Inside the Arts

This week on Inside the Arts, a sneak peek at La Cage aux Folles which opens Summer Lyric Theater's 2013 season at Tulane University. It stars New Orleans veteran actor Bob Edes, Jr. and Kristopher Shaw.

Then, a rare treat as renowned Italian violinist Matteo Fedeli makes a stop in New Orleans for an evening of classical music performed on a Grand Stradivarius.

This week on Inside the Arts, a milestone in New Orleans dance history: the internationally-recognized Giacobbe Academy of Dance is celebrating 70 years! 

Then FestiGals, a four day extended weekend getaway for women, gears up for a bodacious celebration in the French Quarter. The FestiGals ladies are rolling out  the "pink" carpet for their third anniversary. 

While many of us are aware of Tulane University’s well regarded School of Architecture, fewer know about Tulane City Center and its outreach projects into the community.

Sharon Litwin talks with Maurice Cox, its recently appointed new director about the Center’s plans for New Orleans.

There are art programs in schools. And there are schools devoted solely to art. A new charter school in Jefferson Parish is getting ready for a unique approach to education that uses art in traditional subjects.

This week on Inside the Arts, Le Petit Theatre is back in business, and we'll talk about the theater's new season and new look. Then, with jazz in the mix, we'll find out what makes a harp swing as the New Orleans Chapter of the American Harp Society kicks off the second annual Jazz and Pop Harp Weekend.

 In Jefferson Parish, a new charter school will soon open with a focus on the arts. And, finally, tomatoes... Creole tomatoes, that is. They're being celebrated in the French Market. 

Banu Gibson is a much-in-demand jazz singer. She has performed all over the world from the Netherlands to Norway, Austria to Australia specializing in songs from the 1920s, 30s and 40s.

While Banu and her band spend a large part of every year on the road, this summer she is staying home. Sharon Litwin talks with Banu about her new gig.

This week on Inside the Arts we'll travel the world with the Komenka Ethnic Dance and Music Ensemble of New Orleans. Then, we'll check out the similarities between the Senegalese of St. Louis [San Luis] and the Big Easy. And we'll celebrate a milestone in the Arts District as Lemieux Galleries turns 30! 

Airs Tuesdays at 1:00 p.m. and Thursdays at 7:35 a.m.

What happens when a classically trained pianist meets a closed-up church in the Marigny? Why he turns it into an opera house. This week on Notes from New Orleans, Sharon Litwin talks with Dave Hurlbert, the man behind that mission.

This week on  Inside the Arts  we catch up with Emmy Award winning actor John Larroquette. There's big news from the LPO as it names a CEO and extends Maestro Carlos Miguel Prieto's contract. Then, Southern Rep Theater tackles the issue of mental illness in Brian Yorkey and Tom Kitt's powerhouse musical, Next to Normal.

Most New Orleanians have probably heard that the Dalai Lama is in town this week. But perhaps you do not know of the work it took to bring the spiritual leader of 6 million Tibetan Buddhists to this city.

On this week's Notes from New Orleans, Sharon Litwin talks with Ronald Marks, the Tulane scholar who organized the visit.