Friday night, the Kingston Chamber Music Festival will host the world premiere of “Woodland Songs” by Jerod Impichchaachaaha’ Tate, performed by the Dover String Quartet. Artscape producer James Baumgartner talked with Tate about how he incorporates Chickasaw music with classical traditions.
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 inPolitics, The Weekly Catch
What’s the cause of the recent increase in homelessness in Rhode Island, and what can be done about it?
One of the pressing questions going into next month’s Democratic Convention is who Vice President Kamala Harris will pick for her running mate. Former Rhode Island governor Gina Raimondo is on the short list. We talk with political pundits from Brown University and the Boston Globe about that story and more. The number of people experiencing homelessness in the Ocean State is up from last year – by a lot. We’ll talk with the new head of the Rhode Island Coalition to End Homelessness about fighting back myths and getting lawmakers to do more. And Cajun and Zydeco music is synonymous with life down in Louisiana. But, the local group Magnolia has brought the rich sounds of the Bayou to southern New England. Plus our picks for what to do this week.
Posted inArts And Culture, Shoreline Access, The Weekly Catch
What’s next in the fight over shoreline access, as coastal property owners take aim at Rhode Island’s new law?
Last week a judge sided with coastal property owners, saying Rhode Island’s new shoreline access law amounts to an unconstitutional taking of private property. We’ll talk with a law expert about where this fight could go next. Also, a few months after the merger of The Public’s Radio and Rhode Island PBS, the board has announced a new CEO. We’ll get to know Pam Johnston, the former head of news at GBH in Boston. And a new book features the long-lost story of John Jacobs. Originally published in 1855, he gave a unique account of his life under enslavement in the U.S. and a scathing criticism of the systems that allowed slavery to persist. That and more on this week’s show.
Posted inArts And Culture, Health, The Weekly Catch
Why overdose deaths are falling in Rhode Island, an artist carves scrimshaw into plastic trash from the sea, and more
For years, the number of people dying of drug overdoses was on the rise nationwide and in Rhode Island. Then, there was a push to change that, specifically by introducing the life-saving drug Narcan. Last year, the number of people overdosing actually dropped. We’ll look deeper into those figures. Also, we get an update on the week in politics with Ian Donnis, and Mike Szostak shares his favorite summer sports reads. Plus, the New Bedford Whaling Museum has a new exhibit of scrimshaw, not on whalebone, but on plastic trash recovered from the ocean. That and more on this week’s show.
Posted inEducation, Shoreline Access, The Weekly Catch
Mayor Smiley on his plan for struggling Providence schools, a fight over shoreline access heats up in Weekapaug, and more
There’s a growing anticipation as to when the state of Rhode Island will hand over control of Providence schools back to the district. Mayor Brett Smiley says that the city and the district need at least another year. We’ll ask him what he believes needs to happen before that transfer of power. Also, we hear about one of the state’s most hotly-contested battles over shoreline access – all centered around a tiny patch of coastline in Westerly. Plus, a look back on the week in Rhode Island politics, and a studio session with Providence hot jazz band Paper Moon. That and more on this week’s show.
Posted inEnvironment, Politics, The Weekly Catch
Does Rhode Island need an environmental justice law? Plus: ranked-choice voting explained – with chocolate
Two years after Pawtucket city officials closed Morley Park with plans to convert it to a parking lot, the National Park Service is being asked to weigh in on its future. An environmental lawyer says it’s just one more example of why Rhode Island needs an environmental justice law. Also, what exactly is ranked-choice voting, and how does it work? We’ll walk you through it. And on this week’s Artscape, we hear some “witch pop” in a studio session with Providence singer-songwriter Olivia Dolphin. That and more on this week’s show.
Posted inArts And Culture, Artscape
Studio Session: Olivia Dolphin’s piano-driven ‘witch-pop’
With a background in literature and classical music, Providence musician Olivia Dolphin writes piano driven pop songs about relationships and self-reflection. The Providence singer-songwriter’s latest single, “Ghost Story,” is a cautionary tale about heartbreak and the perils of modern dating.
Posted inBusiness, Health, The Weekly Catch
‘How Medical Malpractice Fails Everyone,’ big changes coming to Rhode Island hospitals, and more
It’s been a big week for healthcare in Rhode Island. The state’s largest hospital system is changing its name, and two cash-strapped hospitals will soon have a new owner. Also, a new documentary explores the impact of the medical malpractice system on doctors, patients, and our society at large. We talk with a Rhode Island emergency room doctor featured in the film, and one of the documentary’s co-directors. And we hear from the writer and director behind “God Talks to an Agnostic,” a radio play exploring the complicated role of the Black church in the life of a person struggling with their spirituality. Plus: Tips on accessing affordable and reliable internet after the end of the COVID-era Affordable Connectivity program, more highlights from the week in Rhode Island politics, and our picks for what to do this week.
Posted inArts And Culture, Artscape
‘God Talks to an Agnostic’ through nature in radio play about family and the Black church
Where does an agnostic find hope in the face of the injustice of the world? And what happens when that agnostic starts hearing the voice of god in the rain? These are just a few of the themes of the radio play “God Talks to an Agnostic.” Written and directed by Don Mays the play explores the complicated role of the Black church in the life of a person struggling with their spirituality. The third season of “God Talks to an Agnostic” airs this weekend. Artscape producer James Baumgartner talked with Don earlier this week.
Posted inCriminal Justice, Politics, The Weekly Catch
For some lawmakers, LEOBOR reform doesn’t do enough to address police misconduct
The death of George Floyd in 2020 shined a light on the issue of police misconduct and use of force. Here in Rhode Island, there’s been an effort to reshape how we deal with this problem by changing LEOBOR – the Law Enforcement Officers’ Bill of Rights. This week, Gov. McKee signed into law a bill that marks the first reforms to LEOBOR since its creation in 1976. But some believe it doesn’t go far enough. Also, attempts to reform the state’s Coastal Resources Management Council failed again this legislative session. And we meet artist Bob Dilworth, whose brilliantly textured and colorful paintings earned him a Pell Award this week from Trinity Rep. That and more on this week’s show.
