Crosscurrents

When Bill Fontana sees a still object, he doesn’t just notice what it looks like, he wonders what it sounds like. He asks himself, “what does it hear?” Bill is a sound sculptor. He places microphones and vibration sensors on objects, then speakers project sounds from the objects - sounds that can’t really be heard with the human ear alone. The results are beautiful, other worldly, meditative sounds and he’s been doing this for 50 years, all around the world. Now, Bill is Grace Cathedral’s 2026 Artist in Residence. His latest installation is called “Resonance.” KALW’s Jenee Darden spoke with him on “The Sights + Sounds Show.” 

Grace Cathedral is a place where people gather around sound. They host organ recitals, sound baths and of course choirs. And it's where Bay Area singer and songwriter Bobby McFerrin first led a group in the practice of circle singing. It’s a form of group vocal improvisation that helps people connect by creating music in community. Reporter Sheryl Kaskowitz brings us this story from 2024.  

Most days, the corner of Green Street and Van Ness Avenue, in San Francisco.. sounds like any other place in the city — Cars, joggers, the occasional barking dog. But if you’re there on Sunday mornings, you’ll hear something magical. In this story from 2023, reporter Quinn Nelson introduces us to the bell ringers of Holy Trinity Church. 

Today, we go behind the scenes of the local comedy scene. Then, an improv theater celebrates 40 years of encouraging actors to do what comes naturally to them. And, we hear from comedians contending with social change in their own way.

The Bay Area comedy scene has given us many gifts: A robust improv ecosystem fostered sketch comedy for a national stage, and nurtured stand up comedians for generations, from Robin Williams to Ali Wong. Our area is blessed with a rich and diverse comedy scene, and it can be a lot to keep track of.

To help folks get a feel for that scene, KALW recently hosted a group of local comedians at our Live Events Space in downtown San Francisco. Elizabeth Truong is an intern with us. She was there and has this report on their conversation.

Brian Lohmann, co-founded Bay Area Theater Sports or BATS. It’s the largest and longest-running improvised theater company in Northern California. And this year, they’re celebrating their 40th anniversary. 

To talk about this milestone and their plans for the future, we hear from his fellow co-founder William Hall who is an improv teacher and performer. William recently spoke to KALW’s Jeneé Darden for her show ‘Sights and Sounds.’ 

Humor can be a source of laughter and - a form of political resistance. It’s a scary time for many immigrants in this country right now and it may feel weird to be turning to humor, but for some comedians, it’s actually the perfect time to do just that.

Immigration reporter Wendy Reyes brings us this story from 2025, about using comedy to empower and unite people in this moment. 

Today, we’re gonna go back 30 years to a moment when major artists came together for nonviolence, freedom, and Tibet: The Tibetan Freedom Concerts. 

In the Summer of 1996, the very first show happened right here in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park. 

Now, KALW is partnering with Rangzen and Adonde Media to bring you a six-part audio documentary about what it took to put together one of the largest concert series of the 90’s.

The series is called ‘Freedom needs a soundtrack’ and today we’re bringing you a taste here on the show. Their host Erin Potts was an activist teenager back in the '80s. And when she dreamed, she dreamed BIG. She became the driving force and co-founder of the concerts and now she tells us the story.

Girls flag football is growing, and opening doors for players that didn’t exist just a few years ago. Today, we explore why coaches, athletes, and major brands believe girls flag football is just getting started.

Today, a new episode of Uncuffed that’s all sports, play, and the pleasure of competition. We’ve got stories from the track and the chess board. Plus, life lessons from a boxing ring.