John Davis has been a full-time Reporter/Producer for WGCU since 2009. He is the local host for NPR’s Morning Edition and producer and host for WGCU’s radio talk program Gulf Coast Life! John came to WGCU as an intern in 2007, and is now reporting on a broad spectrum of topics of interest to Southwest Florida. Prior to joining WGCU, he worked at WDUQ-FM in Pittsburgh, PA covering local government and general assignments.John studied journalism at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, before earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication from Florida Gulf Coast University. His work has garnered awards from the Press Club of Western Pennsylvania, the Radio Television Digital News Association, and a first place award and “Best in Show” from the Florida Associated Press for his investigative work in 2011. Send news pitches to wgcunews at wgcu.org
-
Southwest Florida-based artist Beth Carter Bell has a new exhibition coming to the Grand Atrium gallery at Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center in the downtown Fort Myers River District titled “Diaphanous Vision.” Ahead of the exhibit’s opening reception, Sept. 4, we take a deeper dive into the show and the Data-A aesthetic in which works in the show are grounded.
-
The Cape Coral Art Center is featuring a retrospective exhibition of works by Pine Island-based painter Zan Lombardo titled “Larger Than Life Watercolors” in reference to the large-scale watercolor scrolls that Lombardo is perhaps best known for. We’ll have an encore presentation of our recent conversation with Lombardo about her unique artistic practice, what inspires her paintings, and the evolution of her work over time.
-
Theatre Conspiracy is closing it’s the summer season with a production of Carey Crim’s comedy “What Springs Forth.” We’ll talk with cast members Tiffany Campbell, Anne Reed, and Lucy Sundby.
-
The Cape Coral Art Center is featuring a retrospective exhibition of works by Pine Island-based painter Zan Lombardo titled “Larger Than Life Watercolors” in reference to the large-scale watercolor scrolls that Lombardo is perhaps best known for. We talk with Lombardo about her unique artistic practice, what inspires her paintings, and the evolution of her work over time.
-
On the heels of a currently running youth theater production of “Into the Woods” Players Circle Theater is preparing to perform “My Way: A Musical Tribute to Frank Sinatra.” We’ll talk with the directors and cast members from both shows.
-
The final performance of the inaugural Sanibel Summer Jazz Concert series, July 31, features vocalist Dana Paul, bassist David Pastorius, pianist Stu Shelton, and percussionist Tony Vigilante. The concert series is presented by the Sanibel Jazz Society, LLC, founded by Amy Sbarra to promote the art of jazz and support student musicians.
-
The Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center hosts an exhibition, this month, of works by fashion designed and self-described “debate artist” James Massacci. Titled “The Emotions of Everyday Life,” works in the show are predicated on simple images with powerful messages aimed at challenging viewers to engage with uncomfortable truths, and to, perhaps, reconsider ideological assumptions. We’ll talk with the artist about the show and about his unique approach to creating art.
-
Theatre Conspiracy is mounting a production of playwright Mark St. Germain’s romantic comedy “Dancing Lessons.” The two-actor play takes audiences on a deep exploration of vulnerability and risk as the characters’ relationship develops and as they help each other step outside their respective comfort zones. We will talk with one of the stars of the production, actor Steven Coe.
-
During the Covid pandemic, retired U.S. Army Lt. Colonel Michael Troop got into audio production and that led to him pitching an idea to Bryce Alexander from the Naples Players to recreate, from the ground up with professional and amateur actors, and full sound design, old-time narrative radio shows from the 1930s, 40s, and 50s and the Naples Players Repertoire Radio Theatre podcast was born and is now off and running.
-
Southwest Florida-based singer/songwriter Melinda “Blou Note” Daniel performs live in the WGCU studio.