Michael A. Costa, Anna Dollar, and DYLIS (Anna's man/our theme composer) gather 'round Deanna's mics to talk relationships. Specifically, the group discusses the challenges and benefits of having an artistic partner. The diverse pairs represent nearly all forms of media, and have been lovers of the arts all their (albeit, relatively short) lives. The couples also represent two vastly different stages of romance; this Valentine's Day is Anna and Dylis's first anniversary. For Michael and Deanna, this the eighth dance with Cupid. Later in the episode, we're treated to Dylis's most recent single. Deanna also keeps us up to date on the Coming Attractions, which can be found here: https://artsfuse.org/195102/coming-attractions-february-9-through-25-what-will-light-your-fire/

As one of the Fuse's music reviewers, Deanna has a lot to say about this year's Grammys awards. Listen in for her thoughts on artists such as Ariana Grande, Billie Eilish, Lil Nas X and Lizzo. Later in the episode, Juniper graces us with their recent hit, "Regret". Find the full Coming Attractions listing here: https://artsfuse.org/193127/coming-attractions-january-12-through-28-what-will-light-your-fire/

Bill Marx and Deanna have about 40 years between them, making for a robust conversation analyzing the years 2010-2029. The duo wonders how climate change will impact society in the coming years, as the issue should become a source of inspiration for great art. They discuss the political and economic challenges over the past decade, breaking down how technology has impacted the way we interact and create. We close out the show with Bill's explanation of our winter appeal. Looking to donate? See here: https://artsfuse.org/keep-the-fuse-lit/.

The Greater Boston Area is brimming with the holiday spirit, and so are we! Deanna categorizes and highlights the best of this year’s offerings. Look no further for recommendations of local Singalongs, Concerts, Movies and Plays. Ken Field gives us a music break from all that information with his original piece, “Canned Chicken”. We wrap up the show by highlighting Fuse contributor Susan Miron’s recent review. Miron covers two albums, Jordi Savall’s reworking of Messiah by Handel and A Spanish Nativity by Stile Antico. Her full article can be found here: https://artsfuse.org/191107/classical-cd-reviews-two-holiday-albums-that-strike-like-thunderbolts/

Remember that walkie-talkie conversation from Episode 1? The boys are back again, musing on Matt's obituary for renowned scholar Harold Bloom. Steve Provizer's final Cultural Curmudgeon takes on New Orleans Jazz straight from Matt's new home. We round out the evening with a sampling of the latest Coming Attractions, including a quick lover letter to Dolly Parton. Find more upcoming New England arts events here: https://artsfuse.org/191581/coming-attractions-december-1-through-15-what-will-light-your-fire/.

We start the show in conversation with Glenn Rifkin, freelance journalist extraordinaire. You can find Glenn's book here: https://www.futureforwardbook.com. Searching his name on our site will pull up all of his archived articles. Check out the featured artist, Juniper, at: https://www.junipertheband.com/. On that note -- thanks again to DYLIS for our intro, outro, and transitions. This episode includes Coming Attractions taking place from November 17 - 30, 2019. Last, but not least, Deanna reads from her review of last month's new rap singles. Danny Brown, Frank Ocean, Travis Scott and Gang Starr get high praise; Kanye gets heavy criticism.

We start this season with dispatches from the road, thanks to our pioneering co-hosts, Matt Hanson and Lucas Spiro. The audio quality of the interview is less than stellar, but we can only get better from here! Matt shares about his first few months in his new home, New Orleans, while Lucas regales us with tales from his extensive honeymoon trip along the American Roads. Later in the episode, Fuse contributor Steve Provizer stops by with his Cultural Curmudgeon feature. Tonight's journey is rounded out with highlights from the magazine's Coming Attractions, which can be found here: https://artsfuse.org/189709/coming-attractions-october-20-through-november-3-what-will-light-your-fire/.

It's the end of an era. This is the final episode of the first run of The Arts Fuse Podcast. Matt is moving to New Orleans, and Lucas is taking an extended hiatus and then moving back to Dublin, Ireland. For this episode, Matt and Lucas kick back and have a friendly chat between two good old boys, discussing the bizarre OJ Simpson Twitter feed, and how we're more easily bored these days.

The fellas then take a deep dive into Matt Hanson's review of Martin Scorsese's new Netflix documentary Rolling Thunder Revue: A Bob Dylan Story and let their obsessions drive the content.

From Matt's review:

"Unsurprisingly, the main subject’s notorious elusiveness means that expectations of some ostensibly “real” or “intimate” look at Dylan’s inner life, both at the time the tour was being filmed and looking back via contemporary interviews, will be frustrated. He’s not some all-knowing wizard calculatedly pulling the strings; instead, he is content to be the relatively quiet eye of the hurricane of talent that came together for a strange, adventurous, and memorable trip around the country during a particularly uneasy time in its history."

It's a very chill episode, with two friends having fun talking about movies and music and more.

Thanks to all of you who have listened and supported the show during its first run. Matt and Lucas are eternally grateful.

Have no fear! The Arts Fuse Podcast will be returning soon in a new format, this time being led by Deanna Costa, so keep an eye out and keep listening and reading the best arts coverage in the Boston area from The Arts Fuse.

Thanks again.

https://artsfuse.org/185769/film-review-rolling-thunder-revue-a-bob-dylan-story-by-martin-scorsese/

https://www.patreon.com/theartsfuse

https://theartsfuse.simplecast.fm/

For anyone who is wondering, this is where we've been getting almost all of the music you hear on the show: http://www.jazz-on-line.com/. Our closing theme has been "Anything Goes" by Patrick et son Orchestre de Danse.

We have our first married couple on the show to talk video games, micro-transactions, and fear and loathing at PAX East. Local burgeoning writer, and newcomer to The Arts Fuse critics circle, Michael Costa joins the show to report on the Fuse's coverage of 2019's PAX East, a major video game convention that your host knows nothing about. He also happens to be Deanna's husband, but I won't say that's how he got the gig. We'll explore questions related to video games as art, the economics of gaming, and just what the heck those kids are up to.

Then we welcome community organizer and children's books writer Jacob Kramer to talk about breaking the rules. His work infuses a poetics of revolutionary thought with childlike wonder, encouraging readers of all ages to consider the possible, and challenge the cynics. His book More Bats, about the practical realities of what might happen if the "maximize bats" - more parks, better health care, education programs - was an insert in Jacobin's "Childhood" issue. His latest book is about a pasta loving elephant named Noodlephant, who stands up to the injustice of an oppressive kangaroo regime, conveying the timeless message of civil rights to a new generation.

You can read and order Jacob's work on his website, jacobakramer.com.

10% of proceeds from Noodlephant go to support the work of Black and Pink, a prison abolition organization. You can buy the book, donate directly, or both.

Michael's pieces on The Arts Fuse can be found here and here.

Don't forget to support The Arts Fuse during our winter appeal! Only a few more days left to donate and every dollar helps.

We've been ballin' on a budget for almost 12 years and don't want to stop now.

Contribute through The Arts Fuse or on our facebook page.

The gang talks Lil Nas X, HBO's Barry, and why the VA probably owes Deanna's ancestors a shit load of cash.

How seriously do we take country rap? Is it even a genre? We take a look at a few of the singles out there being classified as such, and opine on what it says about our obsession with genre and US pop culture. Then Matt does his service to the podcast and takes us through his review of HBO's Barry, starring SNL's Bill Hader. The conversation turns to what the show says about returning veterans, PTSD, and the kind of care they get after coming back. Apparently, like Lt. Dan, Deanna's had a family member fight (and maybe not die?) in every war since the Revolutionary War. Thank you for your service....