Creatively Speaking

Jim Cotter speaks with David Robertson. The Music Director of the Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra conducts The Philadelphia Orchestra in three concerts this week.

As Pennsylvania lawmakers work on the state budget, WRTI's Susan Lewis looks at how the Commonwealth funds arts and culture, and the possible consequences of threatened cutbacks.

David Patrick Stearns previews The Month of Moderns - a series of concerts by the chamber choir The Crossing.

Susan Lewis explores the Woodmere Art Museum's 69th Annual Juried Exhibition.

We have two reports from the Kensington section of Philadelphia:

Jason Peifer previews this weekend's Kensington Kinetic Sculpture Derby in Philadelphia. In conjunction with the Trenton Avenue Arts Festival, the event highlights the growing arts scene in the Kensington neighborhood.

Susan Lewis considers the variety in ballet today, as Pennsylvania Ballet prepares to open a new program headlined by a work titled Tango with Style.

Jason Peifer visits the Landis Valley Museum in Lancaster County. The "living history" village and farm collects, preserves, and interprets the culture of the Pennsylvania German rural community from 1740 to 1940.

We listen again to Jim Cotter's interview with LA Times writer Steve Lopez. The movie adaptation of his best-selling book The Soloist has been released to critical and popular acclaim.

We remember Thomas Chimes who died this week at age 88. He was one of Philadelphia's most respected contemporary artists.

Jason Peifer delves into the history of tattoos and body art with a visit to a new exhibition at the Independence Seaport Museum. Skin & Bones explores the beliefs, mysteries, and traditions of the tattoo in American maritime culture.

We listen again as Susan Lewis visits Cezanne and Beyond at The Philadelphia Museum of Art.

Jim Cotter speaks with Rossen Milanov. He conducts both Camden's Symphony in C with Astral Artists, and The Philadelphia Orchestra in upcoming concerts at the Kimmel Center.

Jason Peifer visits the Arden Theatre as it opens Bruce Graham's Something Intangible, the Arden's 30th world-premiere play. We'll hear about the career of the Philadelphia playwright.

The Philadelphia Inquirer's David Patrick Stearns previews The Audition, a documentary exploring how the Metropolitan Opera finds new talent. The film features AVA artists Angela Meade and Michael Fabiano.

Jason Peifer visits 'Painted Metaphors: Pottery and Politics of the Ancient Maya' at the Penn Museum. The exhibition features 1,300-year-old pottery from the highlands of Guatemala.

Susan Lewis looks at 'Juxtapose,' a new program by Phila.'s contemporary dance company, Jeanne Ruddy Dance. It features a premiere by world-renowned choreographer Martha Clarke.

Philadelphia Inquirer's David Patrick Stearns explores the latest developments in the story of a Paul Hindemith piano concerto, and how the only copy of the piece came to be found in rural PA.

Jim Cotter speaks with legendary playwright Edward Albee. The Philadelphia Theater Company is presenting his At Home at The Zoo.

Jason Peifer visits the Pearl S. Buck House in Bucks County. An exhibition that includes the long-lost manuscript of Buck's famous novel The Good Earth has opened at the National Historic Landmark home.

Susan Lewis visits the Sketch Club and the Plastic Club on Philadelphia's historic Camac Street, also known as the "Avenue of the Artists."

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We listen again to Jim Cotter's recent conversation with conductor Michael Tilson Thomas.

Susan Lewis looks at AMERICA I AM: The African American Imprint, an exhibition at the National Constitution Center exploring the myriad contributions African Americans have made to America.

Jason Peifer previews the Philadelphia Theater's Company production of At Home At The Zoo. We'll hear from playwright Edward Albee about this expanded version of his 1959 play, The Zoo Story. ?

Jim Cotter speaks with harpsichordist and Temple University music professor Joyce Lindorff. A celebration of early keyboard music she's helped organize culminates with a concert featuring music from 18th-century Philadelphia this weekend.

Susan Lewis looks at the Woodmere Art Museum's Contemporary Voices: The 69th Annual Juried Exhibition in the Chestnut Hill section of Philadelphia.

Tom Keels explores the cooperation between Germantown's historic sites and the local school district that has made thousands of students into "History Hunters."

Jim Cotter speaks with composer George Walker. The Philadelphia Orchestra will include his rarely performed Lilacs in upcoming concerts at the Kimmel Center and Carnegie Hall.

Susan Lewis explores North Philadelphia's Village of Arts and Humanities, which evolved from the creation of art parks on abandoned lots into a community-based performing arts program, including theater and dance, spoken word, and video production.