Arts and Culture

NPR's Morning Edition co-host Steve Inskeep grew up in Carmel, Indiana, and attended Morehead College in Kentucky. He visited Evansville over the weekend for the WNIN Winter Gala, and sat down with our John Gibson…

A look at how Latino art and culture has influenced the Midwest and how it's celebrated where it's people may not feel welcomed.  

The conductor of the Evansville Philharmonic Orchestra is planning to put down his baton. 

Conductor and Music Director Alfred Savia will celebrate his 30th season with the EPO this year.

A news release from the Philharmonic says Savia has extended his contract though the 2019-2020 season, and will step down after that.

The 64-year-old conductor says in the release that guest conductors will lead the orchestra in his final season.

Those guest conductors will be candidates for the music director position.

Mesker Park Zoo and Botanic Garden has a new leader. 

Evansville Mayor Lloyd Winnecke hired from within, choosing Erik Beck as the zoo’s new executive director.

Beck has worked at the zoo for 22 years and Winnecke says he’s shown strong leadership as director of operations and interim zoo director.

Beck replaces Amos Morris who left the local zoo for a similar position in California.

In a news release, Mayor Winnecke calls Beck “well qualified for the position.” He says Beck will “lead the zoo through a seamless transition.”

Dozens of Evansville area religious leaders have responded to the recent events in Charlottesville, Virginia. 

Reverends Joseph Easley and Gerald Arnold, Chaplain Tamara Gieselman, and Rabbi Gary Mazo issued a statement on behalf of the leaders recognizing the “sacred worth of all people. “

The leaders say we should reject racism, bigotry, and hatred.

They say the recent events in Charlottesville and elsewhere remind us that racism is part of the dark underside of our national history and still impacts the fabric of our society.