Alabama Arts Radio

In this episode, Jacqueline Viskup and Ren Carroll learn about the history of the Freedom Quilting Bee in conversations with Kim V. Kelly, volunteer director

In this episode, Annemarie Anderson talks with Caitlin Lollar, director of the Folk School at Camp McDowell. They discuss the history of the folk school, what people can expect when they attend classes there, and upcoming classes for the year.

In this episode, Rosemary Johnson talks with Tanya Wideman-Davis and Thaddeus Davis of the Wideman-Davis Dance Company about their work with the community to create performances based on everyday black life in Montgomery, using archival photographs to spark the process. 

In this episode Rosemary Johnson of the Alabama Dance Council talks with Tanya Wideman-Davis and Thaddeus Davis of Wideman-Davis Dance about their approaches to developing a dance piece in collaboration with a community, referencing Migratuse Ataraxia, which they presented in collaboration with the community of Harpersville, Alabama and Klein Arts and Culture.

In this episode, Rosemary Johnson, executive director of the Alabama Dance Council, talks with Lindsay Viatorri of Helen Simeneau Danse. As one of the largest gatherings of dancers and dance enthusiasts in the Southeast, the Alabama Dance Festival features master classes with world-renowned teachers, audition opportunities, teacher training, networking, performances by regional dance groups, and a guest company.  Each year, the Alabama Dance Festival boasts a weekend full of performances.  Participants and public alike enjoy work presented in a range of styles and traditions by schools, studios, companies, and choreographers.

In this episode, Annemarie Anderson talks with Jennifer McCohnell, an artist who talks about the traditional arts practiced in her family and how they influence her work and artistic choices. She reflects on how learning from traditional masters gives a depth of understanding of the tradition and her role in its practice.

In this episode, Amy Jenkins visits St. Bernard Abbey in Cullman, Alabama to learn more about the Ave Maria Grotto and Brother Joseph Zoettl, the monk who created the miniature buildings that replicate religious and secular sites. She talks with Abbot Marcus Voss, Roger Steele, and Renée Welsh to get perspectives on the significance of the Grotto and what it means to visitors.

In this episode,  Deb Boykin visits with Debbie Bond, a blues singer, guitarist and historian and a co-founder of the Alabama Blues Project. Debbie talks about the artists she’s worked with and documented, describes her songwriting process, and explains a bit about Alabama Blues History. She also talks about her CD, Blues Without Borders.

In this episode, Annemarie Anderson talks with Kerry Dunaway, Director of the Clarke County Historical Museum about their upcoming event Pioneer Days. Traditional storyteller Debra Robinson and Winky Hicks, banjo player and luthier talk about their traditions and give a preview of their performances.

In this episode, Jacqueline Viskup talks with Caroline Reddick-Lawson, director, and Mariah Reilly and Chason Marvin, leads in Ashes and Ink, the current production of Nora’s Playhouse. Reilly and Marvin perform an excerpt from the play and all three discuss the process of working with playwright Martha Pichey  to develop the show.