City Lights with Lois Reitzes

01/09/2025

Renowned poet Rita Dove brings the remarkable story of George Bridgetower, a mixed-race violin prodigy of the 19th century, into the spotlight through her acclaimed poetry collection "Sonata Mulattica." Dove will read her poem, “The Bridgetower,” at a concert featuring the Violin Sonata Beethoven, written for Bridgetower, on Jan. 17 at Emory University's Schwartz Center for the Performing Arts.

The name of a brilliant violin prodigy of the early 19th century has been elevated to proper historical recognition thanks to the renowned poet Rita Dove.

01/09/2025

After the sudden closure of the MINT Gallery this past August, 19 artists were left without studios, exhibitions, or residencies. Visual artist Honey Pierre was among them. Click the link below to hear about the collapse of MINT and how she pivoted quickly to find new spaces & aid for her and her fellow displaced artist colleagues.

In August 2024, the sudden closure of Atlanta’s MINT Gallery left 19 artists without studios, exhibitions or residencies, highlighting the fragility of the city’s arts infrastructure. MINT, known as a bastion of support for emerging artists, served as a vital space for affordable studios and pro...

01/07/2025

“Chicago-Style Improv: Dratch, Walsh & Friends” is on stage at the Aurora Theatre on Jan. 10. A wild night of unscripted antics with some of the best in the business awaits Atlanta’s comedy fans. A group of improvisers led by comedy legends Rachel Dratch and Matt Walsh will harken back to their shared roots with the famed improv ensemble “Second City.”

A wild night of unscripted antics with some of the best in the business awaits Atlanta’s comedy fans. A group of improvisers led by comedy legends Rachel Dratch and Matt Walsh will harken back to their shared roots with the famed improv ensemble “Second City.”

01/03/2025

On January 13, "City Lights" & "Closer Look" will celebrate 10 years on the air with a special 2-hour broadcast. And we'd like to include your voice in the show! 📻
Please leave us a voicemail at 678-686-0354, and tell us what our program means to you.
Remember to start your voicemail by saying, "Hi, my name is ___ and I'm from ____, Georgia," and please keep your comments to a minute or less. 😊 Thanks!

01/03/2025

While the world honors the presidential legacy, humanitarian and peacemaking achievements of Jimmy Carter, on "City Lights", we explored his lifelong interest in the arts and humanities.
In the link below, you can hear "City Lights" host Lois Reitzes's conversation with President Carter in 1995 about his first book of poetry, “Always A Reckoning, and Other Poems.”

As the world honors the presidential legacy, humanitarian and peacemaking achievements of Jimmy Carter.

12/20/2024

“Murder on the Polar Express” mashes up the best of Agatha Christie, Sherlock Holmes and high-camp drag in a nutty adventure with “The World’s Foremost Drag Detective,” Shirley Holmes. "City Lights" spoke with playwright Ryan Landry and director Paul Conroy about the comedic drama on stage at Out Front Theatre Company through Dec. 22.

“Murder on the Polar Express” mashes up the best of Agatha Christie, Sherlock Holmes and high-camp drag in a nutty adventure with “The World’s Foremost Drag Detective,” Shirley Holmes.

12/19/2024

Atlanta is proud of its history of world-class music, including the Grammy-nominated soul singer-songwriter Anthony David. Today, the acclaimed writer, musician, and vocalist himself looks back with pride on 20 extraordinary years since his breakthrough debut album, “3 Chords and the Truth.”

Atlanta is proud of its history of world-class music, which includes the Grammy-nominated soul singer-songwriter Anthony David.

12/16/2024

Five hundred million years of evolutionary innovation are displayed in Fernbank Museum's new exhibition, “Armored Animals.” Rob Gaston, the paleo artist who created the fossil replications on display at Fernbank, joined "City Lights" host Lois Reitzes to discuss the exhibit.

Five hundred million years of evolutionary innovation is on display in Fernbank Museum’s new exhibition, “Armored Animals.” The spectacular body defense displays of dinosaurs – spines, plates, horns and helmets – and the unique adaptations of other animals, including fish and insects, are ...

12/12/2024

It’s the 120th anniversary of Piedmont Park ATL and the 35th anniversary of the Piedmont Park Conservancy. The Conservancy is asking Atlanta residents what the future holds for one of the city’s most important green spaces and inviting community input on designs for the park’s upcoming years.

It’s the 120th anniversary of Piedmont Park and the 35th anniversary of the Piedmont Park Conservancy. What the future holds for one of the city’s most important green spaces is a question the Conservancy is putting to Atlanta residents, inviting community input on designs for the park’s upcom...

12/10/2024

“When Southern Women Cook” is a new compendium of recipes and the stories behind them, created by two experts from the TV show and publication Cook's Country. Editor-in-chief Toni Tipton-Martin and Morgan Bolling, cast member and executive editor of creative content, will have a book talk on December 11 at the Atlanta History Center Margaret Mitchell House at 7 pm.

The food of the American South contains multitudes, from the beignets of New Orleans to the breakfast tacos of Texas to the waffles of Waffle Houses everywhere. Some of today’s […]

12/09/2024

Thurston Moore, guitarist, vocalist, author, and co-founder of Sonic Youth, helped lead a revolution in Rock Music, Noise Rock, and NoWave.
Tomorrow, he and music contributor Chad Radford will be in conversation at the Tara Theater. The event will also include a book signing and screening of the 2018 film, "Desolation Center."

Thurston Moore, guitarist, vocalist, author and co-founder of Sonic Youth, helped lead a revolution in Rock Music, Noise Rock and NoWave.

12/06/2024

Looking for a festive concert to attend this month? 🎄✨
The "City Lights" team has you covered. We spotlighted several holiday concerts happening around the metro Atlanta area all month long.

There are many concerts around Atlanta each holiday season, and the "City Lights" gathered a list of a few performances this month.

12/05/2024

Michael Stipe, legendary musician and founder of R.E.M., has spent the years following the end of his band’s monumental career exploring his first love, photography. His new collection of work is on view through Jan. 18 in the exhibition “Even the Birds Gave Pause” at Jackson Fine Art Gallery.

Michael Stipe joined "City Lights" host Lois Reitzes to share more about how he understands and captures his world through images and art.

12/03/2024

“Characters: Type in Action” is a new exhibition at MODA, the Museum of Design Atlanta, examining the often-overlooked role of typography in liberation movements while sometimes serving as a tool of oppression.

“Characters: Type in Action” is a new exhibition at the Museum of Design Atlanta examining the often-overlooked role of typography in liberation movements, while sometimes serving as a tool of oppression.

11/25/2024

Atlantans have long felt the mystique of The Clermont Lounge, a site for decadent nightlife and risqué entertainment over many decades and under many names.
The fascination of this site caught the attention of the acclaimed French fine art photographer Cyril Bailleul, whose works are on display at the Clermont Lounge itself in the exhibition “789 Ponce de Leon Avenue,” a collaboration with the Villa Albertine.

Atlantans have long felt the mystique of the historic Clermont Lounge, a site for decadent nightlife and risqué entertainment over many decades and under many names. The fascination of this […]

11/22/2024

“Eatertainment” is a dining experience that combines good food and drinks with an immersive environment of fun and games.
This concept has gained popularity in recent years, with several entertainment venues making a home here in Atlanta. 🍻🏓🎯

“Eatertainment” is a dining experience that combines good food and drinks with an immersive environment of fun and games. This concept has gained popularity in recent years — with eatertainment […]

11/20/2024

In this month's episode of "The Beverage Beat," Beth McKibben, Senior Editor and Dining Editor at Rough Draft Atlanta, talked about two local spirits producers making gin, amaro, and soju you should consider adding to your bar ahead of this holiday season. 🥂

Atlanta’s vibrant world of cocktails and zero-proof beverages thrives in our bars and restaurants, as well as our local distilleries and non-alcoholic bottle shops. Few may know this world better […]

11/13/2024

The sci-fi comedy series “Resident Alien” has been praised for its realistic representation of Indigenous peoples, even though its main storyline is slightly more out-of-this-world. 🌎
The show, recently renewed for season 4, takes place in the fictional town of Patience, Colorado, and stars Sara Tomko as a nurse named Asta Twelvetrees.

The sci-fi comedy series “Resident Alien” has been praised for its realistic representation of Indigenous peoples, even though its main storyline is slightly more out of this world. The show, which has recently been renewed for season 4, takes place in the fictional town of Patience, Colorado, a...