Julia Meek

What do you love about Fort Wayne?

Artlink Executive Director Deb Washler thinks there are a lot of reasons to admire the Summit City, and she's looking for even more.

Washler and a team from Leadership Fort Wayne have come up with a new, interactive art installation encouraging residents to share why they appreciate the community, called "Love, Fort Wayne."

"A Better Fort" is a local non-profit group geared to the area's millenial population.

The organization's co-founder, Alex Smith, describes its evolving role as both advocacy and entertainment, citing the recent attention the group has received for its upcoming downtown block party, which is laughingly and lovingly named after former Fort Wayne Mayor Harry Baals.

Earlier this week, Smith joined WBOI's Julia Meek in the Madge Rothschild studios to discuss A Better Fort’s community involvement.

On Thursday, the Fort Wayne Philharmonic concludes its 70th season as they present their annual "Patriotic Pops" concert in a brand new venue, Parkview Field.

The annual tradition features star-spangled favorites from the likes of John Phillip Sousa, Morton Gould, and even John Williams.

The Philharmonic's Associate Conductor, Sameer Patel, will be at the podium for the occasion. 

WBOI's Julia Meek invited Patel to the Madge Rothschild Studios to reflect on this milestone year and the Philharmonic's role in the community.

Historian, author, and entertainer Bill Levy will tell you that his driving force is "a need to share," especially when it comes to his deep knowledge of cinema's past.  

And that's what Levy does in his new book, Lest We Forget: The John Ford Stock Company, chronicling the career of the legendary director and his troupe of regular players.

WBOI's Julia Meek invited Levy to the Madge Rothschild Studios recently to share a bit of his passion for the silver screen.

Going on ninety years old, actor, director, writer and Fort Wayne Youtheatre's artist-in-residence Harvey Cocks is still going strong, as he's been explaining in his fascinating three-part lecture series, "My Life in Theater," at the Wunderkammer Company.

He'll deliver the final installment tonight, but earlier this week, he joined WBOI's Julia Meek at the Madge Rothschild Studios to share a few backstage insights into his long-term love affair with show business.

In Japan, the cherry blossom has been the symbol for the cycle of life, death and rebirth for centuries, revered and celebrated annually as the herald of spring. 

In Fort Wayne, this celebration is embodied in our own Japanese Cherry Blossom Festival, offering a taste of Japanese culture as well as a seasonal salute.

WBOI's Julia Meek recently invited Dorothy Kittaka and Toyoharu Tamura (also known as "Mr. T") into the Madge Rothschild studios to talk tradition and dive into the Fort Wayne Cherry Blossom Festival, which starts May 18th.

The Fort Wayne Youtheatre has been around since 1934, making it the third oldest children's theater in the nation.

In 2012, Executive Director Leslie Hormann broadened the group's horizons, adding collaborations with various local arts organizations to the Youtheatre's repertoire.

This month, along with the University of St Francis, they’re bringing their own interpretation of "Roald Dahl's Willy Wonka” to the Fort Wayne stage.

WBOI’s Julia Meek recently spoke with Leslie Hormann at the Madge Rothschild Studios.

The Jesters performing group is itself a unique story in Fort Wayne's theater community.

Formed more than thirty years ago and sponsored by the University of Saint Francis, the Jesters is comprised of people with mild to severe disabilities with a wide variety of generations represented, with the goal of enhancing each member's quality of life.

Each spring, the group presents an original, multi-media performance.

This Valentine's Day, there's a good chance you (or your special someone) will express your feelings through flowers. They've become so important to the holiday--for retailers and lovers alike--that a mild media panic ensued after some florists reported they might not get their Valentine bouquets out in time.

But when you express yourself with flowers, do you know what you're actually saying?

Hip hop was born and grew up in denser urban areas: places like New York City, Atlanta, and Los Angeles.

But Caleb May developed his passion for the genre, honed his writing and flow, and acquired his own fan base growing up here in Northeast Indiana, in the town of Waterloo. 

Known as Kidd Dash, he caught the attention of H.Y.P.E. Magazine, and he and his team recently wrapped up their run as part of the Hype Nation Tour.