Arts & Culture

You may know Cecilia Violetta López as a celebrated soprano, as well as being named one of opera’s 25 rising stars by Opera News. Or you’ve seen her perform in Opera Idaho Productions for the last six plus years.

Idaho has a dark history of white supremacy, a history that tragically still shows up in our story today.

But just as importantly, the state is also home to a resilient and proud community of Black and African American Idahoans. For some, their history in this majority white state goes back generations.

Idaho’s growing Latino population has a rich culture of arts and history. In honor of that culture, the Idaho State Museum is hosting a series of virtual events — all in Spanish. The series — called “Nuestras Voces” (our voices in English) began during the COVID-19 pandemic as a way to connect Spanish-speaking Idahoans with their history in our state. 

The journey of Rowan Jones is not unlike a lot of young Americans with an eye to the future. He had big plans for college at the beginning of 2020: the Virginia native was on his way to achieving some of his dreams of attending school in Shanghai. And then, the pandemic hit.

My name is Leta Harris Neustaedter. I am an arts educator, a musician, an actor, a licensed clinical social worker and community organizer.

As Friday approaches, you may be wondering: "what should we watch at home this weekend?" While COVID-19 continues to make streaming services a safer and more convenient choice for many people, Idaho Matters checked in with our resident film critic and our Morning Edition host George Prentice.

“Burnout” is a feeling many Idahoans can relate to these days. From the political upheaval in the country, and the anxiety that comes with trying to get through the COVID-19 pandemic to the economic instability in the face of those two crises, there’s a lot to feel exhausted by. 

It’s a long winter, made longer by the continued COVID-19 pandemic. We could all use an escape right now. 

As football fans gear up for the Super Bowl, the Boise Philharmonic wants to know what composer or performer should be crowned the champion of their digital stage.

The pandemic has dramatically impacted arts organization across the globe, forcing some to close their doors for good. Others have been able to pivot performances online and resume at least some operations for their artists and fans.

This interview originally aired on Nov. 5, 2020.

Dana Quinney grew up in Ketchum during the 1950s. She became a field biologist and college professor, eventually settling into her lifelong passion of being a writer. Her memoir “Wildflower Girl” was published last year and just won 2019 Book of the Year by the Idaho Library Association. Quinney joins Idaho Matters live to talk more about her book and the award.

Have a question or comment for the show? Tweet @KBSX915 using #IdahoMatters

Embedded in the more than 5,000 page new COVID-19 relief bill is a provision to help support the flailing arts industry. The pandemic forced the temporary of stages in March across Idaho, putting venues, promoters and arts organizations in the most challenging financial position they’ve ever faced. 

This interview originally aired Nov. 3, 2020.

The Idaho Botanical Garden's 'Winter Garden a Glow' event has been a staple of holiday activities in the treasure valley for more than two decades. And this winter wonderland will continue this year, just with some new rules in place in order to keep everyone safe during the pandemic.

Erin Anderson with the Botanical Garden shares what's in store this year with Idaho Matters.

Music and performing arts venues were some of the first things to shut down last spring during the pandemic and have largely remained closed even as restaurants, bars, malls and other businesses reopened. Even after the COVID-19 vaccine is available in Idaho, indoor concerts and performances are likely not to bounce back immediately.

This year we celebrated the 100th anniversary of women’s suffrage. And while this was a great accomplishment for the movement and gave so many more Americans the right to vote, we also know that the constitutional amendment only applied to white women, leaving out countless other groups including Black women, Indigenous people and other marginalized groups.

Idaho is home to some fantastic folk artists. Boise State Public Radio's Expressive Idaho series explores the Gem State through the folk art lens. Today on Idaho Matters, we're featuring the stories of Boise Basque musician Dan Ansotegui and Duck Valley leatherworker Ryan Carpenter with his apprentice Monte Cummins. 

Like so many industries, the arts have been hit hard during the pandemic. One of Idaho’s art staples, the Idaho Shakespeare Festival, had to shut down the entire season over the summer due to COVID-19, which means less revenue coming in. So to help with that the Shakespeare Festival has come up with a unique fundraiser, "The Snow Must Go On," a virtual holiday Cabaret.

Have you bought your Christmas tree yet? At least one local vendor says that if you want one, now is the time to get one. With more people staying home this holiday season as the COVID-19 pandemic rages on, Christmas trees are in short supply.

Our Morning Edition host George Prentice checked in with Lindsay Schramm of the North End Organic Nursery in Garden City.