OPB Radio Gets Cultural with Debut of "The Speakeasy"

Oregon Public Broadcasting is gettin' cultural this holiday season with the debut of its hourlong radio show The Speakeasy, which sounds a little like a This American Life devoted to Portland music, food, sports, art and “urban exploring.” “We [wanted] to create a show devoted to all the reasons why people live in this corner of the world in the first place,” says Speakeasy producer and journalist Aaron Scott, who created the show with OPB host David Miller.

If the pilot—which includes footage of sound artist Ethan Rose animating City Hall, a cyclocross “sonic postcard,” a careening interview with actor Wade McCollum and even a “Secret Portland” love letter to Korean grocer H-Mart from me, Kelly Clarke—is well-received, the plan is to continue the show as a weekly OPB offering or “semi-regular special.”

The pilot debuted last Saturday and will be rebroadcast at 8 pm this Wednesday night. Visit blogs.opb.org/thespeakeasy to stream or download the full episode.