“China’s Age of Abundance”

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My guest for the full hour is UCI social scientist and one important demographer, Professor Wang Feng. We focus on his latest publication, especially as it helps us appreciate what China’s got to work with under current conditions. “China’s Age of Abundance; Origins, Ascendance, and Aftermath,” published by the Cambridge University Press, explores China’s rise to material wealth, current predicaments and future challenges. Demographers . . . the ones with lots of receipts.

Music credits: Chimora, “Africano Americano,” Sounds of Africa – album; and Jodi Proznick Trio, “The Moon Represents My Heart,” Jasmine Jazz collaboration at Vancouver International Jazz Festival 2022.

http://www.kuci.org/podcastfiles/984/WangFeng5-14-24Pod.mp3

Bringing All Young Voters To The Electoral Finish Line

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For the full hour is Joey Forsyte, an LA based, award-winning filmmaker and visual artist. She focuses on works that build community, political awareness and activism. She is the owner of Velocity Filmworks as well as the founder and executive director of A Band of Voters. Civics is on her front burner as she works with institutions that reach out to the youngest of eligible voters: CA Student Civic and Voter Empowerment Act of 2019, the National Study of Learning, Voting, and Engagement (NSLVE), and the Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement (CIRCLE), to name a few. Interested parties can reach Joey et. al. by emailing them at: adoptacollege2024@gmail.com.

This is a reminder for all eligible voters to register to vote and keep confirming their registration as many primaries continue, in the run up to the 2024 general election this November 5th.

Music credits: Chimora, “Africano Americano,” Sounds of Africa – album; and Kamasi Washington, “The Magnificent,” The Epic – album.

http://www.kuci.org/podcastfiles/984/ForsytePod5-7-24.mp3

New, Improved Citizenship Process AND “Galilee, 34”

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We begin with Rosaisela López Cienfuegos, a lead coordinator at Orange County Communities for Responsible Development, talking about the naturalization process that they’re overseeing, always looking for takers. Recent changes to the application and associated fees lower some of the earlier barriers; the processing time have been reduced get newly naturalized citizens into the voting booth sooner than was possible a few years ago. She sets you up with citizenship clinic training, in upcoming events. The next training at the OCCORD office is 5/3 and 5/4, 6-8 p.m. The next clinic is 5/18, with shifts starting at: 9 a.m., 11 a.m. and I p.m. More details: https://occord.org/.

In the second segment (approx. minute 25:00) is playwright and screen writer Eleanor Burgess. Fresh from last year’s South Coast Repertory Pacific Playwright Festival, her world premiere of “Galilee, 34” is being performed now through May 12th, at SCR’s Argyros Stage at the Segerstrom Center for the Performing Arts. Details are available at: https://www.scr.org/plays/productions/23-24-season/galilee-34/. It’s an audacious interpretation of “none of it ever happened and it’s all true.” The host aimed for a spoiler free treatment of this play during these very fraught times.

Music credits: Chimora, “Africano Americano,” Sounds of Africa – album; Dana Landry Trio, “Transfusion,” Memphis Skyline – album; Marcel Khalife, “I Shall Name You,” Stripped Bare – album.

http://www.kuci.org/podcastfiles/984/OccordBurgess4-30-24.mp3

“In Search of the Third Feather of Simurgh: Contagious Dictatorship and Fragile Democracy”

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My guest for the full the hour is mixed media artist Soheila Siadate, with an extraordinary solo exhibition at the Orange County Center for Contemporary Art in Santa Ana, “In Search of the Third Feather of Simurgh: Contagious Dictatorship and Fragile Democracy” on view now through 4/26th. Details are available at: https://www.occca.org/EXHIBITIONS.html. This is her most expansive exhibit yet. On the radio: she leads us through layers of culture, history, and the special media with which she works. On your visit: the hours are Mon-Thursday by appointment only; open Friday-Saturday noon to 5 p.m., 117 North Sycamore St., downtown Santa Ana at the corner of 2nd and Sycamore.

Music credits: Chimora, “Africano Americano,” Sounds of Africa – album; and Hossein Omoumi and Madjid Khaladj, “Tasnif.” 

http://www.kuci.org/podcastfiles/984/Siadate4-23-24.mp3

Medical Aid In Dying – The State of The Union

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Returning to the show, for the full hour, is Samantha Trad, the National Director of Advocacy for Compassion and Choices. Up the escalator are more states enacting laws granting end of life options or “medical aid in dying,” (MAID). Amidst this trend, boarding the downward escalator, are federal and state challenges to end these choices. In the background are Compassion and Choices’ findings that a majority across the political spectrum support MAID. More earnest questions about this last act we all have. Hop onto their website for all the resources to which she refers in this interview: https://www.compassionandchoices.org/.

Music credits: Chimora, “Africano Americano,” Sounds of Africa – album; and Leonard Bernstein conducting, Debussy’s “Nocturnes,” A Total Embrace of the Conductor – album.

http://www.kuci.org/podcastfiles/984/Trad4-16-24.mp3

“AI’s Hippocratic Oath” AND “War Up Close” VR Immersion of War in Ukraine

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For the full hour is Chinmayi Sharma, assistant professor at Fordham University Law School. Think Cassandra for this time we are in, as she brings her not-so-modest proposal, “AI’s Hippocratic Oath.” Amidst the tech sector’s arms race to build these voracious artificial intelligence systems, she raises the specter of harm overtaking the common good. Professionalizing the AI engineers at the front end would do for the public, what licensing other professions has done for clients, patients, and communities. In the closing segment (approx. minute 46:15) is Mykola Omelchenko, Ukrainian filmmaker/photographer who’s presenting “War Up Close” showing Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine thru virtual reality this Friday, April 12 at the Chinese Theater in Hollywood Stand With Ukraine 11 am-6 pm this Friday. It’s free, visitors can sign up at: https://war.city/upcoming/.

Music credits: Chimora, “Africano Americano,” Sounds of Africa – album; Claraguilar, “Invisible Orchestra,” Figura – album; Vsevolod Zaderatsky’s Preludes and Fugues, performed by Jascha Nemtsov.

http://www.kuci.org/podcastfiles/984/SharmaOmelchenko4-9-24.mp3″

Solidarity and Coalitions AND Paula Tomei Takes a Bow After 44 years at SCR

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Today our guests are Dr. Jordie Davies, Assistant Professor of Political Science at UCI, and an affiliate faculty member of the UCI Culture & Theory Ph.D. Program. Of particular interest is her work on “Solidarity Processes in Multi-Racial Coalitions.” An additional portion of this interview is available in Part 2 of this pod. In the segment (minute 35:50) is Paula Tomei, managing director of South Coast Repertory. She’s stepping down this August after a 44-year career, building a lot of things of local, regional, and national significance. It’s SCR’s 26th Pacific Playwright Festival May 3-5. Wrapping their season are the productions “Prelude to a Kiss, The Musical” and “Galilee, 34” which were previously showcased in earlier festivals.

Music credits: Chimora, “Africano Americano,” Sounds of Africa – album; Casey Benjamin, “Your Recipe,” performed At Clement’s Place; “Ponteio,” Peppino D’Agostino, single.

http://www.kuci.org/podcastfiles/984/DaviesTomeiPod4-2-24.mp3

In this extended portion of Jordie Davies’ interview, we draw comparisons with Ukrainians coalescing in the Maidan Revolution in 2013-14 and American protest movements. http://www.kuci.org/podcastfiles/984/DaviesExt4-2-24.mp3

Voter Participation Gap AND “Grace Kelly With Strings: At The Movies”

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We begin with Davin Phoenix, who talks about the voter participation gap opening up between Black and white voters, since the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling on Shelby Co. v Holder. His very well received book, The Anger Gap; How Race Shapes Emotion in Politics anticipated this trend. He breaks it all down for us; his work along with the findings of the Brennan Center for Justice.

In the segment (approx minute 35:11), is Grace Kelly – alto saxophonist, singer, composer, arranger, and more, releasing her 15th album and latest project, “Grace Kelly with Strings: At The Movies.” This tribute to her sax hero Charlie Parker, features more than 16 films. Listeners will be able to find her recordings through PAZZ Productions, https://www.gracekellymusic.com/, or her live performances this Spring and Summer, including a Festival of the Arts gig in Laguna Beach July 13th.

Music credits: Chimora, “Africano Americano,” Sounds of Africa – album; Oliver Jones, “Mark My Time,” A Classic Act – album; Grace Kelly, “Morricone Medley,” Grace Kelly with Strings: At The Movies – album.

http://www.kuci.org/podcastfiles/984/PhoenixKelly3-26-24.mp3

“A Foot Is Not A Fish” AND Backhausdance Returns to the Barclay

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Logic for kiddos and dance are on today’s roster. We begin with former therapist now children’s book and memoir author Cornelia Maude Spelman. Her brand-new children’s non-fiction book, entitled A “Foot is Not a Fish,” published by Frederator Books, pairs rhymes with vivid illustrations, to help parents show their children that it is not hard to see what is true and what is not, a fitting starting point for talks about the elections.

In the second segment (approx. minute 26:15) is Jennifer Backhaus, founder, and artistic director of Backhausdance, a critically-acclaimed contemporary dance company, in advance of their March 27th, 8 p.m. Barclay performance in the middle of their 21st season. Ticket information is available: www.thebarclay.org or call (949) 854-4646.

Music credits: Chimora, “Africano Americano,” Sounds of Africa – album; Lunatraktors, “Rigs of Time,” single; Bobby Sanabria Multiverse Big Band, “Gym Scene” Blues/Mambo, Westside Story Reimagined – album.

http://www.kuci.org/podcastfiles/984/SpelmanBackhaus3-19-24.mp3

The Voice of an Iranian-American Woman

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Our guest for the full hour is Sudi Farokhnia, a local Risk and Audit professional and Co-founder of Iranian American Democrats of California. Speaking in her capacity as an activist, she has a full roster to cover today including: Iranian American political organizing in general; The Middle Eastern Northern African Inclusion Act, California AB 2763; the Temporary Family Visitation Act, HR 5155; and The Allyship Act, HR 6865; all this going into Ramadan and Nowruz. As spring has sprung, civics keeps up on this show.

Music credits: Chimora, “Africano Americano,” Sounds of Africa – album; Kiosk, “Vada Bebar,” Triple Distilled – album.

http://www.kuci.org/podcastfiles/984/Farokhnia3-12-24.mp3