The Arts Section

About The Arts Section

The Arts Section spotlights creative people, events and ideas. Every week, WDCB's Gary Zidek shines a light on arts and culture in the Chicago area. The mission is to focus on stories within the arts community that aren't being told, with additional commentary and discussions on literature, music, film, food, special events and anything else creative.

Publisher

WDCB's Gary Zidek

Category

arts · arts · tv & film

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

20 Nov 2022

Latest episode

19 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

204 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   19 Oct 2026

   The Arts Section 10/18/26: Wadada Leo Smith Interview + Pulitzer Prize Exhibit

   Wadada Leo Smith Interview + Pulitzer Prize Exhibit Gary Zidek On this edition of The Arts Section, host Gary Zidek catches up with renowned trumpeter and composer Wadada Leo Smith to talk about his memories of making music in Chicago 60 years ago. Theater critic Jonathan Abarbanel joins Gary to review the Chicago premiere of A STRANGE LOOP. Later in the show, Gary previews a new traveling exhibit that explores the legacy of the Pulitzer Prize that’s landed in Chicago. And we’ll hear all about Alfred Hitchcock’s approach to casting leading ladies.

2. 

   11 Oct 2026

   The Arts Section 10/11/26: The Seance, Music Taste + Popular Haunted House

   The Seance, Music Tastes + Popular Haunted House Gary Zidek On this edition of The Arts Section, host Gary Zidek talks to the performer behind a popular live stage show called THE SEANCE. The production mixes comedy, history and a little mystery. Theater critic Jonathan Abarbanel joins Gary to review the world premiere, DEAD GIRL’S QUINCENEARA. Later in the show, Gary catches up with a musicologist who wrote a book about what determines our music tastes. And we’ll go behind the scenes of one of the area’s most popular haunted houses.

3. 

   4 Oct 2026

   The Arts Section 10/04/26: Chicago Fashion Week + Night of 1,000 Jack O Lanterns

   Chicago Fashion Week + Night of 1,000 Jack O Lanterns Gary Zidek On this edition of The Arts Section, host Gary Zidek takes a closer look at Chicago Fashion Week. The celebration of local fashion is entering year 3. Theater critic Jonathan Abarbanel joins Gary to review a world premiere titled BONNIE’S LAST FLIGHT. Later in the show, Gary talks with one of the country’s top jack o lantern carvers about participating in the Chicago Botanic Gardens’ annual NIGHT OF 1000 JACK O LANTERNS.

Who has been a guest on The Arts Section

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

• local mystery author
• Kelly Kleiman
• Jonathan Abarbanel
• Gary Sinise
• Isabella Isherwood

Reach and audience

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

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

5 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 31 / 100

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

Quality

48

Social presence

0

YouTube

0

Engagement

32

Contact The Arts Section

Guest appearances

Does not typically book guests

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

Questions about The Arts Section