WBUR CitySpace announces eclectic fall 2024 lineup

CitySpace at The Lavine Broadcast Center's fall 2024 lineup is here! This season, enthusiasts can anticipate the return of popular fixtures, including Curated Cuisine, The Moth StorySLAM, The Makers celebration and a reading of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” to benefit the nonprofit Rosie’s Place.

This fall will also see the return of Ones To Watch. Funded in part by a grant from the National Endowment of the Arts, the series features performances from local, up-and-coming artists across genres. Ones To Watch kicks off with the Floor Lords, a group dedicated to using the positivity of hip hop dance to empower young people worldwide. With breakdancing making its Olympic debut this summer, the genre continues to gain popularity. Floor Lords president and Roxbury native Alex “Bboy El Niño” Diaz competed in the Olympic trials for Team USA.

"I am proud of the diversity and richness of our programming this season. There are conversations with leading historians, scientists and journalists to help us make sense of our rapidly changing world. And, as always, we celebrate the arts and the many ways they nurture and sustain us."

Amy Macdonald, director of CitySpace

Fall events begin Sept. 8 with “Star Trek” Day, featuring director Adam Nimoy’s memoir about the relationship with his father, Boston native Leonard Nimoy, and continue throughout the season with speakers covering an array of topics, including the Boston Celtics’ record-setting 18 titles, the perils and benefits of AI, Sum 41 frontman Deryck Whibley’s rise to international stardom and the legacy of civil rights icon John Lewis.

As we head toward an unprecedented presidential election, CitySpace will also welcome esteemed thought leaders to discuss what is at stake: NPR reporter Sarah McCammon on the powerful influence of the evangelical movement on the Republican party; political activist Luis Miranda (father of Lin-Manuel) on the impact of Latino voters; Radiotopia’s “This Day in Esoteric Political History” hosts Jody Avirgan, Nicole Hemmer and Kellie Carter Jackson on the shocking moments that have shaped presidential races; and Marketplace’s “Make Me Smart” hosts Kai Ryssdal and Kimberly Adams on the economy with special guest Heather Cox Richardson on the state of the race less than two weeks to Election Day.

Tickets are on sale now. Stay updated on the latest from CitySpace when you sign up for WBUR's monthly events newsletter. Here’s a first look at the full slate:

Sept. 8 | 2:00-3:30 p.m.
The Most Human: Director Adam Nimoy on growing up as the son of Spock

Sept. 9 | 7:00-8:30 p.m.
Curated Cuisine: Nini Nguyen’s “Đặc Biệt” brings extra special flair to Vietnamese recipes

Sept. 10 | 7:30-9:30 p.m.
The Moth StorySLAM: ELBOW GREASE

Sept. 12 | 7:00-8:30 p.m.
The Exvangelicals: NPR political correspondent Sarah McCammon on leaving the evangelical church

Sept. 13 | 7:00-8:30 p.m.
“This Day in Esoteric Political History” Live

Sept. 23 | 6:30-8:00 p.m.
The Mind's Mirror: computer scientist Daniela Rus and science writer Gregory Mone on risk and reward in the age of AI

Sept. 27 | 7:00-9:00 p.m.
Sound On: Axel & Lolo, WBUR’s Mass. Favorite of NPR’s Tiny Desk Contest

Sept. 30 | 6:30-8:00 p.m.
The Boston Celtics: Replaying the ups, downs, big plays and game-winning shots with Boston Globe reporter Gary Washburn

Oct. 7 | 6:30-8:00 p.m.
Curated Cuisine: “Plantas” author Alexa Soto pays homage to Mexican cooking with a modern, vegan twist

Oct. 8 | 7:30-9:30 p.m.
The Moth StorySLAM: STRANGE ENCOUNTERS

Oct. 9 | 6:30-8:00 p.m.
Walking Disaster: Deryck Whibley’s new memoir on his life with Sum 41

Oct. 10 | 7:00-9:00 p.m.
The Makers: A celebration honoring emerging artists of color in Boston

Oct. 18 | 7:00-9:00 p.m.
Boston Fashion Week GlamSlam

Oct. 24 | 6:30-8:00 p.m.
Relentless: Luis Miranda on family, activism and the power of Latinos in politics

Oct. 25 | 7:00-8:30 p.m.
Marketplace’s “Make Me Smart” Live with special guest Heather Cox Richardson

Oct. 28 | 6:30-8:00 p.m.
Fright Night: A celebration of horror novels and the authors behind them

Nov. 12 | 7:30-9:30 p.m.
The Moth StorySLAM: YES, CHEF!

Nov. 18 | 6:30-8:00 p.m.
Curated Cuisine: Cook's Country editors Toni Tipton-Martin and Morgan Bolling on the women who gave soul to Southern cooking

Nov. 20 | 6:30-8:00 p.m.
John Lewis: A Life: Exploring historian David Greenberg’s definitive biography of the civil rights icon

Dec. 3 | 7:30-9:30 p.m.
The Moth StorySLAM: SILVER LININGS

Dec. 9 l 6:30 -8:00 p.m.
Curated Cuisine: Jessica B. Harris on the cultural and culinary traditions of Kwanzaa

Dec. 11 | 6:30-7:30 p.m.
Ones to Watch: The Floor Lords empower local youth through the positivity of hip hop dance

Dec. 18 | 7:00-8:00 p.m.
"A Christmas Carol"