WLRH Arts Underground

Owner of Salix Black Booking, Gee Kay, meets up with us at Cross Eyed Owl Brewery for a chat about her involvement in Decatur's local music scene and how she'd like to get more venues open for young DIY music lovers in the River City....

Our guest this episode is Sueanne Griffith, host of Lily Flagg's Signal, who tells us fun facts about the famous cow her podcast is named after, why it isn't cool to peer into historic homes, and more....

In this episode, we meet improv comedian Jason Sims, creator of the new unconventional comedy incubator, "Comedy Test Kitchen."...

Airing 12/31/2022, guests on this episode include longtime Huntsville residents Caroline Prince, Michael Kilpatrick, Mark Torstenson, Kip Shepherd and John Owens, all reminiscing on the Tip Top Café- a diner and dive bar that served as a music venue in the 80s and 90s for a variety of eclectic bands, both local and passing through. According to the new owner of the Tip Top, construction is underway, and should be open once again in 2023! The audio you'll hear on this page features a collection of stories recorded for this episode. The live airing of this episode featured music from bands who played and...

This episode of Arts Underground, we visit our friend Santa Bob at his Christmas-flocked house, who tells us about the first time he donned the famous crimson Christmas ensemble 15 years ago. We'll also hear funny things Santa Bob has heard while wearing the red suit, his take on diversity among holiday performers in Huntsville, as well as a direly-needed miracle that took four short hours to materialize, giving Santa Bob another chance at life.  The live version of this show featured Santa Bob's music picks, and the Arts Underground page has a playlist of all of those for you to check out at your...

In this episode, we meet local comedian Josh Beard, who is fairly new to the Huntsville comedy scene....

In this episode, we meet local comedian Josh Beard, who is fairly new to the Huntsville comedy scene. Josh tells us about his surprisingly successful first stand-up gig, what he calls a rather unobtainable comedy goal inspired by George Carlin, the importance of taking a pause on something you love to preserve your mental health, and lots more! A playlist is available on the Arts Underground page including music you may have heard on the live show, with Katy & Josh's music picks... Funny You Should Ask is a series where we hear from comedians in the TN Valley, getting to know their style, hear intriguing...

The Pope of Trash, the Prince of Puke, the People's Pervert... These are all monikers bestowed upon John Waters- accomplished filmmaker, author, artist, actor and journalist- who graciously joined us as our guest this week! On October 21, John Waters will be in Huntsville, at Lowe Mill Arts and Entertainment, to give his talk, "False Negative." In this conversation, host Katy Ganaway talks with John about his thoughts on how society has changed its views over the years toward his dedication to grossing out and shocking his audiences, the intricate process of selecting just the right scents for the accompanying scratch-n-sniff card for his film, "Polyester,"...

The Pope of Trash, the Prince of Puke, the People's Pervert... These are all monikers bestowed upon John Waters- accomplished filmmaker, author, artist, actor and journalist- who graciously joined us as our guest this week! On October 21, John Waters will be in Huntsville, at Lowe Mill Arts and Entertainment, to give his talk, "False Negative." In this conversation, host Katy Ganaway talks with John about his thoughts on how society has changed its views over the years toward his dedication to grossing out and shocking his audiences, the intricate process of selecting just the right scents for the accompanying...

In this installment of Behind Our Local Music Scene, we meet Matt Greene. He's part of our local music scene as the drummer for the band Big Gaping Holes, and when he's not on stage, he's taking video of other local bands for DIY LIVE Huntsville! As a founder of DIY Live Huntsville, Matt aims to capture the essence of our community's local music scene, to show to a wider audience, documenting those moments of sheer rock exellence on video. Click play to hear all about it, or tune in live Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022 at 2 PM on 89.3 FM!...

In this installment of Behind Our Local Music Scene, we meet Robert Sharpe, an independent guitar repairman. His passion is making these instruments shine bright and sing beautifully for our beloved local musicians. Robert says one of his favorite parts of the job is researching the history of the vintage instruments he's been asked to work on, and sharing what he finds with the guitar's owner. He feels it adds more to the bond with the musician, and adds his personal touch- a bonus service. He started his business about a year ago, and in the time that's passed, he's built...

This episode of Arts Underground, our special guest is Artistic Director for Fantasy Playhouse Children's Theater and Academy, the effervescent Stephen Tyler Davis! With a background in theater himself- starting at Fantasy Playhouse himself! - Stephen comes full circle, returning to Huntsville from teaching at Sarah Lawrence College in New York. Stephen tells us about some new features at the incoming Fantasy Playhouse building, to be located on Holmes Avenue at the intersection of Triana Boulevard in Huntsville. For example, an inclusive fine arts preschool program begins September 7th, 2022, offering preschool-age kids STEAM-related activities. FPCTA is also offering more sensory-friendly performances with its shows-...

In this episode, we meet local comedian Christy Montgomery, who started out on the Huntsville comedy scene similarly to that of Midge, the starring character on "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel." Christy tells us that story, plus she says she feels she's accomplished so much she never thought possible in the comedy world, and she's got even more she's working to achieve. We also hear how a keen sense of humor can help you through life, Christy's experience dealing with cultural sensitivity in comedy and more. Funny You Should Ask is a series where we hear from comedians in the TN Valley, getting to know their...

This year, the Historic Huntsville Foundation fuses art and history in its exhibition at Harrison Brothers Hardware, "Rooted in History: Women as Makers, Creators, Movers & Shakers," on display through September 6, 2022. In this episode, Katy Ganaway talks with the exhibit's coordinator and curator, HHF Executive Director Donna Castellano, who talks about going from researching Huntsville historical women of note to the thrilling experience of holding tangible links to these women in her hands. You'll also hear a conversation with one of the exhibit's featured artists, Tiavalya Befecadu, whose captivating Alabama Authors quilt draws visitors in to this exhibit. She shares with us her...

Weird Kids MeetUp of North Alabama launched in the Summer of 2021 by Shenanigans Comedy Theatre co-founder, Jessica Cotton. Growing up in a small conservative town in Texas, Cotton found it difficult to fit in with the normal crowd. Her haven from masking her individuality was a small group of friends she still keeps in touch with. Her inspiration to start this group sprouted from not only her experience growing up, but also a need to socialize her children, after the isolated norms of the pandemic began to subside. Jessica encourages her Weird Kids and parents to take the word "weird" as...