Hot Seat: Media Monday Nabil Khan and Drew Allen (Drew’s Magic and Balloons) with comic/gaming/entertainment news, Hawa Peters and Utica Royalties Talent Show, and Lily Christopher shops Clinton 8-11-25
This week’s Hot Seat: Media Monday on 95.5 FM The Heat, celebrates the arts, culture, and community spirit of Utica and beyond. Entertainment correspondent Nabil Khan recaps Boston’s Fan Expo with stories of celebrity encounters and fan culture, while magician and balloon artist Drew Allen shares his creative approach to engaging audiences and staying current through platforms like TikTok. Reporter Lily Christopher spotlights Clinton, NY’s unique shops, So Sweet Candy Shoppe and Thriftish, capturing the charm of its candy store and vintage boutique. Hawa Peters of Utica Royalties and Ebrima Jallow of the United African Association preview two major local events—the annual Utica Royalties talent show and the 2nd African Festival featuring African music, food, and traditions—both aimed at fostering unity and youth involvement. From pop culture and street magic to small-town shopping and cultural celebrations, the show underscores the transformative power of creativity in building vibrant, connected communities.
Also, listen on Apple Podcasts and iHeart Media.
Drew’s Magic and Balloons is online at https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063665224215 or call: (315) 796-4532 or email: magicandballoons2008@gmail.com. Utica Royalties is online at Uticaroyalt.org.
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. 
