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Gulf Coast Life: Arts Edition
Hosted by John Davis

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

Latest Episodes
  • Southwest Florida Symphony begins performance season with new maestro Radu Paponiu
    The Southwest Florida Symphony begins its performance season with a new artistic and music director, Maestro Radu Paponiu. We’ll explore the new symphony conductor’s background in music and explore performance offerings in the 2022-23 season in a conversation with Paponiu and the organization’s Community Outreach Ambassador Robert Van Winkle.
  • Actors Steven Coe, Angela Watson and RC Smith star in Players Circle Theater's production of "Murder at the Howard Johnson's"
    Players Circle Theater presents suspense comedy “Murder at the Howard Johnson’s”
    Players Circle Theater is currently presenting the suspense murder comedy “Murder at the Howard Johnson’s.” The plot follows a series of hilarious murder plots and a messy love triangle between a dentist (played by Steve Coe), his lover (played by Angela Watson), and her husband (played by actor/comedian RC Smith). We’ll learn all about the show and hear from the actors bringing this production to life as well as the show’s director and Players Circle Theater founding Artistic Director Bob Cacioppo.
  • Artist Naples new Executive Director Laura Burns
    Opera Naples’ new executive director’s first day on the job came just days after Hurricane Ian
    Opera Naples new Executive Director Laura Burns’ first day on the job came less than a week after storm surge from Hurricane Ian caused significant damage to the Wang Opera Center. We’ll talk with Burns about ongoing hurricane recovery efforts, get a preview of Opera Naples productions this performance season, and learn about Burns’ life-long passion for the arts and background as an arts administrator and advocate.
  • The Grand Atrium of the Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center in downtown Fort Myers remains a location for the drop-off or distribution of essential items for residents impacted by Hurricane Ian. The center is open to those who need supplies and those with items to donate Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
    Southwest Florida arts organizations recovering and helping the community after Hurricane Ian
    We explore how local arts organizations have been impacted by Hurricane Ian and how they’re working to help the community recover in a conversation with Laboratory Theater of Florida Production Manager Margaret Cooley, Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center President and CEO Jim Griffith, Florida Repertory Theatre Artistic Director Greg Longenhagen, and Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre owner and Executive Producer Will Prather.
  • Blues, roots, and folk singer/songwriter/guitarist Jon Shain performs Sept. 24 at the American Community Music Association listening room in Fort Myers
    Blues, roots and folk singer/songwriter/guitarist Jon Shain performs live in studio ahead his Saturday concert at the ACMA listening room
    Blues, roots, and folk singer/songwriter and guitarist Jon Shain performs live in studio ahead of his concert Saturday, Sept. 24 in the Americana Community Music Association listening room in Fort Myers.
  • Image from "The Exquisite Moving Corpse" collaborative film exhibition now at the Bob Rauschenberg Gallery at FSW in Fort Myers
    “The Exquisite Moving Corpse” film exhibition at the Bob Rauschenberg Gallery features a collaboration of more than 60 artists
    The Bob Rauschenberg Gallery is exhibiting a film installation titled “The Exquisite Moving Corpse” through Dec. 10. The project is a collaboration of more than 60 internationally renowned artists, sequentially contributing one minute of film, but only having the final frame of the previous artist’s film to respond to. We’ll take a closer look with Gallery Director Jade Dellinger and initiating and contributing artist Jack Massing.
  • ENCORE: Artis-Naples announces plans for 2022-23 visual and performing arts season
    In late July, Artis-Naples announced its full plans for the coming season. The overarching theme is “Distance – Devotion.” We’ll have an encore presentation of our recent conversation all about the 2022-2023 season with Artis-Naples CEO and President Kathleen van Bergen.
  • Florida Repertory Theatre’s 2022-23 season preview
    We'll get a preview of what's in store for audiences in the upcoming 25th season of the Florida Repertory Theatre in downtown Fort Myers with the company's artistic director Greg Longenhagen.
  • Keisha (played by Zaria Brown) tries to digest her surroundings in the Laboratory Theater of Florida's production of "Fairview"
    Lab Theater of Florida’s production of “Fairview” asks audience to make space for people of color
    The Laboratory Theater of Florida in downtown Fort Myers is currently performing the Southwest Florida premiere production of Jackie Sibblies Drury’s 2019 Pulitzer Prize winning drama “Fairview.”The play tackles themes of implicit bias, prejudices, stereotypes, race, surveillance and privilege, but through an innovative and powerful defiance of convention.We explore the play in a conversation with the production’s Assistant Director Makayla Davis, actors and cast members Zaria Brown and Tijuanna Clemons, and Laboratory Theater founder and Producing Artistic Director Annette Trossbach.
  • Artis-Naples announces plans for 2022-23 visual and performing arts season
    Artis-Naples has announced its full plans for the coming season. The overarching theme is “Distance – Devotion.” We’ll get a preview of the upcoming season with Artis-Naples CEO and President Kathleen van Bergen.
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