Todd Mack is the creator and producer of FODfest — Friends of Danny. This annual festival celebrates the life and ideas of the late Wall St. Journal reporter, Daniel Pearl, who believed in the power of music to bring people together, regardless of their religious or ethnic background. Todd is also the owner of Off The Beat-n-Track, a recording studio based in the Berkshires of Massachusetts.

In this interview we talk with Todd about the origins of the festival, how a life can inspire countless artists, and planning for FODfest 2009.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Award-winning actress and playwright Adriana Sevan has thrilled audiences with her one-woman show Taking Flight. She is the 2008 recipient of the Middle East America Distinguished Playwright award. Adriana has also appeared in guest-starring roles on Law & Order, Sex & the City and Deadline.

In this podcast we talk with her about her newly commissioned work exploring the devastation and redemptive stories in the Armenian genocide. We also talk about her mentoring workshops with at-risk adolescent girls in the Los Angeles area.

Photo by Robin Emtage

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Nationally recognized playwright and actress Anne Galjour draws on her Cajun roots in her gripping one-woman plays. She creates vivid characters and bracing narratives in her solo performances, which include Hurricane and Alligator Tales. Her talents have been recognized with multiple awards, including the American Theatre Critics Association Osborn Award, and the Will Glickman Playwriting Award.

In this podcast we talk with Anne about her most recent piece You can’t get there from Here, which deals with the still-taboo issue of class in America.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Argentine musician Amadeo Pasa has been a pioneer in the organization of interdisciplinary cultural events. He defied 1990’s neoliberalism and “shopping mall” culture in Buenos Aires by organizing a festival of independent contemporary art and culture. Amadeo is the founder of Festival Buen Día, which has been taking place in the city of Buenos Aires since 1997, and integrates free concerts with books, clothes, design and food fairs, all of them gathered at open air spaces in the traditional neighborhood of Palermo.

In this interview he talks about the beginnings of the festival, the importance of fostering national independent culture, and allowing for the coexistence of both multinational companies and national independent producers.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Müsico argentino, Amadeo Pasa ha sido pionero en la organización de eventos culturales interdisciplinarios. Desafió a la cultura “shopping” y neoliberal de la década de 1990 en Buenos Aires, organizando un festival de arte independiente contemporáneo. Amadeo es el fundador del Festival Buen Día, que se lleva a cabo en la ciudad de Buenos Aires desde 1997, e integra conciertos gratuitos con ferias de libros, indumentaria, diseño y comida en espacios al aire libre en el tradicional barrio de Palermo.

En esta entrevista Amadeo habla sobre los comienzos del festival, la importancia de fomentar la cultura nacional independiente, y permitir la convivencia de productores multinacionales y nacionales.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download