How safe are our beaches? According to a new report from Environment America, about half the beaches in the country were potentially unsafe for swimming in 2022. We talk with John Rumpler, a co-author of the report. And after a week of heavy rain and flooding, we hear from our Metro Reporter Olivia Ebertz about Providence’s new plan to upgrade the city’s hurricane barrier. Also, Patrick Anderson of The Providence Journal gives us some highlights from the week in Rhode Island politics and more. Plus, a few tips on what to do this week, and a conversation with some of the artists and curators of the Providence Biennial for Contemporary Art.
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 inArtscape, Episode
Local artists celebrate cultural heritage, commemorate the mundane at Providence Biennial for Contemporary Art
The 2023 Providence Biennial for Contemporary Art opens Thursday, July 13, at the WaterFire Arts Center in Providence. It’s a combination of two exhibits with nearly 50 artists, almost all from the Providence area. Artscape producer James Baumgartner has this preview.
Posted inEpisode, Housing, The Weekly Catch
College diversity in post-affirmative action world, a fight over housing affordability in Charlestown, and more
How can Rhode Island schools cultivate diverse, inclusive learning environments, now that affirmative action has ended? State Senator and Brown University alum Tiara Mack offers her take. And South County Bureau Reporter Alex Nunes reports on the housing crisis in Charlestown, where residents are at odds over who’s to blame for skyrocketing rents and a lack of affordable housing. Also, we hear about a few highlights from this year’s Newport Classical Music Festival. Plus, a look back on the week in politics, and a few tips for what to do this week.
Posted inArtscape, Episode
Concerts at the Breakers and free music in the park at Newport Classical Music Festival
The Newport Classical Music Festival opened its 54th season earlier this week, and there are several concerts this weekend. Artscape producer James Baumgartner talked with festival director Gillian Friedman Fox for a preview of a few of the concerts.
Posted inEpisode, The Weekly Catch
Driver’s licenses for undocumented immigrants, RI’s new shoreline access law, and more
Starting July 1, Rhode Island will allow undocumented immigrants to get a driver’s license. We hear from Marcela Betancur of the Latino Policy Institute about the impact this will have, and how to get the process started. Also, Marine and coastal law expert Dennis Nixon takes us on a deeper dive into the Ocean State’s new shoreline access law – and we hear a few takes from our listeners, too. Looking at the arts, two photo exhibits in Providence explore the power of words and negative speech. Plus, the latest in politics, and a few tips on what to do this week.
Posted inEpisode, The Weekly Catch
Opioid settlements, Matos’ support for a controversial hospital deal, actor Alan Cumming, and more
This week, we reported that Lt. Gov. and CD1 candidate Sabina Matos supported a 2020 proposal that could have threatened the survival of two Rhode Island hospitals. We talk with Political Reporter Ian Donnis about that story, and other highlights from the week in politics. Also, millions of dollars are flowing into Rhode Island cities and towns from opioid settlements. But how are they spending it? Health reporter Lynn Arditi looks for answers. And we talk with Tony Award-winning actor Alan Cumming, who comes to New Bedford this weekend for an unlikely collaboration with NPR’s Ari Shapiro. Plus, our arts and culture picks for the week.
Posted inEpisode, Housing, The Weekly Catch
Documenting the pandemic, Middletown’s affordable housing problem, and more
An exhibit at the Providence Public Library shares images from a COVID-19 archive; a URI grad is priced out of his hometown; local musician Asher White plays a song from their latest album; the week in politics; and what to do this weekend.
Posted inArts And Culture, Artscape, Episode
Studio Session: Providence musician Asher White explores city streets, salvaged sounds on ‘New Excellent Woman’
“New Excellent Woman” is the latest album from Providence-based musician Asher White. At twenty-three years old, she already boasts an impressive catalog of over a dozen albums. White describes her music as collage pop — reflected in the range of influences you can hear represented in it, from Sufjan Stevens, to The Books, to Daniel Johnston. She came to the studio for this conversation – and a performance – with Artscape producer James Baumgartner and Morning Host Luis Hernandez.
Posted inArts And Culture, Artscape, Episode
From Hawaiian folk to barbershop quartets, Providence Porchfest presents a “musical bar crawl” through local music
The first Providence Porchfest is happening this Saturday, June 10. It’s a series of concerts taking place on porches across the East side. Artscape Producer James Baumgartner talked with two of the organizers, Peter Evangelista and Brendan Kinnell, as well as Beth Barron, one of the performers.
Posted inEpisode, Housing, The Weekly Catch
June 2, 2023: Housing vouchers, local longshoremen’s protest, and ‘Sweeney Todd’ at Trinity
Housing and homelessness has become a political tennis ball in the capital. But local nonprofit Amos House isn’t waiting for lawmakers to find a solution. Also: work on the Vineyard Wind offshore wind farm will resume after coming to an agreement with the New Bedford longshoremen’s union that protested the project for six days. And: “Sweeney Todd” is the latest production at Trinity Rep. We go in depth on these stories and more in this edition of The Weekly Catch.
