KPFA - Bookwaves/Artwaves

About KPFA - Bookwaves/Artwaves

Bookwaves/Artwaves presents in-depth interviews with authors of fiction and narrative non-fiction, delving deeply into political and social issues, literary technique, and the life of the author, along with interviews devoted to theatre and film, and archive interviews from Bookwaves and Probabilities. Hosted by Richard Wolinsky.

Publisher

KPFA

Category

news

Language

en

Explicit

Yes

First episode

12 Mar 2020

Latest episode

22 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

289 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   22 Oct 2026

   Bookwaves/Artwaves – October 22, 2026: Carey Perloff: Directing Pinter and Stoppard

   Bookwaves/Artwaves is produced and hosted by Richard Wolinsky. Links to assorted local theater & book venues Theatre Director Carey Perloff Carey Perloff, author of “Pinter and Stoppard: A Director’s View,”  discusses her direction of plays by both master playwrights with host Richard Wolinsky, recorded October 14, 2026. The former Artistic Director of A.C.T. from 1992 until 2018 and a playwright in her own right, Carey Perloff discusses her current direction of plays by Harold Pinter and Tom Stoppard. “Betrayal” by Harold Pinter (1930-2008), which Carey is now directing, plays at Marin Theatre October 22 – November 15, 2026. “Leopoldstadt,” the final play by Tom Stoppard (1937-2025) will be directed by Carey at Berkeley Rep’s Roda Theatre, and plays in 2027 from June 4th through July 11th. Her earlier production of “Leopoldstadt” played at The Writers Theatre near Chicago from June through August, 2026. Carey’s relationship with both playwrights goes back several years. While with New York’s Classic Stage Company, she directed both ‘The Birthday Party” and the American premiere of Pinter’s “Mountain Language,” and worked closely with the playwright both times. Her personal friendship with Tom Stoppard led to the direction of several plays at A.C.T., most notably his masterpiece, “Arcadia,” as well as working with Stoppard on a revised version of “Leopoldstadt” shortly before his death. In this interview, she discusses her approach to both playwrights, and the role of language in their work, as well as her personal history with both. Her book, “Pinter and Stoppard: A Director’s View” was published by Bloomsbury in 2022. Ann Beattie, award winning novelist and short story writer, author of “Chilly Scenes of Winter” and other novels, and several collections of short stories, discusses the relationship of literature to film and theatre, and other issues in this previously unaired archive interview, recorded March 4, 2011, while she was on tour for her collection, The New Yorker Stories. Review of “Every Saturday Night”, an SFBATCO production at ACT Strand Theatre through November 1, 2026. The post Bookwaves/Artwaves – October 22, 2026: Carey Perloff: Directing Pinter and Stoppard appeared first on KPFA.

2. 

   15 Oct 2026

   Bookwaves/Artwaves – October 15, 2026: Maureen Gosling, “The Nine Lives of Barbara Dane”

   Bookwaves/Artwaves is produced and hosted by Richard Wolinsky. Links to assorted local theater & book venues Documentary Filmmaker Maureen Gosling Maureen Gosling, director of the films ‘The Nine Lives of Barbara Dane” and co-director, with Chris Simon, of  “This Ain’t No Mouse Music: about the late KPFA host Chris Strachwitz, is interviewed by host Richard Wolinsky, recorded October 12, 2026. Maureen Gosling spent twenty years working with award-winning documentarian Les Blank for his many films, including the noted film about the making of “Fitzcarraldo” titled “Burden of Dreams.” Her film about singer activist Barbara Dane, “The Nine Lives of Barbara Dane” was released in 2023, and is now making its commercial theatre debut in various cities around the States. It will be at the Roxie in San Francisco on Sunday October 18th at 3:15 pm, with the audience moving afterward to the Chapel, down the street, for a music festival. Barbara Dane (1927-2024) was a jazz, blues and folk singer, and strong political activist for several decades. In this interview, Maureen Gosling discusses her work with Les Blank and the making of “Burden of Dreams,” the story behind “This Ain’t No Mouse Music” and “Nine Lives…” and talks about the relationship of music, film and politics. Review of “The Fall Show”, at Shotgun Players Ashby Stage through November 1, 2026. The post Bookwaves/Artwaves – October 15, 2026: Maureen Gosling, “The Nine Lives of Barbara Dane” appeared first on KPFA.

3. 

   8 Oct 2026

   Bookwaves/Artwaves – October 8, 2026

   Bookwaves/Artwaves presents in-depth interviews with authors of fiction and narrative non-fiction, delving deeply into political and social issues, literary technique, and the life of the author, along with interviews devoted to theatre and film, and archive interviews from Bookwaves and Probabilities. Hosted by Richard Wolinsky. The post Bookwaves/Artwaves – October 8, 2026 appeared first on KPFA.

Who has been a guest on KPFA - Bookwaves/Artwaves

Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.

• Vauhini Vara
• David Leavitt
• Terrence McNally
• John Fisher
• Edmund White

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

YouTube views

405,752

Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

1 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

1 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 82 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

86

Social presence

94

YouTube

86

Engagement

60

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Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.

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