This Is Nashville WPLN News - Nashville Public Radio

Today we'll check in with those who are are innovating in Nashville’s dance scene and find out where Middle Tennesseans can go to see the work of local dancers and choreographers. Plus, visionary dancer and choreographer Alvin Ailey carved out a space in the dance world for African American dancers to express themselves, and brought a blend of jazz, ballet, and Black cultural vernacular to the stage that has forever changed American modern dance. For a closer look, we'll also speak with past and present performers from this groundbreaking group.

Guests:


Karynn Hough, manager, Millennium Dance Center and Fresh Talent Group
Maggie Pelton, dancer and adjunct professor at Belmont University
Asia Pyron, Director of PYDANCE
Constance Stamatiou, dancer, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater
Kathryn Wilkening, supervisor, Metro Parks Dance Division


Further Listening:

This is Nashville | Salsa, two-step, bachata… we’re talking partner dancing!
WPLN News |  These Nashville middle schoolers create, dance and perform to celebrate Black history, connecting in a deeper way
 

How to keep up with local dance performances: Nashville Dance Community list, compiled by Amanda Roche

Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell takes listeners calls today.

Then, starting this Friday, April 19, Nashville Public Radio will be running the seven-part series Taking Cover at noon. Hosted by NPR's Pentagon correspondent Tom Bowman and Graham Smith of the Investigations unit, Taking Cover investigates the worst Marine-on-Marine friendly fire incident in modern history and the events that followed. This Is Nashville producer Katherine Ceicys spoke with Bowman and Smith about the series and what listeners can expect. 

This Is Nashville will be live again tomorrow, Thursday, April 18, and will return again on Tuesday, April 30.

Guests:


Nashville Mayor Freddie O'Connell
Tom Bowman, Co-host, Taking Cover; NPR National Desk, Pentagon Reporter
Graham Smith, Co-host, Taking Cover; NPR Senior Producer, Investigations
Katherine Ceicys, Multimedia Producer, *This is Nashville*


Learn More:


Taking Cover


This episode was produced by Katherine Ceicys and Mary Mancini.

Middle schoolers, high schoolers and college students all over Middle Tennessee run student newspapers, TV stations and recording studios. These student journalists work hard to deliver news and inform their communities. Today, we’re talking with student writers, reporters and podcasters about their latest coverage — and what it’s like to be an emerging journalist right now. Join us!

Guests:


Nick Held, Montgomery Bell Academy 8th grader, editor of upcoming Top of the Hill issue
Grace Chen, James Lawson High School senior, staff writer, The Lightening Letter
Robert Lakatosh, TN Tech sophomore, NPR Student Podcast Challenge finalist
Shamani Salahuddin, MTSU senior, Student Assistant Lifestyles editor at MTSU Sidelines
Maya Taylor, TSU senior, Editor-in-Chief, The Meter


Learn More:


The Lightening Letter
MTSU Sidelines
The Fluid Dynamics of Coffee
The Meter


This episode was produced by Katherine Ceicys and Mary Mancini.

With more than 40 years of journalism experience in Nashville, Emmy-award-winning Demetria Kalodimos is still one of the best-known names and faces in local news. After a long career in television, she’s moved on to documentary filmmaking, teaching and resurrecting the print-gone-web Nashville Banner. We sit down with her to talk about her career, the golden days of local tv news, and what’s next for this venerable journalist.

Guests: 


Demetria Kalodimos, host of Banner and Company

Nearly 20 years ago Oprah Winfrey had a segment on her show encouraging women to get fitted, saying "change your bra, change your life." We'll talk to our own local expert on what makes a good bra.

And then we turn our attention to a group of women who support each other in their time of breastfeeding. The members of La Leche League, an organization with chapters across the world, meet to share resources, tips, and advice for this crucial point of nurturing a new life.

Guests:


Adrienne Francis, owner of Rebecka’s Lingerie
Stephanie Kuhr, owner and designer at Dottie’s Delights 
Juanita Benz, group leader of La Leche League of Nashville
Kendra Southerland, La Leche League participant
Jill Scott, La Leche League participant

If you stand outside a local Old Navy on a hot summer day, you might see a grandmother carrying large bags, overflowing with discounted American-themed apparel for the whole family. It's hard to resist a good sale, especially when it comes in the form of patriotic polyester.

Others might be a little more hesitant to proudly display patriotism via flying the flag outside their home or office or by saying the pledge at ballgames. We asked our listeners what you thought about the pledge of allegiance. We'll discuss these comments and more as we understand Nashvillians' relationship to the American flag.

This episode was produced by Elizabeth Burton.

Guests: 


David Dark, professor of religion at Belmont University
Gwen Moore, artist and writer
Councilmember Jordan Huffman, Metro Councilmember for District 14
Elizabeth Burton, This Is Nashville multimedia producer


Further Reading and Listening


If you want to hear from more Metro Nashville councilmembers, check out our profile with Sandra Sepulveda.
Listen to Beyoncé's latest album COWBOY CARTER and break down its Black country roots with Alice Randall, Quia Thompson, Holly G and Jewly Hight.
If you want to hear about patriotism and the armed forces, listen to yesterday's This Is Nashville episode on military recruitment.


If you enjoyed this episode, consider giving to WPLN for this year’s spring fund drive.