Art and Culture

Sometimes lost works of art can reappear, allowing us a chance to rediscover an artist we'd forgotten about. 

The Staple Singers wrote and recorded "Freedom Highway" during the legendary Selma to Montgomery March in 1965.

The Travelers of Faith take listeners on an unexpected journey in the musical netherworld between jubilee and hard gospel. 

From styrofoam recycling to the Stars over Texas Jamboree Gospel Edition...the Waco Family & Faith International Film Festival to  “Investigating Impeachment: Congress, Context and the Constitution," there is plenty happening in and around town this week.  

First a couple of ideas about how you can do some good in the community.  (read more)

I’m Jim McKeown, welcome to Likely Stories, a weekly review of fiction, non-fiction, poetry, and biographies.

Once again, I found myself in the web of one of my favorite genres: novels set in and around a bookstore.  If you think these are all copy-cat stories, you are in for a surprise.  So far, all that I have read have a variety of situations, characters, and love.  According to the biography in the paperback copy, Victoria Henry worked as a scriptwriter before turning to fiction.  She lives with her family in North Devon, England. Her novel, How to find Love in a Bookshop is a wonderful story.  

The Gospel Emeralds are best known today for the martial beat and cadences of "We're On Our Way" - one of the Rev. James Cleveland's favorite songs. 

Hosting this week is Rae Jefferson.  Rae talks with Tyrha Lindsey-Warren, founder of the Waco Family and Faith International Film Festival.  Also on the program, Fiona Bond talks about an arts consultation that could be the next step in extablishing Waco's cultural identity in the Creative Waco update.  There's also David Smith with an installment of David and Art.

There are a number of opportunities to get involved this week.  We also talk about some arts and entertianment events and some things to help get you, or keep you healthy. (read more)

I’m Jim McKeown, welcome to Likely Stories, a weekly review of fiction, non-fiction, poetry, and biographies

Josephine Edna O'Brien was born December 15, 1930.  She is an Irish novelist playwright, poet, and short-story writer.  The President of Ireland, Mary Robinson, cited her as "one of the great creative writers of her generation."  She has penned more than 25 works of fiction.  Her stories are heartfelt, poignant, and breathtaking.  

The Heavenly Dew Drops were one of many first-rate artists to release music through Detroit's legendary HOB Records label. 

In Episode 77 of Downtown Depot, show host Austin Meek interviews Katie Selman. Selman discusses her move from Brooklyn to Waco and her desire to bring punk, rap, and rock music to Waco with her organization "Keep Waco Loud." Before that interview, Meek shines the Small Business Spotlight on Gene Vinnykov of Koko Ramen and talks with real estate experts Austin Hooper and Greg Glime about the Waco market heading into 2020. 

From MLK Day activities to the Brazos River Clean Up, there is plenty to do in Waco this week.  

I’m Jim McKeown, welcome to Likely Stories, a weekly review of fiction, non-fiction, poetry, and biographies.

A new writer I recently discovered, has led me to an amazing story of love and passion.  The story revolves around three couples loosely connected by time and space, with a thinner connection by blood.  André Aciman’s latest novel, Find Me, is a powerful story of the connections created by love.  Find Me is a sequel to Call Me by Your Name.  He has written six other novels.  He lives with his wife in Manhattan.

Sometimes the most perceptive voice in a controversy comes from an artist who sees it up close.

Last week I mentioned that the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts in Richmond has just installed a monumental new sculpture by an artist named Kehinde Wiley, the first work of sculpture he’s created.  And it might just be one of the most powerful works of art you’ll ever see.

Wiley based the form of his work on a 1907 equestrian statue of Confederate General JEB Stuart that sits prominently on Richmond’s Monument Avenue.  In content, however, Wiley’s statue is quite different.  Well, the horse is the same.  But sitting on it in an equally heroic pose is a young African American man in street clothes with dreadlocks, torn jeans, and Nike shoes.  The effect is overwhelming.