Hot Seat: Media Monday Musician Lou Altman, Biker Dave Paul, Fringe Festival Cabaret, Italian Festival, and Good Trouble Protest 7-21-25
This week’s Hot Seat: Media Monday offers a vibrant and multifaceted look at community life in Utica, blending activism, art, inclusivity, and charity. It opens with a “Good Trouble” pro-democracy rally inspired by John Lewis, where speakers call for activism rooted in love and understanding. Other segments spotlight a size-inclusive pop-up at Almost Local thrift store, a soulful interview and live performance by musician Lou Altman, “Citizen Lou,” and a colorful cabaret showcase at the Utica Fringe Festival. The show also features the cherished annual St. Mary of Mount Carmel Italian Festival and an exciting and inspiring interview with biker Dave Paul, who’s riding this weekend to raise funds for families with seriously ill children. This week’s episode weaves together stories that highlight the power of community storytelling, cultural preservation, social justice, and collective action.
Listen to Lou Altman (“Citizen Lou”) on YouTube: citizen lou – Topic – YouTube and Spotify. Click here to help Dave Paul raise money to help kids and families in need: https://www.findingthenextsteptogether.org/event-details-registration/dave-paul-cny-riders-for-kids. Finding the Next Step Together is online at https://www.findingthenextsteptogether.org/
Or listen to Hot Seat: Media Monday on Apple Podcasts.
Jonathan Brooks/ DJ J-Easy is the sound engineer. He is online at
Facebook.com/easyatm315, Instagram.com/j_easy315/, and https://on.soundcloud.com/XGKd3e4AZeNtrD2X9
Jim Hale is the photographer and records the show for video and podcast streaming. He is online at Jim Hale (@instanteon) • Instagram photos and videos
Nabil Khan is the entertainment correspondent for Hot Seat: Media Monday. Nabil is online at Letterboxd.com/1andonlynabk/and Instagram.com/instanab.k/.
Brian Lazore and Lazore Photography are online at lazorephotography.smugmug.com, Facebook.com/LazorePhotography, https://www.threads.net/@lazorephotography and YouTube.com/@LazorePhotography. The Off The Record with Lazore Photography podcast is online at Spotify and Amazon Music
Ron Klopfanstein is an award-winning multimedia investigative journalist, news and producer for 95.5 FM “The Heat” broadcast and streaming. He hosts Hot Seat: Media Monday every Monday at 5 pm, broadcast on 95.5 FM and streaming at 955TheHeat.com. Podcasts at: https://open.spotify.com/show/4nbrIF49K56OxbPljuw1Lv?si=7e000e7279f54c2a Like him at Facebook.com/ReadRonKlopfanstein, Follow him at Bsky.app/profile/ronklopfanstein.bsky.social, Threads.net/@RonKlopfanstein, Instagram.com/RonKlopfanstein, Tiktok.com/@ronklopfanstein, and subscribe to his channel at YouTube.com/@RonKlopfanstein. Read all his work at Muckrack.com/ron-klopfanstein.
