This week I welcome videographer, filmmaker, Burning Treehouse Film Company founder and my fellow Manhattanville College alumni Joe Hughes to my podcast. With well over a decade of film work under his belt, this experienced video producer is the proud founder and CEO of Westchester's leading video productions business. Burning Treehouse Film Company handles all aspects of productions with Joe's stellar team of highly professional freelancers by his side. From corporate advertisements to weddings to indie films to documentaries to podcasts, his well-rounded productions company services diverse clientele. The company website burningtreehousefilmcompany.com boasts an impressive array of testimonials, sample reels and much more. This excitingly nouveau enterprise is also on Instagram, as well as Facebook. In addition to directing this dynamic film company, Joe Hughes also takes on independent projects of his own from time to time. This podcast episode is a deep dive into the the wondrous world of a young rising star in the Westchester film productions industry.

My guest this week is singer, model, content creator and environmental activist Rae Simone. As a part of The Hudson Valley Blues Society, this multi-talented artist performs steadily at various New York venues. She has graced many local hotspots with her talents including Rockwood Music Hall, Carmine’s Deli and Studio Around the Corner. With her recorded music available for sale, she includes a limited number of classic vinyl records in her merchandise. As a defender of the Earth, she is deeply involved in the organizing of litter clean-up initiatives. Her creativity is an endless wellspring, as she also models in unique photo-shoots. It is an honor to have this dynamic, wonderfully talented creative on State of the Arts for such an important episode!

State of the Arts Episode 133: The Father's Day Special just released! This week I commemorate Edwin Anthony Osborne II, my grandfather on my father's side. The Osborne family relocated to the United States from the United Kingdom in the late 1700s for business purposes. There is a strong possibility that they were related to The Duke of Leeds in Yorkshire (the lineage has not been traced recently. But it's on my bucket list to do so). My Pa Pa Ed's grandfather George Osborne fought courageously in the Civil War. He continued to be an entrepreneur after the war. Although Great-Great Grandpa George lived in the beautiful melting pot that was and still is New York, he and my great-great grandmother were not thrilled when their British Episcopalian son Edwin Anthony fell in love with an Irish Catholic recreational writer by the name of Betsy McHugh. My Great Grandparents eloped despite both of their families' outrage. The star-crossed lovers were "disowned" by both the Osbornes and the McHughs. Sadly their families never spoke to them again. But they made a life for themselves on Long Island and had three children (one of them was my Pa Pa Ed). Pa Pa Ed excelled in school and was blessed with the writing gene from his mother. After attending New York University he was hired as an entry-level reporter by Editor-in-Chief William Anderson of the Brooklyn Gazette. He fell in love with his employer's daughter Oressa, my Nana. They enjoyed the thrills of the metropolitan area together. Like my Nana, Pa Pa Ed also loved the New York City nightlife, live music, dancing, the beach, sailing and amusement parks on Coney Island. Surprisingly enough though, my Nana was the Brooklyn Dodgers fan, while my Pa Pa was not very interested in following sports. After they married, Pa Pa Ed and Nana Oressa settled down in Rockaway Beach, Queens and my Dad was born. Pa Pa Ed loved dogs. So, they always had at least one canine companion. He was also the Scoutmaster of my Dad's boy scout troop. Pa Pa Ed believed in helping children find their confidence to become leaders in the future. With very strong feelings about human rights, Pa Pa Ed had written many articles that were considered extremely progressive for that time. At a young age, he assumed the position of Editor-in-Chief when his father-in-law William Anderson retired early due to some health issues. Pa Pa Ed's writing skills did not go unnoticed by larger papers. The New York Times gave him a part-time position as a columnist as well. And occasionally he did some freelance editing for a Long Island newspaper. Tragically as my grandfather's career flourished he was diagnosed with liver cancer. Out of convenience he left his positions to take a job as Chief Editor of a local paper near his home. This shortened his commute time as he endured cancer treatments. He passed away quite abruptly when he wasn't even middle-aged yet. My Nana Oressa sold their home and moved back in with her father William along with my Dad. Pa Pa Ed's stellar writing abilities, passion for social justice and compassion for both people and animals were passed along to my Dad. In time my Dad influenced me with all these attributes. I have so many fond memories of bringing my writings to my Dad to edit, fawning over animals with him and our long talks about social issues. I never met my Pa Pa Ed. But I can sense his legacy every time I write, every time I pet my cat's cuddly fur and every time I do my best to stand up for what is right.

The Van Gogh Immersive Experience is an art exhibit celebrating the life and work of Vincent Van Gogh. This exhibit offers a dalliance for the senses as patrons step inside paintings through virtual reality, digital exhibitions and a theatrical set-style room. This experience can be found in cities all over the world in many different nations. I had the opportunity to enjoy this mesmerizing adventure when my husband Joe and I visited Albany last month. The Experience has four distinct sections: the high-tech gallery that is a deep view into the artist's life story, the immense room that features two-story light projections that liven his work into motion, the interactive room that allows participants to color their own Van Gogh paintings and the virtual reality experience. A few years after its initial creation this exhibit has become a popular international franchise pop up. This week Joe joins me to review this magnetic excursion that we embarked on for my birthday.

State of the Arts Episode 131: The Pride Month Special just released. The legendary Greek Poetess Sappho was most likely born around 620 BCE to a prominent family on the island of Lesbos during a golden age for culture and art. Sappho is considered by many scholars as one of the best poets of all time. She is often referred to as "The Poetess" as Homer is often referred to as "The Poet." Plato called her "The Tenth Muse" and her image has been depicted on Greek currency as well as statues. However, there were many bigots in history who attacked and ridiculed her for being a lesbian. Her writings and even proven facts about her life have been altered in some arenas to serve the beliefs of certain readers. Recently Sappho's original poetry has gained much popularity thanks to progressing times. Aside from her focus on love in her work, Sappho contributed in other ways to the lyric genre. Her intensions for writing poetry were for the enjoyment and appreciation of her writings by close friends and lovers. Little did she know the impact her art would have on the world of poetry. Understandably Sappho is recognized as one of the greatest poets in literary history. This episode is a tribute to this timeless literary artist.

State of the Arts Episode 130; the Mental Health Awareness Month Special just released. This week my esteemed co-host Anthony Bonilla and I team up to review the 1944 classic drama film Gaslight. In addition, this is the unofficial second half of the Angela Lansbury Tribute Episode as she was the supporting actress in this gripping film noir. Gaslight was a ground-breaking film that dared to address the issue of narcissists, sociopaths and psychopaths using the manipulative technique of gaslighting the innocent to force them into believing that they are the mentally disturbed ones. The term "gaslighting" is used today in modern psychology and psychiatry because of this cutting-edge movie. An all-star cast boasts Ingrid Bergman as Paula, the lead character who was emotionally tormented by a cunning, deceitful man she married. Charles Boyer was cast as the abusive master-manipulator. Joseph Cotten had the role of the heroic family friend who worked tirelessly to rescue the victim from her perpetrator and of course, Angela Lansbury was the devious housekeeper who (along with the other deceitful servant) assists the abuser in gaslighting the lady of the house. The story takes place in the Edwardian Era when gas lights were used in many homes. The two vindictive housekeepers turned the gas lights up and down while the abusive husband convinced his wife that she is imagining it all. Thanks to this revolutionary masterpiece, many important issues have been brought to light (no pun intended). Tune in for a very informative episode about one of the most important and captivating drama films in the history of cinema.

State of the Arts Episode 129: The Asian Heritage Month Special just released! Cantonese opera is an elaborate form of performance that combines extravagant costumes, striking makeup, lively theatrics and powerful vocals. I warmly recall my grandparents using the slang word "douk douk chong" to refer to Cantonese opera. This astonishing form of opera was first performed during the reign of the Ming Dynasty Emperor Jiajing from 152 to 1567. Originally based on the older forms of Chinese opera, Cantonese opera began to add local folk melodies, Cantonese instrumentation, and eventually even Western popular tunes. Two different types of styles make up the Cantonese Opera repertoire—Mo, meaning "martial arts," and Mun, or "intellectual"—wherein the melodies are entirely secondary to the lyrics. Mo performances are fast-paced, involving stories of warfare, bravery and betrayal. The actors often carry weapons as props, and the elaborate costumes may be as heavy as actual armor. Mun, on the other hand, tends to be a slower, more polite art form. The actors use their vocal tones, facial expressions, and long flowing "water sleeves" to express complex emotions. Most of the Mun stories are romances, morality tales, ghost stories, or famous Chinese classic tales or myths. Today, Hong Kong is at the center of efforts to keep Cantonese opera alive and thriving. The Hong Kong Academy for the Performing Arts offers two-year degrees in Cantonese Opera Performance, and the Arts Development Council sponsors opera classes for the city's children. Through such concerted effort, this unique and intricate form of Chinese opera may continue to find an audience for decades to come. This episode is a tribute to the majestic, the beguiling, the dramatic form of theatre known as Cantonese Opera.

State of the Arts Episode 127: Fashion designer and Loola Doola boutique owner Lauren Morris joins me on my podcast for an intriguing interview. Loola Doola is a charming boutique with original pieces that range from playful accessories to cutting edge apparel to vintage items. Feminine, fun, exotic, chic, timeless or elegant. Loola Doola has something that suits every woman's style. Lauren M is the sole designer of unique clutch purses that have been featured in Westchester Magazine several times. These one-of-a-kind statement pieces also won Best of Westchester 2018 for best clutches. Her purses are the signature item of Loola Doola. Making a generous effort to give back to the community, Loola Doola is involved with many local charitable organizations, including Sister to Sister International, Inc., The Acceleration Project and The Women's Club of White Plains. Loola Doola's location is an enchanting store front with two levels of creativity and design. Should a visitor choose to forgo the welcoming staircase, an elevator with an artistic decor is available. Vibrant fabrics, sewing stations and plush furniture embrace the senses as one tours this remarkable shop. With a Parisian-like atmosphere and a unique experience tailored for each individual shopper, Loola Doola offers a fashion adventure that is unparalleled. I am deeply thankful for this inspiring interview with this creative, intelligent and engaging entrepreneur. For more information about Loola Doola, please explore looladoolaboutique.com.

State of the Arts Episode 126: The Autism Awareness Month Special just released! Spectrum Designs is an enterprise that creates meaningful and inclusive employment opportunities for people on the Autism Spectrum. This remarkable business produces apparel, office items, posters, tote bags and other merchandise. Spectrum Bakes and Spectrum Suds are also affiliates of Spectrum Designs. All proceeds from these nonprofits go towards the ongoing expansion and advancement of hiring and retaining an inclusive, integrated workforce. Spectrum's staff have the support of educational specialists who help with behavioral and personal goals while aiding the development of career skills thanks to its partnership with The Nicholas Center. This week I was extremely fortunate to have taken a tour of the Pleasantville location of Spectrum Designs and to have interviewed Operations Manager Josh Eagle for State of the Arts. The experience was absolutely enchanting as I was welcomed into a positive, supportive environment. The facility boasted an efficient collection of equipment and technologies as well. They offer screen printing, embroidery, digital printing, pad printing and promotional products. The inspirational, highly qualified staff prints or procures fine-quality, reasonably-priced items at a speedy pace for their clients continuously. A huge thank you to everyone who is a part of this extraordinary organization. To find out more information about Spectrum Designs, inquire about their services or to make a donation please go to their website: https://www.spectrumdesigns.org/