Hot Seat: Media Monday S2:E41 | Carmelo Joubert, Adriana Primadonna & the Srebrenica Walk
This week on Hot Seat: Media Monday, Ron Klopfanstein brings together remembrance, music, grief, healing, creativity, and community.
The episode begins at the Sebilj in Utica, where the Bosnian American Community Association gathered for its annual Srebrenica Walk. The event honored the more than 8,000 people killed in the July 1995 Srebrenica genocide while educating the community about what happened.
Survivors share deeply personal memories of the genocide and the lasting effects of war trauma. Younger Bosnian Americans also discuss their connection to their heritage, their families’ experiences, and the importance of keeping these stories alive for future generations.
Photojournalist and AI Content Producer Jim Hale joined Ron to document the walk and the local Bosnian community’s message of remembrance, resilience, truth, and accountability.
Event producer Carmelo Joubert joins Ron in the studio to preview the second annual “A Day Up in Heaven,” taking place Friday, July 17, from 5–10 p.m. at Proctor Park.
The all-white community gathering gives people a place to remember and celebrate loved ones who have died. Photographs of community members’ loved ones will be displayed throughout the evening, and attendees can share memories, light candles, release doves, eat together, and support one another.
Carmelo also opens up about losing his father, Carmelo, eight years ago. He discusses his father’s talent as a conga player, the lessons his father taught him, and how that loss inspired him to change his life and begin organizing positive community events.
Singer, songwriter, and producer Adriana Davis Sumter—known professionally as Adriana Primadonna—also joins the show.
Adriana discusses studying music production at Herkimer College, learning music theory, producing her own work, developing her artistic identity, and preparing to release her original single “10 X 10” this fall.
She also talks about creating a music video inspired in part by Fritz Lang’s classic film “Metropolis,” which was set in the year 2026.
During the episode, Adriana shares a preview of “10 X 10” and performances of “Might as Well Be Spring” and “Potential.” She also talks about the artists who inspire her, the importance of visuals and promotion, and her plans to perform and release more original music.
This episode celebrates the power of memory, music, art, and community—and the people working to bring Utica together.
Guests and features:
Carmelo Joubert — Event producer, “A Day Up in Heaven”
Adriana Davis Sumter / Adriana Primadonna — Singer, songwriter and producer
Bosnian American Community Association’s Srebrenica Walk
Watch and listen:
YouTube:
TikTok:
https://shorturl.at/AUKSi
Spotify:
https://shorturl.at/Kme1g
Apple Podcasts:
https://shorturl.at/WDQvV
iHeartRadio:
https://shorturl.at/qN7Hx
More episodes:
https://UticaPhoenix.net/MediaMonday
Stream 95.5 FM The Heat:
https://955TheHeat.com
Production credits:
Hosted and produced by Ron Klopfanstein
Photojournalist and AI Content Producer: Jim Hale
Audio Engineer: Jonathan Brooks / DJ J Easy
Correspondents: Nabil Khan and Lily Christopher
Meet me in the Hot Seat.
#MeetMeInTheHotSeat #MediaMonday #CarmeloJoubert #AdrianaPrimadonna #Srebrenica #SrebrenicaWalk #BosnianAmericanCommunity #UticaNY #ProctorPark #LocalMusic #CommunityEvents
