“Describe the Night” at The Gamm Theatre and “The Inheritance” at Trinity Rep are both hugely ambitious plays that cover decades and generations.
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, Political Roundtable
On Political Roundtable: Election 2022, an interview with Brett Smiley; journalists analyze RI primary results; One Square Mile takes us to Westerly
Welcome to Political Roundtable: Election 2022. For this election season, we’re presenting a half-hour weekly show exploring the key races, the issues in Rhode Island and southeastern Massachusetts, and we’ll hear from you, the voters, about what’s most important to you in this election year.
Posted inArtscape, Episode
Gallery openings at AS220 include an update on “Seeing Providence Chinatown”
“Accessibility is Beautiful” takes place at the Steel Yard on Saturday, highlighting ways to make businesses more accessible for all people. Plus, AS220 has five gallery openings. We’ll hear from three of the artists.
Posted inArtscape, Episode
Rhythm and Roots Festival is saved by new owners
We’re heading into the Labor Day Weekend, with some good news for music fans used to the annual enjoyment of the Rhythm and Roots Festival in Charlestown. Longtime festival producer Chuck Wentworth had announced that, due to health reasons, he was calling it quits. But then, someone stepped up to save the festival.
Posted inArtscape, Episode
A new mural brings beauty and safety to the Broad Street cultural corridor
When you go to Broad Street in Providence, you’ll see a street that is radically different from what it was just a few months ago. Among the changes is a street mural at the corner of Public and Daboll streets. Artscape producer James Baumgartner spoke with Rhode Island Latino Arts director Marta Martínez, who helped to facilitate the project, as well as René Gómez, the artist who designed and painted the mural.
Posted inArtscape, Episode
Warren Folks Fest brings the East Bay community together
The Warren Folks Festival takes place this Saturday. Artscape Producer, James Baumgartner talked with festival organizer Uriah Donnelly.
Posted inArtscape, Episode
New exhibit highlights stories of Latino communities in Rhode Island
A temporary exhibit at the Museum of Work and Culture in Woonsocket highlights little-known but important moments in the history of Latino communities in Rhode Island. Artscape producer James Baumgartner visited the museum to learn more.
Posted inArtscape, Episode
Manny Ramirez and Miriam Cruz headline Dominican Parade and Festival this weekend
Rhode Island’s annual Dominican Cultural Parade and Music Festival is coming up this Sunday. Artscape producer James Baumgartner and morning host Chuck Hinman talked with festival organizer Marilyn Cepeda about what to expect.
Posted inArtscape, Episode
Providence Mayoral Forum on Arts & Culture 2022
Earlier this week, the three candidates for mayor of Providence spoke at a forum produced by The Wilbury Theatre Group and The Public’s Radio. The theme was the role of arts and culture in Providence. Former Director of Administration Brett Smiley, Providence City Councilwoman Nirva LaFortune and former Deputy Secretary of State Gonzalo Cuervo all participated in the event. The event was hosted by writer and filmmaker Don Mays.
Posted inArtscape, Episode
RI Philharmonic Conductor Bramwell Tovey remembered for connecting the community through music
Bramwell Tovey, the principal conductor and artistic director of the Rhode Island Philharmonic, died on July 12, 2022, one day after his 69th birthday. He joined the Philharmonic in 2018 after conducting many different orchestras, including the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, where he helped to found the VSO School of Music. Artscape Producer James Baumgartner talked with David Beauchesne, Executive Director of the Rhode Island Philharmonic, about the time he spent with Bramwell Tovey.