Category Archives: Arts

River CD aims to educate public about history and plight of Florida waterways

December 23, 2011Arts, NewsDonna Green-Townsend, Florida rivers, Florida waterways, Karen Ahlers, PCEC, River RoadsDonna Green-Townsend

Aired on WUFT on December 23rd, 2011

A variety of Florida singer-songwriters have contributed their original songs about Florida rivers and waterways to a unique educational endeavor. The coordinator of this special CD project, Karen Ahlers, says through music listeners can learn about the history, culture, commerce, beauty and fragility of Florida’s water. The sponsor of the CD is the Putnam County Environmental Council or PCEC, a not-for-profit environmental education organization. Coordinator Ahlers says PCEC members recognize the value of the waterways in Putnam and nearby counties:

Lis & Lon Williamson

September 23, 2011ArtsDonna Green-Townsend, Florida singer songwriters, Gatorbone Band, Lis and Lon Williamson, Lis Williamson, Lon Williamson, the Driftwoods, Will McLean Song Contest WinnerDonna Green-Townsend

Florida’s 89.1, WUFT-FM’s Donna Green-Townsend brings us up close and personal with Lis Williamson from the Keystone Heights area who performs alongside her husband Lon in a variety of bands all over North Central Florida. (Aired on Sept. 23rd, 2011)

Lis Williamson on her first-time win of the Will McLean Best New Florida Song Competition:

God of Carnage brings comic relief to adults squabbling over their teens

September 1, 2011ArtsBenjamin Burdick, Donna Green-Townsend, God of Carnage, Hippodrome State Theatre, Jessica Iris MorrisDonna Green-Townsend

Aired on WUFT on September 1st, 2011

The Hippodrome State Theatre’s latest play opens Friday night in Gainesville. God of Carnage is a three-time Tony Award winner, including Best Play. Florida’s 89.1, WUFT-FM’s Donna Green-Townsend talked with two of the actors from the comedy, Benjamin Burdick and Jessica Iris Morris.

De Lions of Jah

June 24, 2011ArtsBo Diddley Downtown Plaza, De Lions of Jah, Donna Green-Townsend, Free Fridays, reggaeDonna Green-Townsend

(Aired on June 24th, 2011)

It’s reggae time at the Bo Diddley Plaza in downtown Gainesville tonight

A reggae band with a message for youth is headlining tonight’s “Free Fridays” concert series at the Bo Diddley Downtown Plaza. WUFT-FM’s Donna Green-Townsend talked with band leader, Dave Phillip from “De Lions of Jah.”

Michael Smith

April 29, 2011ArtsAcoustic guitar, acoustic music, Donna Green-Townsend, folk, Michael Smith, The Dutchmanadmin

Michael Smith performs at the Shake Rag Art and Culture Center in Melrose

Aired on WUFT April 29th, 2011 and August 31st, 2012

Nationally acclaimed singer/songwriter Michael Smith is bringing his original music to the Shake Rag Art and Culture Center in Melrose tonight at 8 p.m. Smith has at least 500 songs under his belt on more than a dozen CDs. Numerous artists have recorded his songs. Smith sat down with Florida’s 89.1, WUFT’ s Donna Green-Townsend. He shared how he picked up the guitar at 15 and one of his first songs was about his first love.

Here’s the entire song, “The Dutchman” by Michael Smith recorded in the WUFT studios the day of the interview.

Dance Alive National Ballet gets help from sales of ‘Big Bunny’ (04/11/2011)

April 11, 2011ArtsDance Alive National Ballet, Donna Green-Townsend, Gainesville, Judy Skinner, Pofahl Dance StudioDonna Green-Townsend

Aired on WUFT on April 11th, 2011

What do you get when you take a childrens’ book about a “Big Bunny” and blend it with a national ballet company? That’s what is happening this afternoon at the Pofahl Dance Studio where local author and illustrator Colleen Rand is signing copies of her new children’s book and donating proceeds to the Dance Alive National Ballet organization. WUFT’s Donna Green-Townsend talked with the resident choreographer for Dance Alive, Judy Skinner about the book and the effort to keep Dance Alive going.

2011 Will McLean Song Contest Winner and Finishers

February 13, 2011Arts, FeaturesAl Scortino, Frank Julian, Mary Matthews, Michael Denney, Rescue Train, Ron Johnson, Something You Should Know, Songs of Florida, Will McLean Song Contest 2011, Your FloridaDonna Green-Townsend

Here are the 2011 winner, 2nd, and 3rd place finishers of the Will McLean Best New Florida Song Competition:

Ron Johnson 4 — 1st place winner Ron Johnson

Winner Ron Johnson and Mary Matthews “Rescue Train”

2nd place Al Scortino (tie) “Something You Should Know”

2nd place Frank Julian (tie) “Songs of Florida”

3rd place Michael Denney “Your Florida”

Back to the list of winners by year

or

Click here to go to the Will McLean Festival website

Walter Strauss

January 28, 2011ArtsAlachua Conservation Trust for Florida, Conservation Burial, Donna Green-Townsend, Sandhill Stage Music Series, Walter StraussDonna Green-Townsend

Aired on WUFT on January 28th, 2011

Walter Strauss brings his globally-inspired acoustic music to Gainesville to benefit Conservation Burial Inc.

This Sunday January 30th musician and singer songwriter Walter Strauss from California will bring his global acoustic music to the Gainesville area. Strauss is a many-layered, sensual guitar player with a world flair. His 4 p.m. concert at the Prairie Creek Lodge near Rochelle east of Gainesville will be a benefit for the Conservation Burial Inc. and the Alachua Conservation Trust for Florida. Strauss talked with WUFT’s Donna Green-Townsend about his musical style and influences.

Profound healing, forgiveness and acceptance in Hipp’s “End Days”

January 6, 2011ArtsDonna Green-Townsend, End Days, Hippodrome State TheatreDonna Green-Townsend

Aired on WUFT on January 6, 2011

What do astrophysics, the rapture, global warming and twister have in common? All have a tie to the latest production opening Friday night at the Hippodrome State Theatre in Gainesville. Florida’s 89.1, WUFT-FM’s Donna Green-Townsend talked with two of the actors from “End Days”.

The Hippodrome’s Rusty Salling reflects on his long history as ‘Scrooge’ in ‘A Christmas Carol’

November 29, 2010ArtsDonna Green-Townsend

Aired on WUFT on November 29th, 2010

“A Christmas Carol” is now on-stage at the Hippodrome State Theatre in Gainesville and runs alternately with a new play this year, “This Wonderful Life.” Actor Rusty Salling talked with WUFT’s Donna Green-Townsend about his longtime role as “Scrooge.”