culture

Jay McInerney has spent more than four decades chronicling ambition, desire, excess, and reinvention in New York City. Since the publication of his breakout novel, 'Bright Lights Big City,' in 1984, he's become one of the defining literary voices. He has become one of the defining literary voices of his generation, blending sharp social observation with an insider's eye for the worlds of publishing, wealth, and culture.His new novel, 'See You on the Other Side,' brings a long-running story to a close. The book is the fourth and final installment of McInerney's Callaway saga.

Dr. Jessica B. Harris is a renowned culinary historian, James Beard Cookbook Hall of Fame winner, and star of the Netflix docuseries ‘High on the Hog.’ Her latest book is ‘Braided Heritage: Recipes and Stories on the Origin of American Cuisine.’ Joe Donahue spoke with her in a WAMC on the Road and CulinaryArts@SPAC event in Saratoga Springs, New York in March.

In a blend of personal narrative and in-depth reporting “New York Magazine’s” Senior Writer, Sarah Jones, exposes the reality of America’s racial and income inequality. Also, the devastating impact of the pandemic on our nation’s most vulnerable people.Her new book is “Disposable: America's Contempt for the Underclass." “Disposable” is an exploration of that underclass left vulnerable by systemic racism and capitalism. She delves into the lives of the essential workers, seniors, and people with disabilities who were affected by COVID-19.

Nadira Simmons is a writer and digital content creator committed to preserving Black history, hip-hop history, and pop culture and finding new ways to tell stories on TV and the internet. She created “The Gumbo, an innovative space in media for the creative excellence and activism of Black women in hip-hop and a safe haven free of politics.Her book “First Things First: Hip-Hop Ladies Who Changed the Game,” published by Twelve, is a celebration of the achievements of women in hip-hop who broke down barriers and broke the mold.

“Yiddish: A Global Culture” is an acclaimed and original permanent exhibition at The Yiddish Book Center in Amherst, Massachusetts. It opened in Fall of 2023. The exhibition features hundreds of rare objects, family heirlooms, photographs, music, and videos that illuminate the expansive story of modern Yiddish cultural reach.Lisa Newman is director of publishing and public programs at The Yiddish Book Center. David Mazower is the center’s research bibliographer and editorial director - and is the chief curator and writer of “Yiddish: A Global Culture.”

Featuring 36 discreet natural habitats in the Hudson Valley’s Columbia County, and illustrated with over 750 full-color photographs, maps, graphs, tables, and charts, “From the Hudson to the Taconics: An Ecological and Cultural Field Guide to the Habitats of Columbia County” offers readers an in-depth look at the ecology, history, and cultural impact of natural habitats throughout the county and is the culmination of over two decades of research.This morning we welcome co-authors Claudia Knab-Vispo and Conrad Vispo.

Nadira Simmons is a writer and digital content creator committed to preserving Black history, hip-hop history, and pop culture and finding new ways to tell stories on TV and the internet. She created “The Gumbo, an innovative space in media for the creative excellence and activism of Black women in hip-hop and a safe haven free of politics.Her book “First Things First: Hip-Hop Ladies Who Changed the Game,” published by Twelve, is a celebration of the achievements of women in hip-hop who broke down barriers and broke the mold.

On Friday, August 18th, Andris Nelsons will conduct The Boston Symphony Orchestra in a program featuring works by Saint-Saëns, Simon, and Gershwin featuring soloist Jean-Yves Thibaudet on piano in The Shed at Tanglewood in Lenox, Massachusetts.The “Simon” of those listed composers is Carlos Simon and his piece, “Four Black American Dances,” is a BSO commission. The piece celebrates the composer’s heritage and the presence of dance in Black culture as a medium for ritual, worship, celebration, and social connectivity.

Capital District Latinos has curated the West Hill Concert Series: Music is the Balm! All events will take place at Capital District Latinos Cultural Empowerment and Community Engagement Center on Central Avenue in Albany, NY.On Thursday, July 20 the Camerata Coral de Puerto Rico will perform music of the Caribbean and Latin America. The concert is presented in partnership with Albany Pro Musica. Amarilis Pagan-Vila is the Music Director and Conductor of the Camerata Coral de Puerto Rico and she joins us.

Aisha Harris has made a name for herself as someone you can turn to for a razor-sharp take on whatever show or movie everyone is talking about. In her book "Wannabe," she turns her talents inward, mining the benchmarks of her nineties childhood and beyond to analyze the tropes that are shaping all of us, and our ability to shape them right back.