This episode highlights Maria Vivar, an important community member and tradition bearer of the Oaxacan community here in New Brunswick, New Jersey, and her work in adapting Day of the Dead traditions so they can continue in New Brunswick. In New Brunswick, Maria Vivar overcame the obstacle of the lack of marigolds available, which are the flowers that the Oaxacan community uses to decorate the altars for Day of the Dead. Despite this setback, Maria learned to create marigolds out of tissue paper so the Oaxacan community could make their own flowers to decorate their alters.

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Written and Produced by Emma Young

Featuring Interviews with Maria Vivar

With thanks to LAZOS America Unida

Music from the collaborative database, Freesound

In this episode, Lourdes and Estela Rojas are highlighted and honored for their dedication to paying homage to the Oaxacan community and identity. The purpose of the podcast is to bring light to the hands behind the build-up and how they do what they do.

Written and Produced By: Jessica Leguizamon

Featuring Interviews With:

Lourdes and Estela, Dr. Carlos Fernandez

With Thanks to: Help from Blake Merwin and Walker Perry

Music: Artur Sky - Mexican Music

Cesaria Evora - Amro di Mundo

Classical New Age Piano Music - Spring Waltz

This episode follows two interviews with practitioners of Indian classical cance who have followed very different paths to an appreciation of the techniques, meanings, and experiences of the art form. Kinga Malec is a professional dancer, choreographer, and teacher specializing in Kathak. She grew up with a strong love of dance, partaking in Polish folk dance and dabbling in ballet, as well as training professionally in figure skating. But her discovery of Kathak compelled a series of journeys, from India to the world stage. Anuradha Nehru is the artistic director of Kalanidhi, a Kuchipudi dance company based in DC known for its elite standards and professional large-scope productions that it has taken across many stages, from the Library of Congress to the Lincoln Center.

Episode by Laliltha Vallabhaneni

Interviews with Kinda Malex and Anuradha Nehru

Anthony Mendia is a community organizer who grew up in the New Brunswick Oaxacan community. As a Rutgers alum, Tony offers a unique perspective on what it was like to grow up next to New Jersey’s State University and the challenges facing first-generation students.

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Written and Produced By: Gillian Dauer

Featuring Interviews With: Anthony Mendia

With Thanks to: Dr. Maria Kennedy, Blake Lew-Merwin, and Walker Perry

Music: freesounds.org -- Ambience, Children Playing, Distant, A by InspectorJ; Emotional Piano by tictac9; Soft Piano Loop #1 by ispeakwaves; traffic horns city nervous busy by klankbeeld; Hubbub - Red Lion Cafe by stereoscenic

The Copalli Collective is a business run by artists Danny Teppi and Gabriela Bahena. Together, they purchase arts and crafts from artisans in Mexico to sell in their New York - based shop. Danny and Gabriela tell us how they've grown their business and why their close relationships with artisans matters in an international economy that often overlooks the contributions and value of small family-run craft businesses.

Episode Credits

Interviewer: Celia Sanchez Bachman

Sound Engineer: Zach Voelbel and Celia Sanchez Bachman

Interviewees: Gabriela Bahena, Danny Teppi, Juan Aguirre

Music Used

Track Name: Morenita, uploaded by Texas Music Forge on freesound.com

This podcast episode uncovers Renaissance man and activist Paul Robeson’s musical performances while attending Rutgers in the early 20th century.  Using the Rutgers Special Collections and University Archives we will discuss Robeson’s experiences at Rutgers and how they reflect upon his legacy and his life after graduating. The episode uses Paul Robeson’s life as a vehicle to understand the Rutgers archives and their importance to the community, and in connecting the past to the present.

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Podcast by Ray Bess

Interview with Erika Gorder

Special thanks to Rutgers Special Collections and University Archives, The Paul Robeson House & Museum, The Paul Robeson Cultural Center, The Paul Robeson Collection, Erika Gorder, Anthony Fatovic, Jaclyn Fanelli, William Westerman, and James Malchow,

Kuf Knotz is an MC/ Poet/ Songwriter. Christine Elise is a classically trained Harpist/ Guitarist/ Pianist/ Vocalist. Together they create music. Tune in to the Meet the New Directions in Folk Music: Kuf Knotz & Christine Elise podcast to learn how the pair first met, how they’ve created music together, and how they help people reach their fullest potential through offering motivational creative healing workshops.

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Written and Produced by Emily Borowski

Featuring Interviews with Kuf Knotz and Christine Elise

With Thanks to Matt Hueston, Associate Director of the New Jersey Folk Festival.

Music:

Kuf Knotz & Christine Elise - Open Heart (Live Acoustic) | Sugarshack Sessions

Kuf Knotz & Christine Elise - Spirit Walk (Live Acoustic) | Sugarshack Sessions

Arrested Development- The Same People (feat. SKYY HIGH 305, Kuf Knotz, Christine Elise & Configa)

Kuf Knotz & Christine Elise- Spirit Walk- NJFF Studio Recording Version