[audio http://culturefilepod.files.wordpress.com/2011/12/pod-v-12121107m09sculturefile-pid0-429864.mp3]

Luke Clancy talks to Jes Benstock, director of The British Guide to Showing Off, a documentary about the Alternative Miss World.

[audio http://culturefilepod.files.wordpress.com/2011/12/pod-v-09121111m15sculturefile-pid0-675624.mp3]

Stand up comedian Maeve Higgins talks to Luke Clancy about the fine art of the comedy record.

[audio http://culturefilepod.files.wordpress.com/2011/12/pod-v-08121107m14sculturefile-pid0-434880.mp3]

In the final part of our Van Gogh special, we get all CSI Auvers, as we hear about a newly constructed theory of the painter’s death. (Part 4 of 4).

[audio http://culturefilepod.files.wordpress.com/2011/12/pod-v-07121106m32sculturefile-pid0-392712.mp3]

Van Gogh wasn’t a good mixer — to put it mildly — and instead filled his days with hour upon hour of reading, much of which shows up in his paintings one way or another, according to his biographers, Steven Naifeh and Gregory White Smith. (Part 3 of 4)

[audio http://culturefilepod.files.wordpress.com/2011/12/pod-v-06121107m14sculturefile-pid0-434256.mp3]

Van Gogh-biographer, Gregory White Smith, explains how contemporary theories of colour and emotion fed into the painter’s work. (Part 2 of 4)

[audio http://culturefilepod.files.wordpress.com/2011/12/pod-v-05121107m10sculturefile-pid0-430944.mp3]

Culture File lends an ear (ouch!) to Steven Naifeh and Gregory White Smith, authors of a blockbusting new biography of Van Gogh. (Part 1 of 4)

[audio http://culturefilepod.files.wordpress.com/2011/12/pod-v-02121106m56sculturefile-pid0-415968.mp3]

Samuel Pepys has 22,000 followers on twitter - not bad for a guy who hasn’t written anything in 300 years. What explains his enduring attraction?

[audio http://culturefilepod.files.wordpress.com/2011/12/pod-v-01121106m06sculturefile-pid0-366600.mp3]

Luke Clancy reviews the opening of Carpet Remnant World, the latest stand up show from Stewart Lee.

[audio http://culturefilepod.files.wordpress.com/2011/12/pod-v-17111106m08sthursculturefile-pid0-368808.mp3]

Falling behind on your readings? Prof John Sutherland estimates there are around 12,000 new novels each year. So which ones to read? (part 1 of 2)

[audio http://culturefilepod.files.wordpress.com/2011/12/pod-v-30111105m47sculturefile-pid0-347640.mp3]

Consider the currach. Osaka-born sculptor, NaoMatsunaga did when creating his ceramics, for CGI’s Modern Languages show in Kilkenny.

[audio http://culturefilepod.files.wordpress.com/2011/11/pod-v-29111107m32sculturefile-pid0-452352.mp3]

Luke Clancy discovers how Opera North changed the meaning of the word ‘Leeds’.

[audio http://culturefilepod.files.wordpress.com/2011/11/pod-v-28111107m08sculturefile-pid0-428496.mp3]

Culture File listens to former Irish dancer Colin Dunne and his (radio mic-equipped) shoes.

[audio http://culturefilepod.files.wordpress.com/2011/11/pod-v-25111107m25sculturefile-pid0-445848.mp3]

How did a British avant garde composer and founder of the Scratch Orchestra, Cornelius Cardew, become a fan of Father Murphy and the Croppy Boy?

[audio http://culturefilepod.files.wordpress.com/2011/11/pod-v-24111106m39sculturefile-pid0-399984.mp3]

Some of the original members of composer Cornelius Cardew’s remarkable 1970s ensemble, The Scratch Orchestra, talk about the group’s founder.

[audio http://culturefilepod.files.wordpress.com/2011/11/pod-v-22111107m47sculturefile-pid0-467112.mp3]

With the chatter about the Best Doc Oscar shortlist centring on the absence of Senna, we focus again on one that justly made the cut: Pina.

[audio http://culturefilepod.files.wordpress.com/2011/11/pod-v-23111107m06sculturefile-pid0-426936.mp3]

Its no crazier than a credit default swap spread! Aisling Kelliher onBitcoin, the p2p currency anyone can create on their home PC.

[audio http://culturefilepod.files.wordpress.com/2011/11/pod-v-21111106m37sculturefile-pid0-397824.mp3]

Pots on the barricades? Confrontational ceramics from 1960s “Ceramic Funk” to contemporary Irish makers, with Prof Judith Schwartz.

[audio http://culturefilepod.files.wordpress.com/2011/11/pod-v-18111107m19sculturefile-pid0-439752.mp3]

If nobody has time to read any more, where are we finding time to write all the web’s “fan fiction”? John Sutherland on the online novel. (part 2 of 2)

[audio http://culturefilepod.files.wordpress.com/2011/11/pod-v-17111106m08sculturefile-pid0-368736.mp3]

Falling behind on your readings? Prof John Sutherland estimates there are around 12,000 new novels each year. So which ones to read? (part 1 of 2)

[audio http://culturefilepod.files.wordpress.com/2011/11/pod-v-10111107m16sculturefile-pid0-436680.mp3]

Culture File learns to tell its Tssk-Tssk-Tssk from its Ti-Ti-Ti with Irish beatboxer, White Noise.

[audio http://culturefilepod.files.wordpress.com/2011/11/pod-v-16111106m16sculturefile-pid0-376800.mp3]

Heard any good oaks lately? We listen in to the soundworld of an Irish cabinetmaker, with Presidential chair creator, John Lee.

[audio http://culturefilepod.files.wordpress.com/2011/11/pod-v-15111106m44sculturefile-pid0-404232.mp3]

Can the arrival of the “troika” be a source of joy? Yes, if the troika is Austrian string fusion trio, Netnakisum.

[audio http://culturefilepod.files.wordpress.com/2011/11/pod-v-11111106m49sculturefile-pid0-409392.mp3]

The Art of Dying at the National Gallery of Ireland in Dublin, with art historian, Philip Cottrell,

[audio http://culturefilepod.files.wordpress.com/2011/11/pod-v-pod09111106m47sculturefile-pid0-407664.mp3]

The end of the world as we know it - but in a good way. CorkBrazilian-Indian fusion duo, Bangsambra, explain the significance of 2012

[audio http://culturefilepod.files.wordpress.com/2011/11/pod-v-07111105m53sculturefile-pid0-353568.mp3]

Luke Clancy reviews “Tomb of the Unknown Craftsman” - Turner Prize-winning potter Grayson Perry’s shot curating at the British Museum.

[audio http://culturefilepod.files.wordpress.com/2011/11/pod-v-08111107m02sculturefile-pid0-422856.mp3]

The unexpected impact of Stravinsky on Scandinavian pop music with Ane Brun

[audio http://culturefilepod.files.wordpress.com/2011/11/pod-v-04111106m59sculturefile-pid0-419376.mp3]

A little history of the V for Vendetta mask with digital academic, Aisling Kelliher.

[audio http://culturefilepod.files.wordpress.com/2011/11/pod-v-03111106m10sculturefile-pid0-370728.mp3]

The author of “The Users’ Manual for the Creative Disruption of Everyday Life” tells about his project for Galway’s Tulca festival.

[audio http://culturefilepod.files.wordpress.com/2011/11/pod-v-02111106m18sculturefile-pid0-378984.mp3]

How hard is it to write an academic study of the highly secretive Church of Scientology? We ask Prof Hugh Urban, who has done just that.

[audio http://culturefilepod.files.wordpress.com/2011/11/pod-v-30101152m34sskelligsdoconone-pid0-3154128.mp3]

Wade into the Atlantic soundworld of Skellig Michael while walking through the streets of your favourite metropolis (or country lane!). Simply download the podcast version of Skelligs Calling and you’ll have in your iPod (or similar device) all the lighthouse keepers, poets, boatmen, gusts, swells, auks and words - that fill the isle with noises… 

A radio documentary by Kevin Brew, Luke Clancy and Chris Watson, for RTE Radio1 and made with the support of the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland.

[audio http://culturefilepod.files.wordpress.com/2011/11/pod-v-28101106m09sculturefile-pid0-369168.mp3]

Choreographer Rosemary Lee takes us through the autumnal squares of Bloomsbury for her latest work, SquareDance.

[audio http://culturefilepod.files.wordpress.com/2011/11/pod-v-01111106m43sculturefile-pid0-403200.mp3]

Ódhrán Ó’Casaide tells Culture File about the twisted threads of Ireland’s classical and folk traditions.

[wpvideo ye8nXI3X]

Grayson Perry afternoon tea at The British Museum. (And his show, The Tomb of the Unknown Craftsman is even better!)

[audio http://culturefilepod.files.wordpress.com/2011/10/pod-v-2610116m57sculturefile-pid0-416448.mp3]

Luke Clancy reviews the London debut of the Michael Keegan Dolan and Liam O’Maonlai collaboration, Rian.

[audio http://culturefilepod.files.wordpress.com/2011/10/pod-v-27101106m50sculturefile-pid0-410160.mp3]

We meet some cultural “Trailblazers” and hear about their “Aha Moments” (while avoiding mention of Scandinavian pop or Alan Partridge).

[audio http://culturefilepod.files.wordpress.com/2011/10/pod-v-25101107m10sculturefile-pid0-430104.mp3]

Luke Clancy meets David Malone, at the NCAD, Dublin, where the English author and film-maker was speaking to artists about high finance.

[audio http://culturefilepod.files.wordpress.com/2011/10/pod-v-21101105m18sculturefile-pid0-318720.mp3]

Culture File goes to Wexford 3: In which we leave the opera house, to meet some of Wexford’s tree population…

[audio http://culturefilepod.files.wordpress.com/2011/10/pod-v-21101105m50sculturefile-pid0-350088.mp3]

Culture File goes to Wexford 2: Michael Gieleta, director of the Polish opera, Maria, makes the Markievicz connection.

[audio http://culturefilepod.files.wordpress.com/2011/10/pod-v-21101105m55sculturefile-pid0-355704.mp3]

Culture File goes to Wexford 1: Luke Clancy meets the team behind the short opera, The Telephone.

[audio http://culturefilepod.files.wordpress.com/2011/10/pod-v-24101107m14sculturefile-pid0-433968.mp3]

Luke Clancy visits the Darklight festival to meet the director of a crowdfunded documentary about the last record shop on Teeside.

[soundcloud]https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/26170301[/soundcloud]

A short walk around the Central Bank in Dame Street in Dublin, talking with people, such as English documentary maker, David Malone.

[audio http://culturefilepod.files.wordpress.com/2011/10/pod-v-14101107m18sculturefile-pid0-438168.mp3]

Dublin music producer, Misk, offers an introduction to the fine art of making loops in Garageband.

[audio http://culturefilepod.files.wordpress.com/2011/10/pod-v-12101106m19sculturefile-pid0-379344.mp3]

Helen Oxenbury, talks about the books she made in collaboration with cult Scottish writer and musician, Ivor Cutler.

[audio http://culturefilepod.files.wordpress.com/2011/10/pod-v-11101106m23sculturefile-pid0-383136.mp3]

Liam Ó Maonlaí, Michael Keegan Dolan and Donnacha Dennehy help us assess the impact of composer, Sean Ó Riada.

[audio http://culturefilepod.files.wordpress.com/2011/10/pod-v-10101106m40sculturefile-pid0-400632.mp3]

Come away to the waters and the wild with Mike Scott and the Waterboys’ latest, An Appointment with Mr Yeats.

[audio http://culturefilepod.files.wordpress.com/2011/10/pod-v-07101106m37sculturefile-pid0-397272.mp3]

Hop on the Irish Architecture Foundation’s Open House Luas Dockland tour, with strategic Planner, Pauline Byrne!

[audio http://culturefilepod.files.wordpress.com/2011/10/pod-v-06101106m07sculturefile-pid0-371832.mp3]

Playwright, Arthur Riordan, talks about his new version of Ibsen’s epic verse drama, Peer Gynt.

[audio http://culturefilepod.files.wordpress.com/2011/10/pod-v-05101107m57sculturefile-pid0-477384.mp3]

Would it help if An Taoiseach danced more? Choreographer Michael Klien thinks, maybe.

[audio http://culturefilepod.files.wordpress.com/2011/10/pod-v-041011culturefile-pid0-458160.mp3]

Could dance be the art form for the twenty-first century? Dance dramaturg, Steve Valk, looks to Bali and asks why not.

[audio http://culturefilepod.files.wordpress.com/2011/10/pod-v-03101107m26sculturefile-pid0-446472.mp3]

Dramatist, Grace Dyas, talks about the creation of her play, Heroin, about the history of the drug in Dublin.