WXPN’s World Cafe invites listeners to explore Boston’s vibrant and diverse music scene with its latest “Sense of Place” series. From January 21 through January 31, host Raina Douris and the World Cafe team spotlight the city’s deep musical history, innovative voices, and community spirit that have shaped its sound.
“Perhaps fitting for a city famous for its universities and colleges, a common thread that runs through our stories from Boston is that of teaching and sharing,” says Douris. “From a young pianist from Afghanistan bravely raising awareness for his home country, to a long-running family-owned jazz club with a mission to educate the next generation of jazz musicians, the stories in our ‘Sense of Place: Boston’ series are a reminder that there is always more to learn and that sharing music is an essential part of connecting as human beings.”
The week-long series will feature exclusive interviews, musical performances, and deep dives into Boston’s iconic venues, groundbreaking artists, and inspiring community initiatives:
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Tuesday, Jan. 21 – Club Passim: Explore the legendary folk venue in Cambridge’s Harvard Square that has hosted icons like Joan Baez and Bob Dylan, and learn how it continues to expand the boundaries of folk music.
Host Raina Douris visits Club Passim as part of the World Cafe “Sense of Place: Boston” series. Photo by George Murphy.
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Wednesday, Jan. 22 – Jonatha Brooke Encore: Reflect on the career of this trailblazing singer-songwriter and her advice to her younger self.
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Thursday, Jan. 23 – Wally’s Jazz Cafe: Discover the story of Wally’s, Boston’s first integrated jazz club, and its ongoing mission to nurture new generations of jazz talent.
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Friday, Jan. 24 – Fenway Park Organist Josh Kantor & WUMB’s Boston Essential Songs: Meet the man behind Fenway’s game-day soundtrack and uncover quintessential Boston tracks curated by Albert O of WUMB.
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Monday, Jan. 27 – Berklee’s Music Inclusion Ensemble: Learn how this groundbreaking ensemble empowers young musicians with disabilities and promotes inclusivity in music education.
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Tuesday, Jan. 28 – Pixies Encore: Revisit the iconic band’s 2019 interview and celebrate their contributions to Boston’s alt-rock legacy.
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Wednesday, Jan. 29 – Green Line Records: Meet the student-run label at Northeastern University fostering the next wave of Boston’s music talent.
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Thursday, Jan. 30 – Ellis Paul Encore: Revisit a 1999 conversation with the celebrated Boston folk musician, reflecting on themes of redemption and renewal.
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Friday, Jan. 31 – Arson Fahim: Hear the incredible journey of an Afghan composer who found refuge and creative expression in Boston. His story reflects resilience and the transformative power of music.
World Cafe host Raina Douris meets with Berklee’s Music Inclusion Ensemble co-founder Adrian Anantawan (left). Photo by George Murphy.
This series celebrates the city’s unique role in music history and its commitment to fostering creativity and community. From the intimate charm of Club Passim to the dynamic innovation of Berklee’s Music Inclusion Ensemble, “Sense of Place: Boston” reveals why the city remains a beacon for artists and audiences alike.
Where to Listen
Listeners in the greater Boston area can tune into World Cafe on WUMB. The show is also broadcast on 297 public radio stations across the United States. Check local listings for times or visit www.worldcafe.org for more information
About World Cafe
Launched in 1991, World Cafe is produced by WXPN/Philadelphia and distributed by NPR to 299 US radio stations, where it is heard by nearly 600,000 listeners each week. Known by artists, appreciative audiences, and the radio and music industries as an influential source for music discovery, the two-hour daily program features a mix of artist interviews and in-studio performances by established and emerging artists, with a music selection that encompasses singer-songwriters, classic rock, indie rock, Americana, alt-country, blues, world music, R&B, and soul. As the nation’s most listened-to public radio music program, the award-winning program’s impact on the careers and audience awareness of thousands of artists is immeasurable. Both the daily World Cafe program and the weekly Conversations from the World Cafe are hosted by Raina Douris along with contributing host Stephen Kallao.
WXPN, the nationally recognized leader in Triple A radio and the premier guide for discovering new and significant artists in rock, blues, roots and folk, is the non-commercial, member-supported, public radio service of the University of Pennsylvania. WXPN produces World Cafe, public radio’s most popular program of popular music that is distributed by NPR to 297 U.S. radio stations, and the Peabody Award-winning Kids Corner which now offers a 24-hour family music streaming service. WXPN produces XPoNential Radio on XPN2 as its secondary radio channel in HD, also available online. www.xpn.org.
WXPN serves music lovers in these areas:
Philadelphia at 88.5 FM
Lehigh Valley at 104.9 FM
Lancaster/York at 88.7 FM
Harrisburg at 99.7 FM
Worton/Baltimore at 90.5 FM
North Jersey/Poconos at 91.9 FM
Worldwide via streaming at xpn.org and the XPN app
