WRFI Specials and Series

Dusty Visions of Threading the Needle interviews Post Punk legend Chandra Oppenheim and bandmates live in studio.

Host Michael Rhynes interviews Taili Mugambee Director or the Ultimate Re-Entry Opportunity about re-entry work underway in Tompkins County. This program originally aired on September 17, 2024 on WRFI Community Radio.

How can we ensure access to healthy, sustainable food for everyone in our community? What can we do as individuals? What changes would you like to see to government policy? How did the pandemic affect the way you eat?  Listen back to our WRFI's September 12 food security and call-in show. Panelists, callers, and host Felix Teitelbaum explored local food security and insecurity and got to know some local farmers and organizers dedicated to mutual aid and a just food system. Panelists on the show were: Ana Ortiz of No Mas Lagrimas, which supports and empowers people to meet their basic needs and does food rescue and relief work. Lorena Mendoza Lorena and her husband Carlos grow food for No Mas Lagrimas and their customers at West Haven Farm in Ithaca. Debbie Branker-Livermore of Loving Farms, which grows chemical-free produce for people in Tompkins and Tioga Counties and provides to the Candor Food Pantry. and Katie Hallas, of Tomkins Food Future and Cornell Cooperative Extension of Tompkins County. This program was the second in our "Food and Country" series leading up to the screening of Ruth Reichl's documentary “Food and Country” Tuesday, September 17 at Cinemapolis. Make sure check out our exclusive interview with Ruth Reichl and get tickets for the film! The screening on Tuesday will be followed by another panel discussion and talkback with the audience. Panelists for that conversation will be Christa Nunez of Khuba International, Denise O'Leary of Cafe Dewitt, Chaw Chang of Stick and Stone Farm, Jeff Bessmer of GreenStar Coop, Kelly Sauve of the Ithaca Farmers Market, and moderated by WRFI's Felix Teitelbaum. Support for this series comes from Tompkins County Food Policy Council, Moosewood Restaurant, GreenStar Coop, the Ithaca Farmers Market, and WRFI's members and donors. Special thank to our partners at Cinemapolis and Greenwich Entertainment.

In this edition of CREATIVES ON WRFI, a conversation between celebrated American novelist Jonathan Lethem and Jacob White, Associate Professor of Writing at Ithaca College and host of Jamaican Clash on WRFI. Jonathan Lethem visits Ithaca this weekend as part of the fourth annual Ithaca Is Books Festival (Sept. 12-15). You can see Lethem live in conversation with Writing Professor Eleanor Henderson on Friday, Sept. 13 at Buffalo Street Books (6:00 p.m.). Jonathan Lethem is the author of many books of fiction and nonfiction, including the novels Motherless Brooklyn, Fortress of Solitude, Chronic City, and Brooklyn Crime Novel. His newest book, The Collapsing Frontier, published this year by PM Press, collects recent works of nonfiction and fiction, some of which previously appeared in The New Yorker Magazine.

Mildred Alvarado, María José Oviedo y Tim W. Shenk del equipo de Futuro en Ag del Cornell Small Farms Program vuelven al programa Alcance Latino con Carlos Gutiérrez. Comparten aprendizajes sobre las finanzas personales y empresariales, claves para desarrollar un negocio agrícola exitoso. Mildred Alvarado, María José Oviedo and Tim W. Shenk of Cornell Small Farms Program's Futuro en Ag team return to the Alcance Latino radio show with Carlos Gutiérrez. They share information about personal and business finances, key to developing a successful farm business. Photo: Jared Davis

María José Oviedo y Tim W. Shenk del equipo de Futuro en Ag del Cornell Small Farms Program comparten con Carlos Gutiérrez en el programa Alcance Latino. Invitan a conocer las oportunidades disponibles para productores y aspirantes a la producción agrícola que son de la comunidad latina o hispanohablante. De particular interés es el curso virtual "Cómo Iniciar su Negocio Agrícola" de seis sesiones, que se lanza el 24 de septiembre.María José Oviedo and Tim W. Shenk of Cornell Small Farms Program's Futuro en Ag team share in Spanish with Carlos Gutiérrez of the Alcance Latino program. They invite listeners to learn about opportunities available to farmers and aspiring farmers from the Latino/a/x or Spanish-speaking community. Of particular interest is the six-session online course, "Cómo Iniciar su Negocio Agrícola" (“How to Start Your Farm Business”), which launches Sept. 24.

Listen to WRFI's exclusive interview with Ruth Reichl about her forthcoming film "Food and Country." Felix Teitelbaum's interview with Reichl and Cornell's Rachel Bezner Kerr originally aired on WRFI on Tuesday, September 3, 2024. WRFI will present “Food and Country,” directed by Laura Gabbert, on September 17 at Cinemapolis. You can learn more and get your tickets here. The documentary is a personal and expansive look at how the pandemic exposed vulnerabilities in our food systems, offering both a critique and a celebration of those working to create positive change. Ruth Reichl is one of America's most influential food writers and critics. With a career spanning over five decades, Ruth has shaped the way we think about food. She's worked as a critic for the LA Times and the New York Times, and as the editor-in-chief of Gourmet magazine and she's the author of several best-selling memoirs. Rachel Bezner Kerr is a Professor in Global Development at Cornell, where she teaches courses on food systems, and does research in Africa on sustainable agriculture, gender, climate change adaptation, food security, and nutrition. This series is made possible in part by Tompkins County Food Policy Council, Moosewood Restaurant, the Ithaca Farmer's Market, and GreenStar Coop, and in partnership with Cinemapolis.

“Living With Grief" explores the ways people navigate the journey of losing a loved one. The series is produced by WRFI's JT Stone. In this episode Jessica Ryan, a teacher at Notre Dame High School in Elmira, opens up about how she copes with the death of her daughter, Rebecca Ryan, who was struck by a car in 2021. 

The second annual Democracy Fest will be held in Ithaca on Tuesday, August 6. Organizers Jeff Furman of Rejoice the Vote and the Ben and Jerry's Foundation, and Rev. Ken Clarke of the Tompkins County Office of Human Rights join host Felix Teitelbaum to talk about this celebration and commemoration of the 1965 Voting Rights Act.

Today's episode is about personal space and pride and was produced by Azalea from CUMEP and Felix Teitelbaum from WRFI. "We Are CUMEP” is series of short radio diaries documenting the camp's music, art, and social justice curriculum recorded by youth at CUMEP. The station is training campers in CUMEP's Media Major who will record the voices and sounds of the camp throughout the rest of the 2019 season.

Today's episode is all about black joy and pride and was produced by Jaz-myne from CUMEP and Felix Teitelbaum from WRFI. "We Are CUMEP” is series of short radio diaries documenting the camp's music, art, and social justice curriculum recorded by youth at CUMEP. The station is training campers in CUMEP's Media Major who will record the voices and sounds of the camp throughout the rest of the 2019 season.

Today's episode is all about words and their power. It was produced by Azalea from CUMEP and Felix Teitelbaum from WRFI. "We Are CUMEP” is series of short radio diaries documenting the camp's music, art, and social justice curriculum recorded by youth at CUMEP. The station is training campers in CUMEP's Media Major who will record the voices and sounds of the camp throughout the rest of the 2019 season.

Today's episode is about perseverance. It was produced by Azalea and Jaz-myne from CUMEP and Felix Teitelbaum from WRFI. "We Are CUMEP” is series of short radio diaries documenting the camp's music, art, and social justice curriculum recorded by youth at CUMEP. The station is training campers in CUMEP's Media Major who will record the voices and sounds of the camp throughout the rest of the 2019 season.

Today's episode is about the LGBTQ community and the discrimination it faces. It was produced by Jaz-myne and Azalea from CUMEP and Felix Teitelbaum from WRFI. "We Are CUMEP” is series of short radio diaries documenting the camp's music, art, and social justice curriculum recorded by youth at CUMEP. The station is training campers in CUMEP's Media Major who will record the voices and sounds of the camp throughout the rest of the 2019 season.

Today's episode is about human needs and was produced by Jaz-myne and Azalea from CUMEP and Felix Teitelbaum from WRFI. "We Are CUMEP” is series of short radio diaries documenting the camp's music, art, and social justice curriculum recorded by youth at CUMEP. The station is training campers in CUMEP's Media Major who will record the voices and sounds of the camp throughout the rest of the 2019 season.

Today's episode of "We are CUMEP" is about all the different forms of human intelligence and was produced by Azalea and Jaz-myne from CUMEP and Felix Teitelbaum from WRFI. "We Are CUMEP” is series of short radio diaries documenting the camp's music, art, and social justice curriculum recorded by youth at CUMEP. The station is training campers in CUMEP's Media Major who will record the voices and sounds of the camp throughout the rest of the 2019 season.

The Wedding Show is an immersive and interactive theatre experience where you are a guest at a hilarious and heartfelt queer wedding.  Wine, beer and cider will be available for purchase on June 15th, 28th, 29th, July 5th and 6th at the Cherry Arts. GIAC will host sober and family-friendly performances July 13th and 14th with pay what you can ticket pricing.  Director and producer Sylvie Froncek and Mads Ziomek who plays the role of the fiance spoke with WRFI's DJ Max Disaster (Are You Out There, Thursdays at 4pm) and Felix Teitelbaum (Executive Director).

Sarah Towle is the author of Crossing the Line: Finding America in the Bordelands. Towle's book explores the US immigration system or what she calls the global "deterence-to-detention-to-deportation complex" through the stories of the people on the ground: migrants and activists. What is the "crisis at the border" politicians and pundits talk about? What is the reality at the border? Who does it hurt and who does it benefit? Towle will be at Buffalo Street Books Tuesday, July 2, 2024 at 1pm to talk with the public about the book. Towle spoke with WRFI's Felix Teitelbaum on June 28, 2024.

Storyhouse Ithaca and the Civic Ensemble are presenting “Play Of Delights,” June 22nd and 23rd at the Youth Farm. “Play Of Delights” is based on essays in The Book of Delights by award-winning author Ross Gay and brought to life as dance theater and original work. Afterward, there will be a potluck for spectators and performers. That's Play Of Delights, June 22nd and 23rd at 4:00 p.m., with a special Black / Indigenous / POC night, June 22nd at 7:00 p.m., at the Youth Farm Project, 24 Nelson Road in Ithaca. For more information and reservations, visit storyhouseithaca.org. That's storyhouseithaca.org.

A conversation about the 2024 Juneteenth celebrations in Ithaca with Dr Nia Nunn, Kayla Matos, and Reverend Kenneth Clarke on the Big Scoob Show on WRFI Community Radio.

Carlos Gutierrez speaks with Mildred Alvarado, Maria José Oviedo, and Tim Shenk who all part of the Futuro en Ag program at Cornell. They speak about educational opportunities for Spanish-speaking farmers and aspiring farmers in New York State.

Youth Farm Project Celebrates Earth Week with Greta Garrison of the Youth Radio Project

Author Raul Palma in conversation with student organizers April Morales, Emily Trage, Riley Rhoder and Professor Jacob White.

Frank London of the Klezmatics talks with Felix Teitelbaum and Aron Guttman ahead of their show at Cornell, Saturday April 13, 2024. More at www.klezmatics.com and www. cornellconcertseries.com

American and African painter Arthur Bucknor discusses his work and his upcoming show at the Cherry Arts with WRFI's Felix Teitelbaum.

Tabla maestro Zakir Hussain talks with Daniel Bass host of WRFI's Monsoon Radio about his upcoming concert at Cornell with Deopriya Chatterjee (bansuri) & Sabir Khan (sarangi) on March 22, the three Grammys he won last month, his first show in Ithaca in 1989, and more!

WRFI's Felix Teitelbaum and Dr. Deborah Justice of the Cornell Concert Series speak with cellist Natalia Khoma and pianist Volodymyr Vynnytsky of the National Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine about the power of music in times of turmoil and about the orchestra's upcoming performance at Cornell (February 10, 2024 at 3pm). More at www.cornellconcertseries.com

Felix Teitelbaum interviews New Orleans-based artists Quintron and Missy Pussycat on August 24, 2023. They'll be appearing in Ithaca at the Cherry Arts, Sept. 11. The show is a benefit for WRFI. You can learn more about the duo and get tickets to the show here.

The Cherry Arts brings its signature adventurous, irreverent theatrical style to Shakespeare for the very first time! As You Like It, which runs from August 3rd through August 13th, is one of the bard's most beloved comedies, featuring one of his most exciting heroines, Rosalind, who dresses as a man and marches into the forest to save the day. The play is chock full of songs —which will be written by some of Ithaca's most iconic songwriters including Jennie Lowe Stearns, Nate Silas Richardson (of the Sim Redmond Band) and Maddy Walsh (of The Blind Spots). WRFI's Peter Bakija speaks with actor John Drinkwater (who plays the role of Silvius in the production).

Dan Aloi interviews New Orleans Artist Lynn Drury. She will be at the Deep Dive in Ithaca Thursday, June 29, 2023.

New Orleans based cellist Helen Gillet chats with Felix Teitelbaum about her new album "ReBelle" and her upcoming appearances in Ithaca at the Downstairs May 24 and June 29, 2023.

Pastry Chef and author Natasha Pickowicz chats with Felix Teitelbaum about her book "More than Cake," cooking, recipe creation, and the fundraiser she's hosting at South Hill Cider on Sunday, May 7, 2023 to benefit Khuba International's Quarter Acre for the People project. Photo: provided.

Felix Teitelbaum interviews Taili Mugambee about the upcoming community book read of "My Grandmother's Hands" by Resmaa Menakem. The read will be hosted by the Ultimate Reentry Opportunity program. All are welcome to participate.

Felix Teitelbaum interviews Irish singer-songwriter Karan Casey and Ellen Grady of the Ithaca Catholic Worker. Casey will be performing a benefit for the Catholic Worker on Thursday, March 9, 2023 at the Community School of Music and Arts. Casey is a founding member of the American/Irish supergroup Solas and has released 9 albums of her own since 1997. She talks about her new album Nine Apples of Gold, and about about activism and the healing power of music. Karan Casey, photo by Amelia Stein

HOI is proud to present Pontypool by Tony Burgess as an audio horror drama directed by HOI co-founder Jeff Hodges. The show centers on disgraced radio DJ Grant Mazzy, who finds himself live on air as the small Canadian town of Pontypool descends into a chaotic violence of unknown origin. Tickets and more information: https://vimeo.com/ondemand/pontypool

Lilypad Puppet Theatre produces an annual Crankie Cabaret in the Fall. We bring together artists, puppeteers, storytellers & musicians for this fabulous weekend variety show. Crankie Cabaret 2022 will be on October 21- 23 2022 @ The Cherry! Details to come!

While the most ambitions Reimagination of Public Safety in New York might be happening in Ithaca, the surrounding college's police and safety departments will be continuing as they were. This Episode of Which Way Forward is all about that dynamic. This story comes to us from Ithaca Park Scholars Maia Noah and Lauren Leone. The music in this piece is from BlueDotSessions. Which Way Forward: Redefining Public Safety is a production of WRFI News, The Ithaca Voice, and the Ithaca College Park Scholars, with funding from Engaged Cornell

Episode 9: Reflections In this Episode of Which Way Forward, we hear from a student activist and professor from Ithaca College reflect on a year since Black Lives Matter protests swept across the United States. This piece comes to us from Ithaca College Park Scholars Jess Moskowitz and Syd Pierre. Music is from BlueDotSession. Which Way Forward: Redefining Public Safety is a production of WRFI News, The Ithaca Voice, and the Ithaca College Park Scholars, with funding from Engaged Cornell.

Episode 8: The Executive Order The summer of 2020 saw mass protests across the United States, demanding that governments defund the police. One of the big administrative responses to these uprising was in New York State Governor, from Governor Andrew Cuomo in the form of Executive Order 203. The order offered serious affirmation to what many in America were saying: police departments across the country serve to oppress marginalized communities of Americans, especially black Americans. Every village, town, and city were required to reassess their police department's trainings, use of force policies, and consult with the community to change policing. But what came of this order? We take a look at the differing approaches and results in the cities of Syracuse, and Ithaca. Which Way Forward: Redefining Public Safety is a production of WRFI News, The Ithaca Voice, and the Ithaca College Park Scholars, with funding from Engaged Cornell.

On this episode of Which Way Forward, we explore many, many opinions and views on the Reimagining Public Safety process. All these comments and thoughts are from the public feedback period of the Reimagining Public Safety Draft Report. This ranged from early February 2021, to March 31st 2021. In that fast-moving span of time, community members offered their voices, and we tried to coordinate and conduct them into a choir. This episode was written, voiced, and produced by Ithaca College Park Scholar, James Baratta, with some mixing and production help from WRFI Interim News Director, Jimmy Jordan. Music is by Blue Dot Sessions. The series is a production of WRFI News, The Ithaca Voice, and the Ithaca College Park Scholars, with funding from Engaged Cornell.

On April 1st, Ithaca and Tompkins County submitted their plans for reforming public safety. Although the Common Council and the County Legislature have committed to the points of their plans, they still have a long way to go before they're realized. The recommendations don't have the mechanics and power of policy behind them yet, and so are yet to be proven. This episode, we look at some of the recommendations that have the most promise for changing public safety to be more equitable. This episode of Which Way Forward was co-reported by Ithaca College Park Scholars Emily Hung and Skylar. WRFI News Director, Jimmy Jordan, edited and produced today's episode. Music is by BlueDotSessions.

This is the last episode of part one of the Which Way Forward: Redefining Public Safety series. WRFI News Contributor Fred Balfour lays out how Governor Andrew Cuomo's Executive Order for every municipality with a police department to reimagine its public safety practices will play out in Tompkins County. Ithaca Voice intern James Baratta walks us through Tompkins' efforts in the last several months to reimagine law enforcement practices that will foster a social future that is equitable for all. Fred Balfour edited today's episode, and sound design was by outgoing News Director Michayla Savitt. Music is by BlueDotSessions. Additional sound by Ithaca Voice reporter Matt Butler. The series is directed and executive produced by Anna Lamb and Michayla Savitt. The series is a production of WRFI News, The Ithaca Voice, and the Ithaca College Park Scholars, with funding from Engaged Cornell.

In today's episode of Which Way Forward: Redefining Public Safety, we switch gears to how some organizers both on the streets and behind the scenes are fighting for a more equitable future for local people of all ages - including changing public safety policies. This episode of Which Way Forward was co-reported by outgoing WRFI News Director Michayla Savitt, and Ithaca College Park Scholars Hailey Aldrich, Emily Hung, Jess Moskowitz. Skylar Eagle edited today's episode, and helped with script editing. Sound design was by Michayla. Music is by BlueDotSessions. The series is directed and executive produced by Ithaca Voice Senior Reporter Anna Lamb and Michayla Savitt. Which Way Forward: Redefining Public Safety is a production of WRFI News, The Ithaca Voice, and the Ithaca College Park Scholars, with funding from Engaged Cornell.

In the third episode of Which Way Forward: Redefining Public Safety, Ithaca Voice senior reporter Anna Lamb reexamines the most recent case of police brutality in ithaca known as the “commons incident” - and how ithaca police officers' excessive use of force could have been prevented. As a note to listeners, this episode includes detailed descriptions of physical violence. Jay Bradley edited today's episode, and sound design was by outgoing News Director, Michayla Savitt. Additional sound by Ithaca Voice reporter Matt Butler. The series is directed and executive produced by Anna Lamb and Michayla Savitt. The series is a production of WRFI News, The Ithaca Voice, and the Ithaca College Park Scholars, with funding from Engaged Cornell.

In the second episode of Which Way Forward: Redefining Public Safety, our team of reporters dive into law enforcement policies concerning excessive force - and how that's played out on a local level in the protests for racial justice that have emerged since May 2020. Today's episode was co-reported by Ithaca College Park scholars Maia Noah and Matilde Bechet. Jay Bradley edited today's episode, and sound design was by outgoing News Director, Michayla Savitt. Music is by BlueDotSessions, additional sound thanks to Matt Butler. Skylar Eagle helped with script editing. The series is directed and executive produced by Ithaca Voice senior reporter Anna lamb and Michayla Savitt. The series is a production of WRFI News, The Ithaca Voice, and the Ithaca College Park Scholars, with funding from Engaged Cornell.

The first episode of the series explores what local agencies are best suited to be called for helping people in distress. Our team of reporters speak to several local social service organizations to better understand how, and if, those agencies could take on more of a role in maintaining public safety. We also speak to Ithaca Police Chief Dennis Nayor about the current state of policing in ithaca, and what needs to change. Today's episode was co-reported by Ithaca Voice reporter Matt Butler, and Ithaca College Park scholars Lauren Leone, Malick Mercier, and Aidan Glendon. Jay Bradley edited today's episode, and sound design was by outgoing WRFI news director Michayla Savitt. Music is by BlueDotSessions. Skylar Eagle helped with script editing. The series is directed and executive produced by Ithaca Voice senior reporter Anna lamb and Michayla Savitt. Which Way Forward: Redefining Public Safety is a production of WRFI News, The Ithaca Voice, and the Ithaca College Park Scholars, with funding from Engaged Cornell.