Keith McCurdy is the songwriter, singer and guitarist for Vudu Sister, a Providence-based band that includes a rotating cast of other musicians on violin, cello, bass and more. Drawing influence from ghost stories and the macabre, they describe their music as “Gothic Folk.” Keith says another big influence on his sound is the 90s MTV Unplugged series – in particular, Nirvana’s legendary set.
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 inHousing, Politics, The Weekly Catch
‘Safe storage’ gun bill moves forward, Providence’s new Comprehensive Plan, and more
After months of feedback from residents, the city of Providence has released a draft of a new Comprehensive Plan. Metro Reporter Olivia Ebertz tells us what it means for residents and their neighborhoods. And the Rhode Island Senate has approved a bill that would require gun owners to safely store firearms when not in use. It’s one of 19 pieces of gun safety legislation the General Assembly is considering this year. We talk with Melissa Carden, Executive Director of the Rhode Island Coalition Against Gun Violence. Also, homelessness is showing no signs of slowing in the Ocean State. This spring, a new project will provide temporary housing for 45 people in need of shelter. We hear from Laura Jaworski, Executive Director of House of Hope, a Warwick-based nonprofit partnering with the state on the project. And a new show from the Wilbury Theatre Group uses puppetry to tell the story of an international adoptee. Plus: a look back on the week in politics with WPRI Channel 12 Politics Editor Ted Nesi, and a few tips on what to do this week.
Posted inArts And Culture, Artscape
Adoption, belonging, and finding your pack in ‘Wolf Play’ at Wilbury Theatre
Written by Hansul Jung, the play is about a 6-year-old boy who was adopted from Korea by a family in Arizona who decide to rehome him after they give birth to a child. The play begins as the child, Wolf, arrives at his new home and meets his new parents, Robin and Ash.
Posted inHealth, Politics, The Weekly Catch
The latest on the Washington Bridge, a ‘fourth wave’ of the opioid crisis hits R.I., and more
On Thursday, Rhode Island officials announced that the westbound lanes of the Washington Bridge would have to be demolished and rebuilt. Political Reporter Ian Donnis breaks down the details. Also, the Ocean State is in the middle of a fourth wave of the opioid crisis. Health reporter Lynn Arditi shares an in-depth look into how fentanyl is now starting to show up in other drugs like cocaine. And, Chef Sky Kim from the restaurant Gift Horse is one of the nominees for a James Beard award. We’ll learn more about her and some of the other nominees.
Posted inArts And Culture, Artscape
James Beard semifinalist Sky Kim brings locally-inspired Korean cuisine to Providence
Every year, the James Beard Foundation recognizes exceptional restaurants and chefs throughout the country, one of the highest honors in the culinary field. This year, ten Rhode Island chefs and restaurants are semifinalists, a record for the state – and one chef, Sky Hanuel Kim, was named a semifinalist for the national category of “Best Emerging Chef.” Kim is the chef at Gift Horse, a raw bar and restaurant in downtown Providence.
Posted inEnvironment, Housing, The Weekly Catch
Shekarchi on housing priorities, planting urban forests to fight climate change, and more
House Speaker Joe Shekarchi has introduced a new round of bills to address the housing crisis. The Public’s Radio reporter Ian Donnis asks the speaker about his latest priorities and what it will take to tackle the state’s housing shortage. Also, there’s a homelessness hotline in the Ocean State meant to help people who need housing. But, The Public’s Radio’s Nina Sparling reports, new data shows that the hotline is overwhelmed, with just four people handling hundreds of calls a day. And a new program seeks to help Rhode Island cities and towns plant more trees as a way to mitigate the effects of climate change. We hear from the nonprofit helping to implement the program. Plus, the week in politics; a few things to do this week; and an off-Broadway show coming to Westerly puts the stories of audience members center stage.
Posted inArts And Culture, Artscape
Paul Mecurio gives the audience ‘Permission to Speak’ at United Theatre
Comedian Paul Mecurio has an off-Broadway show coming to the United Theatre this Saturday. Mecurio was born and raised in Rhode Island and after a brief career on Wall Street as a lawyer and investment banker, he moved into comedy. Since then he’s been on “The Daily Show,” “The Colbert Report,” and he’s currently on “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” as a performer. He’s won Emmy and Peabody awards, and he hosts a podcast called “Inside Out with Paul Mecurio.” Artscape Producer James Baumgartner spoke with Paul about his off-broadway show, “Permission to Speak,” where he picks random members of the audience to come up on stage, asks them questions, and everyone gets to hear their story.
Posted inThe Weekly Catch
What’s causing rents to go up in New Bedford? And what’s needed to make a safer North Main Street in Providence?
A new commuter train will soon connect New Bedford to Boston. Some residents are worried this could lead to the gentrification of their community. We’ll find out why. Also, we continue our series Renters at Risk and look at why millions of federal dollars are not being used in Rhode Island to protect people from lead in paint. And Providence leaders promise to make roads safer for people on bikes and for pedestrians. We’ll focus on one street that has been extremely dangerous for both – North Main Street. Plus, we’ll have a studio session with local singer/songwriter Allysen Callery.
Posted inLabor, Local, Transportation
RIPTA board member Pat Crowley on how the agency can avoid proposed service cuts
Rhode Island’s public transit authority, RIPTA, has been making headlines lately. Proposed service cuts, angry riders, an embattled CEO, and debate over where to locate Providence’s central bus hub.
Posted inArts And Culture, The Weekly Catch, Transportation
RIPTA CEO on driver raises and possible service cuts, Tidewater Landing’s mounting price tag, and more
This week, RIPTA’s board voted to raise wages for drivers, a move the agency hopes will stave off possible service cuts. We talk with RIPTA CEO Scott Avedisian. Also, the Tidewater Landing soccer stadium deal will cost Rhode Islanders tens of millions more than originally planned. Boston Globe reporter Brian Amaral explains how much more taxpayers are on the hook for and why. Plus, on Artscape this week: actor Kali Reis, co-star of the latest season of HBO’s “True Detective.” It’s the third acting role for Reis, a former boxing world champion who was born in Providence and grew up in East Providence. That and more coming up on this episode of The Weekly Catch.