Christine McKinley explains how the laws of the universe help us understand the laws of human behavior. Then we hear what her band, Swan Sovereign, has been up to. Plus David and Leana Galiel, a father-daughter game design team, explain their new storytelling game, JUX.

Photo credit: Alicia J. Rose

Black Prairie kicks out the jams on their new album, the ArtsEast Biennial 2014 highlights some amazing art from the 541 area code, and Wheatstock brings country and alt folk to Helix, Oregon.

Photo: "Twilight" by Debbie McIntosh

We get into the weeds of the relationship between musicians and developers with Simon Tam of The Slants, and Ryan Nikolaidis of Cloneless Media.

Walidah Imarisha reads from her new collection, Scars/Stars, and talks about the intersection of poetry and politics.

The Portland writer Courtenay Hameister reflects on the passing of Robin Williams.

The first Stumptown Improv Festival is taking place in Portland this weekend, and it’s a big deal for the city. Portland’s had a comedy explosion over the past few years — particularly in its stand-up scene. People like Ian Karmel and Ron Funches have gone off to L.A. and hit that highlight of any comic’s career, a spot on Conan O’Brien’s show. The Bridgetown Comedy Festival has become a national event, drawing talent from all over the country.

Now Portland’s improv scene is getting in on the action. Groups like The Liberators and Brainwaves have been around for years. And newer troupes like Whiskey Tango are entering the scene. This weekend, they’re joined by teams from L.A., Vancouver B.C., and Minneapolis. It’s a showcase some of the up-and-coming improv talent from around the country. We've got Shelley McLendon and John Breen from the Liberators to talk about craft, and the improv scene in Portland.

Plus, Shelley, John, and Live Wire head writer Courtenay Hameister pay their respects to the late Robin Williams (the improv bits with John Ritter we mentioned start around 48:00).

Playwright Robert Schenkkan and actor Jack Willis talk about bringing Lyndon Johnson to the stage for "All the Way" and "The Great Society" at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival. Sidnee Snell walks us through her fabric dying process

Walidah Imarisha examines social issues and racial tension through poetry, and "Art Behind Barbed Wire" features arts and crafts made in WWII internment camps.

We check out Portland's inagural Stumptown Improv Festival with PDX's The Liberators. Plus: comedians remember Robin Williams, and muralist Gwenn Seemel memorializes "Working" Kirk Reeves