Voice of the Arts

The co-artistic director’s of Squonk, Jackie Dempsey and Steve O’Hearn, discusses the Pittsburgh based outdoor theater group’s next spectacular show, Brouhaha. This show features an enormous musical instrument with huge playable bellows and towering tubas that ends with a 30-foot tall head complete with blinking eyes and smoke pouring out of it’s ears. Interactive and fun for the whole family, Jackie and Steve dive deep into how they created this spectacle, and how years of a friendship continue to create playful art for all. See the premiere of Brouhaha on September 3rd and 4th at The Kickoff and Rib Festival at Acrisure Stadium. Visit squonk.org/brouhaha for more information.

Chairman of the AmeriServ Flood City Music Festival, Ronald Carnevali, discussed the upcoming music festival which runs next weekend, August 4th and 5th, in this Voice of the Arts podcast. Discover the all-star line up for this year’s festival including headliners Los Lobos and Keller Williams’ Grateful Grass featuring The Hillbenders with smaller groups such as Johnstown based The Evergreens and The Platelets. Two nights of Americana music with some of the best bands. Visit www.floodcitymusic.com to learn more and see ticket prices.

The North Pittsburgh Symphonic Band is this week’s performer at the City of Pittsburgh Office of Special Events Bach, Beethoven and Brunch – Sunday July 23rd, 10:30am at Mellon Park.  Their Music Director, Tad Greig, stopped by to chat about the band, how much they enjoy playing at BBB, what they’ll play and more.

Jim Cunningham interviewed Violinist and Musical Director of the Mexico City Philharmonic, Scott Yoo. They talked about PBS Great Performance Series “Now Hear This,” which is hosted by Scott Yoo.  They discussed  Schumann’s mental health, Andy Akiho’s episode in the 4th season, and some information on the development of the 5th season, which will include an episode about child prodigies. It is streaming online and on the PBS App.

The Negro Motorist Green Book exhibition at the Senator John Heinz History Center offers an immersive look at the reality of travel for African Americans in mid-century America and how the annual guide served as an indispensable resource for the nation’s rising Black middle class.  WQED-FM’s Anna Singer spoke to the History Center’s Director of African American Program Samuel Black about the exhibit.

This Summer, Carnegie Museum of Art is once again presenting “Inside Out” in the Sculpture Court – a free event series celebrating Pittsburgh’s rich cultural landscape with performances, workshops and gatherings, DJs, art activities, food trucks, and local drinks.  On Thursday nights from 5 to 9 p.m., a lineup of some of the city’s most dynamic DJs transforms the outdoor space into a can’t-miss happy hour destination for friends and dancing during the week. On Saturdays from noon to 5 p.m., enjoy performances from regional arts organizations and performers, soak in summer sounds from bands and DJs, grab a bite from local food trucks, and get creative with artists and art-making.

This Saturday, June 24th, the Chamber Orchestra of Pittsburgh will be performing in the Sculpture Court.  The Orchestra’s Artistic Director Edward Leonard and Carnegie Museum of Art’s Director of Education and Public Programs Dana Bishop-Root spoke with WQED-FM’s Anna Singer about this weekend’s concert and the “Inside Out” series in general.

The League of American Orchestras is holding it’s annual conference in Pittsburgh.  The conference opened on Wednesday June 14th.  WQED-FM’s Anna Singer had a chance to talk with League of American Orchestras President and CEO Simon Woods.

The League of American Orchestras is holding it’s annual conference in Pittsburgh.  The conference opened on Wednesday June 14th with performances by the Pittsburgh Youth Symphony Orchestra and the Three Rivers Young Peoples Orchestras and a keynote by National Endowment for the Arts Chair Maria Rosario Jackson.  WQED-FM’s Anna Singer had a chance to talk with Dr. Jackson.

Anna Singer spoke with composer Brian Field about his early education with music, his mentors and early compositions, and then his newest works which are Three Passions for our Tortured Planet, (all proceeds from this one go to charities to help fight against climate change) and Brian Field- Vocal Works (which features a social justice song).

Jim Cunningham sits down with Toto Fisher, founding WQED-FM supporter and recipient of the Q Award, during the WQED-FM 50th Anniversary celebration.

Pittsburgh Opera presents “We Shall Not Be Moved” with music by Daniel Bernard Roumain, or DBR.  He stopped by the QED Morning Show with Anna Singer to talk about the opera.

Lynette Garlan and Robert Hockenberry of the Pittsburgh Savoyards talk about their upcoming production of “Thespis,” which is having its Pittsburgh premiere. It runs April 28th-30th and May 5th-7th, with live stream tickets available for the 6th and 7th. They also talked about the lost music from Thespis and why scholars think Sullivan might have done it on purpose.