Jone, Jr, would have been happy to eat this burger. Of course, I covered Arts Events for the weekend and beyond. Listen on Saturday morning at 9:30 on Smooth Jazz 92.3 FM or listen to the podcast, anytime, from www.AugustaArts.com or iTunes. B P.S. The Crab Cakes are wonderful and the cookbook is so fun to read that I read it out loud to Ed Durant and we laughed and read more! #localartistaug #iloveaugusta

This week my Arts Weekly Radio Show guest is Karen Peters Brotherton in to talk about the Ft. Gordon Dinner Theatre's production of "Adrift in Macao". We had a great time talking about Dinner Theatre, Ft. Gordon, and Film Noir. the show runs for 3 weekends including a Sunday late lunch show- read all about it on our Arts Calendar on www.AugustaArts.com I shared events for this weekend and beyond. Listen on Saturday morning at 9:30 on Smooth Jazz 92.3 FM or catch the podcast from our website or iTunes. Happy 4Th! B

This week my guest is Karlton Clay an award-winning writer/director in film. I admit, the idea of a Youtube series is new to me, I watch series on Amazon, Netflix and Hulu --but just became aware that youtube hosted and produced many shows. Karlton has produced 13 shows with a new one "Sisterhood" dropping this week. So...we talked about all that. We record the show on Thursdays and, after talking to Karlton: where he is and where he is going I thought of the poem about kids and the day they were born..."Thursday's child has far to go", indeed- Karlton Clay will go far. HIs website is: https://www.thevpntv.com/ and his Youtube channel is https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvB80h6SBoxyahlnA20b8cw Take a look and subscribe. Of course, I covered events for this weekend, fireworks viewing options and a few events in the future. Learn about Augusta Arts by visiting our website at www.AugustaArts.com. You can view the Arts Calendar, sign up for the newsletter, listen to the podcast of the show and join the Arts Council. Stay cool Brenda #visitaugusta #AugustaArts

Kigwana 'Kigg' Cherry is my guest this week on The Greater Augusta Arts Council's Radio Show 'Arts Weekly'. Kigg talked about Pop-Up Augusta: the Mimosa Crawl, The White Dinner Party and his monthly Mixology Classes. You can listen to Kigg and learn about events this weekend and beyond by listening to the RAdio Show on Saturday morning at 9:30 on Smooth Jazz 92.3 FM or catch the podcast on our website www.AugustaArts.com or via iTunes. While on the website- visit the Arts Calendar, sign up for our newsletter and join the Arts Council. Happy 2019 Augusta Pride Festival Weekend! xxoo Brenda Durant #AugustaArts There is always something to do in Augusta

ARTS WEEKLY with Mathew Dickerson, Hammer Dulcimer artist by Brenda Durant

Corey Rogers, Historian at the Lucy Craft Laney Museum of Black History discusses upcoming talk by Cameron McWhirter, author of Red Summer

Arts Weekly Radio Show guest this week. Meet Brian Marshall, Sales and Promotion Manager for Columbia County Community Evans, GA. This week we talked about Pops in the Park, a special musical event featuring the best high school band members performing in an Honors Band. Cool. We also talked about the weekly market and the upcoming carnivals. Of course, I covered loads of events-this week-end and beyond, Everything can be found on our website www.AugustaArts.com. You can listen on Saturday morning at 9:30 on Smooth Jazz 92.3 FM or catch the podcast on our website or iTunes. Thanks for listening. Brenda

Banjo-B-Q, Live Theater, concerts and more in Augusta for Memorial Day Weekend, host Brenda Durant talks arts in Augusta for 5-25 episode of Arts Weekly

Arts Weekly with Samuel Fudge and cast of Voices in my Soul, Yearning to Break Free by Brenda Durant

Arts Weekly with Ryan Abel by Brenda Durant

ARTS WEEKLY with artist Cheryl Goldsleger by Brenda Durant

Arts Weekly 4 - 27 - 19 by Brenda Durant

Arts Weekly 4 - 20 - 19 by Brenda Durant

Arts Weekly, Epochs of Courage, Jariah Beard former golf caddy by Brenda Durant

Arts Weekly with Quickies short play festival by Brenda Durant

Arts Weekly 3 - 30 - 19 by Brenda Durant

Arts Weekly with Musical Theater Workshops by Brenda Durant

This week for Arts Weekly, Pax Bobrow spoke about Moving Photographs: A Vanishing Georgia an AU theatrical production at Maxwell Theater with Dr. Melanie Kitchens O’Meara, Kayla Johnson, and Edgar Miles