REPORTING: MICHAEL EDWARD MILLER
The Bessie Smith Cultural Center is currently hosting an art exhibit featuring works by Chattanooga sculptor Isaac Duncan III. The exhibit will be on display until February 29th. On the 29th, there will be a closing reception at the center.
In this interview, Duncan discusses his style, his inspiration and his journey from Brooklyn to Chattanooga.
REPORTING: MICHAEL EDWARD MILLER
Several years ago, Pulitzer-Prize winning photojournalist John Kaplan was diagnosed with lymphoma. He photographed his own process of illness and recovery, and those images are the basis of an award-winning documentary called Not As I Pictured.
It will screen January 30th at 8 p.m. on PBS. In Chattanooga, it will be shown on WNGH–the Georgia PBS affiliate that can be seen both over-the-air and on Comcast.
Kaplan is also giving away free DVDs of his film to people affected by cancer.
REPORTING: MICHAEL EDWARD MILLER
Some stories are meant to be heard out loud–fables from oral traditions, such as the Jack Tales, which originated in Europe. Immigrants brought Jack Tales to Appalachia, and more than sixty years ago, folklorist Richard Chase collected these tales and published them in print form.
Now these tales are being brought back to life as dramatic readings. Kate Forbes, a professional stage and voice actress, has produced a 2-CD collection called Handed Down: Tales of Southern Appalachia.
Forbes, a Chattanooga resident, received a MakeWork grant from CreateHere to fund this project. She used mostly local voices and produced it at a local studio, Sound Resources.
Listen to an interview with Kate Forbes about her audio book:
Stephanie Wilkins joins us for this segment. She’s the Director of Development for the Make-A-Wish Foundation of East Tennessee. On February 5th, 2012, the Super Bowl will become the Wish Bowl. This annual fundraiser/party gives people a chance to both watch the big game and help raise funds needed to grant wishes to sick children. A silent auction will also take place.
Wish Bowl
Stadium Club at Finley Stadium
Date: February 05, 2012
Time: 5:30 p.m.
Individual tickets and tables are available online at wishetn.org.
REPORTING: MICHAEL EDWARD MILLER
Chattanooga State Community College will offer a class on Art Direction In Film starting January 18th, 2012. It’s part of the Professional Film and Television Training Program at Chatt State. In this segment, Kris C. Jones, the instructor, joins us to discuss exactly what art directors and production designers do on a film crew and how they shape a film’s overall look. Many people are unfamiliar with exactly what an art director does–it’s often called an “invisible art”–but the art director influences nearly every aspect of a movie.
The class’s official registration deadline for the class is January 12th.
More information is at Chattanooga State’s Web site.
Reporting: Rabbit Zielke
The River City Company’s Urban Design Challenge will showcase the concepts of the team Method E5 on January 12th at the Bessie Smith Hall starting at 5:30. The team will share their vision of the potential offered at Patten Parkway. This is the third in a series of design teams participating in the Urban Design Challenge. 
The presentation is free and open to the public. Presentations from the first 2 design teams are available online at the Urban Design Challenge webpage.
Listen to the story.
Here are links to the original stories for the 3 chosen plays:
The Robber Bridegroom was produced by The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Department of Theatre and Speech.
Cat on a Hot Tin Roof was produced by the Chattanooga Theatre Centre.
My Children, My Africa was produced by Ensemble Theatre of Chattanooga.
Listen to this Story:
Reporting: Rabbit Zielke
The Office of Sustainability for the City of Chattanooga is promoting a green Christmas this year with a list of suggestions that can help make your holidays safe, fun and environmentally friendly. All of these suggestions are great ideas all year long and especially during the hectic and busy final days of 2011.
Follow these links for more details on each of the 12 Days of Greening.
Day 12 – Alternate Gift Ideas
Day 11 – Get Some Exercise
Day 10 – The Importance of Budgeting
Day 9 – Holiday Energy Savings Tips
Day 8 – Creative Eco-Wrapping
Day 7 – Green Travel Tips
Day 6 – Local Shopping
Day 5 – Localvore Holiday Meal
Day 4 – New Kind of New Years Resolution
Day 3 - Replace Your Tree
Day 2 - Available 12/22
Day 1 - Available 12/23
Listen to the story.
Langston Hughes has been called the “Poet Laureate” of the Harlem Renaissance of the 1920′s. His play, “Black Nativity” was the first play by an African American to run on Broadway in 1961. Since then, it has continually been produced each holiday season in American theatres. Langston’s story is a retelling of St. Luke’s from the Old Testament through music and poetic narrative with an African American cast.
Thomas Jones has written an adaptation of, “Black Nativity” for this year’s Destiny Theatre production. The 2nd Act of Hughes’ play is set during a revival at a modern day church. Jones’ adaptation opens with a church that has burned down. As the congregation is seeking a new place to worship they are reminded of the Star of David and Bethlehem. This sets the story for, “Nativity: A Gospel Musical Explosion.”
“Nativity: A Gospel Musical Explosion” is directed by Thomas Jones. Sam Patton is the musical director and Dawn Axam is the choreographer. The show opens on the Tivoli stage for two nights, Wednesday and Thursday, December 21st and 22nd, 2011. A portion of the proceeds from ticket sales will go to the Bethlehem Center for the children.
Reporting: Monessa Guilfoil
Listen to the Story:
REPORTING: MICHAEL EDWARD MILLER
Bobcat Goldthwait (courtesy Wikipedia)
Bobcat Goldthwait is coming to Chattanooga on December 16th and 17th for 3 shows at the Vaudeville Café. If the only thing you remember about Goldthwait is that he played Zed, a howling, hyperactive character in the Police Academy movies, then you’ve missed the best part of his career.
These days, Goldthwait is passionate about writing and directing. He makes independent films–his most successful so far has been World’s Greatest Dad, which starred Academy Award winner Robin Williams. The film scored an impressive 89% approval rating on Rottentomatoes.com and was a hit at the Sundance Film Festival. Goldthwait’s other recent films include Sleeping Dogs Lie and God Bless America.
Goldthwait’s shows at the Vaudeville Café:
