The Newport Classical Music Festival opened its 54th season earlier this week, and there are several concerts this weekend. Artscape producer James Baumgartner talked with festival director Gillian Friedman Fox for a preview of a few of the concerts.
James Baumgartner
James produces and engineers Political Roundtable, The Weekly Catch and other special programming on The Public’s Radio. He also produces Artscape, the weekly arts & culture segment heard every Thursday. His favorite part of the job is talking with artists, musicians and other creators about their process and what inspires them.
James learned the basics of audio editing while studying music at Missouri State University. He went on to get a Master of Fine Arts in Electronic Art at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute where he created electronic music, video art and internet-based media art. While at RPI, James went on the air for the first time, hosting an electronic music show on Rensselaer's station, WRPI, but his love of radio came from staying up late so he could hear punk rock on KKFI, the community radio station in Kansas City, Missouri.
Posted inEpisode, The Weekly Catch
Driver’s licenses for undocumented immigrants, RI’s new shoreline access law, and more
Starting July 1, Rhode Island will allow undocumented immigrants to get a driver’s license. We hear from Marcela Betancur of the Latino Policy Institute about the impact this will have, and how to get the process started. Also, Marine and coastal law expert Dennis Nixon takes us on a deeper dive into the Ocean State’s new shoreline access law – and we hear a few takes from our listeners, too. Looking at the arts, two photo exhibits in Providence explore the power of words and negative speech. Plus, the latest in politics, and a few tips on what to do this week.
Posted inEpisode, The Weekly Catch
Opioid settlements, Matos’ support for a controversial hospital deal, actor Alan Cumming, and more
This week, we reported that Lt. Gov. and CD1 candidate Sabina Matos supported a 2020 proposal that could have threatened the survival of two Rhode Island hospitals. We talk with Political Reporter Ian Donnis about that story, and other highlights from the week in politics. Also, millions of dollars are flowing into Rhode Island cities and towns from opioid settlements. But how are they spending it? Health reporter Lynn Arditi looks for answers. And we talk with Tony Award-winning actor Alan Cumming, who comes to New Bedford this weekend for an unlikely collaboration with NPR’s Ari Shapiro. Plus, our arts and culture picks for the week.
Posted inEpisode, Housing, The Weekly Catch
Documenting the pandemic, Middletown’s affordable housing problem, and more
An exhibit at the Providence Public Library shares images from a COVID-19 archive; a URI grad is priced out of his hometown; local musician Asher White plays a song from their latest album; the week in politics; and what to do this weekend.
Posted inArts And Culture, Artscape, Episode
Studio Session: Providence musician Asher White explores city streets, salvaged sounds on ‘New Excellent Woman’
“New Excellent Woman” is the latest album from Providence-based musician Asher White. At twenty-three years old, she already boasts an impressive catalog of over a dozen albums. White describes her music as collage pop — reflected in the range of influences you can hear represented in it, from Sufjan Stevens, to The Books, to Daniel Johnston. She came to the studio for this conversation – and a performance – with Artscape producer James Baumgartner and Morning Host Luis Hernandez.
Posted inArts And Culture, Artscape, Episode
From Hawaiian folk to barbershop quartets, Providence Porchfest presents a “musical bar crawl” through local music
The first Providence Porchfest is happening this Saturday, June 10. It’s a series of concerts taking place on porches across the East side. Artscape Producer James Baumgartner talked with two of the organizers, Peter Evangelista and Brendan Kinnell, as well as Beth Barron, one of the performers.
Posted inEpisode, Housing, The Weekly Catch
June 2, 2023: Housing vouchers, local longshoremen’s protest, and ‘Sweeney Todd’ at Trinity
Housing and homelessness has become a political tennis ball in the capital. But local nonprofit Amos House isn’t waiting for lawmakers to find a solution. Also: work on the Vineyard Wind offshore wind farm will resume after coming to an agreement with the New Bedford longshoremen’s union that protested the project for six days. And: “Sweeney Todd” is the latest production at Trinity Rep. We go in depth on these stories and more in this edition of The Weekly Catch.
Posted inArtscape, Episode
‘Sweeney Todd’ hits the right balance of dark and fun at Trinity Rep
Sweeney Todd is a challenging show for directors and actors to recreate on stage. It’s a show with dark themes but if done right, it should be really funny. The latest iteration is playing at Trinity Rep.
Posted inArtscape, Episode
Feminist art history meets 60s girl groups in original musical at the Wilbury
The latest play from the Wilbury Theatre Group is “Goodnight Sweetheart, Goodnight,” an original musical inspired by Baroque painter Artemisia Gentileschi. Artscape Producer James Baumgartner talked with the playwright, Darcie Dennigan, and composer, Niki Healy, about their collaboration on this unusual piece.
Posted inEpisode, Housing, The Weekly Catch
The Weekly Catch: Politics, poetry, and the uphill battle to tackle the housing crisis in RI
House Speaker Joe Shekarchi on the housing crisis in Rhode Island: “I recognized from the very beginning it would be a multi-year effort.”