Episodes

  • Joel Byars, MomoCon 2026 & Atlanta Jazz Fest | The ATL Arts Collective
    May 20 2026
    ✦ Joel Byars ✦ Momocon ✦ Atlanta Jazz Festival ✦ Derrick Stroup ✦ Art News ✦ Best Bets ✦ Welcome to The ATL Arts Collective: Weekly Atlanta Arts Scene Roundup Welcome to The ATL Arts Collective, powered by ArtsATL. This is your new home for stories from the local Atlanta arts and culture scene, with reporting from ArtsATL writers, conversations with local artists, and voices from across our creative community. Each week, Kim Drobes will be joined by a rotating co-host: someone you may already know, or someone you’re about to be very glad you met. And today… Joel Byars! Joel Byars (photo by Joel Byars Connext Media) ✦This Week’s Featured Guest Co-host: Comedian Joel Byars Comedian and podcaster, Joel Byars, has been voted Atlanta’s Best Clean Comedian. He’s also the host of the award-winning Hot Breath! Podcast, where he’s interviewed over 400 comedians, about their craft. Joel believes comedy is a way to bring people together, and he’s partnered with organizations like the National Pediatric Cancer Foundation and the American Cancer Society to spread joy and laughter to those who need it most. (courtesy of MomoCon) ✦MomoCon 2026: Anime, Gaming, and Animation in Downtown Atlanta Momocon 2026 kicks off tomorrow, bringing together fans of anime, gaming, comics, and animation. The event turns downtown Atlanta into something almost cinematic with the unmistakable energy of people finding joy in the things they love most. Having grown steadily for over 2 decades, the convention attracted almost 60 thousand attendees last year. Arts Reporter Brittany Makins has more. Atlanta Jazz Festival (photo by Terence Rushin) ✦ 49th Annual Atlanta Jazz Festival at Piedmont Park Memorial Day weekend in Atlanta belongs to Jazz. From May 23 through May 25, Piedmont Park will be the home of the 49th Annual Atlanta Jazz Festival. At the center of it all is Adriane Jefferson, the Executive Director of the Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs. She just celebrated her one-year anniversary in the role, and it’s clear she’s set on not just keeping the lights on, but elevating the entire house. Her first fully curated Jazz Fest lineup includes acts like the Roots and PJ Morton and aims to draw music lovers from across the region to experience the latest and greatest in jazz culture. Derrick Stroup (Photo by Todd Owyoung NBC) ✦Atlanta Comedy Spotlight: Derrick Stroup Live at Center Stage Atlanta Fresh off his debut Netflix special titled Nostalgic, comedian Derrick Stroup is quickly becoming a household name on both his own tours and touring sold-out arenas with Nate Bargatze. Born in Alabama, he has southern roots and relatable humor, making him a must-see comedian coming to Atlanta this month. Just one year ago, the comedian was performing in the side room of an Atlanta comedy club, and now he is headlining two shows at Center Stage on May 27th and 28th. The 28th is already sold out, so save your seats for the 27th on Derrick’s website before they’re gone. When I recently talked with Stroup, we began by discussing the last time we’d seen each other. CTR Culture Studios ✦Local Art News Briefs & Weekly Best Bets ArtsATL senior editor Isadora Pennington keeps her ear to the ground and each month brings us her Arts News Brief. Today, her stories include the new CTR Culture Studios and GFB3 designing the art for this year’s Atlanta Jazz Festival. ✦ ArtsATL’s executive editor Shane Harrison stops by with his picks for this week's Best Bets. This week, his mix includes the return of Hot Jambalaya, The American Astronaut for Plazadrome, and Shakespeare Out of a Hat. Special thanks to today’s sponsors: The Atlanta Opera Rialto Center for the Arts at Georgia State University Join us on social at @artsatlanta and @atlartscollective. Let's lift the artists shaping Atlanta together. Show up, spread the word, and be part of the community. And if you’re able, consider donating to the ATL Arts Collective. Your support helps cover production costs and keeps this show going strong for years to come. Our theme music is K Michelle Dubois' Hit the Deck from her album Astral Heart, courtesy of Wicked Superb Records. The ATL Arts Collective is part of the Wordplay Collective podcast family. Check out our sister show, In Pieces with R Land, for conversations with artist R. Land. Thank you for listening! 00:00:00 Welcome to The ATL Arts Collective 00:01:15 Atlanta Comedian Joel Byars 00:02:10 Episode Preview: Guests & Segments 00:03:23 MomoCon 2026 Event Preview 00:07:18 Getting to Know Joel Byars 00:16:50 49th Annual Atlanta Jazz Festival Lineup 00:27:30 Derrick Stroup Live at Center Stage Atlanta 00:41:18 Atlanta Arts News Brief & Weekly Best Bets 00:49:13 Closing
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    57 mins
  • Bonus! Anna Jensen & Kevn Kinney Interview: Let’s Go Dancing Art Exhibition | The ATL Arts Collective
    May 18 2026

    *Please note the exhibition is on view through May 23, but the concert has passed*

    Drivin N Cryin Frontman Kevn Kinney & Artist Anna Jensen Uncut Interview Last week, we discussed the incredible "Let’s Go Dancing" art exhibition running at The Sun ATL gallery in Atlanta. Created by acclaimed Atlanta artist Anna Jensen, this monumental project serves as a profound visual response to the classic songs of Georgia Music Hall of Fame inductee Kevn Kinney, who is also Jensen's husband. The scale of this project is unprecedented: 100 of Kinney’s songs (spanning his solo work and his legendary career with rock band Drivin N Cryin) have been reimagined by 100 different collaborating musical artists. Jensen has since painted a unique, corresponding canvas for every single track. She is releasing the massive tribute music project through her own independent label, Tasty Goody Records. We couldn't fit the full interview into our standard weekly broadcast, so we are throwing open the vault. Please enjoy this full, uncut conversation with Anna Jensen and Kevn Kinney as they break down the intersection of visual art, Southern rock history, and creative partnership.

    00:00 - Welcome & Special Bonus Episode Introduction

    05:19 - Selecting 100 Kevn Kinney Songs & Painting Every Track

    05:57 - Launching Tasty Goody Records: Distribution & Vinyl Workload

    27:08 - Supporting Music Charities & Community Impact

    28:30 - Where to Stream the Music, Buy Art & Order Merch

    30:44 - Let’s Go Dancing Art Exhibition Dates & Closing Sign-off

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    31 mins
  • Amy Sherald at High Museum, Kevn Kinney & Jessi Kirtley | The ATL Arts Collective
    May 13 2026
    ✦ Summer Evans ✦ Let’s Go Dancing ✦ Commonplaces ✦ American Sublime ✦ Jessi Kirtley ✦ Best Bets ✦ Welcome to The ATL Arts Collective, powered by ArtsATL. This is your home for stories from Atlanta’s arts scene, with reporting from ArtsATL writers, conversations with artists, and voices from across the creative community. Each week, Kim Drobes will be joined by a rotating co-host: someone you may already know, or someone you’re about to be very glad you met. And today…Summer Evans! Courtesy of Summer Evans ✦ Summer Evans is a freelance journalist and multimedia storyteller based in Atlanta. She has a background in public radio and has built her career covering the city’s arts, culture, and community stories. Currently, she works as a freelance social media content producer for Rough Draft Atlanta, creating daily newsletter recap reels to reach audiences. As a photographer, she has over 10 years of experience in visual storytelling, including weddings, couples, brands, families, and photojournalism. When not working on stories, she enjoys outdoor activities with her husband, two kids, and dogs. Kevn Kinney and Anna Jensen talk with Kim at The Sun ATL (Photo by Kim Drobes) ✦ Kevn Kinney Live at The Sun ATL: Let’s Go Dancing Art Exhibition Let’s Go Dancing, the new exhibition at The Sun ATL by Atlanta artist Anna Jensen, is a profound visual response to the songs of Georgia Music Hall of Fame inductee, and Drivin N Cryin’s frontman, Kevn Kinney, who also happens to be Jensen’s husband. What began as a 60th birthday surprise video during the COVID-19 lockdown has grown into a monumental project: 100 songs reimagined by 100 artists, each with a corresponding painting for the track. Jensen produced the whole affair and started Tasty Goody Records in order to put the music out into the wild. It’s truly a love letter for the ages. To celebrate, Kevn Kinney is performing amongst Jensen’s paintings at the Sun ATL tonight, with special surprise guests, and a few tickets are still available. Kim recently visited the exhibition and spoke with Jensen and Kinney about the massive undertaking. Author and Distinguished University Professor of Georgia State, Josh Russell. (Photo by Adam Forrester) ✦Author Josh Russell’s New Essay Collection: Commonplaces What started as ten-cent photocopies in a college library has transformed into a lifetime of capturing the world’s strange and wondrous connections. Georgia State professor and author Josh Russell’s new essay collection,Commonplaces, explores the intersections of life’s challenges with everyday beauty. Literary critic Rachel Wright brings us this story. Amy Sherald Portrait (photo by Kelvin Bulluck) ✦ Amy Sherald’s "American Sublime" Exhibition at the High Museum of Art Painter Amy Sherald’s American Sublime exhibition is currently on view at the High Museum. While the world may know the artist for her iconic portrait of Michelle Obama, Atlanta knows her as one of our own. Born in Columbus and trained right here at Clark Atlanta University, Sherald’s return to the High feels like a full-circle moment, especially since this is the final stop of the exhibition’s national tour. Co-host Summer Evans recently visited the High to see the exhibition and discuss the work with the museum’s assistant curator of modern and contemporary art, Angelica Arbelaez. Kirtley (far right) and her "Operation Mincemeat" castmates (Photo by Emilio Madrid) ✦ Roswell Native Jessi Kirtley Makes Her Broadway Debut Jessi Kirtley never missed performing in a school musical from elementary to high school, and now, the Roswell native is living her dream and performing on Broadway. Theatre correspondent Sally Fuller brings us her story. Trey-Wright (photo by Keith Taylor) ✦ ArtsATL Weekly Best Bets with Shane Harrison ArtsATL’s executive editor Shane Harrison brings us his picks for this week’s Best Bets. Today, his mix includes your chance to indulge in European films, some free jazz performances, and a bunch of neighborhood festivals. Special thanks to today’s sponsors: The Atlanta Opera Join us on social at @artsatlanta and @atlartscollective. Let's lift the artists shaping Atlanta together. Show up, spread the word, and be part of the community. And if you’re able, consider donating to the ATL Arts Collective. Your support helps cover production costs and keeps this show going strong for years to come. Our theme music is K Michelle Dubois' Hit the Deck from her album Astral Heart, courtesy of Wicked Superb Records. The ATL Arts Collective is part of the Wordplay Collective podcast family. Check out our sister show, In Pieces with R Land, for conversations with artist R. Land. Thank you for listening! 00:00 Special Sponsor Message & Show Support 00:22 Episode Introduction & Weekly Welcome 01:43 Meet This Week's Co-Host: Journalist Summer Evans 02:12 Inside the...
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    54 mins
  • Black Girl’s Guide to ATL, No Words L5P Festival & Georgia Prop 1007 | The ATL Arts Collective
    May 6 2026
    ✦ Shanita Miller ✦ Proposition 1007 ✦ No Words ✦ The New South ✦ Déjà Vu ✦ Spoke and Word ✦ Best Bets ✦ Welcome to The ATL Arts Collective, powered by ArtsATL. This is your new home for stories from Atlanta’s arts scene, with reporting from ArtsATL writers, conversations with artists, and voices from across the creative community. Each week, Kim Drobes will be joined by a rotating co-host: someone you may already know, or someone you’re about to be very glad you met. And today…Shanita Miller! photo credit: Rebecca Carmen ✦ Shanita Miller is an Atlanta native and the visionary founder of the Black Girl’s Guide to Atlanta platform. As a community & lifestyle influencer, she’s on a mission to highlight women and black-owned businesses in our city and beyond. She’s also an event coordinator and curator, and her 90 thousand-plus followers know she’s the real deal. Shanita recommends checking out: Juci Jerk The Betty Hambidge Rep. Todd Jones, Rep. Kim Schofield and Rep. Mary Margaret Oliver on the Georgia House floor on March 12 discussing HR1007. (Photo courtesy of Georgia House of Representatives) ✦ Georgia Prop 1007: Redefining the Arts as Mental Healthcare We’ve all heard the legend of Mister Rogers testifying before the Senate. The soft-spoken man in a cardigan argued that twenty million dollars was a small price to pay for the 'inner life' of a child. The defense of public broadcasting framed the arts not as a luxury but as a necessity for a healthy mind. And for decades, that’s been the battle cry: please, don't cut the arts. But here in Georgia, the conversation just underwent a radical shift. Lawmakers recently passed Proposition 1007, which redefines the very purpose of a stage or a symphony, moving the arts out of the 'leisure' column and directly into the world of mental healthcare. Arts reporter Jordan Owen has more. Photo by Ben Garden ✦ No Words Festival Takes Over Little Five Points This Saturday, No Words returns, and this time, it’s a free festival and takeover in Little Five Points. It’s a day where the lyrics are stripped away to make room for pure, unadulterated instrumental sounds. The day includes music, art, dancing, film, and a parade. Joining us now to help us navigate the jam-packed event are Ann Wood, the architect of the 'No Words', and Kelly Stocks, President of the L5P Cultural District and a lifelong guardian of the neighborhood's legacy. Hi Kelly and Anne! photo credit: Rebecca Carmen ✦ The New South Collective: Spotlighting Minority Chefs In 2024, a group of young Black chefs came together to launch a collective that creates a space for collaboration, creativity, and support for minority chefs. They not only wanted to showcase the depth of southern cuisine but also to put the food and talent of minority chefs in the spotlight. Today’s guest co-host, Shanita Miller, talks to the chefs of The New South Collective. photo credit Mitali Singh ✦ Déjà Vu Exhibition at Spalding Nix Fine Art We’ve all had that fleeting sensation-the feeling that a moment, a color, or a shape is something we’ve encountered before, even if we can’t quite place where. At Spalding Nix Fine Art, the new exhibition Déjà Vu leans into that mystery. It's a presentation of four shows featuring artists working in abstraction, connected by their explorations of movement, memory, and the intangible. Arts reporter Mitali Singh took a walk through the gallery to see how these artists are blurring the lines between the seen and the unseen. ✦ Spoke & Word: Bike-Themed Storytelling Weekend Whether you feel like life is just one big uphill climb or a flat, easy road, there is a new bike-themed storytelling event that wants to hear from you. Mercy Montgomery, the founder of Spoke and Word, says the idea for this bike-themed storytelling weekend has been a long time coming. ✦ArtsATL Weekend Best Bets with Shane Harrison ArtsATL’s executive editor Shane Harrison stops by with his picks for this week's Best Bets. Today, his mix includes a lantern parade in Sandy Springs, multiple arts festivals, and comedy with Rickey Smiley. Special thanks to today’s sponsors: The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra The Atlanta Opera The ArtsXchange Swan Coach House Gallery Join us on social at @artsatlanta and @atlartscollective. Let's lift the artists shaping Atlanta together. Show up, spread the word, and be part of the community. And if you’re able, consider donating to the ATL Arts Collective. Your support helps cover production costs and keeps this show going strong for years to come. Our theme music is K Michelle Dubois' Hit the Deck from her album Astral Heart, courtesy of Wicked Superb Records. The ATL Arts Collective is part of the Wordplay Collective podcast family. Check out our sister show, In Pieces with R Land, for conversations with artist R. Land. Thank you for listening! 00:00 Special Sponsor Message &...
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    55 mins
  • Bonus! Lois Reitzes & Niki in the Garden: Bloum Cardenas on her grandmother's legacy | The ATL Arts Collective
    May 4 2026

    Lois Reitzes has questions for Bloum Cardenas about Niki de Saint Phalle’s Iconic Art Acclaimed Atlanta broadcasting legend Lois Reitzes returns to the microphone with an exclusive interview featuring Bloum Cardenas, the granddaughter of legendary French-American sculptor Niki de Saint Phalle. In this bonus episode, Cardenas shares intimate family insights into her grandmother’s personal memoirs, the powerful feminist themes driving her career, and the world-famous, colorful "Nana" sculptures. They also discuss the global legacy of the artist's historic monumental works, which have captivated local art lovers on display at the Atlanta Botanical Garden. Listen in as they trace Niki de Saint Phalle's creative journey, her high-profile friendships with contemporary art icons like Jasper Johns and Robert Rauschenberg, and the ongoing mission of the Niki Charitable Art Foundation to protect her radical creative legacy. Episode Timeline & Chapters 00:00 Introduction & Special Art History Bonus Episode 00:22 Behind the Scenes: How Bloum Cardenas’ Interview Was Recorded 01:11 Exploring Niki de Saint Phalle's Memoirs: Writing vs Visual Artwork 02:59 Feminism, Gender Politics, and the Origin of the Nanas 06:55 The Famous Nana Sculptures: A Global Structural Overview 07:25 The Hon Exhibition 1966 Stockholm: The First Monumental Nana 09:29 Famous Art Circles: Friendships with Jasper Johns, Rauschenberg & Oldenburg 11:34 Niki Charitable Art Foundation: Mission, Archives & Creative Stewardship 15:07 Closing Remarks, Studio Credits & Local Art Community Updates

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    16 mins
  • Lois Reitzes Co-Hosts, Niki de Saint Phalle & WigWag Festival | The ATL Arts Collective
    Apr 29 2026
    ✦ Lois Reitzes ✦ Compassionate Corridor ✦ WigWag ✦ Niki in the Garden ✦ Gulch’s Making it Work ✦ Bent Frequency presents ✦ Welcome to The ATL Arts Collective, powered by ArtsATL. This is your new home for stories from Atlanta’s arts scene, with reporting from ArtsATL writers, conversations with artists, and voices from across the creative community. Each week, Kim Drobes will be joined by a rotating co-host: someone you may already know, or someone you’re about to be very glad you met. And today… Lois Reitzes! courtesy of Lois Reitzes ✦ Lois Retizes is a Public Radio superstar. After retiring in 2025, she holds the record for the longest-running voice in Atlanta radio (45½ years). Reitzes created and hosted both Second Cup and City Lights on WABE and is a lifelong advocate and amplifier of the arts. She’s also a fan of nicknames, just in case you’re wondering why she affectionately calls Kim “KDro.” 😂 Shannon Willow stands with her sculpture, 'Lungs of Mother Earth,' at a pocket park in Scottdale. (Photo by Isadora Pennington) ✦ The Compassion Corridor: Public Art in Scottdale What if a piece of public art could help an entire community breathe easier? Well, an emerging outdoor greenspace anchored by the Path is hoping to do just that through connection and community. ArtsATL senior editor Isadora Pennington has the story of the Compassion Corridor. courtesy of Robet Lee and WigWag ✦ WigWag 2026: Avondale Estates Arts District Festival This Saturday, May 2nd, the streets of Avondale Estates Arts District will close to traffic and come alive with the sound of music alongside local makers, vendors, and artists. It’s WigWag 2026, and joining us now is the man behind the curtain, Robert Lee from Methane Studios. courtesy of The Atlanta Botanical Garden ✦ Niki de Saint Phalle’s "Niki in the Garden" at the Atlanta Botanical Garden There are many ways to acknowledge a milestone anniversary. Some people give flowers – a small bouquet, perhaps a dozen. The Atlanta Botanical Garden began celebrating its 50th anniversary with Atlanta SUPER Blooms – nearly 140,000 tulips and daffodils have been on the great lawn all month. And now, a spectacular exhibition of 41 works by the late French-American artist Niki de Saint Phalle will be on view from May 9 through September 6. Lois Retizes recently discussed the upcoming exhibition, Niki in the Garden, with Mary Pat Matheson, President and CEO of the Atlanta Botanical Garden. Building out Hawkins HQ (photo credit Jasmine Hentschel) ✦ Making It Work: Alexander Hawkins of Hawkins HQ Gulch is a printed magazine about Atlanta’s visual art scene, created by Jasmine Hentshel and EC Flamming. It’s quite an undertaking, absolutely gorgeous, and Volume 2 is currently available. Jasmine and EC are very connected to our city’s art world, and they’re joining us monthly for their new segment, Making It Work, which investigates how local creatives avoid being “starving artists.” These are personal stories from Atlanta artists about how they make a living for themselves through art. Today, they talk with Alexander Hawkins of Hawkins HQ and learned how he found the money to change parts of an abandoned motel into a functional and beautiful art gallery. (spoiler alert - he’s not afraid to get his hands dirty.) Bent Frequency founders Jan Berry Baker and Stuart Gerber. (Photo by Steve Eberhardt) ✦ Bent Frequency Concludes Season with Steve Reich Masterpiece Contemporary classical specialists Bent Frequency are concluding their 2025-26 season with a special free concert on Sunday at Kopleff Recital Hall on the Georgia State University campus. The afternoon program includes recitals of the three winning entries to Underscore, an annual open call for composition submissions organized by Bent Frequency. Also included is Music for 18 Musicians, Steve Reich’s “masterpiece of momentum” performed by an assemblage of the city’s talent-rich new-music community. Arts reporter Doug DeLoach has the story. courtesy of the ASO ✦ ArtsATL Weekend Best Bets with Shane Harrison ArtsATL’s executive editor Shane Harrison stops by with his picks for this week's Best Bets, and today his mix includes comedy, a jazz legend, and an abundance of photography. Special thanks to today’s sponsors: The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra The ArtsXchange Bookish Atlanta Join us on social at @artsatlanta and @atlartscollective. Let's lift the artists shaping Atlanta together. Show up, spread the word, and be part of the community. And if you’re able, consider donating to the ATL Arts Collective. Your support helps cover production costs and keeps this show going strong for years to come. Our theme music is K Michelle Dubois' Hit the Deck from her album Astral Heart, courtesy of Wicked Superb Records. The ATL Arts Collective is part of the Wordplay Collective podcast family. Check out ...
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    59 mins
  • Atlanta Film Festival 50th, Scattrbrain Supergroup & Aja Arnold | The ATL Arts Collective
    Apr 22 2026
    ✦ Aja Arnold ✦ Atlanta Film Festival turns 50 ✦ Lillian Blades Exhibition ✦ Scattrbrain ✦ Art News ✦ Venus ✦ Best Bets ✦ Welcome to The ATL Arts Collective, powered by ArtsATL. This is your new home for stories from Atlanta’s arts scene, with reporting from ArtsATL writers, conversations with artists, and voices from across the creative community. Each week, Kim Drobes will be joined by a rotating co-host: someone you may already know, or someone you’re about to be very glad you met. And today...Aja Arnold! courtesy of Aja Arnold ✦ Aja Arnold, founder of the Atlanta-based magazine and production company Mainline, and a nationally published journalist with writings in Scalawag Magazine, Vice, Intercept, Creative Loafing, and more. She is also the co-producer of Standard Selects: The Movie and its companion digital series. Aja brings us the story of Scattrbrain (see below) and shares details on her collaboration with Standard Electric Recorders Co. Aja recommends checking out: Standard Selects Scalawag Magazine UMAW Gutwrench Journal (Aja's first published story: Orange & Ivory: A Tremendous Night of Democratic Carnage) courtesy of the Atlanta Film Festival ✦ The 50th Anniversary of the Atlanta Film Festival Fifty years ago, a group of Atlantans started a film festival with no major backing and no guarantee it would last. But it didn’t just survive; it continues to grow, powered by people who believe this city has stories worth telling. This story was based on an interview by film reporter Steve Murray, and you can read Steve’s full story on the Atlanta Film Festival at ArtsATL.org. Photo by Kevin Storer ✦ Lillian Blades' "Sanctuary" at the Emma Darnell Museum Lillian Blades is a powerhouse in the Atlanta art scene, known for vibrant, maximalist pieces that weave together her Bahamian roots and West African ancestry. But her latest exhibition, Sanctuary, at the Emma Darnell Aviation Museum, offers something more than just finished masterpieces; it offers a rare look at an artist in the middle of a transformation. Dr. Kevin Storer, a scholar and critic who recently reviewed the show for ArtsATL stops by. Scattrbrain performing at their first headlining show at Drunken Unicorn on March 19, 2026. Photo credit: Christian M Photography (@christian_m_photography on IG) ✦ Scattrbrain: The New Atlanta Rap-Meets-Alt-Rock Supergroup Guest co-host Aja Arnold brings us the story of Scattrbrain, the new Atlanta-based rap-meets-alt-rock project. While Scattrbrain is a new project, the players involved are not. Among them are longtime rapper and East Atlanta native GRIP and members of the bands Grouplove and Mallbangs. Their new album, Scattrbrain & the Unwavering Self-Doubt will be released on June 19. photo credit Natrice Miller ✦ ATL Arts News Brief: Dashboard, Atlanta Art Week & EarthGang ArtsATL senior editor Isadora Pennington joins the show for a News Brief featuring stories that affect our arts ecosystem. Today, she has news about Lauren Jackson Harris being announced as the next Executive Director of Dashboard, Atlanta Art Week's postponement, and EarthGang, an Atlanta-based Grammy-nominated MC duo, and their new comic book series, Wheel of Fate. Photo by Casey Gardner Ford ✦ "Venus" Marks a Dark Romance Premiere at Actor’s Express Venus, a new play from the creator of HBO’s The Flight Attendant and Netflix’s Dead Boy Detectives, just opened at Actor’s Express. It’s a dark romance full of twists and turns, and ArtsATL Editor at Large Benji Carr has the story. Photo by Joan Marcus (0307)r ✦ ArtsATL Weekend Best Bets with Shane Harrison ArtsATL’s executive editor Shane Harrison stops by with his picks for this week's Best Bets. Today, his mix includes lots of music. From Opera, to roots, to the retro genre-bending stylings of Raye. Special thanks to today’s sponsors: The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra The ArtsXchange The Dekalb History Center Join us on social at @artsatlanta and @atlartscollective. Let's lift the artists shaping Atlanta together. Show up, spread the word, and be part of the community. And if you’re able, consider donating to the ATL Arts Collective. Your support helps cover production costs and keeps this show going strong for years to come. Our theme music is K Michelle Dubois' Hit the Deck from her album Astral Heart, courtesy of Wicked Superb Records. The ATL Arts Collective is part of the Wordplay Collective podcast family. Check out our sister show, In Pieces with R Land, for conversations with artist R. Land. Thank you for listening! 00:00 Introduction & Meet Guest Co-Host Aja Arnold 01:31 Show Preview & Cultural Segment Lineup 02:32 Celebrating 50 Years of the Atlanta Film Festival 07:05 Inside Standard Selects Movie and Digital Series Collaboration 13:16 Art Review: Lillian Blades’ Sanctuary Exhibition at Emma Darnell 23:52 Music ...
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    51 mins
  • Jon Goode on Poetry, Playground Lantern Parade & Record Store Day | The ATL Arts Collective
    Apr 15 2026
    ✦ Jon Goode and National Poetry Month ✦ Illumine at Oakland Cemetery ✦ Illuminating Noguchi ✦ Best Bets ✦ Yum Yum Tree ✦ Smoke at the Goat Farm ✦ Record Store Day ✦ Welcome to The ATL Arts Collective, powered by ArtsATL. This is your new home for stories from Atlanta’s arts scene, with reporting from ArtsATL writers, conversations with artists, and voices from across the creative community. Each week, Kim Drobes will be joined by a rotating co-host: someone you may already know, or someone you’re about to be very glad you met. And today...Jon Goode! Photo courtesy of Jon Goode ✦ Three-time Emmy-nominated writer, performer, and poet Jon Goode joins as guest co-host. He’s the author of Black Curio and host of The Moth and Show & Tell. In honor of National Poetry Month, he shares his suggestions for open mics and explains why Poetry is so important to culture and history. Jon’s suggestions for poetry: Urban Grind on Thursdays ArtsXchange Spring Fling Poetry Slam on April 24 The Book Bird Anything by Abyss or Georgia Me Photo by George Gomez ✦Illumine Immersive Art Experience at Historic Oakland Cemetery Beginning tomorrow, Oakland Cemetery is set to come alive with art and music. It’s the return of Illumine, a multi-sensory art experience curated by Cat Eye Creative. ArtsATL senior editor for art+design and dance, Isadora Pennington, went for a sneak peek to learn how multiple artists are transforming Atlanta’s oldest and most historic cemetery into immersive art installations. Photo by Steve Eberhardt, Krewe puppeteers (and their creators) Cameron & Joy Ayer. ✦ Illuminating Noguchi: Chantelle Rytter’s Lantern Parade Collective Joy If you've ever seen a river of light flowing down the Atlanta Beltline, you've seen the work of Chantelle Rytter. We talk to the artist and crew captain behind Atlanta's iconic lantern parades about how she's made the practice of turning public spaces into galleries of collective joy. She shares details on her collaboration with the High Museum for Illuminating Noguchi, an event that culminates in a glowing procession from the museum to the historic Noguchi playscape in Piedmont Park. Photo courtesy Atlanta Symphony Orchestra ✦ ArtsATL Weekend Best Bets with Shane Harrison ArtsATL executive editor Shane Harrison stops by with his picks for the week’s Best Bets. Today, his mix includes a chance to catch the ASO in Piedmont Park, a feast for French film lovers, and the Black Boy Art Show. Shane’s full list of this week’s 9 essential Atlanta arts events is at ArtsATL.org. Photo courtesy of Team Clermont ✦ The Yum Yum Tree Music reporter Jordan Owen talks to The Yum Yum Tree’s bassist/vocalist Andy Gish to learn what a primate, Peter Gabriel, and our city’s shifting economic tides have to do with the band’s new album, Turn Down the Noise. Photo by Mitali Singh ✦ Smoke at The Goat Farm Arts reporter Mitali Singh visits the Goat Farm for a sneak peek at their upcoming show Smoke. It’s a live performance blending contemporary dance, performance art, and electronic pop. Image by mgattorna from Pixabay ✦Atlanta Record Store Day Guide with Author Chad Radford Record Store Day is this Saturday, and music writer, Rad/ATL founder, and the man who literally wrote the book on Atlanta’s independent record stores, Chad Radford, stops by. Chad’s the former music editor of Creative Loafing and the author of Atlanta Record Stores: An Oral History. So, if you want to know which crates to dig through this Record Store Day, there’s no better guide. (Chad’s interview was cut short for time, so “Part 2” will come out as a bonus episode this Friday and includes a list of records that Chad hopes to aquire this Record Store Day) Special thanks to today’s sponsors: The Alliance Theatre Soul Food Cypher The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra The ArtsXchange The Sun ATL Join us on social at @artsatlanta and @atlartscollective. Let's lift the artists shaping Atlanta together. Show up, spread the word, and be part of the community. And if you’re able, consider donating to the ATL Arts Collective. Your support helps cover production costs and keeps this show going strong for years to come. Our theme music is K Michelle Dubois' Hit the Deck from her album Astral Heart, courtesy of Wicked Superb Records. The ATL Arts Collective is part of the Wordplay Collective podcast family. Check out our sister show, In Pieces with R Land, for conversations with artist R. Land. Thank you for listening! Episode Timeline & Chapters 00:00 Welcome Emmy-Nominated Writer & Poet Jon Goode 06:01 Inside Illumine Immersive Art Experience at Historic Oakland Cemetery 12:54 National Poetry Month: Top Atlanta Open Mics & Poetry Slams 15:08 Illuminating Noguchi: Chantelle Rytter on BeltLine Lantern Parades 26:24 Weekend Event Roadmap: ArtsATL Best Bets & Free ASO Concert 31:13 Local Indie Music: The Yum Yum Tree Album Preview 39:58...
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    1 hr