NYC’s Custodial Staff Gear Up For Contract Fight
November 15, 2023
Two of the most high profile strikes across the country are coming to a close this month with both auto workers and actors reaching tentative deals with their respective employers. But for janitors, repair people, and porters across New York City’s non-residential buildings, negotiations over a new contract have only just begun. Reporting by Safiyah Riddle.
Community Reacts to Diwali Being Recognized As A Public Holiday
November 15, 2023
Diwali is the Hindu festival of lights that celebrates the triumph of light over darkness and is observed by adherents of many Indian faith traditions. Back in June, it was declared as an official holiday in New York City. We hear from Indian Americans on what it means to have Diwali officially recognized. Reporting by Sajina Shrestha
Beyond Broadway: The Lives Of Harlem Braiders
November 15, 2023
Jaja’s African Hair Braiding, the first Broadway show to be set in a hair salon in Harlem, is ending its run this month. To get a better sense of the inspiration behind its characters, reporter Rachel Goldman checked in on salon workers in Harlem.
Dance Teacher Juggles Between Passion and Need
November 15, 2023
School districts across the country are slashing arts programs such as drama, music and dance citing “budget cuts”. Imani Nzingha is a public school teacher who teaches dance, but as resources for schools become slimmer and slimmer she has to take on other roles. Reporter Aaliyah Fisher brings us the story.
PSC-CUNY Members Say “The Time Is Now” for a Fair Contract
November 15, 2023
The Professional Staff Congress, or PSC-CUNY, is the union that represents more than 30,000 CUNY faculty and staff members, who have been working without a contract since February. Now, PSC-CUNY is gearing up for a day of action at Governor Hochul’s office in December. We joined union members at Hostos Community College who delivered their petition to their college president to demand a new contract. Reporting by Kimberly Izar.
Leyla Baretto Hula Hoops Herself Back To Health
November 15, 2023
Barretto, a former flamenco dancer, was wheelchair bound after she was diagnosed with Graves disease in 2019. However, she didn’t see this as a barrier to living her life, and created her own kind of physical therapy: she used hula hooping to get her back on her feet. Baretto now teaches hula hooping through an organization she started called “Hoop to Health.” AudioFiles reporter Amanda Kari McHugh went to Barretto’s studio to see how it’s done.
Celebrations and Negotiations (S12-E4) 11/15/2023 – Full Episode
November 15, 2023
In this episode of AudioFiles season 12, We head to Midtown, Manhattan where thousands of Service Employees International Union members rally ahead of the first day of contract negotiations. We also meet Indian Americans celebrating Diwali, and learn more about what it means to have the holiday recognized by the city government.
Later in the show, Reporter Kimberly Izar heads to Hostos Community College where PSC-CUNY union members at three Bronx campuses delivered petitions to their college presidents to demand a new contract. Then, our host Christian Nazario sits down with Robert Fanuzzi, the president of the Bronx Council For Environmental Quality, to talk about how the Mayor’s new program to extend the city’s greenway corridors is beneficial to New Yorkers.
Managing Producer: Ashley Reed
Host: Christian Nazario
Show Producer: Nicolas Magrino
Associate Producer: Amanda Kari McHugh
Reporters: Rachel Goldman, Kimberly Izar, Amanda Kari McHugh, Aaliyah Fisher, Safiyah Riddle, Sajina Shrestha, Cullen Fagan and Jiana Smith
Editors: Maggie Freleng and Richard Yeh
Sound Engineers: Amber Watson and Chad Bernhard.
Guests: Marcella Moslow, Robert Fanuzzi, and Justin Pines.
Music credits: Jason Shaw, Benjamin Tissot, Justin Pines, Celdro & Emil Wennerholm, Monplaisir, Beat Mekanik, and Aldous Ichnite
A Modern Look at a 4,000-Year-Old Game
November 1, 2023
An ancient board game that originated in China, with simple rules but very complex gameplay, has been steadily gaining popularity in New York. Reporter Kimberly Izar talked to some local players of the game to see what the hype is all about.
Dogs Decked Out at The Bronx Howl-o-ween Pup Parade
November 1, 2023
Halloween dog parades are some of the most popular festivities around the city. AudioFiles reporters Rachel Goldman and Aaliyah Fisher went to a dog costume contest at Van Cortlandt Park in the Bronx, and got the inside scoop on what the four legged contestants were wearing.
The Bronx Night Market Ends Its Seven Year Run
November 1, 2023
The Bronx Night Market has been a popular destination since it opened in 2017. The New York Times has called it the city’s best outdoor food fair, but its future is in doubt. Reporter Christian Nazario attended the market’s finale.
SAG-AFTRA Members Continue to Fight For Fair Contracts
November 1, 2023
A crowd of SAG-AFTRA members picketed in front of the Netflix and Warner Brothers buildings in late October, spanning two full city blocks. Amanda Kari McHugh spoke with members on the line to learn more about what they’ve been asking for in their contract negotiations.
Korean Artist Uses Geometric Shapes As Self Expression
November 1, 2023
Ji Eun Lim from Seoul, South Korea, came to the U.S to continue her art studies. Reporter Christian Nazario visited Lim to hear how she uses geometric shapes to express herself.
Bronx Native Brings Art Accessibility To Her Community
November 1, 2023
Advocates for the arts say accessibility for artistic expression is vital to underserved communities. South Bronx resident Leslie Mejia is providing this accessibility in her community with free pop out and paint events. reporter Ashley Reed takes a trip to Mejia’s studio to learn more about these free, fun, and therapeutic sessions.
New Yorkers Make Their Voices Heard (S12-E3) 11/1/2023 – Full Episode
November 1, 2023
On this episode of AudioFiles season 12, we hear from New Yorkers affected by the Israel and Palestine conflict and hear from union actors who are still protesting for better contracts and livable wages. Then we head to the Bronx, where we visit the last ever Bronx night market, and hear from a local artist making therapeutic art accessible for her community. We also learn about the growing popularity of the ancient board game Weiqi or Go. Later in the show, Host Aaliyah Fisher sits down with Reporter Elias Guerra about what government officials are doing to prevent severe flooding and the effects of major storms as we approach the 11th anniversary of Hurricane Sandy.
Managing Producer: Ashley Reed
Producer: Christian Nazario
Host: Aaliyah Fisher
Assistant Producer: Nicolas Magrino
Reporters: Rachel Goldman, Kimberly Izar, Amanda Kari McHugh, Alex Krales, Safiyah Riddle, Sajina Shrestha
Editors: Maggie Freleng and Richard Yeh
Sound Engineers: Amber Watson and Chad Bernhard.
Guests: Graham Rayman, Elias Guerra, Samuel Turvey And Cezar Nicolescu.
Music credits: Jason Shaw on audionautix.com, Benjamin Tissot on Bensound.com, Infraction, and Komiku on Freemusicarchive.com
Clear the Runway: Comic Con’s Best Dressed Ascend
October 18, 2023
Despite ongoing SAG-AFTRA strikes, Barbies, Guardians of the Galaxy, and Marvel superheroes ascended onto Javits Center for this year’s New York Comic Con. The event is where thousands of people geek out on all things comics and pop culture, and prepare a runway for devoted cosplayers. Reporter Kimberly Izar stopped by the convention and kept her eyes peeled for the most fashionable designs.
Keeping Up With Kleztronica
October 18, 2023
Jewish artist and DJ Chaia Berman Peters is preparing for her next installment of Kleztronica. It’s an event she created combining traditional Jewish music with rave culture. AudioFiles reporter Rachel Goldman spoke to Berman Peters and other performers about the traditional Jewish music they are breathing new life into.
Music: Chaia Berman Peters – Hofn Stantsye: Taitch , Chaia Berman Peters Utzu Eitza
Chinatown Says No to Worlds Largest Jail
October 18, 2023
Jan Lee is a third generation Chinatown resident and spokesperson with Neighbors Below Canal. Lee spoke to AudioFiles reporter Alex Krales about the local resistance in Chinatown, to what will be the world’s tallest mega jail.
A Karaoke Host Takes Center Stage in Brooklyn
October 18, 2023
On karaoke night, it doesn’t matter how well you sing. It’s how you feel. Christopher Moore knows that perhaps as well as anybody. After all, karaoke saved his life. Reporter Kimberly Izar brings us his story.
Momos As a Form of Resistance
October 18, 2023
Momo Crawl is a yearly food festival in Jackson Heights, Queens that supports local businesses. Reporter Sajina Shrestha visited the festival to find out how its organizers also use momos to resist and advocate for the Free Tibet Movement.
Music by Jason Shaw
Momos, Music, and More- Full Episode
october 18, 2023
On this episode of AudioFiles season 12, we bring you stories about Tibetan organizers using momos to shed light on an independence movement and a local DJ breathing new life into traditional jewish music. Then, we talk to health reporter Sarah Luft to learn about Long Covid and its impact on New Yorkers. Later in the show, host Amanda Kari McHugh sits down with journalist and audio producer Austin Cope to talk about new regulations enforced by New York City’s Department of Sanitation to tackle the ongoing trash problem.
Managing Producer: Ashley Reed
Producer: Aaliyah Fisher
Host: Amanda Kari McHugh
Assistant Producer: Christian Nazario
Reporters: Sajina Shrestha, Rachel Goldman, Kimberly Izar, Alex Krales, and Safiyah Riddle
Guests: Austin Cope, Sarah Luft, Dr. Kevin Nadal and Samantha Maldonado.
Editors: Maggie Freleng and Richard Yeh
Sound Engineers: Chad Bernhard and Amber Watson
Music Credits: Jason Shaw on Audionautix.com, Benjamin Tissot on Bensound.com, Chaia Berman Peters, Eleanore Weill, Monplaisir on freemusicarchive.com