Michael Stipe, visual artist and former REM lead singer, discusses his new exhibition, “Even the Birds Gave Pause,” which is on view at Jackson Fine Art through January 18. Plus, Lauren Doriahna takes the spotlight for our series, “Speaking of Poetry,” H Johnson shares stories about jazz pianist Red Garland, and Team City Lights gathers to detail some of the many upcoming Atlanta holiday concerts.

Conductor Robert Spano joins us to celebrate 50 years of Atlanta Symphony Orchestra broadcasts on WABE. Plus, “Edgewood Heavy” takes the spotlight for our series, “Speaking of Music,” and Dr. Scott Stewart discusses the scores of some late Fall blockbusters currently in theaters and streaming on TV.

PBS host and travel expert Rick Steves discusses spending the holiday season in Europe for our series, “ATL Up and Away.” Plus, photographer Sheila Pree Bright discusses her latest exhibition, “Breathe,” and muralist and painter Matthew Evans takes the spotlight for our series, “Speaking of Art.”

Tré Seals, co-creator of “Characters: Type in Action,” details the new exhibition at the Museum of Design Atlanta. Plus, Pylon Reenactment Society takes the spotlight for our series, “Speaking of Music,” and cellist Juliana Soltis shares the inspiration behind her new record, which features classical works by underrecognized American women composers.

WABE's "Savory Stories" podcast hosts Akila McConnell and Chef Asata Reid discuss Thanksgiving's complex history and how it became a national holiday. We also listen to several past "City Lights" conversations with chefs, restauranteurs, and cookbook authors. 

Conductor Nathalie Stutzmann discusses the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra’s live recording of Dvořák’s timeless “Symphony No. 9, From the New World,” which airs on Thanksgiving Day on WABE 90.1.  Plus, we hear about a new residency opportunity for Atlanta artists that could result in free rent for 18 months.

Photographer Cyril Bailleul discusses his exhibition, “789 Ponce de Leon Avenue,” which is on display at Clermont Lounge through the end of the year. Plus, Rebecca Harman takes the spotlight for our series, “Speaking of Dance,” and Mike and Sammie stop by with suggestions for weekend entertainment on the latest installment of “How Do You Atlanta.”

Playwright Milo Cramer and director Matt Torney discuss “Business Ideas,” which is on stage at Alliance Theatre through December 15th. Plus, Dr. Scott Stewart stops by for the latest installment of Music in Media, and we explore a new trend that combines dining and entertainment – also known as “Eatertainment.”

Colah B. Tawkin discusses her WABE podcast, “Black in the Garden.” Plus, Steven Jones takes the spotlight for our series, “Speaking of Comedy,” and local distilleries are the focus of this month’s “Beverage Beat with Beth McKibben.

Chef, educator, and food stylist Maricela Vega discusses Latin Restaurant Weeks, which run through November 30. Plus, we hear about ABV’s Outer Space Project and talk to musician Kabir Sehgal about his work on “Last Sunday in Plains: A Centennial Celebration,” the new tribute album that sets President Jimmy Carter’s words to music.

Halima Taha, the curator of the Hammonds House Museum, discusses the new John Rhoden Sculpture Garden. Plus, the design team of Esrawe and Cadena details “Los Trompos,” the new interactive installation at Woodruff Park, and we hear about the Southern Arts Relief Fund.

Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and principal flutist Christina Smith details her upcoming performance of C.P.E. Bach’s Flute Concerto in D Minor on November 14 and November 16 at Atlanta Symphony Hall. Plus, “Resident Alien” star Sara Tomko discusses Indigenous representation alongside ethnic ambiguity, and artist Melvin Toledo and curator Madeline Beck detail “The Stars of America,” which is on view through December 3 at the Mezzanine Galleries at the Marietta Cobb Museum of Art.

Dr. Fahamu Peacou details his new solo exhibition, “We Didn’t Realize We Were Seeds: We the Roses,” on view through November 23 at Johnson Lowe Gallery. Plus, Smith-Gilbert Gardens Education and Exhibits manager Vanita Keswani and “Opossum and the Season Stone” lead instructor and playwright Nicole Adkins detail the children’s interactive play, and we hear about the “First Voices Festival,” a month-long celebration of Indigenous cultures in Little Five Points.

Chef Deborah VanTrece discusses her new venture as host of the FYI Network show “Global Soul Kitchen.” Plus, author Neesha Powell-Ingabire shares the history behind her new book, “Come by Here, A Memoir in Essays from Georgia Geechee Coast”

Cellist Kyril Zlotnikov of the Jerusalem Quartet discusses their upcoming performance at The Temple on November 11. Plus, Internet Islands takes the spotlight for our series, “Speaking of Music,” and we speak with graffiti–style writer VAYNE ahead of his first solo show, “All Over the Place,” which opens at Cat Eye Creative on November 9.

Comedian, journalist, author, and actor Faith Salie stops by to share stories from her book, turned one-woman show, turned Audible original, "Approval Junkie."

Travel expert and PBS host Rick Steves shares tips for traveling with children on our series, “ATL Up and Away.” Plus, we hear about the 92nd annual production of "Heavenbound,” coming to Big Bethel AME Church this weekend, and actor Caty Bermark and director Justin Kalin discuss Out Front Theatre Company’s production of the musical “Hairspray,” which is on stage through November 9.

Laura Ardan, principal clarinetist with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra for 39 years, joins us to kick off our new series celebrating 50 years of ASO broadcasts on our station. Plus, we learn about a free series of theatrical readings coming to 7 Stages Theater, and Mike Jordan joins us to recap his experience hosting the 2024 Atlanta Michelin Guide ceremony.

Film scholar Matthew Bernstein discusses "Young Frankenstein." The conversation was recorded live at the Plaza Theater as part of the "City Lights Cinema" series. Plus, we hear about the ATL Style Writers Jam coming to the Atlanta Beltline this weekend, "The Noorologist" takes the spotlight for our series, "Speaking of Poetry." We get details on artist Alexi Torres's new solo exhibition, "Unbrainwashable," at Brenau University's Castelli Gallery through November 9.

Actor Colman Domingo joins us to discuss his latest movie, “Sing Sing.” Plus, the Illustrated takes the spotlight for our series, “Speaking of Music,” and we hear about the Atlanta Opera’s production of “The Magic Flute.”

Tim Blake Nelson discusses his new film, “Bang Bang,” and being honored with the “Flannery O’Connor Award for Storytelling” at this year’s upcoming Rome International Film Festival. We also hear about the “Improv for Writers” workshop at the Plaza Theater and looked at this weekend’s “Chomp and Stomp” festival in Cabbagetown.

Producer and music educator John Snyder joins us for another episode of “Notes and Narratives.” Today, he features American jazz pianist and composer Dave Brubeck. Plus, Multidisciplinary artist Shanequa Gay discusses her new exhibition, “Psalms for Black Girls,” which is on view at the Emma Darnell Aviation Museum and Conference Center through January 18, 2025.

Sundiata Rush, the creative behind “Tales of Downtown Atlanta,” discusses his audio-rich project that combines history with innovative storytelling. Plus, we’ll get to know Avondale’s Waffle House Museum, built on the land once home to the chain’s first location.

Artist Jeffery Gibson and collector Jordan Schnitzer discuss “Jeffrey Gibson: They Teach Love,” which is on view at KSU’s Zuckerman Museum of Art through December 7. Plus, music contributor Dr. Scott Stewart joins us for the newest installment of “Music in Media,” today, he highlights music from your favorite Halloween movies and shows.

Kevin W. Tucker, the High Museum of Art’s Chief Curator, discusses “Georgia O’Keeffe: My New Yorks,” which opens on Friday and runs through February 16. Plus, Katie Coleman of “Run Katie Run” takes the spotlight for our series, “Speaking of Music,” and we premiere “The Beverage Beat with Beth McKibben,” our new series that examines Atlanta’s vibrant world of cocktails and zero-proof beverages.

Atlanta Botanical Garden President and CEO Mary Pat Matheson discusses the new “Atlanta Garden Gateway Project,” which will expand the Botanical Garden footprint by 8 acres and open onto a Beltline Plaza. Plus, Ray Sweatman takes the spotlight for our series, “Speaking of Poetry,” and Sculptor Allison Armour details her installation, “The Eye,” at the Alta Porter on Peachtree complex in Brookhaven.

Core Dance artistic director Sue Schroeder discusses “Braiding Time, Memory and Water,” an outdoor performance on October 19th at Powers Island on the Chattahoochee River. Plus, H Johnson stops by for the latest installment of “H Johnson’s Jazz Moment,” and we speak with soprano Chelsea Lehnea ahead of her performance at Morningside Presbyterian Church on October 20th.

Atlanta Symphony Principal Oboist Elizabeth Tiscione discusses her upcoming performances of "The Flower Clock" by Jean Francaix alongside her ASO colleagues. Plus, comedian Nate Rowland is in the spotlight for our series, "Speaking of Comedy. "Food historian Akila McConnell and chef Asata Reid from the WABE podcast "Savory Stories" detail the history of food and politics, and filmmaker William Feagins Jr. talks about his YouTube documentary series "Our Voices, Our Lives." 

Children’s book author and illustrator Duncan Tonatiuh, alongside playwright and lyricist Jessica Rosa Espinoza, discuss their live puppetry adaptation of “Pancho Rabbit and the Coyote: A Migrant Story.” The production is on stage at the Center for Puppetry Arts through October 20. Plus, we’ll kick off the Halloween season with Chantelle Rytter, the creative behind the “Where the Weird Things Are” upside-down parade, coming to the Old Forth Ward this Saturday.

Producer, director, screenwriter, and comedian Judd Apatow discusses “Judd Apatow and Friends.” The live comedy showcase is on stage at Variety Playhouse on November 3. Plus, film director Nicholas Ma details his new documentary, “Leap of Faith, which screens at the Tara Theatre on October 18.

Georgia State University student Imani Okwuosa and GSU Artist-in-Residence Tom Luse discuss the student-created film “Rejuvenation,” which is available to stream on Tubi and Amazon Video on Demand. Plus, Nilüfer Yanya details her most recent album and her creative process ahead of her October 11 show at Terminal West.

Curator Kimberli Gant discusses the new exhibition at the High Museum of Art, “Giants: Art from the Dean Collection of Swizz Beatz and Alicia Keys.” Plus, Dr. Scott Stewart joins us for the latest edition of “Music in Media,” curator Faron Manuel details the downtown Atlanta digital art installation “Local Stories,” and we hear about the new mural “Aging Is Living: Celebrating Legacy and Community.”

MacArthur Fellow, social entrepreneur, multimedia artist, and founder of the Sphinx Organization, Aaron Dworkin, discusses his new memoir, "Lessons in Gratitude." Plus, we celebrate Whole World Improv Theater's 30th anniversary and we hear about the No Words Music Festival, which takes place at multiple Atlanta venues October 11-13.

Dr. Eve Byrd and Georgia state representative Kim Schofield discuss the “Healing Arts Atlanta” conference and event series, which takes place at multiple Atlanta locations through October 11. Plus, independent rock artist Tron Austin takes the spotlight for our series, “Speaking of Music,” and master woodworker and sculptor Doug Pisik walks us through his new exhibition at Mable House Arts Center in Marietta.

Playwright Lloyd Suh and actor Keiko Agena discuss “The Chinese Lady,” which is on stage at the Alliance Theatre through October 17. H Johnson stops by for the latest edition of “H Johnson’s Jazz Moment” with the story behind The Ink Spots. William Bell enters the National R&B Hall of Fame and Catfight! band members Katy Graves, Jennifer Leavey, and Stacy Kerber detail (cat)FIGHT! FOR YOUR RIGHTS. The benefit concert is on Saturday, October 5, at Eyedrum Art and Music Gallery.

Director Rachel May discusses Synchronicity Theatre's production of "POTUS: Or, Behind Every Great Dumbass are Seven Women Trying to Keep Him Alive." Plus, hospitality in the service industry is the focus of this week's Savory Stories, and we hear from the Art Farm at Serenbe's executive director, Madalynn Mentor, with details on "Celestial," the new production from Paris cirque troupe "Les Farfadais."

Joe Barry Carroll, former NBA player, author, and artist, discusses his upcoming conversation with the Decatur Book Festival’s 2024 keynote speaker, Joyce Carol Oates. Plus, director and producer Michael McNamara details his documentary “Catwalk: Tales from the Cat Show Circuit,” screening at KSU on October 7, and travel expert Rick Steves stops by for the latest installment of our series, “ATL Up and Away.”

For two decades Muscogee Nation has been fighting for their ancestral tribal land. We hear from Raelynn Butler, the secretary for culture and Humanities for the Muscogee Nation, and attorney Mary Kathryn Nagle regarding a lawsuit against the Poarch Band of Creek Indians over their handling of sacred land dating back to 2012. Plus, a shelter-in-place advisory is now in place for more than 90,000 people in Rockdale County following a chemical fire at the BioLab plant in Conyers, Georgia. Air quality surveys done by the Environmental Protection Agency have detected levels of chlorine. Show host Rose Scott checks in with WABE’s environmental reporter Marisa Mecke and Dan Whisenhunt, the founder and editor of Decaturish.com, for the latest details. 

Voting Rights Activist and author Stacey Abrams discusses the third installment of her children’s book series “Stacey Speaks Up.” Stacey Abrams will be the Kidnote speaker at the Decatur Book Festival on Saturday, October 5th at 10am. Plus, we hear from the co-writers of The Lion King, both the animated film and the stage version, Roger Allers and Irene Mecchi. The Lion King musical is coming to the Fox Theatre Oct. 2-20. We also revisit Lois Reitzes’ discussion with author Anne Byrn regarding her most recent cookbook, “Baking in the American South.”

“In the Beginning” is a new group art exhibition at Quinlan Visual Arts Center in Gainesville. It brings together an international assembly of artists whose work explores fundamental human identity and the ways our cultures distinguish themselves. “City Lights” host Lois Reitzes speaks with Nairika Cornett, the museum's executive director. Plus, we hear about “SITE” at The Goat Farm Art Center on Oct. 5. Atlanta Art Fair director Kelly Freeman and Atlanta curator Karen Comer Lowe discuss the inaugural celebration at Pullman Yards.

Lois Reitzes speaks with Atlanta Art Week founder Kendra Walker about the annual event, which brings together a community of galleries, patrons, collectors, artists, and art industry professionals from all over the city. It takes place September 30th through October 6th. Plus, Atlanta artist Pilar discusses her new exhibition at the Atlanta Hartsfield Jackson airport, “Portals.” And WABE music contributor Dr. Scott Stewart shares a new episode of “Music in Media.” 

Former Georgia Governor Nathan Deal discusses his new children’s book, “Veto, the Governor’s Cat,” written in honor of his late wife, Sandra. Plus, Lois speaks with Pam Morton, director of the Arts & Authors program at the Marcus Jewish Community Center of Atlanta, and Olivia Aston Bosworth, director of “The Curious Cardinal,” which is showing at the MJCCA on Sept. 29. 

Literary expert Alison Law and Lois Reitzes kick off the “Bookmarked” series by discussing Banned Books Week and Decatur Book Festival. Plus, we hear from psychedelic/soul band Khruangbin ahead of their Atlanta concerts at the Fox Theatre and The Eastern. We also listen back to Lois’ conversation with Executive Producer John Zaller about “Titanic: An Immersive Voyage” at Exhibition Hub Art Center in Doraville. 

Jazz musician Will Scruggs details his plans to open the Phoenix City Jazz Club in Decatur. Plus, we’ll hear about the Computer Museum of America. The museum is in Roswell, Georgia, and executive director Rena Youngblood joined us to discuss their Apollo 11 exhibition.

This year, the students at Global Village Project are celebrating their achievements in music with the release of “Imagine a Circle: The Global Village Project Songbook.” The songs are written by and with GVP students, and selections will be performed at a celebration concert on September 28th at the Oakhurst Center for Community. “City Lights” host Lois Reitzes spoke with Global Village Project Director of Music Programs Elise Witt and Hannah Edber, Director of Education at Global Village Project ahead of the concert. Savory Stories hosts Akila McConnell and Chef Asata Reid continue their conversation on BBQ in Atlanta. Plus, we listen back to Lois Reitzes’ conversation with artist Gyun Hur about her Flux Project exhibit, "Our mothers, our water, our peace.”

Rachel Parish and Sarah Cameron Sunde explain the story behind their upcoming “Atlanta to the Atlantic” Flux Project installation. Terminus Modern Ballet co-founders Rachel Van Buskirk and Tara Lee discuss changes and a forthcoming farewell performance. Plus, artist Greg Mike details the new ABV gallery space in East Atlanta, and we hear about the High Museum’s upcoming “Access for All” day.

Tomer Zvulun, Atlanta Opera artistic director, and Dr. Carlos del Rio, infectious disease expert from Emory University School of Medicine, discuss the Atlanta Opera’s “Bohème Project.” Plus, hear about the “Pianos for Peace” project; musician John Michael, also known as Ralph Laurie, takes the spotlight for our series, “Speaking of Music,” and we learn about the Urban Regatta in Castleberry Hill.

Jimmy Carter’s grandson, Jason Carter, tells us about “Jimmy Carter 100: A Celebration in Song.” The eclectic concert will be held at the Fox Theatre on September 17. Plus, playwright Topher Payne and actor Amanda Cucher discuss “The Attala County Garden Club” at OnStage Atlanta September 13- 28, and we hear about “Off the Wall,” a film projection coming to the façade of 725 Ponce de Leon Ave.

Recorded live at Monday Night Garage, Lois speaks with Monday Night Brewing founders Jeff Heck and Joel Iverson. In the last 13 years, their company has evolved from a backyard post-work meet-up into an award-winning national beer company that we see in grocery stores, gas stations, bars, and restaurants. Then, we learn about the art and craft of brewing beer with brewmaster Peter Kiley and he walks Lois through some of Monday Night’s signature brews.

Challenge the Stats founder Angelica Hairston, and musician Jessy Diaz discuss their Latin Jazz Concert on September 14 at 3121 Norman Berry Dr, East Point, GA 30344. Comedian, writer, and performer Will Amato details “The Parlor Show,” coming to Dynamic El Durado on September 13. Plus, we hear from executive director Kara Walker about this year’s Morehouse College Human Rights Film Festival, and we get ready for Hispanic Heritage Month with an all-Spanish-speaking production of “Ana en el Tropico.”