Nothing quite beats snuggling up under a handmade quilt on a cold winter day. But for the members of the Great Lakes African American Quilters’ Network, quilts are more than just a way to stay warm. They are works of art, connecting their makers to a shared culture and to each other. 

Stateside producer April Van Buren went to the guild’s most recent meeting to learn more about this unique community of crafters. 

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Music in this episode by Blue Dot Sessions.

 

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This year, acclaimed contemporary artist and Kalamazoo native Kaphar made the leap into narrative filmmaking. His semi-autobiographical film is titled Exhibiting Forgiveness. 

The film follows painter Terrell, played by André Holland, as he wrestles with generational trauma and navigates his relationship with his estranged father, played by John Earl Jelks, who has reappeared in his life unexpectedly.

The Detroit Institute of Arts will screen the film Dec. 11-15.

GUEST:

Titus Kaphar, contemporary artist, producer, writer, and director of Exhibiting Forgiveness

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Music in this episode by Blue Dot Sessions. 

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Author and journalist Tracie McMillan discusses her family's harrowing time navigating the American healthcare system after her mother was diagnosed with MS and then suffered a traumatic brain injury. 

GUEST:

Tracie McMillan, journalist and author of "The White Bonus"

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Levon Kafafian's new exhibition at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Detroit features artifacts of an fantastical, imagined future for the Armenian diaspora. The show, titled Portal Fire: Shrine of the Torchbearer, features a mix of soft sculptures, wall hangings, carpets, and costumes. The exhibition is inspired by Kafafian's forthcoming graphic novel of the same name.  

Kafafian joined Stateside to talk about their textile work and worldbuilding process. 

GUEST:

Levon Kafafian, Detroit-based artist

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Music in this episode by Blue Dot Sessions. Additional music featuring 

We also featured Lara Sarkissian's Our Dead Can't Rest (Old Jugha Flute Dance)

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The Grand Rapids police officer who shot and killed resident Patrick Lyoya two years ago will stand trial on murder charges. That's after the Michigan Supreme Court declined to hear the officer's appeal on the charges. 

GUEST:

Dustin Dwyer, West Michigan reporter, Michigan Public

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The practice of Anishinaabe contemporary artist Kelly Church marries traditional craft with stunning visuals in her Black Ash basketry. In this conversation you'll hear how she learned the craft, how it's done, and the impact of the invasive Emerald Ash Borer on the tradition. You can see Kelly's work at the UM Stamps School in Ann Arbor now.

GUEST:

• Kelly Church, Anishinaabe artist

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This podcast originally published September 5, 2024.

Founding Nine Inch Nails drummer shares his journey from performing on stage and producing electronic music to teaching the next generation musicians.

GUEST:

• Chris Vrenna, Multi-instrumentalist, producer, engineer, composer, Grammy award winning programmer, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, founding Nine Inch Nails and current associate professor at the University of Michigan’s School of Music, Theatre & Dance in the Department of Performing Arts Technology.

 

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Music in this episode by Blue Dot Sessions.  

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A couple weeks ago, Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan announced he would not seek a fourth term as mayor of the city. It was widely speculated he would run for governor of Michigan in 2026. Well that day came this week when he announced not only that he would run for governor, but also that he would run not as a Democrat - which he is - but as an Independent. 

GUESTS:

Mike Duggan, mayor of Detroit
Louis Aguilar, reporter, Detroit News

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Recently, Carlos Tavares has announced his resignation after nearly four years as the CEO of Stellantis. This year, the car maker has been facing many obstacles among larger market changes, which resulted with the company laying off more than 1,000 workers in Warren, Michigan in October.

Luke Ramseth, an autos and dusiness reporter at the Detroit News, talked with Stateside about the recent news of Tavares’s resignation.

GUESTS ON TODAY’S SHOW:

• Luke Ramseth, Autos and Business Reporter at The Detroit News

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Music in this episode by Blue Dot Sessions.

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Steve St. Juliana is the father of Hana St. Juliana, who was 14-years-old when she and three other students were victims of a school shooting at Oxford High school. Now, Steve, alongside other victims' families, is urging the state to conduct an independent investigation into the events at the school that preceded the shooting. We talked to him about his continued push for accountability and justice.

GUEST: 

Steve St. Juliana, father of Hana St. Juliana

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Music in this episode by Blue Dot Sessions.

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