SOTA SI - Ep 28- Maddie Deiters: The girl behind the brush     Maddie Deiters is a local artist who has finished 3 mural projects here in Marion and has done others in Herrin, Murphysboro, Belleville IL, and Carolina Beach, NC. Join us in our conversation as we explore her approach, what challenges she has faced, and what the work itself represents and means for the community.    Connect with Maddie and see her work at www.facebook.com/threelineart  or  www.instagram.com/threelineart   Connect with us and follow the podcast here https://linktr.ee/marioncivic

SOTA SI - Ep 27 - Rocky Horror Show: Why such a Cult Following?    Brandyn McGhee and Derek Hamblin Join us today from Skyline Creek Productions staging of Rocky Horror Show. Rocky Horror Show is a Broadway style Musical that was adapted into a film and has since become a cult classic with a similar cult like following. Join us in our conversation as we explore what makes it such a unique experience both in story line and in theatrical experience.     Connect with us and follow the podcast here https://linktr.ee/marioncivic

State of the Arts SI - Ep 26 - Hugh DeNeal, The Man Vs The People Hugh DeNeal joins us in this episode to give us some insight into his music, his path as a musician, and the bands he has been a part of.  Hugh was a founding member of the Woodbox Gang and is now also the front man of the band The People Vs Hugh DeNeal. Hugh is about to release his second album as The People Vs Hugh DeNeal "Ope" released through River to River Community Records the weekend of Oct 2nd.  He has a record release show on Sunday Oct 2nd at P.K.'s in Carbondale.     find the album here  https://www.rivertorivercommunityrecords.com/ and connect with The people vs Hugh DeNeal here https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063518295613

State of the Arts SI - Ep 25-  Max Senteney - River to River Community Records.   Join us as we chat with Max Senteney about the creations of River to River Community Records. We hear his background, where the idea for River to River came from, and how it is a vehicle to serve the music scene of Southern Illinois.    More info about River to River Community Records at River to River Community Records Website   connect with them on FB at  River to River Community Records FB Page

State of the Arts SI - Ep 24 - Tabitha Tripp; Art, Expression, and a Cause    Tabitha Tripp is is a Southern Illinois Artist Based in Anna Illinois. Tabitha works primary in the form of paint on Canvas. She experiments with different textures as she emotes through her work. Tabitha's most recent series is on Display at the Marion cultural and Civic Center through September and October.  Find more about Tabitha at www.tabithatripp.art

SOTA SI - Ep 23 - Wingtips; a sound shaped by Grand Theft Auto    Wingtips is a Chicago based band that currently resides in Southern Illinois.  Their "Dark Goth  Synth Pop" sound makes them a unique sound for our area.  Listen and Vincent Segretario and I discuss his influences from alternative sources like video games and VHS tapes, how their music is created, and the grueling nature of touring.

SOTA SI - Ep 22 - Brandyn McGhee;Directing the Masses Brandyn McGhee is a Southern Illinois native that has dedicated his life to Theater. Brandyn has already left his mark on the theater scene of Southern Illinois as a performer, technician, and director.  He is currently directing the Kre8ive Arts Academy production of Disney's Beauty and the Beast. Listen as we discuss his background, his creative approach to this show, challenges in directing a show with 130+ in the cast, and the relevance of this story in today's society.

State of the Arts SI - Ep 21 - Mike Wade; It's all about the people   Mike Wade is the Venue Logistics Coordinator at the Marion Cultural and Civic Center.  But his role in that position is so much more than just that title. He serves as a mentor and cheerleader for all of the part time staff that work for him all the while being a bright personality for all who attend.  Listen as we discuss his background, his duties here at MCCC, and his favorite things about working at the Center.

State of the Arts  SI - Ep 20- Steve Hornbeak: Sixwire, Nashville's go-to Backing Band   Steve Hornbeak has worked as a touring musician for over 34 years. He has worked and toured with some of the biggest names in the industry putting in a decade touring with Faith Hill, and years with John Michael Montgomery, Richard Marx, and Lee Greenwood.  He has now been with his Band Sixwire for over 20 years and they tour the Country playing corporate gigs with a roster of over 100 headliners that they can/will play with.  Some of their most recent headline artists they have performed with are Alice Cooper, Taylor Hicks, and Steve Augeri.  They are also the house band for many major fundraiser events across the US as well as the House band for the ACM awards.

SOTA SI - Ep 19  - Derek Hamblin: Creating Community Theater Magic with Hunchback of Notre Dame   Derek Hamblin, the Stage director and Music Director for Skyline Creek Productions,  joins us to discuss creating Musical Theater Magic within the realm of Community Theater.  We discuss the entire process of putting up a musical in the context of Community theater.  We start with choosing the show, and we go all the way through tech week to the performances.  Enjoy this insight into the craft of Musical Theater.

Dub Z- Finding your voice, and staying true to yourself.    Join our conversation as we speak to Bilal Spiller the hip hop artist Dub Z. Bilal shares how he first encountered rap music, his evolution as an artist, and how that evolution as an artist aligns with his new approach to life.    Find his music videos here

Suzy Bogguss- Country with a Folk Tone    Suzy Bogguss sits down and talks through her career with Josh Benson. From her early home life to her first record deal in Nashville.  How her Yodeling and Folk Tone shaped who she was as an artist in Country Music.     Suzy Bogguss is coming to the Marion Cultural and Civic Center August 27. tickets are available at marionccc.com   Our Soundtrack this week is "Golden age" from Kevin Ohlau and Karve.

State of the Arts; Southern Illinois - Episode 16   Kevin Ohlau, Karving out his place in the Southern Illinois Music Scene.   Kevin Ohlau is a Southern Illinois Musician who has made his place in the Southern Illinois Music scene over the last two decades. He just released a new album Just a Dream under his newest project Karve through River to River Community Records . In this episode we discuss his background in music in Southern Illinois, his influences and his new album. We dive into his songwriting and creation process and the true positivity behind his new album is revealed through the conversation.   The New 7" Vinyl album"Just a Dream" can be purchased here https://www.rivertorivercommunityrecords.com/merch/p/s2vj6fcxrt0skvdfnftba8pftc2qn2   Kevin also has an upcoming concert with the jewels at The Varsity Center on August 6 at 7pm. Tickets avaialble here https://thevarsitycenter.org/live-music

Cosplay, An Art form of self expression   Shelley Hudspath and Caitlin Coale from the Marion Carnegie Library stop in to discuss their upcoming event "Carnegie Cosplay Con" at the Marion Carnegie Library at 2pm on July 21.  We discuss their event and then dive into Cosplay as an art form, geek culture, and the ways their event is serving all ages and in turn our community overall.  We then chat with Travis Westbrook about his experience in Cosplay as the characters Inigo Montoya and Bruno.  We then have the pleasure of sitting down with Gayland Jenkins and explore his experience cosplaying Doctor 4 from Doctor Who.  We dive into the the way Cosplay has a feeling of community from Con to Con and how Geek Culture has become mainstream and is now more broadly accepted by the overall general public and the source of that acceptance.

Guy Aitchison and Michele Wortman- The Art of Tattoo   Join Guy Aitchison and Michele Wortman of Hyperspace studios as we discuss their artwork, the history of tattoo, the stigmas that have been present about the art form over the last century, and how Michele's Tattoo styles made a revolutionary change in the industry.   We also discuss their upcoming event at Cedarhurst Center for the Arts on July 9.  Get tickets at https://cedarhurst.org To learn more about Michele and Guy, their art and tattoo practice go to https://www.hyperspacestudios.com , or https://www.michelewortman.com or https://guyaitchison.com

This week's episode is a revisit of an originally recorded interview from the Fall of 2020.     Spencer Gualdoni Grew up on the stage of the Marion Cultural and Civic Center.  After College he is now a casting a Assistant at Tara Rubin Casting.  Most recently having worked on Trevor and Mr. Saturday Night.

Join us in a conversation with Tony Deyo, a headlining stand up comedian that has graced the late night stages of Conan and Craig Fergusson. Hear Tony's story of turning down a prestigious college for the opportunity to be in a marching band, debut's on late night shows, and the curious story of interpretive dance and body drumming while bombing a broadway audition.  Tony will join us at Marion Cultural and Civic Center on July 22 as part of The Good Humor Men.     Special thanks to AJ Rice our Associate Producer  also thanks to Jeremy Todd for the soundtrack to this episode.

Roger Earls, The founding drummer of Foghat talks to us about the influences he had growing up in London.  A house filled with music, and how Jerry Lee Lewis sparked a life long passion for Rock N Roll.    Roger and Foghat will be playing the Marion Cultural and Civic Center on July 31st.  Get your tickets at marionccc.com State of the Arts: Southern Illinois can be found on FB, YouTube, and on all audio podcast services and apps.  Tune in or subscribe to hear a new episode every Thursday morning at 6am.

Cedarhurst Center for the Arts,  Art for Everyone   Cedarhurst Center for the Arts is a multi dimensional organization that facilitates and serves the arts in Southern Illinois in every way.  Listen to hear about their 90 acre walking sculpture park, their museum, and their permanent collection.  On top of that, they serve the community through classes, camps, and direct outreach into the community.  And yet, there is still more, their ongoing programs, rotating galleries, and innovative offerings make it the perfect place to experience the arts.

Marion Carnegie Library, Breaking Out of the Box and into the Community   Join us as we speak with Caitlin, Shelly, and Keith about all the ways they are shifting outside of what is expected from a community library and engaging the community. This isn't your typical stuffy summer reading program.  This is a new experience with engaging event throughout the community and impacting the community.  Listen and learn how these incredible programs are breaking out of the mold and out of the 4 walls of the building to serve all in the community in new ways.     Get more information at https://www.marioncarnegielibrary.org or follow them at https://www.facebook.com/MarionCarnegieLibrary