Crosscurrents

On Repeat, is KALW's mini-pod for music discovery. It’s hosted by Tshego Letsoalo, KALW’s Music Editorial Director. In the show Tshego talks with KALW music programmers about the songs they can’t stop listening to. And in this episode from 2024, Tshego talks with Devon Strolovitch, host of KALW’s Fog City Blues.

For nearly 50 years, Mission Cultural Center for Latino Arts has been a community anchor in San Francisco’s Mission district. In January, the center shut down indefinitely because of financial troubles. 

Activists and community members have been rallying to reopen it. The city owns the 37,000-square-foot building that’s now under the control of the San Francisco Arts Commission. Paul S. Flores is a poet and educator. He serves on a programming committee to help save the center. Jenee Darden is the host of KALW’s Sights and Sounds Show. She spoke with Paul to get an update and clarity on what’s happening with the center. 

Today, a young jazz singer from East Oakland is drawing fans of all ages. Then, an UnCuffed producer recalls a proud childhood moment that stays with him. And, an explosion of flowers! We’re digging into “super blooms”

The Oakland vocalist's music is a blend of hip hop, R&B, soul and jazz. Like good, old-soul jazz that reminds Host Jeneé Darden of the kind of jazz she used to hear out of her Texan granddaddy's truck.

Over the years you may have heard of the term “Super Bloom” from social media posts of people with vibrant fields of flowers behind them. But where did this term come from? Is it scientific? Or is it just a social media phenomenon? In 2019 KALW’s Marissa Ortega-Welch explored a few theories about the origins of this “super bloom” mania… and its impact.

Uncuffed producer Jorge Lopez recounts a memorable race where he got motivation from someone special in the stands.

San Francisco’s Mayor has been tight lipped about his infamous call with President Trump. Today, we hear about the people working for transparency. Then, why the WNBA’s first contract negotiations in six years have come to a standstill. And, a Bay Area poet reflects on Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl Halftime Show.

Four months ago, President Trump vowed to send National Guardsmen into the streets of San Francisco, claiming that they would be sent to reduce crime. This was amid similar deployments to Washington, D.C. and Chicago — both major cities run by Democratic mayors.

But the night before the deployment was to begin, San Francisco's Mayor Daniel Lurie spoke to Trump in a phone call. And, the next day, the President reversed his decision on deploying the Federal troops. 

Joe Rivano Barros is a senior editor with Mission Local, who has been following the fight to uncover the details of the Trump-Lurie call.

KALW’s BOUNCE host Erin Lim speaks to Crosscurrents host Hana Baba about WNBA ongoing contract negotiations between the players and the league owners. 

The Superbowl was held right here in the Bay Area this year. Now, San Jose poet Ellie Lopez helps us all consider the cultural significance of Bad Bunny's performance at this year's Superbowl. Here is her latest poem "When the NFL announced Bad Bunny as the halftime performance."