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Arizona Spotlight
Arizona Center Judiac Studies Lecture

Arizona Spotlight

Look for us on Apple Podcasts, the NPR app, Spotify, Amazon, YouTube, and wherever you find your podcasts.

Rich in the fundamental elements of creativity and freedom, Southern Arizona is home to an arts scene that defies expectation. Each week, Arizona Spotlight explores the local creative community, including interviews with visiting performers and people around the country who are making important connections through art. The goal is to seek out and celebrate our shared humanity.

Produced and hosted by Emmy award-winner Mark McLemore, Arizona Spotlight features the distinctly Southwestern music of the acclaimed Tucson band Calexico.
Most Recent
Rogue Theatre's "Marjorie Prime" creates a conversation about what it means to be a human being in the age of AI.
February 19, 2025

Rogue Theatre's "Marjorie Prime" creates a conversation about what it means to be a human being in the age of AI.

Also on Arizona Spotlight: Understanding canyons on the moon; and more voices from The Class of 2024.
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Bill Medley of The Righteous Brothers brings songs of love to Tucson.
February 13, 2025

Bill Medley of The Righteous Brothers brings songs of love to Tucson.

Also on Arizona Spotlight: Marquez Price's new book "The Backcourt" examines the bonds of family, friendship, and teamwork; and Luis shares what the first year of both high school and the COVID-19 pandemic was like for him in "The Class of 2024".
"Photographing with respect": How Tim H. Murphy creates unforgettable portraits of Indigenous dancers
February 5, 2025

"Photographing with respect": How Tim H. Murphy creates unforgettable portraits of Indigenous dancers

Also on Arizona Spotlight: "Stories that Soar!" asks that we look for beauty beyond the screen; and an essay series "The Class of 2024" begins.
"Clickety-clack's, a-echoin' back, The Blues in the Night" at Arizona Theatre Company.
January 29, 2025

"Clickety-clack's, a-echoin' back, The Blues in the Night" at Arizona Theatre Company.

Also on Arizona Spotlight: Old Pueblo Playwrights take stories to the stage in their New Play Festival; and the Southern Arizona Regional Science and Engineering Fair celebrates its 70th anniversary.
Micky Dolenz on what being a Monkee means to him.
January 23, 2025

Micky Dolenz on what being a Monkee means to him.

Also on Arizona Spotlight: Invisible Theatre's production of "What the Constitution Means to Me"; and how Adiba Nelson's new children's book is a love letter to those seeking representation and a connection to spirituality.
Delfeayo Marsalis brings New Orleans jazz to Tucson.
January 15, 2025

Delfeayo Marsalis brings New Orleans jazz to Tucson.

Also on Arizona Spotlight: Three emerging local jazz musicians; and storyteller Jess Losoya shares a story about freedom.
Stars who are coming to Tucson.
January 8, 2025

Stars who are coming to Tucson.

Jazz singer Dominique Eade, rocker Dweezil Zappa, and comedy legend Vicki Lawrence all bring their talents to The Old Pueblo.
"Growing Tradition": A story about a dazzling display of lights and community.
December 19, 2024

"Growing Tradition": A story about a dazzling display of lights and community.

Also on Arizona Spotlight: Meet Glenda Bonin a storyteller, magician and puppeteer who shares her "Sleigh Bells" story.
Artists from ArtWorks bring their ideas of home to "Won't You Be My Neighbor?".
December 12, 2024

Artists from ArtWorks bring their ideas of home to "Won't You Be My Neighbor?".

Also on Arizona Spotlight: How the Tucson Bird Alliance will be making a difference in 2025; and actor and history buff Fred Pitts brings his one-man show "Aren't You..?" to Tucson.
How BICAS bridges bicycles, art and community.
December 5, 2024

How BICAS bridges bicycles, art and community.

Also on Arizona Spotlight: The story of Ittai Sopher, a former Arizona Spotlight producer who became a "Jeopardy" champion; Marquez Price on the value of doing a digital detox; and "Stories that Soar!" features young kids thinking about big emotions.
Spotlight Community Theater's production of "Cinderella".
November 28, 2024

Spotlight Community Theater's production of "Cinderella".

Also on Arizona Spotlight: A tale of true love that started in Tucson in 1943 that continues today; and historian David Leighton shares the history of the Reid Park Zoo..
Remembering Paula Bronstein, a survivor of the Holocaust.
November 21, 2024

Remembering Paula Bronstein, a survivor of the Holocaust.

Also on Arizona Spotlight: Beth Colburn Orozco shares the story of her search for the daughter she never knew.
Autumn among the aspens.
November 14, 2024

Autumn among the aspens.

Also on Arizona Spotlight: Lyse Doucet, chief international correspondent for the BBC, receives the 2024 Zenger Award for Press Freedom from the UA School of Journalism; and Richard Cachor Taylor's talks about his book "Birds of Arizona".
DUSK Music Festival returns to Tucson.
November 7, 2024

DUSK Music Festival returns to Tucson.

Also on Arizona Spotlight: Voices from the Tucson Pride Festival; emerging UA filmmakers take the stage at San Diego Comic-Con; and historian David Leighton shares the star-studded story of Nick C. Hall.
The 16th Annual Haunted Halloween Arizona Spotlight!
October 30, 2024

The 16th Annual Haunted Halloween Arizona Spotlight!

Featuring: The stars of Live Theatre Workshop's "Misery"; Broadway designer David Korins' creations from "Beetlejuice"; a ghost story from "Stories That Soar!"; and the supernatural invades suburbia in the Ten-Minute Drama "The Jack-O-Lantern".
"Gaudy Sorrow" is author Barbara Seyda's memoir of love and loss.
October 23, 2024

"Gaudy Sorrow" is author Barbara Seyda's memoir of love and loss.

Also on Arizona Spotlight: Find out how the Assistance League of Tucson has been helping people in need for 65 years; and cold blooded critters (and those who love them) gather for the 22nd Tucson Reptile & Amphibian Show.
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