The Common

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How Black Out performances promote inclusion in Boston theater Oct 17, 2024

Show notes

Boston's theater-goers are overwhelmingly white: 89%, according to a report by the nonprofit ArtsBoston. At the same time, more than half of the city's residents are people of color.

Some theater companies are fostering inclusion with Black Out nights. Performances are taken off sale to the general public and made accessible with a code distributed to Black organizations and social media groups.

Maurice Emmanuel Parent is an actor, educator and co-founder and co-producing artistic director of Front Porch Arts Collective, a Black theatre company promoting racial equity in Boston. He speaks with us about the history and intention of Black Out experiences.

Greater Boston’s weekly podcast where news and culture meet.

Meet three artists from this year's "Makers" cohort Oct 10, 2024

Show notes

Each year, WBUR highlights a group of artists of color in Greater Boston. These "Makers" are spreading joy and building community while practicing their craft. We meet three of the artists from this year's cohort.

Dancer Beth Mochizuki is helping dancers bring more of themselves to the stage with her company, the Asian American Ballet Project. Saxophonist Jonathan Suazo is combining his Puerto Rican identity with his Dominican heritage through jazz. Musician Pranav Swaroop is fusing classical Indian traditions with rock and electronics as part of the band, Project MishraM.

Greater Boston’s weekly podcast where news and culture meet.

Mass. coastal chemical sites lack basic safeguard against hurricanes Oct 03, 2024

Show notes

Experts say climate change is increasing the risk of a “double disaster” — a large-scale chemical spill caused by extreme weather. Massachusetts is especially vulnerable, as a coastal state with industrial ports.

WBUR's senior investigative reporter Patrick Madden took a closer look at this risk in New Bedford, a city with a high concentration of warehouses that use chemicals for cold storage in the fishing industry.

Greater Boston’s weekly podcast where news and culture meet.

Stop and Shop wants you to stay and shop Sep 26, 2024

Show notes

On this episode of The Common, Boston Globe Reporter Diti Kohli breaks down the evolution of Stop and Shop, and where the grocery store is headed. Then, listen to an excerpt from host Darryl C. Murphy's WBUR CitySpace interview with Chef and TikTok influencer Jon Kung.

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Stop and Shop opened a swanky upgraded location in Allston Yards this summer. A couple of weeks later, the company announced that it would be closing more than 30 of its stores in New England, including 15 in Massachusetts. Both moves are part of a strategy that Stop and Shop hopes will keep it in the game. The Boston Globe's business reporter Diti Kohli recently did a deep dive into Stop and Shop's legacy, and what it shows about the current grocery industry in the state.

Greater Boston’s weekly podcast where news and culture meet.

A vibe check on Boston nightlife Sep 19, 2024

Show notes

Last spring, the City of Boston welcomed its inaugural Director of Nightlife Economy, Corean Reynolds. You might have heard some people refer to her as the “night czar,” though that’s not her official title. Now that she’s been in her position for a year, we wanted to catch up with her about some of the initiatives her office is working on, as well as challenges to improving nightlife in the city.

You'll also hear producer Frannie Monahan hit the streets to ask Bostonians about their thoughts on the city's nightlife scene, and their suggestions for improving it for everyone.

Greater Boston’s weekly podcast where news and culture meet.

The fight for equal education before busing Sep 12, 2024

Show notes

On September 12, 1974, Boston Public Schools bused the first students across town as a part of a highly controversial school integration program. The program was a result of Judge W. Arthur Garrity's federal court order that mandated that both black and white students be bused to schools outside of their neighborhoods. What followed was a series of protests and riots that helped cement Boston's reputation as an exceptionally racist city.

While this moment is a major flashpoint in Boston's history, it is not the whole story. Busing was the culmination of a years-long fight between a Black community that wanted a better education for its children and a white community resistant to change. Today on The Common, Boston journalist, lecturer, and historian Dart Adams, joins us to break down this history.

If you want to learn more about the history of busing in Boston, check out WBUR's series “Busing’s Legacy in Boston, 50 Years Later,” which was done in collaboration with The Emancipator.

Greater Boston’s weekly podcast where news and culture meet.

A president's impact on Mass. climate goals, plus music in September Sep 05, 2024

Show notes

On this episode of The Common, WBUR Climate and Environment Correspondent Barbara Moran joins the show to discuss what impacts the presidential candidates would have on Massachusetts' climate goals if they get elected. Then, we get suggestions for how to spend the month of September in Greater Boston.

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Classes might be back in session now that it's September, but that doesn't mean you can't still get out there and enjoy some culture this month. Here are WBUR CitySpace Assistant Director Candice Springer's picks for September:

Out and About in Boston

Gabe Gibbs at Laugh Boston

Emerson College alum Gabe Gibbs returns to Boston with a comedic musical extravaganza, featuring spoofs of popular numbers as well as original songs. Bostonians will be treated to this performance just once on Thursday, Sept. 12 at 8 p.m. at the local comedy club Laugh Boston.

Fiesta en la plaza

Boston City Hall Plaza is at it again with another fabulous free community celebration. This time, it's Fiesta en la plaza, which celebrates Latinx Heritage Month with hours of programming including musical performances, art and film screenings topped off with a salsa dance party. Happening at Boston City Hall Plaza Sept. 15-27.

Cirque de la Symphonie: Cirque goes to the Cinema

This one is for lovers of the symphony, cinema and the circus alike. Join the Boston Pops and Cirque de la Symphonie for a night of stunning acrobatics set to classic movie scores at Symphony Hall on Friday, Sept. 20 at 7:30 p.m.

This Month at WBUR CitySpace

Curated Cuisine: Nini Nguyen

Nini Nguyen is a New Orleans-based chef who has developed her own version of traditional Vietnamese cuisine. She recently released a new cookbook, "Đặc Biệt: An Extra-Special Vietnamese Cookbook." Join Nguyen and The Common host Darryl C. Murphy on Monday, Sept. 9 for a discussion and an on-stage cooking demonstration.

Sound On: Axel & Lolo

Axel & Lolo were chosen as WBUR's favorite local submission to NPR's Tiny Desk Contest. Come see the best friend duo perform a set live at WBUR CitySpace on Friday, Sept. 27 at 7 p.m.

Greater Boston’s weekly podcast where news and culture meet.

Moving in? Know your rights Aug 29, 2024

Show notes

On this episode of The Common, tenant association leader and volunteer with City Life/Vida Urbana Selena Eutsay joins the show to discuss renters rights ahead of Boston's unofficial move-in day on the first of September. Then, producer Frannie Monahan hits the streets to talk to Boston residents about their greatest challenges renting in the city.

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Sept. 1 is fast approaching. On that day, about 70% of Boston leases turn over, according to the city of Boston. In preparation for the big move-in day, we sat down with Selena Eutsay, a tenant association leader and volunteer with City Life/Vida Urbana to discuss what renters in Boston should know about their rights, her experience as a life-long resident of Boston, as well as other major issues plaguing renters in the area.

Greater Boston’s weekly podcast where news and culture meet.

A side dish with WBUR's Deborah Becker Aug 22, 2024

Show notes

On this episode of The Common, Boston Globe Climate Reporter Erin Douglas joins the show to discuss how many Boston neighborhoods are built on artificial land, putting them at risk of flooding due climate change. Then, Team Common takes over the WBUR kitchen with senior correspondent Deborah Becker.

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If you listen to WBUR, you are probably familiar with Deb Becker’s voice. You might have heard any number of her reports as a senior correspondent on issues like mental health, addiction and the criminal legal system. Or, maybe you’re more familiar with her as a host on many WBUR Programs.

But, we learned when she has some time away from her work Deb loves to cook. So, a little while back, Team Common took over the WBUR kitchen so Deb could show us how to make one of her signature summer side dishes, while also dishing about her love of food, and her long journalism career.

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Deborah Becker’s vegan summer orzo salad

Ingredients:

Fresh cherry tomatoes, halved
Cucumbers, peeled, seeds removed and diced
Scallions, roughly chopped One jar pitted calamari olives
One can of garbanzo beans
Fresh basil and parsley, chopped (lots of it!)
A good olive oil
Balsamic vinegar
1/2 teaspoon sugar
Orzo
Salt and pepper to season

Instructions

Bring a pot of water to boil, season boiling water with salt. Add orzo.
While orzo cooks, prepare vegetables and herbs, combine in a large bowl.
When orzo is cooked, strain and rinse under cold water until cooled. Coat lightly with olive oil to keep pasta from sticking together.
Combine balsamic, olive oil and sugar in a small bowl to create a dressing
Combine strained and cooled orzo with vegetables in bowl. Mix together with dressing and season with and salt and pepper to taste.
Enjoy!

Greater Boston’s weekly podcast where news and culture meet.

The many sharks of Massachusetts Aug 15, 2024

Show notes

On this episode of The Common, WBUR associate producer for digital Katie Cole joins the show to discuss Massachusetts' various shark species and the important role they play in our ocean ecosystem. Then, we sit down with author and podcast host Mark Cecil to talk about the value of deep conversations among men and why it is difficult for some men to open up with one another.

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Sharks get a bad rap, especially around these parts where great white sightings are a normal part of Massachusetts' summer. But great whites are far from the only shark species cruising through Bay State waters, and for the most part, they're all just minding their own business.

After the episode, take our quiz to test your shark knowledge!

Greater Boston’s weekly podcast where news and culture meet.