City Lights with Lois Reitzes

✦ Multidisciplinary artist Brill Adium argues that artistic styles are mere constructs—and that venturing beyond your creative comfort zone can spark innovative solutions to everyday challenges. His first solo show, "Brill Adium: Finding My Rhythm," is currently on view at One Contemporary Gallery through September 6. WABE arts reporter Summer Evans spoke with Adium, along with One Contemporary curator and director Faron Manuel, about this expansive exhibition. ✦ Sharon Van Etten is one of indie Music's most influential voices. Her latest record, "Sharon Van Etten and the Attachment Theory," marks a new chapter in her already illustrious songwriting career. The album explores her chosen family, her biological family, grief, aging, and the modern landscape that contextualizes us all. Van Etten has just announced new fall tour dates that will see her returning to the South in October. When City Lights Collective member Jacob Smulian spoke with the musician this past April, she explained the inspiration behind the title of her new album. ✦ Atlanta's vibrant world of cocktails and zero-proof beverages thrives in our bars and restaurants as well as our local distilleries and non-alcoholic bottle shops. Few may know this world better than Beth McKibben, editor in chief and dining editor at Rough Draft Atlanta. Beth's expertise is invaluable as she continually explores our city's elevated beverage programs and examines the latest trends in mixology. She joins The City Lights Collective monthly for "The Beverage Beat," and this month, McKibben discusses snack-size cocktails and why sometimes less is more. ✦ For some artists, Atlanta is a giant canvas. And that seems true for VAYNE, one of our city's most notorious, admired, and internationally recognized graffiti-style writers. You've likely seen his name in giant block letters, sprayed or paint-rolled on some of Atlanta's seemingly impossible-to-reach billboards and overpasses. And yet – there it is. Last year, VAYNE had his first-ever solo exhibition, and this spring, he was a featured artist at Oakland Cemetery's yearly Illumine event. When City Lights Collective Co-host Kim Drobes caught up with VAYNE, they discussed his life spent in the shadows yet seen everywhere. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

✦ We've all felt a little "othered" at times, but the shy, serious, teenage Leela, born in India, and on the autism spectrum, might have a bit of extra insight into the feeling. She's the lead character in the acclaimed play "Orange" by Aditi Brennan Kapil, which opens at Stage Door Theatre on August 9 and runs through the 24. City Lights Collective co-host Kim Drobes recently spoke with director Amee Vyas about the play and how the story of teenage growth unfolds. ✦ Since 2014, re:imagine/ATL has been empowering the next generation of creatives through hands-on training, mentorship, and real-world media production. With programs that equip young people to navigate Atlanta's growing film and production industry — and provide access to professional opportunities — the organization is helping emerging talent build both skills and careers. City Lights Collective producer Josh Thane spoke with Program Director Jessie Sparrow and program alum Syeara Dunlap to learn more about their work — and how they're using creativity to shape futures and communities. ✦ City Lights Collective members Jasmine Hentschel and EC Flamming, the creatives behind Atlanta's visual art print magazine, "GULCH", want you to get out and engage with the city's art scene. Each week, they spotlight five standout happenings, and today their mix includes: a story about how the Goat Farm is picking up where MINT left off, bringing the family to the High Museum for free, and explorations of Southern, Black, queer history and iconography. ✦ Comedian and podcaster Sean Jordan is following his life's calling to spread laughter and positivity to the masses, but these days, that can be a challenge. Especially as he balances fatherhood and life as a touring comedian, Sean strives to show up, hold it down, and turn life's ups and downs into material for his standup. You can see for yourself, as he makes his Atlanta debut this Friday, the 8th, at the Limelight Theater, and he spoke with City Lights Collective engineer Matt McWilliams ahead of the show. ✦ Several Georgia playwrights are showcasing never-before-seen works at this year's Essential Theatre Play Festival. WABE arts reporter Summer Evans shares more.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

✦ Atlanta is a city rife with creativity. One of the artistic endeavors that Atlanta, and Georgia for that matter, has seen hockey stick growth within is film making. Not to be forgotten, however, amongst the known stars, million-dollar budgets, and expensive studios are the indie-film makers. City Lights Collective co-host Jon Goode sat down with poet, indie-film maker, and Atlanta native Malik Salaam, director of the new film Cut, to discuss the movie, his journey, and Atlanta's indie-film scene. ✦ A speakeasy meets a night of jazz-opera fusion, R&B, and chill vibes this Saturday. WABE arts reporter Summer Evans shares more about "The Den on Queen" event. ✦ City Lights Collective member, podcaster, and self-proclaimed history nerd Victoria Lemos lives to research the stories behind Atlanta's treasures, and this week, she dives into the wild origin story of one of the city's most beloved institutions: Zoo Atlanta. It all started in Grant Park in the late 1800s, where an abandoned circus, a lumber magnate with a vision, and some very confused animals collided to create Atlanta's first permanent menagerie. In today's story from Lemos, you'll meet the city's first zookeeper, an "educated pig," and learn how a train car full of lions, monkeys, and even a dromedary led to what we now call Zoo Atlanta. We'll uncover how public parades, dime campaigns, and even elephants named Coca and Cola shaped the park's future—and why the city's love for the zoo never quite matched the funding behind it. ✦ You know as well as we do that there is always a plethora of things to do in Atlanta, and we have earned the title of "The Cultural Capital of the South." Mike Jordan, senior editor at the AJC, and Sammie Purcell, associate editor at Rough Draft Atlanta, know this well too. They join us weekly to share a few of their picks for your weekend entertainment. Today, their mix includes two separate food events – one for veggies and one for jollof, and a film festival in the suburbs. ✦ Award-winning photographer Jim Alexander has spent his life refining what he calls the art of documentary photography. A photojournalist, teacher, activist, media consultant, and entrepreneur, Alexander has amassed an impressive collection of images showcasing Black culture and human rights. He's also a dear friend of photographer Sue Ross, who has spent five decades telling the story of Black Atlanta through images of politicians, artists, literary greats, community leaders, and as she puts it, "just plain people." These two giants of photography have much in common, but it's their shared love for Music that is spotlighted in the exhibition, "We Are Music," currently on view at The Sun ATL. Both Alexander and Ross have seemingly endless collections of live concert photography. They've both been stage-side to capture images of some of Black Music's biggest names, including Dizzy Gillespie, Gladys Knight, Miles Davis, Run-DMC, Herbie Hancock, and India Arie - many of whom were photographed at Atlanta's annual Jazz Festival. City Lights Collective co-host Kim Drobes recently visited The Sun ATL to view the exhibition and was given a tour by the legendary photographers.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

✦ If you're looking for your next much-needed laugh, Atlanta comedian Joel Byars has plenty of them ready for you at his "Funny Fridays" comedy showcase. The next event in the series is scheduled for August 22 at the Sandy Springs Performing Arts Center and will feature performances by Lace Larrabee, Carlos Rodriguez, and Emily Holden. Byars recently joined WABE arts reporter Summer Evans to talk more about why he's committed to making our Fridays funny. ✦ Last May, when the pizzeria-arcade chain Chuck E. Cheese announced plans to retire its famous animatronic bands, the backlash was swift. After hearing this outcry, the company promised to keep a few of the bands across the nation. You may be surprised to hear that there was an outcry over Animatronics, but the art form, which brings mechanical and electronic figures to life, continues to hold the public's attention. In fact, the University of North Carolina School of the Arts offers a graduate concentration in Animatronics. It's true. If you're a fan of life-like, magical, moving figures with Dead Eyes (Jon's words, not mine), you don't have to travel far to get your fix. City Lights Collective member Wesley Boutilier brings us the story of a Six Flags Over Georgia ride that recently underwent a significant animatronic upgrade. ✦ Local artist Carl Janes knows that making art isn't a solo effort—it's as much about community as it is about creativity. Over the years, he has helped carve out spaces for Atlanta's local music and arts communities to gather, perform, and thrive—including his former East Atlanta home, The Secret Spot, and more recently, his location in Underground, called Inner Space. For his latest endeavor, he has teamed up with local brewery Halfway Crooks to curate a diverse Summer Sunday Concert series, which will run throughout August. City Lights Collective producer Josh Thane recently sat down with Janes learn why he's bringing his Inner Space outdoors. ✦ City Lights Collective member Shane Harrison spends his days at Arts ATL looking for cultural events to share with readers, and he joins us weekly to share highlights. Today, his mix includes Black Writers Weekend 2025, and True Colors Theatre Company's adaptation of Jordan E. Cooper's Ain’t No Mo’. ✦ Artist and music enthusiast, Kosmo Vinyl. He spent several decades immersed in music and began his professional career at London's pioneering indie label, "Stiff Records." In 1979, Kosmo started working exclusively with "The Clash" and stayed by their side until the punk icons disbanded in 1986. Over the years, Kosmo's record collection became legendary. In 2014, he began posting about his favorite releases on social media as part of his series, "Kosmo's Vinyl of the Week," and he joins us weekly to share the stories behind the records he treasures. Today, Kosmo discusses the story behind Ann Peebles’ “I Can’t Stand the Rain.” ✦ The game of Pinball has seen a resurgence in popularity over the last decade, and for those who love the game, August 1 is considered National Pinball Day. City Lights Collective co-host Kim Drobes brings us the story behind the celebration.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

✦ What's the unlikeliest place you can think of to start a podcast? Well, back in 2016, the creatives behind the hit podcast Ear Hustle launched their show from inside California's San Quentin State Prison. Their goal? To tell first-hand true stories of life during and after incarceration. The show is co-hosted by Earlonne Woods, who spent over 20 years in prison, and Nigel Poor, who first came to San Quentin as a photography instructor. The duo will be hosting a live taping of "Ear Hustle" at Terminal West on August 5, and they recently sat down with City Lights Collective co-host Kim Drobes to discuss what's in store. ✦ The Atlanta spoken word community is going through an extremely tough time. Actor, musician, spoken word poet, and brother to all, Malcolm Jamal Warner, suddenly and tragically passed away last week. To honor and celebrate his life, his art, and his legacy, a collection of some of the best poets in the nation, including Grammy award winner J Ivy, Tony award winner GA Me, Theresa Tha Songbird, Abyss, Queen Sheba, and many others are performing at City Winery tomorrow. Doors are at 11a.m. and the performances take place from Noon to 3pm. ✦ Tossing bean bags or rolling bocce balls—it's the kind of simple fun that can make you feel like a kid again. Only this time, maybe you've got a beer in hand. The Atlanta Cornhole and Bocce League is all about bringing that playful energy to a local pub near you. WABE arts reporter Summer Evans shares more on how these outdoor games are turning weeknights into something worth showing up for. ✦ The Pan African Festival returns on August 16 with the theme of Liberation Rising: Remember, Resist, Rejoice. Created by the Beacon Hill Black Alliance for Human Rights, this is the festival's 5th year, and the event promises to bring music, food, dance, and discussion to the heart of Decatur. The Alliance's co-chair is Fonta High, and when City Lights Collective member Katina Pappas-DeLuca recently caught up with her, the leader began by explaining the organization's history and mission. ✦ Could the key to advancing AI, educating under-resourced youth, and even healing the divisions of our country lie in hip hop? Author Manny Faces thinks so. A longtime advocate for hip-hop culture and academia, Faces speaks with experts and explores this concept in his new book, "Hip Hop Can Save America!" City Lights Collective producer Josh Thane sat down with him to learn more.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

✦ 61 years ago, racial minorities had no legally protected right to vote. A new documentary film “Harmony of Freedom” reminds us of this unsettling fact while celebrating the 60th anniversary of the Voting Rights Act, through the power of music. WABE has partnered with Georgia State student conductor and filmmaker Jackson Allred to air “Harmony of Freedom” on August 4th. The film showcases orchestras from all over the state of Georgia performing composer Margaret Bonds’ “Montgomery Variations.” City Lights Collective co-host Kim Drobes recently sat down with Jackson Allred to learn more. ✦ Atlanta Pride, Georgia's oldest nonprofit organization serving our city’s local LGBTQ+ community, turns 55 this year. To celebrate, they’ve partnered with Out on Film and are showcasing queer resistance in the South - through a film screening and community summit. WABE arts reporter Summer Evans shares more. ✦ For nearly three decades, Dad's Garage has been become synonymous with improv comedy in Atlanta. And as their fans have put down roots and grown families here in Atlanta, so to has Dad's expanded their offerings to appeal to the next generation of comedy lovers. Performing Saturday matinee shows, Wowie Zowie is a playful and engaging experience for audiences of all ages. Kids get to let loose and see their creative ideas come to life on stage, while parents can enjoy an afternoon out of the house without suffering the oppressive summer heat. City Lights Engineer Matt McWilliams recently caught up with Dad's Garage ensemble player Avery Sharpe-Steele after a sold-out Wowie Zowie show. ✦ . You may be familiar with Toni Morrison, the Pulitzer and Nobel Prize-winning author of novels “Beloved,” “The Bluest Eye,” and more. But did you know that Morrison was also one of the first Black editors for a major publishing company? A new book, “Toni at Random,” examines Morrison’s years as an editor at Random House and the book’s author, Dana Williams, will celebrate her new release tomorrow, with a discussion at Atlanta’s Auburn Avenue Research Library. City Lights Collective member Alison Law recently caught up with Willams to talk about “Toni at Random” ahead of tomorrow’s event. ✦ City Lights Collective members Jasmine Hentschel and EC Flamming, the creatives behind Atlanta’s visual art print magazine, “GULCH”, want you to get out and engage with the city’s art scene. Each week they spotlight five standout happenings, and today their mix includes: prints galore at the Black Art in America Print Fair, love and care in a group show at the historical Haugabrooks Gallery on Auburn Avenue, and thoughtful textile explorations at Gallery Chimera.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

✦ If artists are the heartbeats, pumping out music, then DJs are the people with their fingers on the pulse. People in-tune with the rhythms that allow you to feel how love, longing, and light in a song, and in your soul. There are DJs that play arenas, clubs, weddings, backyard BBQs, and every place in-between. They can make or break or night, but my goodness the right DJ can transform a dance floor into a time machine; into a place that can take you to the past, into the future, or just make time stand still. Atlanta has some of the best DJs on the planet. On our new series, “Thank You DJs” we'll sit down with DJs you know, DJs you don't, and DJs you should, so that we might know them, their journey, and their love for music a little better. First up DJ Greg Nyce. ✦ What do you do when you're stuck at home during the pandemic, with too much free time and no creative outlet? For Atlanta Symphony Orchestra bassist and composer Michael Kurth, you create a chamber group. WABE arts reporter Summer Evans shares more on the Ridibund Chamber Music Society. ✦ City Lights Collective member, podcaster, and self-proclaimed history nerd Victoria Lemos recently took a deep dive into the Southern institution that never sleeps — Waffle House. From its roots in a chance friendship in Avondale Estates, to being used as a FEMA disaster barometer, she traced how two neighbors turned a $4,000 investment into a 24-hour empire. This is more than just breakfast — it's a story of Southern identity, innovation, and two visionaries who made waffles a way of life. ✦ You know as well as I do that there is always a plethora of things to do in Atlanta, and we have earned the title of "The Cultural Capital of the South." Mike Jordan, senior editor at the AJC, and Sammie Purcell, associate editor at Rough Draft Atlanta, know this well too. They join us weekly to share a few of their picks for your weekend entertainment. Today, their mix includes free music, peaches, and a trip to the stars. ✦ It's been a long road since The Swell Season first captured hearts with their Oscar-winning song "Falling Slowly" and the hit film Once, which dramatized their real-life connection. That breakout moment led to a beloved Broadway adaptation and the release of their critically acclaimed second album, Strict Joy. Now, 16 years later, Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová reunite for a new collection of heartfelt songs—and will bring their long-awaited return to Atlanta with a performance at the Woodruff Arts Center on August 2. City Lights Collective producer Josh Thane sat down with the duo to discuss their reunion and everything that has unfolded in the years since.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

✦ From street corners to collectors' closets, sneakers have become more than just footwear. They're currency, they're conversation starters, and they're Culture. In Atlanta, sneakers have found their way into exhibitions, college degrees, and even job opportunities. WABE arts reporter Summer Evans recently laced up to learn more about the billion-dollar industry behind the kicks that turn heads and spark hype. ✦ It's time to check in with our artistic community and hear from an artist in their own words. Today, we're catching up with poet Lauren Doriahna. She's an Atlanta lyricist, and she's here to share the rhyme and reason behind the art of language. ✦ City Lights Collective member Shane Harrison spends his days at Arts ATL looking for cultural events to share with readers. He joins us weekly to share highlights, and today, his mix includes a few options for Comedy and details on a 3-band show at the Garden Club with a few of Georgia's finest. ✦ Five Eight is playing the Garden Club with Magnapop, Anna Kramer, and Easy Now on Saturday. Five Eight emerged from the Athens scene in the late 1980s with live shows fans described as "brilliance bordering on a train wreck," delivered with frontman Mike Mantione's trademark honesty and immediacy. As mentioned, there's a documentary called "Weirdo: The Story of Five Eight," created by filmmaker and music journalist Marc Pilvinsky, which was filmed over a nine-year period. Ahead of the Five Eight show this Saturday, we listen back to Kim's 2024 conversation with Five Eight's Mike Mantione and documentarian Marc Pilvinsky. ✦ Artist and music enthusiast Kosmo Vinyl spent several decades immersed in music and began his professional career at London's pioneering indie label, "Stiff Records." In 1979, Kosmo started working exclusively with "The Clash" and stayed by their side until the punk icons disbanded in 1986. Over the years, Kosmo's record collection became legendary. In 2014, he began posting about his favorite releases on social media for his series, "Kosmo's Vinyl of the Week," and he joins us weekly to share the stories behind the records he treasures. Today, he tells us the story behind Them's version of "It's All Over Now, Baby Blue." ✦ In his YouTube documentary series "Our Voices, Our Lives," Atlanta-based filmmaker William Feagins Jr. shines a light on our city's creatives of color. The program has been running for 7 years, and City Lights Collective member Jacob Smulian recently spoke with the award-winning documentarian to learn more about the celebratory project.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

✦ 0:30 - Atlanta's music scene is often associated with sold-out arenas, local small stages, or eclectic late-night venues. But hidden in corners of the city, another kind of music space is thriving, one powered by turntables, vintage speakers, and the warm crackle of vinyl. These are Atlanta's listening rooms, where music isn't just played; it's experienced. The rooms come in various flavors, shapes, and styles; almost all have opened within the last two years. City Lights Collective member Jacob Smulian has more. ✦ 11:24 - After three weeks of intensive workshops at Alliance Theatre's Palefsky Collision Project, twenty metro-Atlanta teens will showcase their original productions on July 25 and 26. WABE arts reporter Summer Evans shares more. ✦ 13:23 - Atlanta Artist Jym Davis describes himself as a myth builder. And that's true. However, the creative, better known as "False Face," is also a sculptor, photographer, online content curator, and a five-time National Park artist-in-residence. Davis's primary medium is elaborate and otherworldly papier-mâché masks inspired by nature. The artist then wears the masks in natural settings and captures their essence using performative photography. The result is enchanting. City Lights Collective co-host Kim Drobes recently spoke with Davis to learn more about his practice and how he curates his incredibly successful and beautiful Instagram account. ✦ 28:19 - Stone Mountain stands over 800 feet tall, making it the largest exposed piece of granite in the world. While it offers incredible views of the Atlanta skyline, it has a dark history and was once a well-known meeting ground for intolerance and hate. Photographer Jean Shifrin hopes to change that narrative by showcasing the diverse range of people who make the mile-long trek up to its peak year-round, and she aims to reframe Stone Mountain as a place for unity and diversity. WABE arts reporter Summer Evans recently spoke with the photographer about her new book, "Rise Above: On Top of Stone Mountain." ✦ 42:10 - Through light and sound, the sensory manifestations of mathematics, quantum physics, and vast archives of raw data are dancing on the walls of the High Museum this summer. In an immersive exhibition, critics are praising as "awe-inspiring" and "visceral," leading Japanese artist and electronic composer Ryoji Ikeda invites us to experience "data-verse." City Lights Collective producer Josh Thane recently spoke with High curator Michael Rooks about Ryoji Ikeda's epic installations.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

✦ 0:40 - The five main food groups that are important for anyone’s diet include—fruits, vegetables, protein, grains, and chocolate…okay, maybe not the last one. However, it remains an essential building block of a balanced diet. A new exhibition at the Museum of Design Atlanta, also known as MODA, explores the origins of chocolate, its evolution into a global commodity, and the designs of some of the most popular chocolate brands we know today. WABE arts reporter Summer Evans visited MODA to check out this delicious exhibition. ✦ 11:28 - We preview of this week’s WABE’s Sounds Like ATL music documentary series. For the unfamiliar, the show dives into the heart of Atlanta’s music scene. And each week, Sounds Like ATL spotlights a local artist—sharing their creative process and a few live performances. You can catch new episodes every Wednesday on the YouTube channel, @WABE ATL. Here’s a preview of the episode coming in a couple of day that features singer-songwriter, Kira. ✦ 15:03 - A new development is promising to reconnect neighborhoods and restore opportunity in the city’s core. It’s called BLVD NEXT and City Lights Collective co-host Jon Goode went to the groundbreaking ceremony to learn more about the arts organization that’s been tapped to collaborate. ✦ 26:42 - City Lights Collective members Jasmine Hentschel and EC Flamming, the creatives behind Atlanta’s visual art print magazine, “GULCH”, want you to get out and engage with the city’s art scene. Each week they spotlight five standout happenings, and today their mix includes: Blaxploitation film posters on display at ADAMA, live figure model drawing at The Supermarket, and the all-ages Contemporary Kids art program at Atlanta Contemporary. ✦ 38:12 - One of Atlanta’s own is heading to Switzerland this summer to participate in the first-ever “European Throat Singing Festival and Competition.” City Lights Collective co-host Kim Drobes recently caught up with Atlanta throat singer Aileen Loy ahead of her upcoming European adventure.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

✦ The Most Wuthering Heights Day Ever is dancing into its 10th year in Atlanta on Saturday, July 26, in Candler Park. City Lights Collective member, Chantelle Rytter, has more on this odd Atlanta tradition that brings Kate Bush and Emily Brontë fans together in a public dance. ✦ Today marks the 5th anniversary of Congressman John Lewis' death. Lewis dedicated his life to advancing the cause of freedom and equality in America and was a towering figure in our country's struggle for civil rights. He inspired countless people, including the band members of the Cabbagetown band, Evan Stepp & The Piners. They recently released a single titled "Good Trouble," and Evan joined us recently to share the story behind the song. ✦ The West End's Portrait Coffee is hosting an event this weekend called "A Place to Play," and City Lights Collective co-host Jon Goode recently sat down with co-founder Marcus Hollinger to learn why play is not a game. ✦ Today, we trace the history of one of Atlanta's most nostalgic institutions: the Science & Technology Museum of Atlanta, or SciTrek. From its grassroots beginnings to becoming a downtown sensation, SciTrek brought science to life for a generation. City Lights Collective member, podcaster, and self-proclaimed history nerd Victoria Lemos recently traced SciTrek's journey through civic politics, fundraising highs and lows, and the love Atlantans still have for the museum today. If you grew up here (or wish you had), this nostalgic deep dive is for you. ✦ You know as well as we do that there is always a plethora of things to do in Atlanta, and we have earned the title of "The Cultural Capital of the South." Mike Jordan, senior editor at the AJC, and Sammie Purcell, associate editor at Rough Draft Atlanta, know this well too. They join us weekly to share a few of their picks for your weekend entertainment. ✦ ATL Comic Convention is this weekend, and a couple of the stars from the hit saga "Twilight" will be in town to participate. WABE arts reporter Summer Evans spoke with two of the vampires—actors Kellan Lutz and Jackson Rathbone, or for you fangs out there, that would be Jasper Hale and Emmett Cullen, ahead of their appearance at the Georgia World Congress Center. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

✦ It's hard to believe that just a two-hour drive north of Atlanta, just past the end of 985 on Highway 441, brings you to a place where art, nature, and history converge in the most beautiful ways. City Lights Collective Member Zachary Brown recently hit the highway to learn more about the Hambidge Center. ✦ Atlanta's first-ever Halal Food Festival is coming to Atlantic Station on Saturday. Mouthwatering food such as tandoori chicken, shawarma sandwiches, kebabs, and gyros is just some of the cuisines being served by the over 80 vendors. ✦ What do you get when you mix sketch comedy, improv, and Georgia-grown talent with a dash of storytelling? That would be Sketchy Business ATL, a live showcase from Trilith Institute, the non-profit part of Trilith production studios. City Lights Collective producer Josh Thane sat down with event host Christian Noel alongside Trilith Institutes co-founder Jeffrey Stepakoff to find out more. ✦ WABE's Sounds Like ATL documentary series dives into the heart of Atlanta's music scene. Each week, it spotlights a local artist, sharing their creative process and a few live performances. You can catch new episodes every Wednesday on the YouTube channel, @WABE ATL. Today, we preview the recent episode with Uriel UMC. ✦ What will the world look like 100 years from now? This question about the future inspired artist T.W. Pilar and creative technologist Ivan Reyes to construct the exhibition "Technoterria," an immersive exhibit currently on view at the Georgia Tech Library. ✦ Visual artist and music enthusiast Kosmo Vinyl bought his first LP when he was nine. He spent the next several decades immersed in music and began his professional career at London's pioneering indie label, "Stiff Records." In 1979, Kosmo started working exclusively with "The Clash" and stayed by their side until the punk icons disbanded in 1986. Over the years, Kosmo's record collection became legendary. In 2014, he began posting about his favorite releases on social media for his series, "Kosmo's Vinyl of the Week," and today, he shares the history of Tom Waits' song, "Jockey Full of Bourbon." ✦ City Lights Collective member Shane Harrison spends his days at Arts ATL looking for cultural events to share with readers. He joins us weekly to share highlights, and today, his mix includes a Plazadrome event with former TCM 
Underground host and film historian Millie De Chirico, and a daytime dance party hosted by drag superstar Lady Bunny.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

✦ Can you name a feeling? Dashill Smith and the musicians and vocalists that join him at TenATL certainly think so. City Lights Collective co-host Jon Goode recently went to visit TenATL in East Atlanta to learn more. ✦ In honor of MLB All-Star Week, Truist Park isn’t the only place in Cobb County to see baseball this summer. A new exhibition at the Marietta Cobb Museum of Art features the work of artist Mike Schacht—a prolific painter of baseball legends. ✦ Known to soap opera fans as the hold no prisoners mob by Sonny Corinthos on General Hospital, actor Maurice Bernard has earned several daytime Emmy awards and the attention of millions of fans. However, in recent years, he has stepped into the role of a lifetime: mental health advocate. Diagnosed with bipolar disorder, Bernard has used several platforms, including his podcast, State of Mind, to raise awareness about living with mental illness. He'll share his candid experiences at the Punchline on July 24th with his one-man show, Maurice Bernard: Live on Stage. ✦ Artist, illustrator and educator Faith Ringgold showed us our world through the eyes of young children in every medium you can think of –books, paintings, drawings, sculptures, even quilts. Trained and extensively honored in the fine art and academic circles of New York City, Faith Ringgold nevertheless focused her work on the children who remained her lifelong muse, working as an art teacher in New York City public schools for decades. Now, the High Museum is presenting the most comprehensive exhibition to date of Faith Ringgold’s art from her children’s books, including never-before-seen pieces. ✦ Municipal Support for the Arts ✦ They play on street corners, beneath overpasses, and in MARTA stations — creating the soundtracks of Atlanta’s daily hustle. But who are these street performers, and what drives them? WABE arts reporter Summer Evans explores the city’s vibrant busking scene and learns how it compares to other musical cities.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

✦ World Listening Day, coming up on July 18th, celebrates the simple yet profound act of listening. As we tune in to the world around us, more of us are also experiencing our favorite stories through sound. City Lights Collective member and "Bookmarked" contributor Alison Law recently explored the growing popularity of audiobooks and what's next for this booming industry. ✦ The Happy Black Parent 4th annual Children's Book Festival is coming to Pittsburg Yards on Saturday. WABE arts reporter Summer Evans has more. ✦ After over three decades on Atlanta walls, streets, stickers, wheatpastes, and flyers, the iconic art of R. Land is now on view at Atlanta Contemporary through September 7th. His work, like "Pray for ATL" and "Loss Cat," has previously been preserved for posterity at the Atlanta History Center and the Georgia State Capitol. Still, those pieces only represent a fraction of his artistic career. City Light Collective co-host Kim Drobes recently caught up with Land to discuss his first-ever retrospective solo exhibition, "Landmarks: The World of R. Land." ✦ City Lights Collective members Jasmine Hentschel and EC Flamming, the creatives behind Atlanta's visual art print magazine, "GULCH", want you to get out and engage with the city's art scene. Each week, they spotlight five standout happenings, and today their mix includes: an outdoor film screening on the Beltline by Off the Wall, art in three dimensions at Kai Lin's group show opening, and discussions about fine art curation on Edgewood Avenue with the Obsidian Collective. ✦ WABE's 'Sounds Like ATL' documentary series delves into the heart of Atlanta's music scene. Each week, it spotlights a local artist, sharing their creative process and a few live performances. You can catch new episodes every Wednesday on the YouTube channel, @WABE ATL. Today, we preview their latest episode with the band Anna Kramer and Easy Now. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

✦ WABE's "Sounds Like ATL" music documentary series explores Atlanta's renowned music scene. Each episode spotlights a local Atlanta musician, allowing viewers to witness their creative process while they perform a couple of songs. The weekly segments are released on our YouTube channel, @WABE ATL, and we share a preview of their recent episode, spotlighting singer and songwriter E'lanah. ✦ Atlanta fashion icon and philanthropist Lauren Amos recently gifted millions to the High Museum of Art to fund a new fashion-focused initiative that will bring a dedicated curator, cutting-edge exhibitions, and public programming and events to Atlanta. City Lights Collective member Jasmine Hentschel recently caught up with Amos to learn more. ✦ WABE's Kenny Murray has the story behind the Georgia Film Academy's recent announcement that it is partnering with one of metro Atlanta's most prominent movie studios. The aim is to provide education and workforce training to a new generation of professionals in the film and television industry. ✦ In the spring of 1955, the Heart of Atlanta Motel was built in downtown Atlanta, a flashy monument to mid-century hospitality. However, by the 1960s, it had become a civil rights battleground. A place where John Lewis was arrested, where hundreds protested, and where a segregationist attorney named Moreton Rolleston Jr. took his rage all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court. City Lights Collective member, podcaster, and self-proclaimed history nerd Victoria Lemos recently traced the rise and fall of the Heart of Atlanta Motel, as well as the jaw-dropping twist involving Tyler Perry that emerged decades later. ✦ When you hear pancakes, booze, and art, what comes to mind? How about a festival combining this unlikely trio into a unique art experience? The Pancakes and Booze Art Show is a traveling festival coming to Underground Atlanta on July 19th. City Lights Collective producer Josh Thane recently spoke with festival organizer Justin Allen and Lyle Baldes, special events coordinator for Underground Atlanta, to find out more about this culinary culture mashup. ✦ Did you know that the last car Elvis Presley ever purchased is permanently located 50 miles northwest of Atlanta? The 1977 Cadillac Seville sits in an eclectic museum known as Old Car City USA. WABE Arts Reporter Summer Evans visited the rural town of White, Georgia, to explore how this 32-acre American car junkyard intersects with nature and art.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

✦ Summertime is officially upon us, and there’s nothing better to help cool you off on hot Atlanta days than ice cream. City Lights Collective food contributors Akila McConnel and Chef Asata Reid know this well, and they’re taking us back to 1870 to learn the history of ice cream in our city. ✦ Praised by jazz legends Ramsey Lewis and Les McCann, Atlanta jazz pianist Joe Alterman has never been a gatekeeper. He knows that jazz is for everyone, and it’s not rocket science – in the words of Duke Ellington, “If it sounds good, it is good.” Now, Joe Alterman is lending his voice, wisdom, and impeccable taste to WABE listeners with a brand-new radio show, “The Upside of Jazz,” with the first episode airing July 12th at 7pm. He’ll also be performing live at Eddie’s Attic on July 10th. ✦ City Lights Collective member Shane Harrison spends his days at Arts ATL looking for cultural events to share with readers. He joins us weekly to share highlights, and today, his mix includes things to do even if you’re not one of the three hundred thousand Atlantans heading to Mercedes-Benz Stadium for Beyoncé’s four-night stand. ✦ Visual artist and music enthusiast Kosmo Vinyl bought his first LP when he was nine. He spent the next several decades immersed in music and began his professional career at London’s pioneering indie label, "Stiff Records." In 1979 Kosmo started working exclusively with "The Clash" and stayed by their side until the punk icons disbanded in 1986. Over the years, Kosmo's record collection became legendary, and in 2014, he began posting about his favorite releases on social media for his series, "Kosmo's Vinyl of the Week," and he joins us weekly to share the stories behind the records he treasures. This week he shares the history behind Mongo Santamaria’s version of “Fever.” ✦ City Lights Collective co-host Jon Goode tells us about his recent visit to The Book Bird, an Avondale Estates nook, that sales physical books, and closes down so that you can open up. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

✦ When City Lights Collective co-host Jon Goode was told that High Bias is a good thing, he wasn't entirely sure what that meant. So, he decided to go to Block and Drum on a Wednesday night to find out for himself. Created by STLNDRMS, High Bias is a deep listening experience. Each week, they explore the highest level of music curation in a room designed for true fidelity. A fully treated space, an uncompromising sound system, and a focused audience. No distractions, just music presented with intention. ✦ WABE arts reporter Summer Evans brings us a story about the Atlanta creative writing organization “Lost in the Letters,” which recently announced they are opening a studio in Candler Park. What began in 2012 as a quarterly reading and workshop series, has become the annual Letters Festival, which brings together literary enthusiasts for workshops, nightly readings, and live events. Now, the organization has found a permanent space to bring accessible programs and resources to people seeking creative writing opportunities. ✦ Songwriter, producer, and studio artist K Michelle Dubois has been making music in Atlanta for over three decades, most recently as a solo act but previously with bands such as Ultrababyfat and Luigi. Dubois’s newest album, “Infinity Sandwich,” drops this Friday, and she’ll celebrate with a release party at the EARL on Saturday. City Lights Collective co-host Kim Drobes recently caught up with Dubois to discuss the new album, her creative process, and how she helped us launch The City Lights Collective with a bang. Did we mention Dubois wrote our new theme music? ✦ Luenell, an entertainment veteran known to her fans as "The Original Bad Girl of Comedy," has been making audiences laugh for nearly three decades with her appearances onstage, as well as in TV shows like "Hacks," and the upcoming Tracey Morgan sitcom, "Crutch." Luenell performs at City Winery August 1st through 3rd, and she recently caught up with WABE reporter Kenny Murray to discuss her sharp wit, high tone, and long nails. ✦ Atlanta’s vibrant world of cocktails and zero proof beverages thrives in our bars and restaurants as well as our local distilleries and non-alcoholic bottle shops. Few may know this world better than Beth McKibben, editor in chief and dining editor at Rough Draft Atlanta. Beth’s expertise is invaluable as she continually explores our city’s elevated beverage programs and examines the latest trends in mixology. She joins The City Lights Collective monthly for “The Beverage Beat” and this month, McKibben embraces summertime sipping wines and shares the history of the ever-popular pink drink, Rose.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

✦ If you go to the Decatur Recreation Center on a Friday evening, you’ll see about 75 people dancing to a live fiddle band, and they look like the happiest people in town. City Lights Collective member Gillian Anne Renault learns more about Atlanta Contra Dance. ✦ Latinas in Media Atlanta, also known as LIMA, creates opportunities for Latine artists to tell untold stories from the Latin diaspora. Founded in 2017, the organization provides networking opportunities for Latine film, theater, and television professionals. Viviana Chavez and Denise Santos are the two women behind LIMA, and City Lights collective member Kelundra Smith recently spoke with them to learn more about their ethos and their mission. ✦ Meet our co-host, Emmy-nominated writer, author and poet Jon Goode! He is no stranger to a microphone; he hosts many events around town and performs regularly nationwide for The Moth. But what else should we know about Jon? WABE Arts Reporter Summer Evans sits down with Goode to learn more about his background. ✦ The Lavender Performing Arts Festival from Out Front Theater Company returns this month with a new theme: “Celebrate Every Letter.” With a lineup spanning theater, music, drag, AND performance art, the festival is more than a showcase—it’s THE stage for Southern queer voices to tell their stories. City Lights Collective producer Josh Thane recently spoke with festival Organizer Ty Autry and festival contributor Hannah Marie Smith to find out more. ✦ City Lights Collective members Jasmine Hentschel and EC Flamming, the creatives behind Atlanta’s visual art print magazine, GULCH, want you to get out and engage with the city’s art scene. Each week they spotlight five standout happenings, and today their mix includes: Gallery strolling through Castleberry Hill, mural installation pieces at Cat Eye Creative Downtown, and a solo show opening at Hawkins HQ.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For over a decade, Lois Reitzes made City Lights a welcoming home for Atlanta’s artists. Now, we’re opening the doors even wider and carrying on her legacy with a chorus of voices. Welcome to The City Lights Collective, WABE’s new weekday show where you’ll discover the best of what Atlanta’s arts and culture scene has to offer. You’ll hear short stories, rich voices, and innovative ideas, presented by a team of local contributors. Join co-hosts Kim Drobes and Jon Goode as they connect you to the pulse of Atlanta’s creative world – exploring everything from music and theater to spoken word, food, film, festivals, and more. Starting on July 7, listen to The City Lights Collective on WABE 90.1, Mondays through Thursdays at 1-2 p.m. You can also catch the rebroadcast at its new time, 9-10 p.m. If you already follow the City Lights podcast, you’ll automatically start seeing new episodes of The City Lights Collective beginning July 7, available wherever you listen.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After more than 45 years at WABE, Lois Reitzes hosts her final episode of City Lights ahead of her retirement. In this grand finale, Lois is joined by her producers and very special guests, as they share heartfelt memories and celebrate her legacy as Atlanta's foremost champion of Arts and Culture.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lois presents the inaugural “Lois Reitzes Leader of the Arts Award.” Plus, Lois’s conversation with film scholar Eddy Von Mueller, recorded live at the Tara Theater this past Sunday, and Susan Booth, Artistic Director of the Goodman Theater in Chicago and former Alliance Theater Artistic Director, joins Lois for a final interview ahead of Lois’s retirement.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The saying 'never meet your heroes' does not apply to the Indigo Girls. Amy Ray and Emily Sailers will not disappoint, for they are as kind as they are talented. Last week, they left for a significant, multi-city tour that will run through the fall, yet they took the time to come to the WABE studio and record an interview with Lois to air during her final days at WABE before her retirement. This intimate conversation was recorded as part of Lois's last week series, in which she speaks to some of her past favorite guests.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Atlanta-born actor Danielle Deadwyler joins me to discuss her many projects, past, present, and future. Additionally, Dr. Scott Stewart and Lois reflect on his many years as a contributor and collaborator.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The King of Pops is turning 15, and CEO and co-founder Steve Carse discusses his new book, “Work Is Fun: Seven Ways a Successful Ice Pop Company Makes Work Meaningful and How You Can Too.” Plus, playwright Jessica B. Hill and director Alexis Kulani Woodard detail “The Dark Lady,” which is on stage at Synchronicity Theatre now through June 29th.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sir Donald Runnicles, former principal guest conductor of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, helps us celebrate 50 years of ASO broadcasts on WABE. Plus, comedian and improv artist Colin Mochrie, along with Kevin Gillese, Atlanta-based comic and producer, discuss Mochrie’s new live show – coming to Variety Playhouse on June 20.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Actor Richard Kind stops by ahead of his upcoming July 19 performance at Symphony Hall, “How Not to Be Famous: A Conversation with Richard Kind.” Plus, librettist Selda Sahin, and the Atlanta Opera director of community engagement and education, Jessica Kiger discuss “Steele Roots” which makes its world premiere at the Atlanta Opera on June 20, followed by an encore performance June 22 at the Ray Charles Performing Arts Center at Morehouse College. And Floyd Hall, the Executive Director of Atlanta Contemporary, discusses their upcoming annual “Art Party” on June 21.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Artist EuGene V. Byrd III discusses his Beltline West End Trail mural, “Works in Progress: An Honest Look at Fatherhood.” Plus, comedian, writer, and actor Lisa Ann Walter joins us ahead of her standup show at Helium Comedy Club on June 21.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Comedian Ali Siddiq joins us ahead of his Atlanta performance at the Fox Theatre on June 13. Plus, Kosmo Vinyl shares the story of Gill-Scott Heron’s version of “Me and the Devil,” and we listen back to Lois’s 2023 conversation with Metropolitan Museum of Art president Daniel H. Weiss about his book, “Why the Museum Matters.”See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Atlanta Symphony Orchestra acting principal cellist Daniel Laufer joins Lois to celebrate 50 years of ASO broadcasts on WABE. Plus, travel expert Rick Steves stops by with tips on visiting lesser-traveled European countries.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A new box Richard Pryor box set is out now on Rhino Records, and comedian and “What’s Good Atlanta” co-host Mark Kendall reflects on the icon’s legacy. Plus, Sarah Higgins, the executive and artistic director of Art Papers, discusses the decision to sunset the publication after 50 years, and we revisit Lois’s 2018 conversation with Atlanta playwright Pearl Cleage as part of our “Farewell Favorites” series.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“Young John Lewis” makes its world premiere at Theatrical Outfit. The hip-hop musical was written by Psalmayene 24 and composed by Eugene H. Russell IV. “City Lights” host Lois Reitzes speaks with both of them about this riveting new play. Additionally, we revisit Reitzes’ conversation with the author of “The Swans of Harlem” and a Black ballerina featured in the book. As part of the "City Lights" series of "Farewell Favorites," we listen back to Lois's 2018 interview regarding Alliance Theatre’s stage adaptation of the Pulitzer Prize-winning poetry book, “Native Guard.” See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“Young John Lewis” makes its world premiere at Theatrical Outfit. The hip-hop musical was written by Psalmayene 24 and composed by Eugene H. Russell IV. “City Lights” host Lois Reitzes speaks with both of them about this riveting new play. Additionally, we revisit Reitzes’ conversation with the author of “The Swans of Harlem” and a Black ballerina featured in the book. As part of the "City Lights" series of "Farewell Favorites," we listen back to Lois's 2018 interview regarding Alliance Theatre’s stage adaptation of the Pulitzer Prize-winning poetry book, “Native Guard.” See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Atlanta Opera’s artistic director, Tomer Zvulun, sits down with “City Lights” host Lois Reitzes to discuss the rare gem of Baroque opera, George Frideric Handel’s “Semele,” which will be on stage June 7, 10, 13, and 15. Plus, we spotlight the Atlanta band Shock Tea in our series “Speaking of Music.” And we revisit another “Farewell Favorite” conversation between Lois and former Spelman president, Mary Schmidth Campbell. They discuss her 2018 book “An American Odyssey: The Life and Work of Romare Bearden.”See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

"Accentuate the Positive: The Music of Arlen and Mercer” is a concert-cabaret show premiering at The Breman this Sunday. Flying Carpet Theatre founder Adam Koplan and executive director of The Breman, Leslie Gordon discuss the timeless classics and melodies Johnny Mercer and Harold Arlen wrote throughout their career. Plus, WABE music contributor Dr. Scott Stewart looks at the latest summer blockbuster soundtracks in “Music in Media.” And we listen back to one of Lois’ “Farewell Favorite” segments with humorist and author David Sedaris discussing his book, “Happy Go Lucky."See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“Young John Lewis” makes its world premiere at Theatrical Outfit. The hip-hop musical was written by Psalmayene 24 and composed by Eugene H. Russell IV. “City Lights” host Lois Reitzes speaks with both of them about this riveting new play. Additionally, we revisit Reitzes’ conversation with the author of “The Swans of Harlem” and a Black ballerina featured in the book. As part of the "City Lights" series of "Farewell Favorites," we listen back to Lois's 2018 interview regarding Alliance Theatre’s stage adaptation of the Pulitzer Prize-winning poetry book, “Native Guard.” See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Alice Hong, co-founder of the new Classical Remix Music Festival, joins us. The festival kicks off with three nights of music on June 8 at Leafmore Creek Park Club. On June 22, the festival will be held at St. Luke's Episcopal Church, and the event on June 27 will take place at the Historic Dekalb Courthouse. Plus, in "Wildcat," the 2023 movie about the author Flannery O'Connor, we hear the question, "If imagination impacts reality, isn't faith where those rivers meet?" Co-written and directed by Ethan Hawke, the movie stars his daughter, Maya Hawke, and explores O'Connor's intellect and the role of faith in her life. As part of the "City Lights" series of "Farewell Favorites," we listen back to Lois's 2023 conversation with Ethan Hawk.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When City Lights host Lois Reitzes announced her retirement from daily hosting earlier this year, she sat down with WABE's All Things Considered host Jim Burress to reflect on her broadcasting career. In this special edition of the City Lights podcast, we hear an extended version of their conversation.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Virtuoso banjoist Béla Fleck discusses his upcoming performance with the ASO of George Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue.” The show takes place at Atlanta Symphony Hall on June 11. Plus, The Renaissance Orchestra takes the spotlight for our series, “Speaking of Music.”See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Former First Lady of Atlanta Valerie Jackson reminisces about her time as a WABE host and shares some highlights from Mayor Maynard Jackson’s career. Plus, we hear from music enthusiast Kosmo Vinyl for “Kosmo’s Vinyl of the Week.” We also listen to Lois Reitzes’ conversation with Indigo Girls’ Emily Saliers as part of her “Farewell Favorites.” They discuss the Indigo Girls’ documentary “It’s Only Life After All.”See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Delta Flight Museum in Atlanta is reopening after recent renovations, unveiling new art, exhibitions and interactive experiences for its big centennial. It includes an interactive mural designed by artist and SCAD MFA student Jennifer Wee. “City Lights” host Lois Reitzes spoke with Wee and Nina Thomas, Delta Flight Museum director of exhibits and public programs. Plus, we hear from Rough Draft Atlanta’s editor in chief, Beth McKibben, for this month’s “Beverage Beat” on margaritas. And we kick off “Lois’ Farewell Favorites” with award-winning actor, producer and author Henry Winkler.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jason Wynn, tenor section leader for the Atlanta Gay Men’s Chorus, discusses the new Voices of Note concert showcase, “Broadway Sideways.” Plus, we’ll explain why Atlanta art organizations are reeling as the National Endowment for the Arts cancels funding.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Freddie Ashley, artistic director at Actor’s Express details the company’s new production of “Doubt, A Parable.” Plus, WABE CEO Jennifer Dorian discusses the Lois Reitzes Art Fund.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.