Off The Beat

Episode 8.4: as220 and Vampires

offthebeat — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 16:49:02 +0000

On tonight’s show, Jamie Sarfeh sits down with two of as220’s new directors, Xander Marro and Meredith Stern. This Week in Rhode Island History returns this week with a story connecting vampires and tuberculosis from Victoria Chao. Plus, try to guess where today’s Sounds of the City came from.

This show was hosted by Peter McElroy and produced by Dave Walker and John McGarry.

Off the Beat will be taking next week off for spring break, but check here for the latest episodes. You can also suscribe to our podcast or rss feeds using the links on the right side of the page.

Music on this week’s show: “Electric Boogaloo” by Minus the Bear, “Wires and Waves” by Rilo Kiley, “Reunion” by Stars, and “Introducing Angels” by Destroyer.

Episode 8.3: Black Rep, Green Housing, and Straight Ticket

offthebeat — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 17:04:06 +0000

On tonight’s show, we have a profile of the Black Repertory Company by Monica Garcia. Jeffrey Martin reports on a competition for sustainable and affordable housing. And John McGarry goes to Firehouse 13 to report on Amnesty International’s Art & Activism Exhibition. He focuses on the preview screening of Jeff Toste’s film “Straight Ticket”.

This show was hosted by David Walker and produced by David Walker and John McGarry.

As always, feel free to leave your views in the comments.

Music on this week’s show: “Collide the Tide” by Chin Up Chin Up, “Lucky Ones” by Kevin Drew, “Conductor 71″ by Fujiya & Miyagi, “The Ice of Boston” by the Dismemberment Plan, and “Untitled” by Interpol.

Episode 8.2: Presidential Primary Preview

offthebeat — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 04:06:22 +0000

This week’s episode is a special preview of the presidential primary elections happening in Rhode Island tomorrow. Host Victoria Chao gives us a summary of the race thus far. Dave Walker follows with a profile of the campaign of Senator Barack Obama (D- Ill.) and John McGarry reports on Senator Hillary Clinton’s campaign (D- NY).

This week’s show was produced by John McGarry and Dave Walker.

Music on this week’s show: “As We Proceed” by Travis Morrison, “I Slept with Bonhomme at CBC” by Broken Social Scene, “You Are a Wolf” by Sea Wolf, and “Guilty Cubicles” by Broken Social Scene.

Send us your comments here on the blog or by e-mail at offthebeat [at] bsrlive [dot] com.

[Editors' Note: There is a slight error at the end of the Clinton piece. To clarify the point of Ansumana Sirleaf, the canvasser, the Rhode Island primary is not a fully open primary. Voters registered for either party can only vote in that party's primary. But independent voters can vote in one of the party's primaries without needing to become affiliated with the party.]

Episode 8.1: Reinventing Rainbows and Tourism, Reevaluating Databases and Valentine’s Day

offthebeat — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 03:36:43 +0000

Off the Beat returns for its eighth season on BSR. This week’s episode is full of three stories and the debut of a new segment.

First, Monica Garcia has a report of local artist Zane Claverie’s display at the Dirt Palace in Olneyville. Dave Walker explains the concept and controversy behind a bill in the Statehouse about an employee database. Then, Alison Fairbrother reports on “This Week in Providence History”, with a retrospective on how differing views of Valentine’s Day were represented in the Providence Journal throughout the last century. Finally, John McGarry reports on the growth of sustainable tourism in Blackstone Valley.

This week’s show was hosted by Victoria Chao and was produced by John McGarry and Dave Walker.

Music on this week’s show: “Kids” by MGMT, “Positive Tension (Go! Team Remix)” by Bloc Party, “Disco Sheets” by Wolf Parade, “Dry Drunk Emperor” by TV on the Radio and “Fractales, Pt. 1″ by Apparat.

Feel free to let us know what you think by leaving a comment or by sending an e-mail to offthebeat [at] bsrlive [dot] com.

Episode 7.5: Building Futures and El Planeta

offthebeat — Tue, 20 Nov 2007 01:11:49 +0000

For this week’s show, Monica Garcia meets with the staff of the new Spanish language local paper El Planeta Providence. John McGarry has a report on a new construction apprenticeship program called Building Futures. And Will Bowling brings us a very timely Sounds of the City.

This week’s show was hosted by Zak Leonard and was produced by John McGarry.

Music on this week’s show: “What We Had” by the Handsome Furs, “Sleepwalking Ballad” by Apostle of Hustle, “Swisha” by Ratatat, “Back & Forth” by the Dismemberment Plan, “Shut Up I am Dreaming of Places Where Lovers Have Wings” by Sunset Rubdown

Episode 7.4: Trash Cans and Red Planets

offthebeat — Tue, 06 Nov 2007 01:31:33 +0000

In this week’s episode, Jen Vafidis looks into the controversy surrounding an artist’s work on trash cans and David Walker takes you to Mars, the Red Planet. And Sounds of the City, our audio quiz, is back for the first time this season! See if you can make sense of the sounds.

This week’s show was hosted and produced by John McGarry.

Music on this week’s show: “Miracle Drug” by A.C. Newman, “Pictures of Success” by Rilo Kiley, “Safety Bricks” by Kevin Drew, and “Mr. November” by the National.

No Show This Week!

offthebeat — Tue, 30 Oct 2007 00:03:27 +0000

Sorry, but there’s no show this week. Tune in next Monday for our next episode.

Episode 7.3: Soapboxes and Endangered Buildings

offthebeat — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 00:18:32 +0000

On tonight’s show, Boaz Munro reports on two teams of engineers who barreled down Waterman Street last weekend in homemade soapbox racecars along with over 50 other teams in the Red Bull Soapbox Derby. John McGarry reports on a different kind of danger in Providence: the loss of historic buildings.

This week’s show was hosted by Victoria Chao, and was produced by John McGarry.

Music on this week’s show: “Stuck Between Stations” by the Hold Steady, “Great Salt Lake” by Band of Horses, and “Collarbone” by Fujiya & Miyagi.
Music in Boaz’s story: “If My Heart Was a Car” by the Old 97’s, “Hot Rod Lincoln” by Junior Brown, and “Fun, Fun, Fun” by the Beach Boys

Leave us know your views here, or send us an e-mail at offthebeat [at] bsrlive [dot] com.

Episode 7.2: Western Union Boycott, Senior Center Exhibit, and Global Warming

offthebeat — Tue, 16 Oct 2007 01:46:37 +0000

On tonight’s show, David Walker reports on a new activist movement against Western Union. Will Bowling visits the Hamilton Senior Center’s exhibit on the past lives of its members. Wrapping up the show is a report by John McGarry on how global warming relates to Rhode Island.

This week’s show was hosted by David Paesani and was produced by John McGarry.

Music on this week’s show: “Chicken Pox” by I’m From Barcelona, “All I Need” by Radiohead, “Hooray! Hooray! Hooray!” by Do Make Say Think, and “Knife” by Grizzly Bear.

Let us know what you think by leaving a comment here or by sending an e-mail to offthebeat [at] bsrlive [dot] com.

Episode 7.1: Pumpkins and Snow Plows

offthebeat — Tue, 02 Oct 2007 01:26:21 +0000

Off the Beat kicks off the new season tonight! First, Fran Harlow tells us about giant pumpkins growing in Rhode Island, followed by a report by John McGarry on winter preparations by the Department of Public Works.
Hosted and produced by John McGarry.
Music on this week’s show: “Use It” by the New Pornographers, “I Feel It All” by Feist, and “Étienne d’Août” by Malajube.

Even though we’ve already had a show this season, we’re still welcoming any and all new reporters- no experience needed or expected. If you interested, or just want to find out more about our show, feel free to leave your comments here or send an e-mail to offthebeat [at] bsrlive [dot] com.

Episode 6.7: A Look Back

offthebeat — Tue, 15 May 2007 15:17:17 +0000

It’s the last show of the season — and Off The Beat looks back at some of the best pieces we aired in the past semester.

The show features contributions from Victoria Chao (originally aired March 26), John McGarry (originally aired April 16), and Eli Halpern (originally aired April 30), and was produced by Chris Gang and John. Chris Gang is also the host this week.

Off The Beat is taking a break for the summer! We will be back in the fall, with more news and views from Providence. If you’d like to leave some feedback, feel free to contact us at offthebeat [at] bsrlive [dot] com or by leaving comments here. If you’re interested in learning more about joining our staff as a reporter, producer, or editor, you can email news.director [at] bsrlive [dot] com — no prior experience is necessary or expected.

Episode 6.6: Recycling, Redevelopment, and Rock ‘N’ Roll

offthebeat — Tue, 01 May 2007 00:57:21 +0000

Recycling, redevelopment and rock ‘n’ roll.

John McGarry reports on the state of recycling in Rhode Island. WBRU’s Rukesh Samarasekera discusses the fate of Rhode Island’s after-school nonprofit arts programs. Off The Beat reporter Victoria Chao investigates tension between the developer Struever Brothers, Eccles and Russe and Olneyville residents. Finally, Eli Halpern delivers a piece on how one theater company has fused a Japanese tradition with punk rock.

This week’s show was produced by Chris Gang and hosted by Will Bostwick.

This week’s music: “Gravity Rides Everything” by Modest Mouse, “Carry The Zero” by Built To Spill, “Young Folks” by Peter, Bjorn & John, and “This Charming Man” by Stars.

As always, this is Off The Beat: News & Views from Providence. Send us yours by leaving a comment.

Episode 6.5: Dancing Literary Veterans

offthebeat — Tue, 17 Apr 2007 01:03:35 +0000

On today’s show, Off The Beat’s John McGarry discusses very large choreographed dances. Eli Halpern interviews the editors of an up-and-coming popular culture literary magazine. From WBRU’s George Mesthos, a report on the Providence VA Medical Center. This week’s news wrap by Boaz Munro, with reporting by Will Bowling and Chris Gang. And as always, listen carefully for Sounds of the City, our weekly audio exploration of Providence.

Music on this week’s show: Joy Division - Love Will Tear Us Apart, Final Fantasy - The Chronicles of Sarnia, Dungen - Festival, and Yo La Tengo - The Weakest Part.

This week’s show was produced and hosted by Chris Gang.

Rock the weekly guessing game, Sounds of the City, using these photo leads.

Episode 6.4: Schools, Dropouts, and Liberian Radio

offthebeat — Mon, 26 Mar 2007 17:55:42 +0000

On this week’s show: Masumi Hayashi-Smith gets a closer look at what’s in store for the West Broadway Elementary School; Victoria Chao gets the inside scoop on WRNI’s pilot episode of a new Liberian radio show; and WBRU’s Abe Lubetkin investigates possible changes in the state’s policy on high school dropouts. Plus, Will Bostwick delivers a roundup of last week’s news. Hosted and produced by Chris Gang.

Music featured in this week’s show: “Disco Sheets” by Wolf Parade, “Bros” by Panda Bear, and “Complete, or Completing” by Annuals.

Off the Beat will return on Monday, April 9th — but in the meantime, send us your comments and questions! Leave a comment here, or email offthebeat [at] bsrlive.com

Clarification to the news roundup: the Sudan divestment legislation has passed in the RI Senate but will not take effect until approved by the House.

Next show will air in one week

offthebeat — Mon, 19 Mar 2007 19:54:04 +0000

There will be no show this week (March 19th), so stay tuned for the next Off The Beat on Monday, March 26th.

A look into the future: next Monday you’ll hear about the controversy surrounding the West Broadway Elementary School, a new Liberian radio show coming to Rhode Island, and more! As always, we’ll also bring you a brief wrapup of this week’s news, and get ready to travel to another mystery location in Providence with our weekly audio quiz, Sounds of the City.

As March draws to a close, Off The Beat will keep coming in like a lion!

Now is the perfect time to send us your comments, questions and suggestions.

Episode 6.3: ZBC, HPV, + NYC

offthebeat — Tue, 13 Mar 2007 01:17:34 +0000

This week, Tanya Somanader reports on the future of Barrington Zion Bible College; and Laura Brion and Chris Mastrangelo bring part 2 in a special report on HPV vaccine legislation in Rhode Island. News round-up produced by Boaz Munro and Peter McElroy. And you have two chances to get creative and guess the latest installation of Sounds of the City (if you need some more hints, click “Read the rest of this entry” to see more photos).

This week’s show is hosted and produced by Chris Gang.
Music by Beirut, Mirah and Shearwater.

These are our News and Views: we want yours. Leave a comment!

To view two more photographic hints for this week’s Sounds of the City, click below to read more.

History of Radio Documentary Airs This Week

offthebeat — Sun, 11 Mar 2007 23:42:37 +0000

“From Gaspipes to Websites: Radio at Brown 1936-2006″ will air throughout this week (March 12-16) on BSR, 88.1 FM WELH Providence, at 7 p.m. This audio documentary examines how college radio fits into local communities and national trends through a historical analysis of Brown University’s radio stations, WBRU and BSR.

You can download each segment of the documentary for free as a podcast through the iTunes podcast directory or at the project’s blog. To learn more about the project, see Brown University’s press release and the coverage in the Brown Daily Herald.

The segment airing on Monday, March 12th, is about 42 minutes long, so Off the Beat will be shorter than usual and will go on the air late, around 7:42. If you miss it, be sure to download the podcast here or on iTunes.

Episode 6.2: the Senate, Seals, and STDs

offthebeat — Tue, 06 Mar 2007 04:25:44 +0000

This week, the first installment of Laura Brion’s in-depth coverage of the HPV vaccine’s RI reception. Then, John McGarry and Will Bostwick report on the Senate’s work calendar, and Vicky Chao takes us seal watching. Plus, Will Bowling brings the week’s news round-up. Who’s screaming? Bounce your ideas around with Sounds of the City.

This week’s host is Peter McElroy, and the show was produced by Chris Gang and Peter McElroy. Music by RJD2, Chet Atkins and Brown University’s own Charlie Hunter.

A reminder for those listeners in Providence on or around College Hill: This is the last week to visit “From Gaspipes to Websites: Radio at Brown 1936-2006,” running until Friday, March 9, at the John Hay Library at Brown University. Get some perspective on Brown Student Radio’s roots!

For more information:
Brown University’s John Hay Exhibit Page
and 70 Years of Radio History Blog.

This is News & Views from Providence, and we want some of yours. Post your comments!

No Show this Week

offthebeat — Mon, 26 Feb 2007 23:44:37 +0000

Off The Beat takes a break this week to be presidential. Tune in next Monday, March 5th, for an all-new show that will take you seal watching in Narragansett Bay and to the Zion Bible College in Barrington. Also: in Congress, what to know about the HPV vaccine bill and how shortening the General Assembly calendar may increase legislative efficiency. And of course, get ready for a fresh Sounds of the City.

Off The Beat encourages your comments and suggestions.

Episode 6.1: Chocolate, Consumerism, and (Over-)Consumption

offthebeat — Tue, 20 Feb 2007 01:28:25 +0000

On this week’s show, John McGarry gives us the skinny on the move to ban trans-fats in Rhode Island; Eli Halpern reports from Firehouse 13, and Elana Goldstein goes choclatiering. Will Bowling reads a roundup of the week’s headlines.

Hosted by Chris Gang, and produced by Peter McElroy and Chris. Music by Spoon, Grizzly Bear, and Belle & Sebastian.

Off The Beat is excited to be back for a sixth season! We welcome your feedback here or at offthebeat [at] bsrlive [dot] com.