Welcome to Talking Culture, in this weekly interview series from 97.9 The Hill WCHL, you’ll hear from writers, performers, musicians and individuals involved in advancing and promoting cultural arts in our community.
Talking Culture is proudly sponsored by Duke Graduate Liberal Studies; a 30-hour, self-designed liberal arts master’s program at Duke University, offering an interdisciplinary graduate experience tailored to your interests and life experiences. Welcoming students from all walks of life, learn more here!
Talking Culture: Taking ‘Communion’ with Grey Brown
For National Poetry Month, Aaron welcomes Grey Brown, who’s just published “Communion,” her fourth collection of poetry.
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Talking Culture: Previewing the Hillsborough Jazz Festival, with Angela Bingham
Angela Bingham joins Aaron to perform a song and promote the Hillsborough Jazz Festival, Saturday, April 18 at the Moorefields Estate.
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Talking Culture: ‘Steel Magnolias’ at PlayMakers, with Sharon Lawrence
Emmy-nominated actress (and UNC alum) Sharon Lawrence is in the cast of “Steel Magnolias,” opening at PlayMakers this week.
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Talking Culture: ‘Good To Me’ with Rissi Palmer!
Country star Rissi Palmer performs her new song “Good To Me,” one of four tracks on her just-released EP “Perspectives.”
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Talking Culture: Making ‘Good Trouble’ with Anne-Claire!
Ahead of Sunday’s show at Motorco, Anne-Claire Cleaver plays the song “Good Trouble,” which will be on her forthcoming new album.
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Talking Culture: ‘Macbeth’ at PlayMakers, Today and Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow
Aaron welcomes Ron Menzel and Vivienne Benesch, a real-life couple who are co-starring in “Macbeth” at PlayMakers Repertory Company.
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Talking Culture: ‘The Walls Are Closing In On Us’ with Joshua Trent Brown
This week, Aaron welcomes Joshua Trent Brown, a local author whose debut novel is “The Walls Are Closing In On Us.”
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Talking Culture: ‘2 AM’ with Katie Rae!
Local singer-songwriter Katie Rae stops by to play her latest single, “2 AM,” the lead single off her forthcoming EP.
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Talking Culture: ‘The First To Know’
February 27-28 and March 6-7, The ArtsCenter in Carrboro is staging a new play by Jessica Abrams, “The First to Know.”
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Talking Culture: ‘No Cocker’ at Cats Cradle Back Room
Saturday, February 7, local musicians will come together at Cat’s Cradle Back Room for “No Cocker,” a tribute to the legendary Joe Cocker.
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Talking Culture: Pop Up Broadway, Back for 2026
Aaron welcomes Lauren Hodge and Sean Grier of Pop Up Chorus, which is back this Saturday with “Pop Up Broadway” at the ArtsCenter.
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Talking Culture: ‘Baby’s Gone Away’ with Johnny Sunrise
Aaron welcomes singer/songwriter Johnny Sunrise (John DiSabito) to play the song “Baby’s Gone Away,” which is on his new EP “Live From Home.”
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Talking Culture: ‘A Pocketful of Nickels’ with Jim Wilbur
Jim Wilbur is a member of Superchunk, but he’s also an author whose debut short story collection “A Pocketful of Nickels” is out now.
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Talking Culture: ‘1 x 1 = 5’ Short Plays by the Feckers Theater Collective
Aaron welcomes Michael Venutolo-Mantovani of the Feckers Theater Collective, which is staging a series of one-act plays at the ArtsCenter.
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Talking Culture: Jason Bales, ‘Watching the Pines’
This week Aaron welcomes local musician Jason Bales of The Yardarm, who’s just released his debut solo EP “Watching the Pines.”
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Talking Culture: Bah, Humbug! ‘A Christmas Carol’ at Center Theater Company
This holiday season, head to Carrboro for Center Theater Company’s performance of the classic story “A Christmas Carol.”
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Talking Culture: A Double Shot of ‘Death, Love and Disco’ with Azul!
This week, Aaron re-airs a live performance by Azul, whose new EP “Death, Love & Disco” is just about to drop.
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Talking Culture: ‘Anung’s Journey’ with Carl Nordgren
November is Indigenous Peoples’ Month, and as we approach Thanksgiving, Aaron welcomes Carl Nordgren, host of the Exploring Your Creative Genius on 97.9 The Hill and writer of the accompanying column on Chapelboro.com, to chat about the stories behind his book “Anung’s Journey, An Ancient Ojibway Legend as Told by Steve Fobister.”
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Talking Culture: Introducing Shalini Le Gall, New Director of the Ackland Art Museum
Shalini Le Gall, the new director of UNC’s Ackland Art Museum, stops by to discuss her background and ongoing exhibitions at the museum.
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Talking Culture: Feeling the ‘Bible Belt Blues,’ with Hal Crowther
Aaron welcomes journalist and progressive thinker Hal Crowther, whose new book is a collection of essays called “Bible Belt Blues.”
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