Take Whatever Beauty You Can Find

This episode, I talk with Dr. John Flanery, President of Bishop Heelan Catholic Schools.  We discuss the presence and importance of arts in the schools, but we dedicate most of our time to his work with the Missouri River Choral Society.  He also drops some knowledge on Handel and Schubert.  So listen up.  

Today I sat down with Pat Toben from Sioux City Community Schools.  We talked about some of the programs she's working on for the schools--like Carnegie Hall's Link-Up and Met HD Live--as well as her personal history with the arts and art education.  

I talk with Russel Wooley, Artistic and Managing Director of Lamb Arts Regional Theatre.  As a transplant to the Siouxland area, I'm getting a sense of the present, but don't know the unique histories of a lot of our established organizations.  Russel takes me through a quick history of Lamb's first forty years and looks ahead to the reclaimed building on Douglas.  

Hannah Adamson anchors the morning news coverage for KCAU 9, but she's also active in the arts community.  She has performed onstage at Sioux City Community Theatre and as part of her next project, she's helping out a high school production in South Sioux City.  Hannah and I talked about these interests and much more--including the symphony, Shakespeare, and college radio shows.  

This episode I talk orchestra, opera, clarinet and more with USD Director of Orchestras and Professor of Clarinet Dr. Luis Viquez.

This episode I talk with Vermillion visual artist Klaire Lockheart.  Her exhibition "Feminine Attempts" opens soon at the Sioux City Art Center.  We talk about the paintings in that exhibition, a couple of shows she's curating, renaissance art, man caves, and much more.   You can find Klaire in various manifestations online: 

Website: https://www.klairelockheart.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/klairelockheart/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KlaireALockheart/

Halloween has come and gone, but it's always the season for a good book, even a spooky or strange one.

In this episode, I talk with Kelsey Patterson and BJ Hollars. Kelsey is the Reader Services Specialist for the Sioux City Public Library. She leads the Open Book Club and is a co-host of The First Fifty Pages podcast. Kelsey and I talk about spooky or strange books, and she offers up some good ones.

BJ and I talk about his latest book, Midwestern Strange: Hunting Monsters, Martians, and the Weird in Flyover Country. It's a book that on its face dives into paranormal sightings (think werewolves, UFOs, and giant turtles), but as BJ explains in our conversation, "It's really a book about people."

This episode I sit down with Ryan Haskins, Music Director of the Sioux City Symphony Orchestra.  He previews the November concert and talks about commissions and new music.  And I get the chance to ask him about his role as conductor and interpreter.  

In this, our very first episode, I sit down with Diana Wooley, Executive Director of Lamb Arts Regional Theatre. We talk about her upcoming production of Romeo and Juliet, Shakespeare, theatre in general, and more.