arts and culture

WAMC is taking the opportunity to highlighting some entrants from our region in NPR's Tiny Desk Contest. In today's segment, first we hear from Enjoyous, an Albany-based band, and Lisa Pellegrino of Soil & Soul. I began by asking each artist to introduce themselves to our audience.

José González will perform at the Mahaiwe in Great Barrington on Friday, March 28th at 8 p.m.

Local filmmaker Spencer Sherry got the rights to adapt the short story in 2021 and released an hour-length feature in 2023. Three days after Sherry released his film, a Hollywood version was announced, directed by Osgood Perkins.

We’re going to meet a musician from Minnesota now. Indie band Hippo Campus released its fourth studio album, Flood, in September. It was recorded in just 10 days for the band’s new label, Psychic Hotline. And it came together as the group scrapped more than 100 songs. The album harbors a different feeling than previous albums and singles. But its melodies will be familiar to fans who have been following Hippo Campus since its 2017 debut. I spoke with lead guitarist Nathan Stocker ahead of the band’s show at Empire Live in Albany on February 8th.

Odie Leigh, who rose to fame with her single “Crop Circles,” which gained popularity through social media, released her debut album “Carrier Pigeon” this summer. The Detroit-based musician connects with fans thanks to songs about her life and her feelings. Leigh has toured Europe and played festivals like Newport Folk and Kilby Block Party. I spoke with the guitarist and singer right before she returned to her “Carrier Pigeon” tour, which stops at Albany’s Lark Hall on Friday.

Ulster County is launching a new effort to study arts and culture in the region.

Venues, activities came back strong after pandemic shutdowns, study finds.

Tomorrow is Earth Day and Basilica Hudson is putting climate action at the forefront of its mission as it reopens this weekend for 2022. Founded in 2010 by musician Melissa Auf der Maur and filmmaker Tony Stone, Basilica Hudson is housed in a reclaimed, solar-powered 1880s industrial factory on the riverfront of Hudson, NY. In 2020, Basilica Hudson celebrated its 10-year anniversary with the expansion of BASILICA GREEN. Building on Basilica Hudson’s long-standing commitment to environmental advocacy and the City of Hudson’s waterfront. On April 24th, BASILICA GREEN programming will activate multiple spaces on campus inviting the community to celebrate Earth Day Weekend. Free activities will include a teach-in on greening the grid, environmentally-focused art and youth activities, a workshop on how individuals can divest from fossil fuels, food, live music and more. Melissa Auf der Maur joins us now to tell us more about this weekend’s Earth Day events – and other upcoming events at Basilica Hudson.

Peter Hughes, Manager of The Linda: WAMC's Performing Arts Studio, joins us with a preview of upcoming events and broadcasts.

Our friend and longtime contributor Shawn Stone died of cancer, recently diagnosed, on October 20, 2021. Joe Donahue shares this tribute.