169 Podcast

Hartford Stage has been a fixture of downtown Hartford since 1963, and for Connecticut theater buffs, few places are better to catch a show. But what does it take to put a season together?  We sit down with Managing Director Cynthia Rider to discuss their new rendition of Dracula and this season's new slate of shows, what it takes to build a season, producing every show in-house, and the wide range of programs and classes it offers kids and adults. Rider and Artistic Director Melia Bensussen form the first all-female leadership team at Hartford Stage. 

For more info about Hartford Stage, visit https://www.hartfordstage.org/

Think libraries are just about books? Think again. Need help becoming a U.S. citizen? Learning English? Looking for activities for your kids? Homework help? Want to learn how to quilt? Hartford Public Library has you covered. Bridget E. Quinn, President & CEO of Hartford Public Library, joins me to talk about the incredible variety of programs and services available and why libraries continue to be such an important part of the community. September is Library Card Sign-Up Month. If you live in Hartford and don't have a library card, there's no better time to get one! (But you should be going all year round!)

For more info about the Hartford Public Library visit https://www.hplct.org/

Why wouldn’t television and movie productions come to Connecticut? From the grit of Hartford, Bridgeport, and New Haven to the small-town charm of Bethel and the waterfronts of Mystic, New London, and Old Lyme, Connecticut has plenty to offer.  Bob Korin and Matthew Troy are part of the Bethel Film Committee working to attract location managers, production scouts, and directors to the area.  Both have backgrounds in film, and both are volunteer firefighters. We discuss what makes Bethel an ideal filming location, their efforts to bring more productions to Bethel, and their time as firefighters. 

For more info about the Bethel Film Committee visit https://bethel-ct.gov/ and search for Bethel Film Committee. 

You can also email the film committee directly at: [email protected]  

Former owner of his own construction company, volunteer at The Durham Fair, Membership Chairman for the New Haven Racoon Club, DJ, and potential radio personality, Hans Pedersen is many things. But Durham’s biggest supporter may top them all. If you think your city or town is better, Hans is here to tell you one thing: you’re wrong. 

For info about The Durham Fair visit https://www.durhamfair.com/

For info about the New Haven Racoon Club visit https://www.nhraccoonclub.com/

If you can make it in Canton, you can make it anywhere! Kathy Taylor wears many hats: town historian, President of Make It Canton, and Justice of the Peace. After living and working in communities across Connecticut, she put down roots in Canton. Kathy joins me to talk about what makes the town special—including the historic village of Collinsville—and why it’s a great place to live, work, and play. 

For more information about the Canton Historical Museum go to https://cantonmuseum.org/

For more information about Make It Canton go to https://mainstreetcanton.org/enhancing-canton/make-it-canton/

If you believe that civil discourse is dead, think again. For more than 30 years, The Connecticut Forum has brought people together for thought-provoking conversations with fascinating voices from across the spectrum. Executive Director Mana Zarinejad has been with the Forum since 2024, she joins me to discuss what drew her to the Forum, how its dynamic panel discussions come together, upcoming events, and their excellent Youth Outreach Program. 

For more information about The Connecticut Forum and upcoming events, visit https://www.ctforum.org/

Today we visit the Clock City of Bristol and speak with Arianna Therriault. She is the City Arts and Culture Supervisor who has been tasked with developing year-round arts and culture programs including programming for Downtown Live at the Rockwell Theater and supporting the work of the City Arts and Culture Commission. We discuss her vision for boosting the arts and culture scene in Bristol, the city officially being designated as a cultural district, and Bristol All Heart.

For more information about Downtown Live at the Rockwell Theater go to https://downtownlivect.com/  

This episode was taped in June. Since then, Robert Kwalick has retired as Executive Director of Bantam Cinema & Arts Center.   In this conversation, he shares the story of how he became executive director, offers insight into Bantam Cinema, and discusses the wide range of programs the organization offers. Bantam Cinema & Arts Center is Connecticut’s oldest continuously operated movie theater. For more info go to https://www.bantamcinema.org/ 

Joel Samberg is the President of Playhouse 44 and a driving force behind its creation. Playhouse 44 is a 501(c)3, not-for-profit, all-volunteer, performing arts group created by and for people of all ages, backgrounds, and experiences throughout the Farmington Valley. 

For more info about Playhouse 44 go to https://playhouse44.org/