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AADL Talks To: Dick Siegel, Singer-Songwriter and Musician
Dick Siegel is an Ann Arbor singer-songwriter and musician who has written and performed regionally and nationally for over 40 years. In this episode, Dick talks with us about his musical influences and how a cross-country road trip and open mic nights at the Ark inspired him to start writing his own songs. Dick also sings some of his favorite lyrics for us and discusses how they were inspired by friends, family, neighbors, or -- as in the song “Angelo’s” -- a beloved local restaurant.
Check out Dick’s records at AADL. You can also watch his 2006 discussion on The Fine Art of Songwriting.
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AADL Talks To: Hiawatha Bailey, Founder of the Punk Band Cult Heroes, Former Community Activist, and Member of the White Panther Party
Hiawatha Bailey lived in one of the legendary Hill Street houses at 1510 and 1520 Hill Street where he was a member of the Trans-Love Commune, the White Panther Party, and later the Rainbow People’s Party. In this episode, Hiawatha traces his political awakening and community activism in Ann Arbor’s countercultural heyday during the late 1960s and shares stories of living and working in the commune, including the day he hung up on Yoko Ono and got a follow-up call from John Lennon. He also takes us through his musical journey as a roadie for the local rock band The Up and Detroit's Destroy All Monsters to founding his own punk band, Cult Heroes.
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AADL Talks To: Dale Leslie, Local Historian
Dale Leslie was born in the nearby hamlet of Dixboro and moved to Ann Arbor as a child. He worked in radio and broadcasting for a while and then took over his family’s business, Leslie Office Supply. All the while, he was also an avid local history enthusiast. Dale talks with us about how Ann Arbor has changed over the years and shares some of his favorite local history interests, including the history of nearby Dixboro and the Kiwanis Club of Ann Arbor. He also shares a few stories from his digital archive of local history interviews.
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AADL Talks To: Martin Bandyke, Host of Fine Tuning and Former Morning Drive Host at Ann Arbor's 107one
Martin Bandyke studied radio and broadcasting at the University of Michigan, started broadcasting at WDET-FM in Detroit, and eventually capped his long career in Ann Arbor as the morning drive host for 107one. In this interview, Martin takes a personal look back at his career, recalling many of the local community and business partners who helped and supported him along the way and sharing memories of interviews and encounters with musicians in the studio. He also reflects on programming at 107one and changes in the radio industry.
Check out Martin Bandyke Under Covers, Martin's long-running AADL podcast.
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AADL Talks To: Sylvia Nolasco-Rivers, owner of Pilar's Tamales and Founder of Pilar's Foundation
In this episode, AADL Talks to Sylvia Nolasco-Rivers. Sylvia tells us about her early experiences in Ann Arbor, and how she convinced her entire family to move here. She shares stories of her work as a caterer and eventual restaurant owner, and tells us about fundraising efforts in the early 2000s, which led to the creation of her nonprofit Pilar’s Foundation in 2019.
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AADL Talks To: Art Fare
In this episode David Friedo, Mary Bleyaert, Paul Wiener, Mary Dolan, and Barbara Torretti talk about the 1970s magazine Art Fare. The group discusses David's initial inspiration for the magazine, which was first published in 1973, how it came about, and its reception from the public. Each recount their roles in the production of the magazine, and reflect on the changes in the Ann Arbor art community and beyond.
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AADL Talks To: Geoff Larcom, Former Sports Editor and Columnist for the Ann Arbor News, and Media Relations Director for Eastern Michigan University
Geoff Larcom was born and raised in Ann Arbor. He followed in his parents’ footsteps to pursue a career in journalism, working for his high school yearbook, then the Michigan Daily while a student at the University of Michigan. He then spent 25 years working for The Ann Arbor News, initially as a copy editor, then, after three years in sports at The Detroit News, he served for 12 years as Ann Arbor News sports editor. He spent his last 10 years with the News as a metro reporter and columnist. After the News closed in 2009, he became Executive Director of Media Relations at Eastern Michigan University. Geoff talks with us about his career; his memories of The Ann Arbor News during many changes within the industry; and about the life and career of his father, Guy C. Larcom, who holds the distinction of serving as Ann Arbor’s first City Administrator, and his mother, Taffy Larcom, who was a professor of journalism at EMU.
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AADL Talks To: Deb Polich, President and CEO of Creative Washtenaw
Deb Polich has been involved in Ann Arbor and regional arts development and management for decades. She was the director of the pioneering and award-winning ArtTrain Inc. and is currently president and CEO of Creative Washtenaw where she’s been involved from its inception as Arts Alliance. She’s also served on the board of several arts and culture institutions and nonprofits. Deb talks with us about some career highlights, from memorable exhibitions with ArtTrain to initiatives such as Winterfest, PowerArt!, and creative:impact, her radio program at EMU. She also discusses changes in the local arts and culture landscape and the importance of funding for public art.
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AADL Talks To: Russ Collins, Executive Director/CEO Marquee Arts
Russ Collins grew up in Ann Arbor and received a Masters degree in Arts Administration from the University of Michigan just before becoming Manager of the Michigan Theater in November 1982. Russ walks us through the evolution of the Michigan Theater over its near-100-year history, from the vaudeville and silent film eras through the ups and downs of the celluloid and digital eras. He also takes us into the weeds of technical changes over the years; discusses historical preservation efforts in renovations to both the Michigan and the State theaters; and touches on programming and marketing challenges following the collapse of the newspaper industry. Russ will retire in December 2024.
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AADL Talks To: Chris Reising, Former Costume/Set Designer & Artist
In this episode AADL Talks To Christine Reising. Chris talks to us about designing Avant-garde costumes and sets for multiple local theaters, her involvement in the Bookfest from its iteration, and her work as an artist in a range of mediums.
