Detour - The Unofficial Podcast: Recent Episodes
Detour Podcast
Explore the world's most fascinating places with the people who know them best. ~120 audio walking tours in 18 cities worldwide.
Starting Location Map: http://bit.ly/detours-map
Detour was a new kind of audio walking tour. With hands-free guidance, group audio sync, and tours guided by people at the center of a neighborhood's history, Detour was your essential companion to getting beneath the surface of new places. Now it lives on as a podcast.
Follow in the footsteps of the Suffragettes as they bomb, slash, and smash for their cause - the right to vote!
Starting Location 12 Saint George street
1 hour, 15 minutes
Map Image
Description The suffragettes were a militant organization that campaigned for 'Votes for Women' during the early 20th century. This was a long and dangerous battle, fought by women who had the courage to stand up and be counted.
Come walk through London's West End, where suffragette leader Emmeline Pankhurst and her foot soldiers carried out their campaign — from window-smashings and hunger strikes to mass protests and even bombings. We will discover exactly why the government regarded these women as the biggest threat to the British Empire.
Emmeline's great granddaughter, Helen Pankhurst, will take you into the National Gallery to stand in front of the very painting the Suffragette set off a homemade bomb. And we'll sit down to a traditional English tea in the very dining room where the Suffragettes planned their militant actions. Let's discover how this movement of brave women changed England, and laid the groundwork for the equal rights movements of today.
Tips & Hours * This Detour is best taken between 8:00am- 4:00pm, Monday to Friday, or Saturday morning before noon. Outside these hours, one or more of the stops may be closed. * This is one of the most bustling neighborhoods of London, so wear comfortable shoes and expect lots of pedestrians on the streets.
Credits Narrator
Dr Helen Pankhurst
Head of Content
Heather Schuster
Executive Producer
Stacey Book
Producer
Danielle Clark
Series Producer
Laurie Harris
Sound Design Supervisor
Julian Kwasneski
Music Supervisor
Mikael Sandgren
Audio Post Production services by Bay Area Sound
Matthew Strasser
Cameron Taylor
Featured Voices
Carolyn Backhouse
Image Credits
• Cover Photo: Sam Gordon
Podcast Episode Contributing Volunteers
Kris L.
Starting Locations of All Detours
View Starting Locations Map
Experience Shoreditch, a multicultural hub with great food, and amazing art, through the eyes of some diverse locals.
Starting Location 2 Puma Court
Duration 1 hour
Description Colourful and vibrant, today Shoreditch is known as one of London's trendiest neighborhoods with cool street art, shops, cafes, bars, and curry houses around every corner. What many visitors don't realize is that for more than 300 years Shoreditch has welcomed wave after wave of immigrants including French protestants in the 17th century, Jewish refugees from Eastern Europe in the 19th century, and the Bangladeshi community since the '50s. Each one of these groups has added a layer to the neighborhood, making it what it is today.
You will explore Shoreditch with Rejina Sabur Cross-a blogger, self-described food geek, and an avid cook. Raised in a traditional Bangladeshi household in west London, Rejina's connection to Shoreditch goes back to her childhood when her family came here to do the weekly shopping. She later moved to the area and got to know all the best local places for food, drink, and shopping.
Let Rejina introduce you to other locals who will share their favorite parts of their neighbourhood with you. Enjoy their stories as you explore beautiful landmarks like the Brick Lane Mosque and Spitalfields Market, and modern Shoreditch, browsing through one of the coolest record shops and trying delicious and colorful Ghanaian chocolate.
Tips & Hours * This tour is an easy walk with no steep inclines or stairs required. * This tour is best experienced any day between 10am-6pm, so you have enough time to enjoy all the stops. * Some of the stops on this Detour have inconsistent hours. If you are especially interested in the Spitalfields Market, make sure you start the tour a couple of hours before 5pm, when it closes. * Bring cash so you can purchase some of the treats you’ll discover along the walk. * London weather is unpredictable so please bring an umbrella.
Credits Narrator
Rejina Sabur
Head of Content
Heather Schuster
Executive Producer
Kim Kantner
London Series Producer
Laurie Harris
Producer
Irene Fernandez
Editor
Connor Stock
Sound Design
Julian Kwasneski
Matt Strasser
Music Supervisor
Mikael Sandgren
Image Credits
• Cover photo: Sam Gordon
• Navigation photos: Irene Fernandez
Get a glimpse of what it was like to live in London during the Blitz of WWII.
Starting Location Waterloo
Duration 45 minutes
Description During the height of WWII Britain experienced nearly nightly bombing raids that came to be known as "The Blitz." The Blitz killed thousands of people and destroyed nearly one million homes in London alone—particularly in working class neighborhoods like Southwark. While the men were away fighting on the front lines it was the women remained on the homefront trying to keep to keep London functioning.
Social historian and broadcaster Carol Harris will be your guide through Southwark as it was in the 1940s as you step into the time capsule that is Roupell Street, a hidden historical working class area many Londoners don't know about. Experience the hustle and bustle of Britain's busiest railway station and bear witness to a massive evacuation. Discover a local church's surprising connection to the war and hide in the secret crypt beneath it. Soak in the atmosphere at a historic pub and take a stab at trying to get home during a "blackout."
As you walk through the streets of Southwark, Carol will explain why many women in London couldn't go back to domestic life after the war ended; and she'll show you the legacy they left behind.
Tips & Hours * This tour is a moderate walk which includes some stairs. * The best time for taking this tour is between 11am-4pm weekdays when all stops will be open. * The Church we are going to visit is open Monday-Friday 10am-6pm and the adjacent crypt can usually be accessed between 10am-5pm. Both are closed on weekends. * London weather is unpredictable so please bring an umbrella.
Credits Narrator
Carol Harris
Head of Content
Heather Schuster
Executive Producer
Kim Kantner
London Series Producer
Laurie Harris
Producer
Ana Beltschewa
Editor
Connor Stock
Sound Design
Julian Kwasneski
Matt Strasser
Music Supervisor
Mikael Sandgren
Image Credits
• Cover photo: Sam Gordon
• Navigation photos: Ana Beltschewa
Special Thanks
“Southwark at War” by Pam Schweitzer and Rob Davis BBC People’s War (http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/ww2peopleswar/) Imperial War Museum Southbank Mosaics (https://www.southbankmosaics.com/) St. John’s Church (http://www.stjohnswaterloo.org/)
Explore the history of the Queen's Guard and Household Cavalry in this historic neighborhood near Buckingham Palace.
Starting Location View Google Map of Starting Location
Whitehall Palace, Whitehall
Duration 1 hour
Description The Queen's Household Cavalry have been sworn to protect the monarchy since 1660. But what good can they do in their shining armour, when they don't even carry guns? Is this an outdated tradition? James Wharton spent 10 years guarding the Queen as part of her Majesty's Household Cavalry and he'll tell you why he feels the Guard is an institution worth protecting.
On this Detour, he'll explain the monarchy's battle to stay relevant and tell you about the role of the Household Cavalry to protecting the monarch. You'll visit the last remaining structure of the Palace of Whitehall, wander through Horse Guard's Parade, pass through St Jame's Park, and finally arrive outside Buckingham Palace.
And James will share how the pride that the Royals inspire to this day helped him to come out as one of the first openly gay men in the British Army.
Tips & Hours * This Detour can be taken at any time, on any day. But it is best to start between 10:00am- 4:00pm when you can see the Household Cavalry on duty. * At 11:00am Monday to Saturday, and 10:00am on Sunday, the changing of the guard takes place. To catch this iconic moment, start the tour 10 minutes earlier.. * There is also a 4:00pm inspection of the Cavalry each day. To catch this moment, start the tour at 3:50pm. * This Detour may be disrupted if any Royal function (such as the Trooping of the Colour, State Visits or Opening of Parliament) is taking place on Horse Guard's Parade. These are rare and wonderful spectacles, but it is worth checking in advance.
Credits Narrator
James Wharton
Producer
Jamie Brown
Series Producer
Laurie Harris
Head of Content
Heather Schuster
Executive Producer
Stacey Book
Sound Design Supervisor
Julian Kwasneski
Sound Design
Matthew Strasser
Cameron Taylor
Music Direction
Mikael Sandgren
Image Credits
• Cover Photo: Sam Gordon
Discover how a generation of Chinese immigrants turned London's red light district into one of the world's biggest Chinatowns.
Starting Location 63 Rupert Street
Duration 35 minutes
Description Walking through London's Chinatown is a potent sensory experience with fire-red lanterns, sweet and sour aromas of traditional cooking, and the sound of Chinese languages being spoken around every corner of the cobbled streets. Second generation Chinatown business owner, Lucy Mitchell, will lead you through this bustling district she calls home.
When her father, Stanley Tse, first arrived by boat from Hong Kong as an impoverished teenager he encountered a red light district. As a kid growing up in Chinatown in the 70s, Lucy saw first-hand how her father's generation worked to build one of the biggest Chinatowns in the world. Today, as an executive of her family's supermarket, she feels it is her turn to ensure that Chinatown remains the cultural hub for generations to come.
As she shares her family's story, Lucy will take you into Chinatown's first Cantonese bakery, where you'll get to sample authentic Chinese pastries. You'll visit London's answer to a Chinese bazaar and learn about the Chinese zodiac calendar. And, of course, you'll see where it all started, Lucy's supermarket, SeeWoo.
Tips & Hours * This tour is an easy walk with no steep inclines or stairs required. * This Detour is best between 12pm - 8pm when all the businesses along the route are open. * Ten pounds will buy you three Sichuan skewers and a Cantonese cake from the bakery. Make sure you bring your appetite! * London weather is unpredictable so please bring an umbrella.
Credits Narrator
Lucy Mitchell
Head of Content
Heather Schuster
Executive Producer
Kim Kantner
London Series Producer
Laurie Harris
Producer
Danielle Clark
Editor
Connor Stock
Sound Design
Julian Kwasneski
Matt Strasser
Music Supervisor
Mikael Sandgren
Image Credits
• Cover photo: Sam Gordon
• Navigation photos: Laurie Harris
The artists & makers of Hackney Wick make it unique - can this community be rewarded for their role in urban regeneration?
Starting Location 5 Roach Road
Duration 50 minutes
Description For decades, a steady migration of creatives have moved into Hackney Wick and taken over the Victorian warehouses and factories - reclaiming them for the purposes of making beautiful and evocative things. Craft breweries, street art, and handmade tiki bars are just a few examples of the creative projects which have found homes in this neighborhood. Hackney Wick has it all.
Our unlikely protagonist is William Chamberlain, a former lawyer who first came across this artistic community in 2005 while he was working on the bid for the London Olympic Games. He realized that change was coming to Hackney Wick, and that the community needed to band together to make sure arts and culture remained at the forefront of the neighborhood's future.
Will takes you through Hackney Wick's creative spaces and introduces you to the people creating in, and sometimes on, the streets. You'll discover what drew them here, what keeps them here and how this corner of East London is teaching the world about nurturing the creative arts.
Tips & Hours * This Detour is best taken between 12pm - 8pm when all of the stops as well as other local businesses will be open. * London weather is unpredictable so please bring an umbrella. * This tour is a moderate walk which includes some stairs.
Credits Narrator
William Chamberlin
Head of Content
Heather Schuster
Executive Producer
Kim Kantner
London Series Producer
Laurie Harris
Contributing Producer
David Harris
Editor
Connor Stock
Sound Design
Julian Kwasneski
Matt Strasser
Music Supervisor
Mikael Sandgren
Image Credits
• Cover photo: Sam Gordon
• Navigation photos: Laurie Harris
Play a spy game based on a true spy story, right where it happened: Mayfair, the heart of London's intelligence community.
Starting Location 77 Piccadilly
Duration 1 hour, 10 minutes
Description Annie Machon is a former spy for Mi5 who spent her career working in Mayfair's secret government buildings or training recruits on its streets. But in the 1990s, Annie gave it up to become a whistleblower. And she went on the run, pursued by her former colleagues.
Hear Annie's story, and take part in an interactive spy game based on the true case of a spy turned double agent during the Cold War. See the buildings where Britain's spies worked and the pubs where they drank.
Under Annie's tutelage, you'll leave a secret message at a Soviet drop site, learn how to tell when you're being followed, and walk in the shoes of one of the most notorious double agents in British history. If you think you have what it takes to be a spy, come to Mayfair and prove it.
Tips & Hours * This Detour can be taken any day of the week, between 7:00am to 6:00pm. * To complete the mission, you'll need a pen and a newspaper. Bring your own or buy one at the start of the tour. * Two or more players will be pitted against each other in a spy game that uses real espionage techniques. * If you are walking this Detour on your own, you should consider taking the single user version: “Mayfair: A Spy’s Guide”
Credits Narrator
Annie Machon
Producer
Robbie MacInnes
Series Producer
Laurie Harris
Head of Content
Heather Schuster
Executive Producer
Stacey Book
Sound Design Supervisor
Julian Kwasneski
Sound Design
Connor Stock
Music Direction
Mikael Sandgren
Image Credits
• Cover Photo: Sam Gordon
Discover clandestine spy stories along the storied streets of Mayfair, the heart of London's intelligence community.
Starting Location 77 Piccadilly
Duration 45 minutes
Description Annie Machon is a former spy for Mi5 who spent her career working in Mayfair's secret government buildings or training recruits on its streets. But in the 1990s, Annie gave it up to become a whistleblower. And she went on the run, pursued by her former colleagues.
Hear Annie's story, and take part in an interactive spy game based on the true case of a spy turned double agent during the Cold War. See the buildings where Britain's spies worked and the pubs where they drank.
Annie will tell you how spies left secret messages at Soviet drop sites, and share how to avoid being followed. And you'll hear about one of the most notorious double agents in British history.
Tips & Hours * This Detour can be taken any day of the week, between 7:00am to 6:00pm. * This tour can be taken by any number of people. But if there are two or more Detour users, you should consider taking the version of this Detour designed with a multi-person spy game. "Mayfair: To Catch a Spy."
Credits Narrator
Annie Machon
Head of Content
Heather Schuster
Executive Producer
Stacey Book
Producer
Robbie MacInnes
Series Producer
Laurie Harris
Sound Design Supervisor
Julian Kwasneski
Music Supervisor
Mikael Sandgren
Audio Post Production services by Bay Area Sound
Matthew Strasser
Cameron Taylor
Image Credits
• Cover Photo: Sam Gordon
A former marijuana smuggler tells us the story of Charleston's other most notorious outlaws — the pirates.
Starting Location 1 Vendue LN
Duration 1 hour, 5 minutes
Description Barry Foy is a Charlestonian who knows a little something about being a maritime outlaw. In the 70's and early 80's, he and his friends smuggled a billion dollars worth of marijuana into the United States on sailboats — much of it into the shoreline near Charleston. The Feds that were chasing them called them "The Gentlemen Smugglers" and eventually put together the largest task force in South Carolina history to catch them: Operation Jackpot. Barry is one of the few people around who can actually tell us first-hand what it feels like to be running from the law on the high seas. And so who better to tell us about Chalreston's most famous outlaws — the pirates?
During the Golden Age of Piracy, Charleston was one of the largest hubs for pirate activity on the East Coast. Some of the most famous pirates of all time called Charleston home, plundered ships outside its harbor, and spent their hard-stolen money in its taverns and brothels. But in 1718, two pirates — Blackbeard and Stede Bonnet — took the whole city hostage and sparked Charleston to launch an all out war on piracy. On this journey, you'll learn about their story — and the story of the Gentlemen Smugglers — as you walk the beautiful streets of Downtown Historic Charleston.
You'll stroll around Charleston's beautiful, world-class harbor and find out what attracted so many pirates to the Holy City in the first place. You'll see the taverns and brothels they frequented and learn from a local expert which of the stereotypes we believe about these infamous rebels are fact and which are fiction. You'll meet the author who wrote the best-selling book on Barry and his smuggling compatriots and learn how the Feds finally caught up with them. And you'll do it with a modern day renegade leading the way.
This is the real story of the two of Charleston's most colorful, and infamous, groups of outlaws — the pirates and the Gentlemen Smugglers!
Tips & Hours * This Detour can be taken anytime, any day, but is best when started between 10 am - 3 pm Monday through Saturday to catch all the stops along the route while they’re open. * Monday through Saturday, The Tavern is open 10am - 7pm and the Powder Magazine is open 10am - 4pm. On Sunday, the Tavern is closed and The Powder Magazine’s hours of operation are shortened to 1pm - 4pm. * This Detour has several stops where you may wish to purchase items: The Tavern, The Powder Magazine, and 82 Queen -- so bring your wallet if you think you’ll want to. * Occasionally on Saturday, the Tavern will hold impromptu spirits tastings. So if you’re over 21 years old, make sure to bring ID and see if you can catch one of them! * Charleston’s summer weather is very hot and humid -- so it’s always good to wear comfortable shoes and bring a bottle of water. (If you don’t there are food and drink vendors and establishments along the route.) * With the stops included, this tour lasts 1 hour.
Credits Narrator
Barry Foy
Head of Content
Heather Schuster
Executive Producer
Avi Glijansky
Producer
Dominique Ferrari
Associate Producer
Christopher Hanson Jasmine McLaurin
Sound Design Supervisor: Julian Kwasneski Music Supervisor Mikael Sandgren
Audio Post Production services by Bay Area Sound
• Matthew Strasser
• Andy Jung
Featured Voices: Jason Ryan Michael Coker
Image Credits
• Cover Photo: Geno DiMaria
• Navigation Photos: Christopher Hanson
Uncover the secret clues to Chicago's past, present and future with Chicago Architecture Foundation's Jen Masengarb.
Starting Location View Google Map of Starting Location
1 S Dearborn St
Duration 1 hour, 5 minutes
Description The Chicago Architecture Foundation's Jen Masengarb takes you on a hunt for clues through Chicago's bustling loop to learn how to listen to architecture and the conversations buildings are having with each other - and with us.
Along the way, you'll see how one group of Architects slyly directs you to their front door. You'll shake hands with a building and immerse yourself in a huge piece of art that's had everyone talking for more than fifty years. You'll step into a building erected more than 100 years ago that tells a story of Chicago's very beginning, and discover one architect's vision where everything lines up in perfect harmony. You'll hear how people are still puzzling over one of the most famous sculptures in all of Chicago, and step into the future at one of Chicago's most controversial buildings.
By the end, you'll understand why architecture is more than just a conglomeration of buildings - it is the very building blocks we can use to construct a vision of who we were, who we are now, and where we are going tomorrow.
This Detour was produced in collaboration with the Chicago Architecture Foundation (CAF). CAF is a nonprofit cultural organization with tours, exhibitions, programs and events for all ages. CAF's mission is to inspire people to discover why design matters. Learn more at architecture.org
Tips & Hours * This Detour is best between 9am-7pm Monday-Thursday; 9am-3:30 pm Friday and Saturday; and 12:00pm-3:30pm Sunday when all of the businesses along the route are open. * If you want to visit the final stop, the Harold Washington Library, be sure to start the walk by 6:00 pm Monday-Thursday, 3:00 pm Friday and Saturday and 3:30 pm Sunday.
Credits Narrator
Jen Masengarb
Head of Content
Heather Schuster
Executive Producer
Stephanie Jenz
Producing Partner
Chicago Architecture Foundation
Producer
Katie Klocksin
Advising Producer
Avi Glijansky
Associate Producer
Sara Medlin
Production Assistant
Casey Hudetz
Sound Design
Julian Kwasneski
Connor Stock
Music Direction
Julian Kwasneski
Image Credits
• Cover photo: Natalie O'Donnell
• Navigation photos: Sara Medlin
Special Thanks
The Docents of the Chicago Architecture Foundation
Michael Malek
Richard Cahan
Discover a 1000 year-long history of revolution and working class dissent.
Starting Location The entrance to St Bartholomew's Hospital on West Smithfield Street (EC1A 7BE), Clerkenwell
Duration 1 hour
Description Join Alan Dein - broadcaster, writer and life-long Londoner - for a walk through the cobbled streets of Clerkenwell: the city’s centre for radicalism and non-conformism.
With ancient architecture nestling alongside advertising agencies and coffee shops, Alan invites you to scratch the surface of Clerkenwell’s modern wealth. You will discover a history of overcrowded slums, cattle traders and artisans. Here, poverty brushed with power to create an appetite for both compassion and non-conformity - both of which still echo today.
Our journey visits the execution site of rebels such as William “Braveheart” Wallace, the house where Lenin plotted the overthrow of Tsarist Russia, and the overcrowded Rookery slums that made the citizens of Clerkenwell ripe for political activism. But we’ll also go beyond the historical landmarks to see the many remnants of Clerkenwell’s history that still thrive today - the infamous Smithfield meat market, London’s first hospital and the charities and churches which grew along side rebellion to make Clerkenwell the beating heart of left-leaning reform.
Tips & Hours * This walk is best before 5pm. We don't recommend taking this Detour on Sundays because most of the stops are closed. * Some of the stops on this Detour have inconsistent hours, but can all be enjoyed from outside too. To see the meat market at its busiest, go between 6am - 8am. Particularly interested in the Marx Memorial Library? Go between noon - 4pm Monday through Thursday. * Bring few pounds if you’d like to get a drink at the pub along the way * We will encourage you to sneak into a small section of the meat market that is technically closed after 12 noon. A guard might ask you to leave, but it’s not disruptive if this happens.
Credits Production
• Written and Narrated by Alan Dein, Broadcaster and Oral Historian
• Produced by David Waters, Robbie MacInnes and Nina Garthwaite, In The Dark
• Assistant Producer: Sarah Peters
• Editor: Aaron With
Sound and Music
• Sound Design, music selection and arrangement by David Waters, In The Dark
• Ambient Electronic Tracks by Linda Bouchard
• Piano, Banjo, Marimba Instrumentals from Sessions.Blue
Special Thanks To
• Marx Memorial Library *The London Sound Survey
Cover Photograph
• Photograph by Matt Brown
• License: http://bit.ly/1ryPA8o
• Original photograph has been cropped and color corrected, and title text has been overlaid
Walk through Bronzeville with Jazz performer Maggie Brown and explore the neighborhood’s golden age and unexpected decline.
Starting Location 4633 S Dr Martin Luther King Jr Dr
Duration 55 minutes
Description Over the years Bronzeville has been called a lot of things: the Black Metropolis, the Black Belt, a city within a city; but jazz singer Maggie Brown calls it home. Her grandfather helped build the community in the darkest days of segregation, and since then it's nurtured four generations of her family.
When segregation kept African Americans from living almost anywhere else in Chicago, people like Maggie's grandfather worked to create a place where the black community could not only survive, but also flourish. And soon Bronzeville was a dynamic neighborhood where black-owned business, activists, and artists that influenced the whole country, thrived.
Let Maggie take you back in time to the age of Dizzy, Louis, Mahalia and Muddy. You'll walk past beautiful mansions where the working class and the weld side-by-side, visit a church where Dr. Martin uther King Jr. spoke, and drop into a hip new restaurant that's becoming a community gathering spot. You'll learn how this vibrant community blossomed and thrived in the 30s and 40s, fell in the 60s and 70s, and why residents today think it's on the rise again.
You don't know Chicago until you've taken a stroll through Bronzeville.
Tips & Hours * This Detour can be taken anytime but is best between 9am - 4pm Monday through Thursday, 9am-5:30 pm Friday, and 9am - 12:30 pm on Saturday when all of the businesses along the route are open. * If you want to eat at Peach’s at the end of the Detour, be sure to start the walk before 2pm.
Credits Narrator
Maggie Brown
Head of Content
Heather Schuster
Executive Producer
Stephanie Jenz
Producer Donna Wilson
Editors
Marianne McCune
Avi Glijansky
Consulting Producer
Rachel Dickson
Associate Producer
Sara Medlin
Production Assistant
Casey Hudetz
Sound Design
Noise Floor Stosh Tuszynski Devin Delaney
Music Direction
Noise Floor Stosh Tuszynski Devin Delaney
Featured Music
“A Great Migration” Written and Performed by Maggie Brown Courtesy of Magnolia Warbler Music “Long as You’re Living” Written by Oscar Brown Jr. Performed by Maggie Brown Courtesy of Bootblack Publishing, LLC “Rags ‘n Old Iron” Written by Oscar Brown Jr. Performed by Maggie Brown Courtesy of Bootblack Publishing, LLC
Featured Voices
Jeanette Simpson
Cliff Roam
Quote from “By a Thread” Written by Oscar Brown Sr, Courtesy of Maggie Brown
Image Credits
• Cover Photo: Danielle Scruggs
• Navigation Photos: Sara Medlin
• WPA photographers: Russell Lee, Edwin Rosskam
Special Thanks
Todd Wood
Lamar Burris
Cliff Roam
Jeanette Simpson
Harold Lucas
Natalie Moor
Explore hidden gems and hear untold stories of how Chicago's dreamers and idealists shaped the city with Cultural Historian Tim Samuelson.
Starting Location 9 S Wabash, under the Iwan Riese Tobacco awning
Duration 1 hour, 10 minutes
Description Tim Samuelson is not your typical historian. For Tim, history is not confined by facts and names -- it is felt, deeply and emotionally, engaging all your senses. Through Tim’s eyes, buildings are living artifacts, each one inviting you to step into the past and see the city around you in a whole new way. On this downtown Detour, Tim takes you deep into the world of the outsiders, idealists, and dreamers who built Chicago quite literally from the ground up.
Along the way, you’ll climb the soaring stairs of a palace of light and experience the ghost of the lonely, bookish man who designed every last detail. You’ll stroll through the film noir alley that inspired the city’s most famous poet. You’ll be dwarfed by a brick behemoth that was once the world’s largest office building and hear how a visionary lovingly restored the first floor into an authentic 1890’s shopping arcade. You will touch details, explore hidden corners, and hear virtually unknown stories about people who have been all but forgotten - except for their legacies that live on in these amazing buildings.
Tips & Hours * Be ready for some strong brew by the end of this tour; we end at a coffee shop in what is believed to be the oldest (and tiniest) structure still standing in the Loop. * This Detour is best begun at 10am and no later than 4:30pm, when stops along the way are guaranteed to be open.
Credits Narrator Tim Samuelson
Head of Content Heather Schuster
Executive Producer Stephanie Jenz
Advising Producer Jorge Just, Luisa Beck
Producer Steven Jackson
Writer Tim Samuelson
Associate Producer Sara Medlin
Sound Design Stosh Tuszynski, Noise Floor LTD
Music Direction Devin Delaney, Noise Floor LTD
Image Credits * Cover photo: Danielle Scruggs * Navigation photos: Sara Medlin
Special Thanks Tim Samuelson
Join Tribune reporter Rick Kogan in Old Town and discover its Great Good Places and the rebellious artists who thrived there.
Starting Location 1711 N Cleveland Ave
Duration 1 hour, 5 minutes
Description Carouse your way through 1960s Old Town and learn how artists, folkies, comedians, writers, and hippies turned convention on its head by creating and inhabiting some of the country's most revered and forgotten "Great Good Places."
A "Great Good Place" isn't the place people live, or work, it's a third place where they can be themselves, blow off steam, and have the freedom to experiment and create. German immigrants fleeing the political crackdowns of the 1840s, artists of the 1920s expressing their vision for a new way of life, and the full-on countercultural explosion of the beatniks, performers, and radicals who would have a lasting impact on the world, Old Town has been home to them all and provided the spaces they needed to thrive.
Join Chicago Tribune reporter, and Old Town native, Rick Kogan on a trip through this neighborhood that called to anyone yearning to color outside the lines. Along the way, you'll discover a magnificent church that welcomes everyone, the homes, bars, and stages where artists created magical things, and even get a taste of what it's like to be a member of the world-famous improv comedy troupe The Second City.
And as you do, you'll come to understand why this whole neighborhood was one of Chicago's Great Good Places, what's been lost as some of it's most iconic sites have vanished, and why it's worth fighting to hold onto what's left.
Tips & Hours * This Detour can be taken anytime, but is best taken Friday through Sunday between 11am - 6pm when St. Michael’s and all of the businesses we visit along the route are open the longest. * Monday through Thursday we recommend taking this tour between 2pm - 5pm to ensure all businesses and St. Michael’s are open. * All of the stops, with the exception of St. Michaels, are open until at least 9pm. If you want to grab a drink at The Old Town Ale House at the end, it’s best to start the walk after 2pm Monday - Friday and after 11:30am on Sundays. * St. Michael’s is an active church, so if you’re taking this tour on a weekend be aware it may be in use for a wedding or other church service when you stop by. * Be prepared to eat and drink on this tour! This walk stops at three different taverns, two of which have fantastic food you can order. * Bring some cash for drinks and food along the way.
Credits Narrator
Rick Kogan
Head of Content
Heather Schuster
Executive Producer
Stephanie Jenz
Producer
Kayla McCormick
Advising Producer
Avi Glijansky
Associate Producer
Maya Dukmasova
Rachel Dickson
Production Assistant
Casey Hudetz
Sound Design
Noise Floor
Devin Delaney
Stosh Tuszynski
Music Direction
Devin Delaney
Stosh Tuszynski
Featured Voices
Rich Taura
Lisa Vakulin-Rose
Shirley Baugher
Bonnie Koloc
Will Aldis
Marc DeCarlo
Bruce Elliott
Image Credits
• Cover photo: Danielle Scruggs
• Navigation photos: Kayla McCormick
• Additional photos courtesy of: The Library of Congress Old Town Triangle Association Saint Michael’s Church
Special Thanks
Ray Oldenburg, Author of "The Great Good Place " Bonnie Koloc Jana Liles, Second City Mark DeCarlo Shirley Baugher Abe Peck Mimi Harris
Explore Caribbean heritage in Brixton, black Britain's spiritual home, from its hopeful start, to the riots of the 80s.
Starting Location Windrush Square
Duration 45 minutes
Description On a misty morning in 1948, the Empire Windrush docked in Tilbury, carrying 492 passengers from Jamaica. This unremarkable ship was about to change the course of UK history. Its arrival marked the start of the biggest wave of non-white immigration ever to this country, and the birth of a new Afro-Caribbean community in Brixton.
Local Britonian Christopher Icha has been living in Brixton since the 1960s and he'll show you his neighborhood and its hidden gems. Take a stroll through the famous markets of Brixton, where that newly arrived 'Windrush Generation' came to stock up on Caribbean food from back home: yams, green pumpkins, yellow snapper. Visit 'Frontline' where Christopher spent his teenage years, listening to live reggae and witnessing tensions between locals and police as they reached a fever pitch - leading ot the notorious Brixton Uprising of 1981.
Along the way, listen out for the reggae music that's ever-present on the streets of Brixton and visit the famous Electric Avenue, the inspiration for the hit song. You'll have a chance to refelect on Brixton's changing fortunes and what this neighborhood means to the people who call it home.
Tips & Hours * The ideal time to take this Detour is 10:00am- 4:00pm on Tuesday, Thursday, Friday or Saturday. * You can take the tour on Monday, but some of the market stalls will not be open. * Pure Vinyl, where we stop to listen to some bluebeat music, is closed on Wednesdays.
Credits Narrator
Christopher Icha
Producer
Olivia Humphreys
Series Producer
Laurie Harris
Head of Content
Heather Schuster
Executive Producer
Stacey Book
Sound Design Supervisor
Julian Kwasneski
Sound Design
Connor Stock
Music Direction
Mikael Sandgren
Music Clearance
Elizabeth Pepin Silva
Featured Voices
Christopher Icha
Dorothea Smartt
Image Credits
• Cover Photo: Sam Gordon
Dive into an Elizabethan murder mystery and try to determine what happened to legendary playwright Christopher Marlowe.
Starting Location Deptford
Duration 1 hour
Description Playwrigth Christopher Marlowe is best known as the author of Doctor Faustus and the greatest influence on his contemporary, William Shakespeare. But he also had a hidden life as a secret agent in the Elizabethan spy network. As the story goes, on a day in May of 1593, Marlowe met a bizarre and bloody end in a guest-house in Deptford where he was stabbed in the eye with a 12 penny dagger. But what if that wasn't the end of Marlowe after all?
We'll explore this seldom visited corner of London and find out the truth about Marlowe's murder. Was it a simple pub brawl? Was it a politically motivated assassination ordered by Queen Elizabeth I? Or perhaps Marlowe didn't die at all?
In our investigation, you'll retrace Marlowe's steps on the day of his murder, visit the might river Thames, pay homage at Marlowe's unmarked grave, and walk the old Elizabethan dockyards where the great British navy was built. You'll finish the walk at an authentic neighborhood pub where you'll raise a glass to Marlowe and learn the biggest secret of all!
Tips & Hours * In the summer, this Detour is best taken between 11:30am- 7:00pm, on any day. * In the winter, it is best taken between 11:30a- 5:00pm, as St Nicholas's churchyard - where Marlowe is buried - closes at dusk. * The Dog & Bell pub, our final stop, is cash only.
Credits Narrator
Ros Barber
Producer
Laurie Harris
Series Producer
Laurie Harris
Head of Content
Heather Schuster
Executive Producer
Stacey Book
Sound Design Supervisor
Julian Kwasneski
Music Supervisor
Mikael Sandgren
Audio Post Production services by Bay Area Sound
Matthew Strasser Cameron Taylor
Featured Voices
Kieron Jecchinis
Image Credits
• Cover Photo: Sam Gordon
Radio host Richard Steele reveals the epic battle between Chicago's most powerful moguls to control the city's famous lakefront.
Starting Location Northwest corner of Monroe Street and Columbus Drive
Duration 60 minutes
Description Grant Park is more than 300 acres of prime real estate along Lake Michigan. And every inch of it belongs to the people. That’s why we call it Chicago’s Front Yard. But it’s been a 150-year battle to keep it that way. On this Detour, beloved Chicago radio host Rich Steele describes the ongoing historical battle over what type of park best serves a world-class city like Chicago. And it’s all about money and politics and how things get done.
You’ll pay a visit to one of the oldest private clubs for wheelers and dealers. You’ll walk through gardens meant to echo Versailles, and see one of the biggest fountains in the world. You’ll even travel back in time to the 1968 Democratic National Convention riots and hear about a more recent election night that was historic too. And, you’re going to get a pretty good picture of how Chicago grew up along the way.
By the end of this Detour, you'll see how the fight to keep the lakefront “forever open, clear, and free” is a quintessential Chicago story about the city’s image - from being “hog butcher to the world” to becoming a world-class playground. After this walk you’ll see why open space is crucial for community, and why people fight for it with everything they’ve got.
Tips & Hours * Bring sunscreen and water if it’s a hot day. * This Detour is best between 7am and 10pm when all of the businesses along the route are open. * If you want to end with a major water display, take the tour May through September and start the tour between 8am and 9pm on the hour. If you want to end with the Buckingham Fountain light show, start the Detour an hour before dusk, May through September. * Avoid taking the tour during big festivals when the park is exceptionally loud and crowded. The only time you truly cannot take the tour, is during the four-day Lollapalooza music festival every July because the path is closed. Check the City of Chicago website for complete festival schedules.
Credits Narrator Richard Steele
Head of Content Heather Schuster
Executive Producer Stephanie Jenz
Advising Producers Luisa Beck Jorge Just
Producers Rachel Dickson
Bill Healy
Writers Rachel Dickson
Bill Healy
Editor Marianne McCune
Sound Design Julian Kwasneski
Associate Producer Sara Medlin
Image Credits * Cover photo: Danielle Scruggs * Navigation photos: Sara Medlin * Archival Images: Chicago History Museum * Lake Forest College Archives and Special Collections
Special Thanks Bill Ayers Julia Bachrach Dennis Cremin Anne Ford Kenan Heise Tony Macaluso Mary Morisette Bob O’Neill Tim Samuelson
Discover the historical struggle between Chicago and the river that helped shape it.
Starting Location N Michigan Ave. Bridge
Duration 1 hour, 5 minutes
Description The grand Chicago River winds through the Windy City creating some of the most beautiful urban vistas in America. But it hasn't always been such a pretty picture.
From the late 1800s until only about ten years ago, the river was used, abused, and practically ignored by the city. At its worst, the muck in the water was so bad that sections of the river actually caught fire. And yet, there would be no Chicago without this river. The Chicago River helped build this city even as the city almost destroyed it.
Join canoe guide, and Friends of the Chicago River staffer, Claire Synder on a journey through the river's history - from its early days of industrialization to the picturesque body of water it is today. You'll hear about the dark days when the water was filled with rats and garbage, and how the city tried to solve the problem of sewage with one of the greatest engineering feats of all time. You'll walk over and under Chicago's iconic bridges and travel back to the very beginning of the city. You'll meet a seasoned bridge tender and a longtime riverboat captain. You'll visit one of the city's oldest dive bars and a special city built right on the water's edge. You'll stroll along the beautiful banks and learn why the symbiotic relationship between Chicago and its river is so vital — and why it's so important that the city never turn it's back on the river again.
Tips & Hours * Download this Detour on wifi at a coffee shop or home base before heading to the start point -- download times are notoriously slow on the bridge. * This Detour goes up and down a fair number of steps. Wear your walking shoes! * This Detour is great any time, but the pre-dusk hours can be especially beautiful with sunset light flittering off all of the buildings. * Riverwalk’s high traffic season is May through October. Be ready for crowds!
Credits Narrator
Claire Snyder
Head of Content
Heather Schuster
Executive Producer
Stephanie Jenz
Producer
Meribah Knight
Advising Producer
Avi Glijansky
Editors
Lynn Levy Jorge Just
Associate Producer
Rachel Dickson
Production Assistant
Casey Hudetz
Sound Design
NoiseFloor
Music Direction
NoiseFloor
Devin Delaney
Stosh Tuszynski
Featured Voices
Bob Borgstrom
Garabed Damarjian
Claire Cahan
Image Credits
• Cover photo, Danielle Scruggs
• Navigation photos, Meribah Knight & Sara Medlin
Special Thanks
Joanne Dill McCormick Bridgehouse & Chicago River Museum Garabed Damarjian Chicago Department of Transportation Claire Cahan, Studio Gang Brian Muir, Alto Realty Sam Sianis The Billy Goat Tavern Michael Borgstrom, Wendella Boats
Crawl through the historic dive bars of Wicker Park and meet the people who have loved and lost in these dimly lit spaces.
Starting Location 1201 N Ashland Ave
Duration 1 hour, 15 minutes
Description Wicker Park is a neighborhood filled with stories - and there is no better place ot discover them than the historic bars and taverns that have been backdrops for so many.
In the 1940s, Simone de Beauvoir, a French philosopher, came to Wicker Park to visit novelist, Nelson Algren. Algren took her on a tour of the neighborhood and its bars so she could see the "real Chicago" where working class folks, card sharks, and hustlers shared stories and drinks. Nelson and Simone fell in love in Wicker Park, but theirs isn't the only love story to be found here. There are stories of love for community, for a cause, for music, and for the bartenders who serve up drinks in good time...and bad.
Join Liz Mason, manager of Wicker Park institution Quimby's Bookstore, on a journey that explores them all - and wash them down with a few drinks along the way.
You'll walk the streets the Polish American community called home in the 40's and 50's. You'll dip into a tavern where they rented apartments upstairs by the hour, and a beer garden where German immigrants could bring the whole family. You'll visit a community garden named after a drug addict and hear from writers and musicians and locals with tales of their own. And by the time you order your last drink, you'll know why Simone fell in love with this place, and the man who showed it to her.
Tips & Hours * This Detour is best between 4pm - Midnight. * On this Detour you'll stop at 5 of Wicker Park's best bars where you can have a drink while listening to additional content or take your earbuds out and chat with friends or locals. Plan to spend between 80 mins and 2 hours, depending on how much time you'd like to spend lingering in each bar. * Bring cash- all bars are cash only, and make sure to have your ID on you as most bars will card anyone who looks under the age of 65. * Both CVS and Rite Liquors have ATMs if you need to get cash along the way.
Credits Narrator
Liz Mason
Head of Content
Heather Schuster
Executive Producer
Stephanie Jenz
Advising Producer
Avi Glijansky
Writer
Paul Durica
Associate Producer
Sara Medlin
Production Assistant
Casey Hudetz
Sound Design
Julian Kwasneski
Connor Stock
Music Direction
Julian Kwasneski
Connor Stock
Featured Music
Whoopsie Daisy - The Coctails Working Holiday - The Coctails
Featured VoicesMary Wiesnewski Steve Albini Kathy Moseley Bill Savage Paul Durica Tim Kinsella
Image Credits
• Cover photo: Natalie O'Donnell
• Additional Photography: Danielle Scruggs
• Navigation photos: Sara Medlin Quotes from "The Man with the Golden Arm" Copyright, 1949 by Nelson Algren, used with permission
Special Thanks
Mark Greenberg Mary Wiesnewski Neil Olson, Donadio & Olson, Inc. Bill Savage Tim Kinsella Steve Albini The Staff and Patrons of Rite Liquors, Gold Star, Phyllis' Musical Inn, The Happy Village, and The Rainbo
Walk through London's former docklands and discover why the world's very first police force was founded in Wapping.
Starting Location 21 Brewhouse Lane
Duration 50 minutes
Description Today, Wapping may strike a first-time visitor as a quiet, cobblestoned corner of riverside London, with estate agents taking up most of the high street space. But, over 200 years ago, Wapping was the place where the world's very first police force was founded. Why and how did policing as we know it start right here?
Joz Joslin, a former marine police officer, will walk you through Wapping's criminal history while weaving in his personal stories of fighting crime on these very banks. He will show you the giant wharves and warehouses that formed the main entrance to London's trading routes and explain how this trading made the area wealthy. And where there's wealth, there's usually crime.
You'll discover how Wapping in the 1700s became the breeding ground for every type of thievery imaginable. Raise a pint in one of London's oldest pubs and hear about the botched escape attempt of a famous judge. Then walk to the river's edge to find out how one of the most notorious pirates of all time, Captain Kidd, met his grisly end on the shores below.
Tips & Hours * This tour is a moderate walk which includes some stairs. * The best time to walk this tour is any day from noon to sundown. During the tour, you’ll walk through a park, Wapping Rose Garden, which locks its gates at dusk. * St Patrick's Church is usually open, unless it is the site of a wedding or a funeral. * London weather is unpredictable so please bring an umbrella.
Credits Narrator
John “Joz” Joslin
Head of Content
Heather Schuster
Executive Producer
Kim Kantner
London Series Producer
Laurie Harris
Producer
Thomas Glasser
Editor
Connor Stock
Sound Design
Julian Kwasneski
Matt Strasser
Music Supervisor
Mikael Sandgren
Image Credits
• Cover photo: Sam Gordon
• Navigation photos: Thomas Glasser
The story of culinary hero Nat Fuller - an enslaved chef who hosted a "Reconciliation Feast" at the end of the Civil War.
Starting Location 102 Church St
Duration 1 hour
Description Local chef Kevin Mitchell takes you on a walk to recount the incredible story of one of Charleston's most important, but nearly forgotten, chefs — Nat fuller. In 1865, Nat was the greatest chef and restaurateur in all of Charleston. And he was also a slave. And as slavery ended, Nat hosted the first racially integrated meal in the city's history. He called it the Reconciliation Feast and his goal was to bring Charleston together to break bread and forge a new, more peaceful path. But how did a slave end up becoming Charleston's top restaurant owner and what was the impact of his feast?
Chef Kevin Mitchell is one of the men who, along with Professor David Shields, literally wrote the book on Nat Fuller — Nat fuller: From Slavery to Artistry — and was the head chef who helped revive Nat Fuller's amazing feast in Charleston. On this walk, Chef Mitchell will take you to some of the most pivotal stops in Nat Fuller's amazing life and tell you the story of this remarkable man as well as the story of reviving Nat's powerful feasts today.
You will see the place where Nat Fuller was bought and sold as a young boy and discover some of the hidden marks left all around Charleston by the enslaved people who helped build the city. You'll visit the vibrant city market where Nat bought the incredible ingredients he used to wow his dinner patrons. You'll see the building where the most important meal of the 19th century in Charleston, the Reconciliation Feast, was held as well as the restaurant that hosted the 150th anniversary revival of Nat's feast. And along the way, you'll even get a chance to taste a few delicious bites of Nat's story for yourself.
So come hungry, and let's break bread!
Tips & Hours * Because of the varying hours of the restaurants on the route, there are several windows during which it’s best taken to catch all the stops along the route while they’re open. Ideal times to take his tour are: Mondays and Tuesdays after 4pm; Wednesday - Saturday between 10:30 and 12:30pm or after 4pm. * This Detour has several stops where you may wish to purchase food: Normandy Farm Bakery, O-Bar Oyster House, Henry’s, and McCrady’s Tavern -- so bring your wallet and come hungry! * Because Charleston is a top food destination - many of its restaurants are very busy - especially during the spring and summer months! So if you have a little wait, please be patient or if you don’t care to wait, you can always listen to the content outside and then move on. * McCrady’s --our last stop-- is a fantastic, world-class restaurant and so it can often be very busy. If you’re able to, you may want to call ahead for a reservation.
Credits Narrator
'Kevin Mitchell
Head of Content
Heather Schuster
Executive Producers
Stacey Book
Avi Glijansky
Producer
Dominique Ferrari
Associate Producer
Christopher Hanson
Jasmine McLaurin
Sound Design Supervisor
Julian Kwasneski
Music Supervisor
Mikael Sandgren
Audio Post Production services by Bay Area Sound
Matthew Strasser
Meihui Qiao
Featured Voices
Professor David Shields Chef Benjamin Dennis Joseph McGill
Image Credits
• Cover Photo: Geno DiMaria
• Navigation Photos: Christopher Hanson
Special Thanks
Josetta and Edna Taylor @ Edna’s Lowcountry in Charleston’s City Market
Follow in the footsteps of Samuel Pepys, as he attempts to save the old city of London from the great fire of 1666.
Starting Location Byward Street
Duration 1 hour, 5 minutes
Description In 1666, a huge fire obliterated the old City of London. 80,000 people were left homeless. Property that would be worth billions now wwas reduced to rubble. Experience the whole thing with an eye-witness: Samuel Pepys, a confidant of King George, and the man who documented the events of this fire in his diary. English actor Kieron Jecchinis will bring Pepys words to life as you walk past the Tower of London and along the mighty river Thames. Hear how residents loaded their belongings into boats and leapt from the roofs of their flaming homes.
Explore this historic neighborhood of London as it was in 1666, and see the great Tower Bridge, and a little hidden gem of a pub built on the site of London's first coffee house. Discover in Pepys' own words how the people of London reacted to the fire, and how he tried to warn the Mayor and the King. He'll even tell you about the personal items he chose to save. And see how London rebuilt itself after the fire.
Tips & Hours * The ideal time to start this tour is between 10:00am- 5:00pm on weekdays. * The tour is lovely on weekends, but it’s possible one of the stops may be closed. * You're in London so bring a brolly and waterproof shoes just in case, and wrap up if it's winter! * Oh yes, and we're going back to 1666, so don't forget your imagination!
Credits Narrator
Kieron Jecchinis
Producer
Michael Harris
Series Producer
Laurie Harris
Head of Content
Heather Schuster
Executive Producer
Stacey Book
Sound Design supervisor
Julian Kwasneski
Music Supervisor
Mikael Sandgren
Audio Post Production services by Bay Area Sound
Matthew Strasser
Cameron Taylor
Image Credits
• Cover Photo: Sam Gordon
Retrace the footsteps of the men who led the secession movement in Charleston and find out how it and the Civil War began.
Starting Location 18 Tradd St
Duration 1 hour
Description When many Americans learn about the Civil War, they're told "The South seceded from the Union." But that's not entirely true. IT was South Carolina that seceded first. And it was Charleston itself that led the charge for South Carolina and the other Southern states that would follow suit.
What were the key events that lead to secession? And how did this picturesque city become the very "tip of the spear" for the secession movement in The South.
Professor Ed Ayers, has spent a great deal of his life studying the Civil War and searching for its causes. Join him on a journey to retrace the footsteps of the men who led the secession movement in Charleston. It's a part of the Civil War many people don't know — the story of what led a city to make the radical decision to secede from the very nation they had helped found.
Between iconic stops and views of beautiful historic homes and buildings, Ed will reveal the stories and individuals that spurred the secession movement. You'll stand on a street where men who helped found our nation in the Revolutionary War and men who would secede from those United States both congregated. You will hear the story of the chaotic and wild 1860 Democratic Convention that finally tipped the scales towards war. You'll discover the house where a British spy sent coded messages back to his homeland to warn them of the South's intentions. And, you'll stroll along Charleston's incredible harbor — the site of Fort Sumter and the battle that officially launched the American Civil War.
And as we understand more about the complicated and fraught times back then, perhaps we'll learn a bit more about our own political times today.
Tips & Hours * This Detour can be taken anytime, any day, but is best when started between 9am - 3pm Monday through Thursday to catch all the stops along the route while they’re open. * Charleston City Hall Hours: Monday through Friday 8:30am - 4:30pm (CLOSED during lunch 12 - 1pm). CLOSED on the weekends. * St. Michael’s Church Hours: Monday- Thursday 9:00 am-4:30 pm, Friday 9:00 am-3:00 pm Saturday 9:00-Noon (except during church functions). * With the stops included, this tour lasts approximately 1:00 to 1:30. * Charleston’s summer weather is very hot and humid -- so it’s always good to wear comfortable shoes and bring a bottle of water. (If you don’t, there are food and drink vendors and establishments along the route.)
Credits Narrator
Ed Ayers
Head of Content
Heather Schuster
Executive Producer
Avi Glijansky
Producer
Dominique Ferrari
Associate Producer
Christopher Hanson
Jasmine McLaurin
Sound Design Supervisor
Julian Kwasneski
Music Supervisor
Mikael Sandgren
Audio Post Production services by Bay Area Sound
• Matthew Strasser
• Andy Jung
Image Credits
• Cover Photo: Geno DiMaria
• Navigation Photos: Christopher Hanson
Crime novelist Matthew Pearl explores the murder that rocked this neighborhood and Boston's victorian elite.
Starting Location 1 Walnut St
Duration 55 minutes
Description Boston's Brahmins were the elite, educated, upper-class who put Boston on the map and it is difficult to understand Boston without understanding the Brahmins.
So when a fellow Brahmin was murdered in 1849 by one of their own, it exposed the competing ideologies beneath their blue blood surface. And it thrust this reserved Beacon Hill community into the national spotlight.
Walk these picturesque streets with Matthew Pearl, well-known author of historical thrillers in Boston, as he shares this murder mystery with you and explains what it tells us about Brahmin culture. Along the way, you will see one of the city's most notorious prisons, and visit the scene of the crime. And you'll discover why this case captured the imaginations of Victorian writers like Charles Dickens and Edgar Allen Poe. And understand why it continues to enthrall writers like Matthew to this day.
Tips & Hours * This Detour can be taken anytime, but is best on weekdays between 8:30 am - 4 pm so you arrive at the Museum of Medical History and Innovation when it is open. If you’re taking the tour on a Saturday or Sunday, don’t worry, you can still hear the whole story and see pictures from the inside of the museum. * The Museum of Medical History and Innovation is open Monday – Friday, 9 am - 5 pm year-round, and Saturday, 11 am - 5 pm April 16th through October 15th. * The Museum of Medical History and Innovation is community supported. Bring some cash if you’d like to leave a small donation to support them. * Wear comfortable shoes. Beacon Hill lives up to its name and can be a bit hilly. This route also includes some cobblestone streets.
Credits Narrator
Matthew Pearl
Head of Content
Heather Schuster
Executive Producer
Avi Glijansky
Producers
Lizzie Short JR Black
Associate Producer
Jasmine McLaurin
Sound Design Supervisor
Julian Kwasneski Music Supervisor Mikael Sandgren
Audio Post Production services by Bay Area Sound
• Costas Dafnis
• Matthew Strasser
Image Credits
• Cover Photo: Rachel Globe
• Navigation Photos: Lizzie Short
Special Thanks
Paul S. Russell, MD, Museum of Medical History and Innovation
Jennifer J. Roberts and ex-gangster Pat Nee take you to their 'hood' for a surprising story of growing up Black in Southie.
Starting Location 2 Farragut Rd
Duration 55 minutes
Description Southie-it's got a bit of a reputation. Gangsters, busing desgregation; but most of all, the type of close knit Irish community that gave rise to it all.
Although her family came here from Ireland in the 1800's, Jennifer J. Roberts looked different from almost everyone in this neighborhood. Though she never knew him, her grandfather was black.
In this Detour, Jennifer will show you Southie as only someone who knows it as both an insider and outsider can. She'll take you to a diner that's as quintessential Southie as it gets, and introduce you to the surrogate father who took her under his wing - the notorious criminal Irishman, Pat Nee.
As she shows you the most poignant places of her youth, where navigating identity in the racially charged era of the Boston Busing Crisis was a constant, you'll see how friends, enemies, and unlikely allies can be as much of a home as any house with a roof...Because people in Southie may seem a little rough around the edges, but they're always willing to lend a hand if you get into any trouble.
And by the end of the journey, you'll come to see that like Jennifer herself, South Boston isn't just one thing.
Tips & Hours * This Detour can be taken any day of the week at any time, but is best when started no later than 12pm so that you can visit the Galley Diner. * The Galley Diner closes at 2pm, so make sure you start the tour at least one hour before if you’d like to grab coffee or some hash there. Of course you can always hear the story outside if you’re there after hours.
Credits Narrators
Jennifer J. Roberts
Pat Nee
Head of Content
Heather Schuster
Executive Producers
Stacey Book
Avi Glijansky
Producers
JR Black
Tessa Khalaieff
Associate Producer
Jasmine McLaurin
Sound Design Supervisor
Julian Kwasneski
Music Supervisor
Mikael Sandgren
Audio Post Production services by Bay Area Sound
Dylan Peck
Colin Andrew Grant
Featured Voices
Paul Skudris
Image Credits
• Cover photo: Rachel Globe
• Navigation photos: JR Black Special Thanks Jennifer Roberts Pat Nee Paul Skudris The Galley Diner Francis L. Murphy Skating Rink
Discover D.C.'s signature sound, Go-Go, a beat that helped the U-Street Corridor overcome the devastation of the '68 riots.
Starting Location 1425 V St NW
Duration 1 hour
Map Image
Description Can music actually heal a city? Outside of D.C. few people even know the musical genre named "Go-Go," but in the nation's capitol this style of music is known as the heartbeat of DC. Like the Dixieland Jazz of New Orleans, Go-Go is a regional music that calls DC its home. And according to many, Go-Go is what brought the U-Street corridor back to life after it was nearly abandoned in the wake of the riots that followed the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr in 1968.
Beginning in the 70s with the Godfather of Go-Go, Chuck Brown, Go-Go brought the people of U-Street together to dance, build community, & find positive ways to organize around the issues of the day. And even though the music was seen as controversial - & even threatening - by authorities, it's positive legacy can still be felt.
Kevin "Kato" Hammond knows the story of Go-Go as well as anyone can. First as a fan, then as a member of one of its top acts, Little Benny & the Masters, & more recently as one of the its leading historians. Kato doesn't just credit Go-Go with helping to save U-Street - he credits it with saving him.
Join Kato on a tour down the area once famously known as Black Broadway. You'll visit the oldest black Catholic church in DC, meet the musicians and discover their music, and even grab a bite at Ben's Chili Bowl - one of D.C.'s most famous restaurants.
You'll learn the causes of the riots that devastated the neighborhood, why Go-go music is credited with helping start its recovery, and how the music is as controversial now as it was when Chuck Brown invented it.
Tips & Hours * This is Detour is best take Monday-Saturday between 10am and 6pm, and Sunday between 11am and 6pm, when most of the businesses along the route are open. * St. Augustine’s Chapel is not open on weekends, but you can listen to the content outside. * The Howard Theater is open from 10am-10pm on show days, and 12pm-7pm on days when they’re dark. You can check the theater’s schedule here. * Come hungry! This route stops at Ben’s Chili Bowl, one of the best places in D.C. for a great (and very affordable) bite to eat. * Bring cash if you’d like buy some Go-Go Music. The music store at the end of the route sells all sorts of Go-Go - from the bigger hits to rare live performances - but it’s cash only.
Credits Narrator: Kevin “Kato” Hammond
Head of Content: Heather Schuster
Executive Producers: Avi Glijansky , Stacey Book
Producers: Robert Novak, Belinda Eagan
Sound Design Supervisor: Julian Kwasneski
Music Supervisor: Mikael Sandgren
Music Clearance: Elizabeth Pepin Silva
Audio Post Production services by Bay Area Sound (Dylan Peck, Brendan Stock)
Featured Music
• "Roll Call" & "Body Moves" By Rare Essence Courtesy of Rare One Records
• "Southeast Anthem" & "Here We Go" Performed by DJ Flexx and Dirty Rico Courtesy of Baldhead Productions
• Big City Groove Performed by Ivan Goff
Featured Voices: Charles Stephenson, Andre ‘Whiteboy’ Johnson, Virginia Ali
Image Credits: Matt Fuller, Belinda Eagan
Special Thanks: Becky Marcus & Liaison Records, Take Me Out To The Go-Go Media, Ben’s Chili Bowl, Rare Essence, 9:30 Club, Howard Theater, Lincoln Theater, St. Augustine Church
Walk through the 'wilderness of mirrors' that is spycraft with a spy historian and a retired CIA Intelligence Officer.
Starting Location 1455 Pennsylvania Ave NW
Duration 1 hour
Map Image
Description Washington D.C. is the seat of national power and for years, its hotels, restaurants, and bars have hosted some of the most powerful men and women in the world. But D.C. is also the espionage capitol of the world. In fact, the FBI currently believes there are more foreign agents operating on American soil than during the Cold War.
What's it like to live in deep cover in the nation's capitol? How are agents recruited, and what would motivate someone to turn against their country?
Join Espionage Historian H. Keith Melton and Former Director of the Office of Technical Service for the CIA Robert Wallace - co-authors of the book Spy Sites of Washington D.C. - on a journey through the history spycraft in D.C. From the stirrings of the Cold War to the height of the Cuban Missile Crisis, and the realities of today, they'll show you how the technology and techniques of Spycraft have evolved -even as the most important weapon in any intelligence service's arsenal has remained its officers and agents.
Along the way, you'll visit restaurants and lounges frequented by those same officers and agents, discover the little-known origin or the Secret Service, see a restaurant booth where nuclear war was averted, and learn to spot potential foreign agents by their license plates.
Spycraft has been called "a wilderness of mirrors." It's time to venture into it see for yourself.
Tips & Hours * This Detour is best taken between 12pm-9:30pm any day of the week. Most of the bars/restaurants on this route stay open until at least 11pm each night, but if you want to be able to visit the Occidental Grill & Seafood you should plan to start no later than 8:30 pm since they close at 10:00pm (9:30pm on Sundays) * This Detour hits 5 bars where you can enjoy a drink, so keep that in mind when ordering. All the stops also have full menus if you’re hungry. * All the bars/restaurants on this Detour accept credit cards, but it’s never a bad idea to have some cash handy. * The Occidental’s main dining room is currently under construction, but you’re welcome to check out their upstairs lounge while listening to the story. Explore * Spy Sites of Washington, DC: A Guide to the Capital Region's Secret History
Credits Narrators:
H. Keith Melton
Robert Wallace
Head of Content
Heather Schuster
Executive Producer
Avi Glijansky
Producers
Robert Novak
Belinda Eagan
Associate Producer
Jasmine McLaurin
Sound Design Supervisor
Julian Kwasneski
Music Supervisor
Mikael Sandgren
Audio Post Production services by Bay Area Sound
• Dylan Peck
• Ross Hendler
Image Credits
• Cover Photo: Mike Marrotte
• Navigation Photos: Belinda Eagan
• Photo of Ames’ Post-It, Courtesy of H. Keith Melton
Special Thanks
• The staff of Bar Edgar and the Mayflower Hotel
Podcast Episode Contributing Volunteers
Kris L.
Starting Locations of All Detours
View Starting Locations Map
Celebrate the Founding Fathers by raising a glass or two in the historic pubs and taverns where the revolution was planned.
Starting Location 1 Fanneuil Hall Square
Duration 55 minutes
Description Boston is the birthplace of the American Revolution, and Faneuil Hall is known as the cradle of liberty because it's where the Founding Fathers rallied colonists to fight for independence.
Except that's not the only place the revolution was planned. Most people picture the Founding Fathers as men in powdered wigs giving speeches in fancy rooms, but often those "fancy rooms" were taverns, and the speeches were washed down with a pint...or two.
So how exactly did bars and alcohol help pave the way for American Independence?
That's a story not often told on the Freedom Trail, but it's exactly the one that Comedienne, Revolutionary War history buff, and cocktail aficionado Jenny Zigrino is going to share with you.
You'll follow the path of Paul Revere's midnight ride, toast in the bar where the Boston Ea Party was planned, try a modern version of the Founding Father's favorite drink - Fish House Punch - and meet a relatively unsung hero fo the American Revolution who could have been our first president.
So join Jenny, Paul Revere, and Sam Adams on the ultimate Patriotic Pub Crawl. By the time you're done you'll be toasting 'To the Revolution' also!
Tips & Hours * The ideal starting time for this Detour is between 12pm and 4pm, on any day of the week. Faneuil Hall closes at 4pm, and the Old North Church closes at 5pm. All bars on the tour are open after 11am and don’t close until after midnight. * You’ll be stopping at 3 bars along this Detour, with an option to add a 4th in nearby Charlestown. Remember to pace yourself, and if you get hungry, all bars have full menus as well. * All bars take credit or cash. * This Detour does not go inside the Old North Church but it is open to visitors. If you’d like go inside, consider bringing some cash as there’s an optional donation when entering. * This Detour ends with an option to travel the short distance by car to historic Warren Tavern in nearby Charlestown. If you don’t already have a Ride-Share app on your phone, you may want to download one before starting the Detour.
Credits Narrator
Jenny Zigrino
Head of Content
Heather Schuster
Executive Producer
Avi Glijansky
Producers
JR Black Tessa Khalaieff Associate Producer Jasmine McLaurin
Sound Design Supervisor
Julian Kwasneski
Music Supervisor
Mikael Sandgren
Audio Post Production services by Bay Area Sound
Kyle Randall
Dylan Peck
Additional Voices
JR Black Rob Crean Gary Petersen
Featured Music
A Ballad of Liberty and Laws Lyrics: Anonymous Arranged and Performed by: JR Black
Discover the incredible stories of the African-American women who led the fight against slavery.
Starting Location 60 S Russell St
Duration 50 minutes
Description In the 1800s, Beacon Hill was a bastion of anti-slavery activism and home to a thriving community of African Americans. The often unsung heroes of the abolitionist movement were the African-American women who lived here. In a time when women, black or white, were expected to be seen and not heard, these women rose up, spoke out, and fought for the freedom of their people. They were some of the fiercest fighters in the abolitionist movement and some of this nation's earliest feminists.
Reverend Irene Monroe, an African-American lesbian feminist activist minister, will share their stories. Along the way, you'll visit the oldest African American church in America, make a few stops on the Underground Railroad, and walk through hidden passageways that led self-emancipated people to safety.
Tips & Hours * This Detour can be taken anytime during daylight hours, any day of the week. * Wear your walking shoes. This Detour has some hills! * If it’s a hot day, bring a water bottle. * This Detour begins and ends within walking distance from both the Charles/MGH Station and the Park Street Station.
Credits Narrator
Irene Monroe
Head of Content
Heather Schuster
Executive Producer
Avi Glijansky
Producers
Annie Sinsabaugh
JR Black
Associate Producer
Jasmine McLaurin
Sound Design Supervisor
Julian Kwasneski Music Supervisor Mikael Sandgren
Audio Post Production services by Bay Area Sound
Kyle Randall
Brian Heater
Image Credits
• Cover Photo: Rachel Globe
• Navigation photos: Annie Sinsabaugh
Special Thanks
Museum of African American History
Local shop-owner Bobby Eustace takes you on a walk through the Italian traditions, stores, and food of the North End.
Starting Location 266 Hanover St
Duration 45 minutes
Description The North End of Boston is home to all kinds of multi-generational shops and restaurants that celebrate Italian heritage and culture in Boston. Twenty-six different Italian regions are represented within less than a square mile. But for 120 years, all these North Enders have shared Italian traditions and familial ties, which makes this neighborhood so much more than just another "Little Italy."
Bobby Eustace wasn't born into a multi-generational North End Italian family so acceptance into the neighborhood wasn't always easy. But his loyal boss who was also a father figure treated Bobby like family and left him his shop. And now, as the owner of Polcari's Coffee, Bobby proudly keeps the traditions - and the food - of the North End alive.
Walk through the North End with Bobby and meet some of his friends who also run multi-generational shops here. Along the way, you'll taste different regional cuisines, discover a panaterria down a hidden alley, and learn about the iconic Italian feasts still celebrated here today.
And best of all, Bobby will take you for his favorite cannoli on Hanover Street.
Tips & Hours * This Detour is best taken Monday-Saturday when all the stops on on the route are open. * Many of the shops on our way are cash only, so be sure to stop by an ATM before starting,
Credits Narrator
Bobby Eustace
Head of Content
Heather Schuster
Executive Producer
Avi Glijansky
Producers
Kathryn Farrelly JR Black
Associate Producer
Jasmine McLaurin
Sound Design Supervisor
Julian Kwasneski
Music Supervisor
Mikael Sandgren
Audio Post Production services by Bay Area Sound
Kyle Randall
Markus Zacharia
Featured Voices
Albie Alba Franko Susi
Image Credits
• Cover Photo: Rachel Globe
• Navigation Photos: Kathryn Farrelly, JR Black
Killing Lincoln was only part of the conspiracy-discover it all through the eyes of Booth's accomplice, George Atzerodt.
Starting Location H St NW
Duration 1 hour, 5 minutes
Map Image
Description Most people know the story: On April 15th, 1865, shortly after the Civil War ended, the actor John Wilkes Booth stormed into a reserved box at Ford's Theater in Washington D.C. and assassinated President Abraham Lincoln.
Except, that's not the whole story.
The truth was that in April of 1865 the Civil War hadn't fully ended. The Confederate forces had surrendered, but there were still soldiers who hadn't given up the fight. The state of the Union was fragile. The right flashpoint could reignite the war - or even topple the Union Government. And John Wilkes Booth had a plan to do just that, all in one perfectly coordinated minute. Booth wasn't just out to kill Lincoln. His was a conspiracy to cripple the Union government as well. And he wasn't acting alone.
George Atzerodt knows this because he was one of Booth's accomplices. Motivated as much - or more - by money as he was by ideology, Atzerodt plotted with Booth and a small gang to bring down the Union and save the Confederacy. Of course...only some of it went according to plan.
Join George as he takes you back in time to the months and weeks leading up to that fateful night at Ford's Theater. You'll meet the other conspirators and retrace their steps. You'll see the White House and the church where Abraham Lincoln prayed for an end to the civil war. And of course, you'll visit the scene of the crime. Ford's Theater.
John Wilkes Booth pulled the trigger, but step back in time and find out how many people were holding the gun.
Tips & Hours * This Detour can be taken anytime on any day of the week but is best before nightfall. * For a more atmospheric experience, plan to start this Detour in the late afternoon or early evening. Just make sure to start at least an hour before sunset as the alley behind Ford’s Theatre is too dark at night to be seen well. * This Detour does ends outside the Ford’s Theatre Historic Site, which also includes the Petersen Boarding House. The site is open daily from 9am - 4:30pm. If you’d like to add a visit after your Detour, plan on starting no later than 2pm.
Credits Narrator
George Atzerodt as played by Robb Padgett
Head of Content
Heather Schuster
Executive Producers
Stacey Book
Avi Glijansky
Producers
Robert Novak
Belinda Eagan
Associate Producer
Jasmine McLaurin
Sound Design Supervisor
Julian Kwasneski
Music Supervisor
Mikael Sandgren
Audio Post Production services by Bay Area Sound
• Dylan Peck
• Ross Hendler
Image Credits
• Cover Image: Mike Marrotte
• Archival Images courtesy of the Library of Congress
Special Thanks
The staff and park rangers of the Ford’s Theater Historical Site.
Podcast Episode Contributing Volunteers
Kris L.
Starting Locations of All Detours
View Starting Locations Map
Discover the story of Teddy Roosevelt - the "conservation President" - in a Park that wouldn't exist if it weren't for him.
Starting Location 1455 Pennsylvania Ave NW
Duration 1 hour
Map Image
Description When many people think of President Theodore Roosevelt, they picture the hard charging leader of the cavalry known as Roosevelt and the Rough Riders. They recall his famous saying about diplomacy; "speak softly, and carry a big stick" And maybe they remember seeing pictures of the 26th president with one of his many hunting trophies - a cheetah or a rhino.
But this legendary huntsman - who tracked and killed beasts from across the globe -was also a dedicated conservationist. In fact, during his presidency, Theodore Roosevelt came to be known as the "Conservation President."
Join Joe Wiegand, a Theodore Roosevelt historian and one of the country's leading Teddy Roosevelt reenactors, as he explores that seeming contradiction while exploring one of D.C.'s best kept secrets - the trails of Theodore Roosevelt Island.
You'll search for D.C's elusive black squirrel, uncover the ruins of a great mansion, learn about the political conspiracy that sought to keep Roosevelt powerless, and discover why, if it weren't for Theodore Roosevelt, this island refuge might not exist at all.
Tips & Hours * This Detour is best taken between 12pm-9:30pm any day of the week. Most of the bars/restaurants on this route stay open until at least 11pm each night, but if you want to be able to visit the Occidental Grill & Seafood you should plan to start no later than 8:30 pm since they close at 10:00pm (9:30pm on Sundays) * This Detour hits 5 bars where you can enjoy a drink, so keep that in mind when ordering. All the stops also have full menus if you’re hungry. * All the bars/restaurants on this Detour accept credit cards, but it’s never a bad idea to have some cash handy. * The Occidental’s main dining room is currently under construction, but you’re welcome to check out their upstairs lounge while listening to the story. Explore * Spy Sites of Washington, DC: A Guide to the Capital Region's Secret History
Credits Narrators:
H. Keith Melton Robert Wallace
Head of Content
Heather Schuster
Executive Producer
Avi Glijansky
Producers
Robert Novak
Belinda Eagan
Associate Producer
Jasmine McLaurin
Sound Design Supervisor
Julian Kwasneski
Music Supervisor
Mikael Sandgren
Audio Post Production services by Bay Area Sound
• Dylan Peck
• Ross Hendler
Image Credits
• Cover Photo: Mike Marrotte
• Navigation Photos: Belinda Eagan
• Photo of Ames’ Post-It, Courtesy of H. Keith Melton
Special Thanks
• The staff of Bar Edgar and the Mayflower Hotel
Podcast Episode Contributing Volunteers
Kris L.
Starting Locations of All Detours
View Starting Locations Map
US-born fine artist Allan West explains why the neighborhood of Yanaka is essential to his artistic and creative journey.
Starting Location 19-1 Nezu 2-Chōme
Duration 1 hour, 5 minutes
Description In 1987, US-born artist Allan West intended to visit Japan for a few weeks on a quest for the best paints ever made. But he wound up staying in Japan and has become a traditional Japanese nihonga painter whose work is showcased all over the country in Buddhist temples and kabuki stage sets. Allan will take you through his artistic neighborhood and explain the role it plays in his art. Along the way, you'll explore Yanaka's historic temples, check out the mineral shops where Allan buys his coveted paint supplies, and visit his studio where, if you're lucky, you'll catch him working right in front of you.
Tips & Hours * Bring sunscreen and water if it’s a hot day. * This detour is best taken between noon and 6pm, Tuesday through Saturday. * Kinkaido is closed on Sundays and national holidays. * EXPO is open from 12pm to 8pm, and is closed on Mondays. * Allan West Gallery is open from 1pm to 5pm.
Credits Narrators
Allan West
Contributing voices
Keiko Sugita Voiced by: Deirdre Ikeda
Tsunataka Konoike Voiced by: Cyrus Sentha
Setsuko Honma Voiced by: Reiko Harada
Head of Content
Heather Schuster
Executive Producer
Kim Kantner
Producer
Kaori Ikeda
Associate Producer
Maggie Clarke
Editor
Andy Jung
Sound Design
Matt Strasser
Sound Design Supervisor
Julian Kwasneski
Music Supervisor
Mikael Sandgren
Image Credits
• Cover photo: Humphrey Lena
• Navigation photos: Kaori Ikeda
• Call out photos: Allan West
• Archival Images: Allan West
A Cold War spy shares his story of the fascinating and terrifying battle of ideologies that once divided the world.
Starting Location View Google Map of Starting Location
Pariser Platz
Duration 1 hour, 45 minutes
Description When you think Cold War, you probably picture James Bond, spy glasses, missiles, and tall Russian blondes. But real spies know the Cold War era was a lot more secretive, edgy and risque than that. On this Detour, Nigel Dunkley, an intelligence gathering officer (i.e. "spy") will show you that the Cold War was a terrifying battle between the free, capitalist, and democratic world and the restrictive, communist, Soviet empire. And he'll also tell you some exciting spy stories.
Come see how Berlin became a microcosm of the Cold War: a city divided into East and West, capitalism and communism, Allies and Soviets. And you'll discover how spies navigated both sides — gathering information for regimes that turned this city into their political chessboard. If you look closely, you can see imprints of their moves everywhere — in the architecture, the cars, the cracks in the sidewalk, and the reflections in cafe windows. You just have to know where and how to look. Dunkley will take you back in time to the era of divided Berlin.
Along the way, you'll climb a Cold War watchtower, pull a few tricks to ditch a Stasi agent, and visit the sight of the famous Checkpoint Charlie.
Tips & Hours * This Detour can be taken anytime, any day. But is best when started between 11 am to 3 pm when all the stops along the route are open. * Bring some cash. You’ll want 10-15 Euro for the Detour, and often places in Berlin do not take credit. * Think of this walk as an easy urban hike, be ready for lots of walking. Wear comfortable shoes and layers if it is cold. * The Berlin Watchtower memorial is open daily from 11 am to 4 pm, and if the weather is good.
Credits Narrator
Nigel Dunkley
Executive Producer
Christopher Zitterbart
Associate Producers
Saskia Veigel
Eddie Chebbi
Luisa Beck
Head of Content
Heather Schuster
Executive Producer
Stacey Book
Step back to Berlin during WW2, and hear a story about the power of the human spirit to triumph over darkness.
Starting Location 33 Greifswalder Straße
Duration 2 hours
Description It's hard to imagine now that this neighborhood - Prenzlauer Berg - along with the rest of the beautiful, cosmopolitan city of Berlin, was the belly of the Nazi beast during World War II. But even as Hitler emptied this city of its Jews and dissidents there was a small, secret community hiding in plain sight. These rebels were called "the divers" because they were submerged in the Berlin Underground. And Vivien Orbach-Smith knew one of them very well. He was her father.
On this Detour, Vivien will take you into the world of her father Lothar Orbach as he came of age in Nazi Berlin. She'll share his incredible story of survival on the very streets where it happened. You'll follow his route of escape from the grips of the secret Nazi police, trace his hideouts on the neighborhood's rooftops, and visit one of the oldest and most fascinating jewish cemeteries in Berlin. Despite it arguably being the worst time and the worst place in modern history, you will discover Lothar's remarkable story of courage and resistance.
Tips & Hours * This Detour can be taken anytime, any day. But is best when started Monday to Thursday between 9.30 am and 2.30 pm or on Fridays between 9.30 am and 11.30am to be able to access the Jewish cemetery during open hours. * Bring 3 Euros in change. You will need it to buy a tram ticket. * Think of this walk as an easy urban hike. Wear comfortable shoes and layers. Be careful on the cemetery as the trees are very old and some branches might fall.
Credits Narrator
Vivien Orbach-Smith
Featured Voices
Richard Orbach Larry Orbach
Producer
Christopher Zitterbart
Associate Producers
Shlomit Lasky, Saskia Veigel, Luisa Beck
Head of Content
Heather Schuster
Executive Producers
Stacey Book
Executive Producer
watchmen productions Berlin
Sound Design Supervisor
Julian Kwasneski
Music Supervisor
Mikael Sandgren
Audio Engineer
ASK Julian / Brooklyn studio
Image Credits
• Cover Photo: Markus Müller • Narrator Portrait: Devin Curry
• Highlights Photos: Christopher Zitterbart
• Navigation Photos: Christopher Zitterbart Archive pictures:
• Personal archive Vivien Orbach-Smith
• Destroyed store interior Bundesarchiv, Bild 119-2671-06 / CC-BY-SA 3.0
• Destroyed store exterior Bundesarchiv, Bild 146-1970-083-42 / CC-BY-SA 3.0
• Destroyed store exterior Bundesarchiv, Bild 146-1972-033-39 / CC-BY-SA 3.0
• Destroyed store exterior Bundesarchiv, Bild 146-1970-083-44 / Friedrich, H. / CC-BY-SA 3.0
• Hitler Youth Bundesarchiv, B 145 Bild-P049456 / CC-BY-SA 3.0
• Hitler Youth flags Bundesarchiv, Bild 146-2004-0028 / Marmulla, L. / CC-BY-SA 3.0
• Destroyed Synagogue Bundesarchiv, Bild 147-1118 / CC-BY-SA 3.0
• Audio Footage from Screenocean "The Secret History: The Hidden Jews of Berlin"
Special Thanks
• Vivien Orbach Smith
• Ricky Orbach • Juliet Orbach • Jewish Community of Prenzlauer Berg • Felix Istratov • Shlomit Lasky • REWE • Martina Erdmann-Janisch • Kenny and the Buchbox Berlin Team • Ulrike Boettcher • Silent Heroes Memorial Center • Berlin • Peter Ebel
• The memoir YOUNG LOTHAR: AN UNDERGROUND FUGITIVE IN NAZI BERLIN (I.B. Tauris, summer 2017) can be purchased online or ordered in your favorite book store.
Explore the colorful area of Nakano with US expat Benjamin Boas, who learned Japanese through comic books and video games.
Starting Location 13 Nakano 4-Chōme
Duration 1 hour, 15 minutes
Description When Benjamin Boas got his hands on his father's Nintendo entertainment system at the age of four, he had no idea it would lead him from his home in Connecticut to Japan. But video games quickly sucked him into Japanese culture and ignited his passion to become fluent in Japanese. He went on to author a Japanese manga (comic book) and move to Japan. Walk the streets of Benjamin's Nakano neighborhood. Along the way, you'll check out a bookstore where his manga is sold, try the neighborhood's famous seven-layer swirl cone, and find out how big Nakano's anime subculture is today.
Tips & Hours * Bring sunscreen and water if it’s a hot day. * This detour is best taken between 11am and 6pm Monday to Saturday. * Most shops in Nakano Broadway are open from 12PM to 8pm * Kyle’s Good Finds is closed on Sundays.
Credits Narrators
Benjamin Boas
Contributing Voices
Kyle Sexton
Chika Aoyagi Voiced by: Reiko Harada
Mr. Ushiyama Voiced by: Ryan Drees
Head of Content
Heather Schuster
Executive Producer
Kim Kantner
Producer
Kaori Ikeda
Associate Producer
Maggie Clarke
Editor and Sound Design
Markus Zakaria
Sound Design Supervisor
Julian Kwasneski
Music Supervisor
Mikael Sandgren
Image Credits
• Cover photo: Humphrey Lena
• Navigation photos: Kaori Ikeda
Travel to the 1920's through a painter's eyes, and discover why the Golden era shined brightest in Charlottenburg.
Starting Location 29 Kurfürstendamm
Duration 1 hour, 35 minutes
Description For a young artist in 1919, Kurfürstendamm was the place to be. This turbulent avenue was filled with shops, hotels and restaurants, theatres and cinemas. High society, artists and intellectuals all lived here. Berlin in the 1920's was known for freedom, tolerance, and a legendarily open sexuality. And Kurfürstendamm was the centre of it all. Women ditched ankle-long dresses and wide-brimmed hats for bob haircuts, some even kissed and held hands while walking down the street.
Walk this neighborhood with Jeanne Mammen, a painter in Berlin's Golden 20's. She was in the middle of it all and used the Kurfürstendamm as a huge atelier. Actress Meret Becker will be her voice on this Detour, and take you back in time to discover inner artist circles, wild nightlife, and revolutionary ideas about sexuality. You'll see the spot where Marlene Dietrich performed, and visit the flat of silent film star Asta Nielsen. And you'll discover why the Golden 20's shined brighter here than anywhere else in Berlin.
Tips & Hours * This Detour can be taken anytime, any day. But it is best when started between 11am to 7pm when all the stops are open. * Bring some cash. You'll want 10 Euro for the Detour, and often places in Berlin do not take credit.
Credits Narrator
Meret Becker
Head of Content
Heather Schuster
Executive Producer
Stacey Book
Watchmen Productions GmbH
Producer
Nancy Biniadaki
Music Clearance
Elizabeth Pepin Silva
Featured Music
Wenn die beste Freundin - Marlene Dietrich, Margo Lion Das Lila Lied – Melinda Hughes / written by Mischa Spolianski (Pseudonym Arno Billing) and Kurt Schwabach The Lavender Song – Ute Lemper & Matrix Ensemble / written by Mischa Spolianski (Pseudonym Arno Billing) and Kurt Schwabach Audio Engineer Thomas "Enno" Nokielski
Image Credits
Cover Picture, Highlights: Nancy Biniadaki *Navigation Pictures: Saskia Veigel
Featured Artwork:
All featured artwork by Jeanne Mammen (© VG Bild-Kunst, Bonn): Photos © Förderverein der Jeanne-Mammen-Stiftung e.V., Berlin: "Berliner Straßenszene" n. d. [c. 1929], watercolor and pencil, (cat. rais. A 329). "Dirne auf grüner Couch" n. d. [ca. 1928], watercolor and pencil, (cat. rais. A 400). "Nutten" n. d. [ca. 1930], lithograph (asphalt print), (cat. rais. D 15 20/6). "Aschinger" n. d. [ca. 1926], watercolor and pencil, (cat. rais. A 204). "Freundinnen" for "Songs of Bilitis" n. d. [ca. 1928], lithograph, (cat. rais. D 19 P.A. 3). "Bei Kranzler" n. d. [c. 1929], watercolor and pencil, (cat. rais. A 321)
Photo © Berlinische Galerie: " Valeska Gert" n. d. [before 1929], oil on canvas, (cat. rais. G 11). Berlinische Galerie inv. no. BG-M 651/78.
Photos © Mathias Schormann:
- "Sie repräsentiert" n. d. [c. 1928], watercolor and pencil, (cat. rais. A 274).
- "Self Portrait" n. d. [ca. 1926], watercolor, [cat. rais. SB XII/24].
- „Verheissung eines Winters" 6.10.1975, oil and tinfoil on canvas, (cat. rais. G 295).
Archive Picture Josephine Baker in Berlin, Credit: ullstein bild - AKG
Special Thanks
Förderverein der Jeanne-Mammen-Stiftung e.V. – Cornelia Pastelak-Price Berlinische Galerie - Dr. Annelie Lütgens Katja Koblitz Dr. Claudia Schoppmann Pension Funk THE BAR
The heart of rebellion is always beating in the most exciting part of this city.
Starting Location 9 May-Ayim-Ufer
"The Red Globe" (a big red ball on a pole) on the River Spree, May-Ayim-Ufer 9 near Schlesisches Tor U-Bahn, Kreuzberg
Duration 1 hour 40 minutes
Description Amidst the ruins left by World War II, surrounded by River Spree and Berlin Wall, this isolated corner of Kreuzberg was for many young Germans an experimental living room, a testing ground for a different kind of life. Here was hedonism and hard-edged left-wing politics, freedom, protest, escape. Then, in 1989, the wall fell and everything changed - a forgotten district suddenly open.
Following train tracks and migration paths, through squatted streets and parties in the park, longtime Kreuzberg resident and radio producer Lorenz Rollhäuser walks you through the neighbourhood’s past and present, sharing the sights and sounds of Berlin’s proudly ungovernable district. And though the voices of ‘70s revolt sound a little quieter now, it remains a place of life and noise where space is claimed defiantly for the public good.
Kreuzberg will always remain on the city’s rebellious side, despised by some, loved by others. Find out why on a walk which takes in the famous Oberbaumbrücke, the infamous Görlitzer Park, and a legendary May Day celebration that certainly ended with fireworks.
Tips & Hours * Begin this Detour between noon and sunset any day. Avoid noon-2:00pm on Fridays (when the mosque you’ll visit gets busy for Friday prayer) and Saturdays after 4pm and Sundays (when the bookstore is closed). * Görlitzer Park is a well-known site for the illegal buying and selling of drugs. It is a perfectly safe place to explore, though we suggest that you avoid going alone at night. * A toilet is available at the beginning of this walk at Rio Grande restaurant, situated on the level below the “red globe”
Credits Host & Producer Lorenz Rollhäuser (http://rollhaeuser.de/) is a writer, radio producer and longtime Kreuzberg resident. His features have been broadcast on national radio and across Europe. When not to be found cycling through his beloved neighbourhood, he’s most likely traveling in Africa and Cuba.
Assistant Producer Phil Smith (about.me/pmcsmith) is a radio producer and musician from just south of Manchester, England. His DJ mixes and storytelling features appear on BBC radio and NTS Live. He loves cycling through this part of Berlin to meet Lorenz, but takes his sweet time repairing punctures.
Editor Aaron With
Interviews & Voice Over Artists Hans Otto’s words are re voiced by Martin Engler. Lisa Simon is played by Veronika Nowag-Jones. Jessica Ebert, Jörn Klare, Katharina Ratonde, Özcan Ayanoglu and Jimmy appear as themselves.
Discover the tunnels and secret meeting rooms of the Berlin rebels who cracked the Berlin Wall and plotted its downfall.
Starting Location 31 Gartenstraße
Duration 1 hour, 30 minutes
Description On this Detour you're going to walk through a wall. Not just any wall. The Berlin Wall, or the Iron Curtain, that separated Germany for 28 years. Some would say it didn't just divide Germany. In the minds of the people, it divided Europe and even the entire world.
Siegbert Schefke helped create a secret route to connect the two worlds. He was part of a growing rebellion, an uprising against the East German communist regime. Its rebel members defied the wall with a printing machine and the power of pictures to help influence public perception in Germany and around the globe.
On this Detour, Schefke will introduce you to people who risked their lives to fly, dig, and crawl out of communism. You'll trace the tunnels they spent months secretly digging just out of the reach of East German state security. You're going to see how a wall split a country, a city, and families in two, and how a group's single-minded determination eventually helped tear it down.
Tips & Hours * This Detour can be taken anytime, any day. But is best when started between 1pm to 5pm on Wednesday to Sunday, when all the stops along the route are open. * The Berlin Wall memorial is open daily from 8am to 10pm, but the viewing platform is closed Mondays. * Bring some cash. You’ll only need a few Euro for the Detour, but often places in Berlin do not take credit. * Think of this walk as an easy urban hike, be ready for lots of walking. Wear comfortable shoes and layers if it is cold.
Credits Narrator
Siegbert Schefke
Producer
Sabina Franke
Associate Producer and language editor
Luisa Beck
Associate Producer
Saskia Veigel
Head of Content
Heather Schuster
Executive Producers
Stacey Book
Executive producer
Watchmen productions Berlin, Christopher Zitterbart
Sound Design Supervisor
Julian Kwasneski
Music Supervisor
Mikael Sandgren
Audio Engineer
Philipp Nespital Thomas "Enno" Nokielski
Featured Voices
Christopher Zitterbart as Siegbert Scheffke
Susanne Häussler as Evelin Rudolph
Arne Fuhrmann as Joachim Rudolph
Image Credits
• Cover Picture: Markus Müller
• Highlight Pictures: Markus Müller and Christopher Zitterbart
• Navigation Photos: Sabina Franke and Christopher Zitterbart
• Featured Artwork: Frank Wiemann
• Archive pictures: Landesarchiv Berlin, F Rep. 290-02-15 Nr. 0265729 / Fotograf: Günter Schneider.
Explore this neighborhood in the evening, have a drink, and hear the story of a soul singer trapped here during the Cold War.
Starting Location 1 Kastanienallee
Duration 1 hour, 10 minutes
Description Before Prenzlauer Berg became chique, it was a refuge and sancutary for the world's edgiest performers. Beginning after World War II, it changed from a working class neighborhood in ruins into a mecca for music, misfits and nightlife, all centered around the local bars.
On this Detour, American musician and DJ Jeff Collier will take you to some of the best bars and tell you about the past and present of this remarkable East Berlin neighborhood. You'll journey back in time to the socialist era in the late 1960s, to meet the American musician named Etta Cameron and hear how both Jeff and Etta were trying to escape while also discovering themselves in the bars that serve the city's edgy beats, conversations, and drinks.
Along the way, you'll meet Berlin's creatives, groupies, street urchins, and all the beautiful flawed creatures in-between. You'll hear pining guitars, take in the musky smell of dimly lit rooms, and sip some drinks. It doesn't matter who you are. Everyone belongs here. Are you ready?
Tips & Hours * This Detour should be taken any time after 7pm, any day. * Bring some cash, most of the bars in this neighborhood do not take credit cards. We’ll point out an ATM at the start of the tour.
Credits Narrator
Jeff Collier
Producer
Eddie Chebbi
Co-Writer
Christopher Zitterbart
Script Editor
Rolf Roring
Head of Content
Heather Schuster
Executive Producer
Stacey Book Watchmen Productions GmbH
Sound Design Supervisor
Julian Kwasneski
Music Supervisor
Mikael Sandgren
Music Clearance
Elizabeth Pepin Silva
Audio Engineer
Philipp Nespital
Featured Music
Etta Cameron – Jungle City, USA T.A.S.S. – Snakedance Cavern of Anti-Matter – Tardis Cymbals
Featured Voices
Eddie Chebbi as Tolga Forta Joe Dilworth
Image Credits
• Cover Photo, highlights: Christopher Zitterbart
• Navigation photos: Eddie Chebbi
• Archival images: Etta Cameron and Manfred Krug, credit: Bundesarchiv Bild 183-J0325-0017-001 / Franke, Klaus / CC-BY-SA 3.0
Discover how neighbors and fans came together to save America's most iconic ballpark, even before the curse was broken.
Starting Location View Google Map of Starting Location
530 Commonwealth Ave
Duration 50 minutes
Description Fenway Park is neighborhood ballpark, but it was almost torn down in 1999. Since 1912, more than 100 years of baseball history has been written here as Red Sox fans have rooted on their team through the good years and the bad. But in the 1990's there was a push by team ownership to knock down the park. They said it was too old, it was falling apart, it was keeping the team from finally winning a World Series. So how was Fenway Park saved?
A grassroots organization named Save Fenway joined forces with a rookie councilman to protect the park from demolition.
Walk the streets around Fenway with Boston Native, life—long member of the Red Sox Nation, and Fenway Historian, Saul Wisnia. He'll share the story of how Fenway was saved, and why the ballpark is so important to this community.
Along the way, you'll check-out the Green Monster and other elements of the most iconic ballpark in the world. You'll grab a beer in one of the fans' favorite pubs and meet some of the vendors who have been part of the Fenway for generations. And you might even get to taste some of the best ballpark peanuts you've ever had.
Tips & Hours * This Detour can be taken anytime, but is most ideal on mornings or afternoons of non-game days. You can check the Red Sox schedule here. * Please be aware that on game days, much of Yawkey Way is only available to ticket holders, but you’ll still be able to listen to the tour and hear the entire story. * If you want a game day experience and don’t have tickets, go down to Landsdowne Street after the tour. That is where the Cask n Flagon is located and there are always several food vendors. * This an easy walk, but the neighborhood can be very busy, especially on game days. Please be aware of your surroundings and keep watch for cars and pedestrians. * Please be kind to Yankees fans. (optional)
Credits Narrator
Saul Wisnia
Head of Content
Heather Schuster
Executive Producer
Avi Glijansky
Producers
Keith Harrington JR Black
Associate Producer
Jasmine McLaurin
Sound Design SupervisorJ
ulian Kwasneski
Music Supervisor
Mikael Sandgren Audio Post Production services by Bay Area Sound
• Matthew Strasser
• Markus Zakaria
Featured Voices
Mike Ross
Richard Johnson
Bobby D’Angelo
Randy Dvinski
Image Credits
• Cover Photo: Rachel Globe
• Navigation Photos: Keith Harrington, JR Black
Special Thanks
Bill Nowlin
Nicky Jacobs
Jessamy Finet
Jack Fultz
Terry Kitchen
Gordon Edes
Gwen & Nate Harrington
Melissa Waterhouse
Jason Alpert-Wisnia
Dave Roberts
David Ortiz
Red Sox Nation
Nana Roni
Resident Masato Fujimoto tells you how Yanaka's 70 temples set the neighborhood apart from the rest of metropolitan Tokyo.
Starting Location 都道452号都道452号
Duration 1 hour
Description Narrator Masato Fujimoto, voiced by Cyrus Sethna, takes you through the town his family has called home for three generations and reveals the beauty and spirituality of this neighborhood. Along the way, you'll visit some of Tokyo's oldest temples, encounter some of Yanaka's famous alleyway cats, and step back in time as you walk through a historic shopping area.
Tips & Hours • Bring sunscreen and water if it’s a hot day.
• This detour is best taken between 10am and 6pm, Wednesday to Sunday.
• Suzuki Meat Shop is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.
• HAGISO is open from 8:00-10:30 and noon-9pm, every day.
Credits Narrator
Masato Fujimoto Voiced by: Cyrus Sethna
Contributing Voices
Shoshu Hirai Voiced by: Ryan Drees
Mr. Suzuki Voiced by: Barry Gjerde
Mr. Fukushima Voiced by: Bob Werley
Mr. Kajiwara Voiced by: Bill Sullivan
Head of Content
Heather Schuster
Executive Producer
Kim Kantner
Producer
Kaori Ikeda
Associate Producer
Maggie Clarke
Editor
Ross Hendler
Sound Design
Markus Zakaria
Sound Design Supervisor
Julian Kwasneski
Music Supervisor
Mikael Sandgren
Image Credits
• Cover photo: Humphrey Lena
• Navigation photos: Kaori Ikeda
• Archival Images: Masato Fujimoto
Walk the streets of this West Berlin neighborhood and discover the beating heart of music during the Cold War.
Starting Location 8 Nollendorfplatz
Duration 1 hour, 15 minutes
Description Ever wonder where artists like David Bowie, Iggy Pop and Nick Cave got their groove? This neighborhood certainly left a giant imprint on their sound. Schoneberg might look like a family friendly enclave now, but in the 80s you couldn't walk a block without stumbling past war ruins covered in graffiti, cheap studio space, smoke-filled bars and vinyl shops. On this walk, musician and producer Mark Reeder will take you to the bars, the squatted houses, and vinyl stores that made up this neighborhood and tell you how it shaped music from post-punk to the birth of techno. With his band "Die Unbekannten", which means "The Unknown", he was right in the center of it all.
Enter a West Berlin that was both a desert island in communist East Germany, and a paradise for the artists who yearned to be free, unpretentious and wild.
On this Detour, you'll hear the sounds that emerged from smokey studios and meet the creative geniuses who turned war ruins into a breeding ground for music legends.
Tips & Hours * This Detour can be taken anytime, any day. But is best when started between 12pm to 7pm from Monday to Saturday. * Bring some cash. You’ll want 10 Euro for the Detour, more if you want to buy some records, and often places in Berlin do not take credit.
Credits Narrator
Mark Reeder
Producer
Nancy Biniadaki
Associate Producers
Eddie Chebbi Luisa Beck
Head of Content
Heather Schuster
Executive Producer
Stacey Book
Executive Producers
Watchmen Productions Berlin Christopher Zitterbart
Sound Design Supervisor
Julian Kwasneski
Music Supervisor
Mikael Sandgren
Music Clearance
Elizabeth Pepin Silva
Featured Music
Ambient Music by Mark Reeder From her to eternity – Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds Against the Wall – Die Unbekannten Radio War – Die Unbekannten I will be your only one – Malaria! You hurt me – Shark Vegas Die Tödliche Doris - Tanz im Quadrat Die Tödliche Doris – 7 Tödliche Unfällle im Haushalt Kollaps - Einstürzende Neubauten 99 Luftballons – Nena
Featured Voices
Mark Reeder
Wolfgang Müller
Sascha Disselkamp
Image Credits
Cover Picture: Nancy Biniadaki Highlight Pictures: Nancy Biniadaki and Markus Müller Navigation Photos: Saskia Veigel Archival Images: Romy Haag and David Bowie, credit: ullstein bild - Henrik Gaard Material für Nachkriegszeit“ credit: Wolfgang Müller Winterfeldstraße Hof“, credit: Sascha Disselkamp Dschungel", credit: Esther Colton
Professor William Steele peels back the layers of Ueno Park and explores the battleground of 1868 Japanese Civil war.
Starting Location 1-60 Uenokoen
Duration 1 hour, 15 minutes
Description Ueno Park is one of Japan's most popular city parks, featuring an abundance of cherry blossom trees, stunning shrines, major museums, and a zoo. But most visitors aren't aware that Ueno was destroyed by civil war in 1868 and it became a total wasteland. On this tour, Professor Steele reveals how Shoguns and Samurais battled for control of Tokyo and who the winners and losers of that civil war were. Along the way, you'll learn how to heal pain with incense smoke at a Buddhist temple, get your fortune at a Shinto shrine, and understand Ueno's evolution from a scorched battlefield to the cultural and historical center it is today.
Tips & Hours * Bring sunscreen and water if it’s a hot day. * This detour is best taken between 10am and 3pm, every day of the week. Many temples close at 4:30. * Please have a few 100 Yen coins.
Credits Narrators
William Steele
Contributing voices.
Hidenobu Jinnai Voiced by: Cyrus Sethna
Yu Kishi Voiced by: Bill Sullivan
Head of Content
Heather Schuster
Executive Producer
Kim Kantner
Producer
Kaori Ikeda
Reiko Harada
Associate Producer
Maggie Clarke
Editor
Ross Hendler
Sound Design
Matt Strasser
Sound Design Supervisor
Julian Kwasneski
Music Supervisor
Mikael Sandgren
Image Credits
• Cover photo: Humphrey Lena
• Navigation photos: Kaori Ikeda
• Archival Images: William Steele, ICU Hachiro Yuasa Memorial Museum
Travel back to Germany's darkest time and uncover secret blueprints for the capital of the world.
Starting Location Unter den Linden
Duration 1 hour, 20 minutes
Description Berlin Mitte (or "center") was the brainchild of Albert Speer, Adolf Hitler's architect and perhaps his only friend. Speer was the mastermind behind Hitler's vision for the "Third Reich" and you can still see his imprint if you know where and how to look.
On this Detour, you'll travel back to Germany's darkest time and uncover Albert Speer's secret plans for nothing less than the capital of the whole world, Germania, right here in the center of Berlin. It was a project the likes of which the world had never seen before; it was an attempt to build a capital city to match the ambitions of its dictator. After the War, Speer claimed that he was innocent of the crimes committed during the Holocaust, and there were many people who believed him. But was it true?
To find out, join Wolfgang Schache, a Professor of architectural history who actually interviewed Albert Speer. Along the way, you'll see the Brandenburg gate, the Reichstag, the Soviet War Memorial, and the Holocaust Memorial. You'll step inside the Academy of Arts building and see the hidden spot where Speer and Hitler held their late night meetings. You'll even look behind the curtain that still hides secrets from this period and decide for yourself whether Albert Speer was a megalomaniac, a criminal, or both.
Tips & Hours * This Detour can be taken anytime, any day. But is best when started between 11am to 8pm when all the stops along the route are open. * Public Bathrooms can be found at the Academy of Arts and at the café opposite of the Reichstag. * Bring some cash. You’ll want 10 Euro for the Detour, and often places in Berlin do not take credit.
Credits Narrator
Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Schäche
Producer
Saskia Veigel
Associate Producer and language editor
Luisa Beck
Co-Writers
Peter Schubert
Christopher Zitterbart
Script Editor
Rolf Roring
Head of Content
Heather Schuster
Executive Producers
Stacey Book
Executive Producer
Watchmen Productions Berlin Christopher Zitterbart
Sound Design Supervisor
Julian Kwasneski
Music Supervisor
Mikael Sandgren
Come walk in the footsteps of the captive Africans that were brought to Savannah and forced to become slaves.
Starting Location 2 W River St
Duration 45 minutes
Description In 1733 James Oglethorpe founded the colony of Georgia and one of the rules he put forth was NO slavery.
But Oglethorpe's ban on slavery did not last. The economic benefits of slavery were just too enormous; whites could make 10 times the amount of money on a barrel of cotton because they didn't have to pay anyone to pick it. So by 1751, the captivity of Africans was made legal and Savannah became one of the biggest slave trading ports in the country.
Come walk with historian and African American studies Dr. Jamal Touré, and hear the story of the captive Africans who were unloaded from slave ships at the port on Savannah River. Follow the path these slaves were forced to walk towards City Hall, up Factors Walk, to the Clusky's Vaults where they were stored as they entered the complicated process of being bought and sold by whites.
Tips & Hours This tour can be taken at any time. Ideally during store hours (9am to 5pm) so you can explore some of the Art Galleries that are tightly connected to this story.
Credits Narrator
Jamal Touré
Head of Content
Heather Schuster
Executive Producer
Avi Glijansky
Producers
Dan Gilbert
Vince Cunningham
Associate Producer
John Brennan
Jasmine McLaurin
Sound Design Supervisor
Julian Kwasneski
Music Supervisor
Mikael Sandgren
Audio Post Production services by Bay Area Sound
Costas Dafnis
Markus Zakaria
Image Credits
• Cover Photo: Geno DiMaria
• Navigation Photos: John Brennan Avi Glijansky
Walk with Chinatown native Norman Fong to see how centuries of traditions have evolved in America’s largest Chinese community.
Starting Location 651 California St
Duration 1 hour, 10 minutes
Map Image
Description Stroll through Chinatown's lantern-lined streets and you'll taste delicious dim sum and freshly made fortune cookies. But to get a taste for the real Chinatown, you have to venture through its back alleys with someone who grew up here. On this Detour, Chinatown native Norman Fong will lead you out of the tourist traps and into the family businesses, ghost stories, and histories of segregation and assimilation that have made this neighborhood the largest and most vibrant Chinese community outside of China.
Along the way, Norman will take you into a Chinese-run mom-and-pop grocery to give you tips on how to cook on the cheap with the neighborhood's plentiful ingredients. You'll visit a glowing, incense-filled, sancuary and have your fortune told. You'll visit the alley where notable Chinatown gangster Shrimp Boy once had his headquarters, and hear about Norman's youthful run-ins with Chinatown gangs too. You'll go to a neighborhood hotel that stands for solidarity and see that laundry lines tell stories.
As a kid growing up in Chinatown, Norman wrestled with his identity and the pressure to reject his Chinese-American heritage. On this Detour, he'll show you all the things that make him embrace it today.
This Detour was produced in collaboration with KQED, public media for the Bay Area. Proceeds go to support KQED programming.
Tips & Hours * This Detour is best between 9:30 am - 3:30 pm on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays when all of the businesses along the route are open, but can be taken anytime, any day. Most of the stops are open until 6pm. * Note Spofford Alley is temporarily under construction until Nov. 2017 but is still fully accessible for that portion of the tour. * Come hungry. Chinatown is known for its food. * Bring some cash for a donation at the Tin How Temple, a Chinese coffee and bun, and any purchases at the Chinese herb shop or any of the other myriad of Chinatown stores along the way.
Credits Narrator
Norman Fong
Head of Content
Heather Schuster
Producer
Rachel Dornhelm
Producing Partner
KQED
Editors
Julia McEvoy, Luisa Beck
Sound Design
Julian Kwasneski
Music and Sound Direction
Chris Hoff
Featured Music
Shanghai Restoration Project, Tommy Guerrero, Tin Hat
Featured Voices
Peter Yamamoto
Image Credits
Cover photo, Brian Frank Navigation photos, Rachel Dornhelm
Archival audio
"The Fall of the I Hotel," courtesy of Curtis Choy and Chonk Moonhunter films; Glenn Hayashi; Third World News Bureau
Special Thanks
Betty Louie, Chinese Historical Society of America, Sue Lee, Superior Trading Company, Amy Chung, Curtis Choy and Chonk Moonhunter Films, Cameron House, Eugenie Chan, Chinatown YMCA, I Hotel, James Chan, Shanghai Restoration Project, Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory, Tin How Temple, Rick Evans
Podcast Episode Contributing Volunteers
Kris L.
Starting Locations of All Detours
View Starting Locations Map
Chef and beer sommelier Bong Gyun Son gives you a taste of Korean craft beer and barbeque in a traditional Hanok village.
Starting Location Jon-ro, Jong-ro
Duration 1 hour
Description By the end of the Korean War, approximately 80% of South Korea was destroyed and much of Seoul's history was lost. But what about the parts of the city that survived? Today, you'll discover a century-old Hanok village in lkseon dong, a hidden gem where history is found in the buildings and the beer. Join Bong Gyun Son, voiced by Sean Lim, a local resident and Korea's first ever beer sommelier, to learn the secrets of this village, eat some traditional Korean street food, and enjoy classic spicy Korean barbeque. Along the way, you'll hear how this former civil engineer became Korea's king of beer. Bottoms up!
Tips & Hours * This tour is best taken Tuesday to Sunday from 5pm- 10pm when all of the businesses are open. Most businesses are closed on Monday. * This is a drinking tour with Korean food so come hungry! * Eating and drinking everything suggested on this tour is completely optional, if you eat and drink everything we suggest it will cost roughly 90,000 won or 80.00 US$. All of the pubs and restaurants take Mastercard and Visa. * Tipping is not customary in South Korea.
Credits Narrators
Bong Kyun, Son Voiced by: Sean Lim
Contributing Voices
Han Ah,Park Voiced by: Janice Paik
Head of Content
Heather Schuster
Executive Producer
Kim Kantner
Producer
Jay Lee Kyu Ho, Lee
Associate Producer
Maggie Clarke
Writer
Hee Kyeong, Lee
Editor
Brian XX
Sound Design
Costas Davinas
Julian Kwasneski
Music Supervision
Mikael Sandgren
Image Credits
• Cover photo: Yong Dae Kim
• Navigation photos: Jay Lee , Kyuho Lee
• Call out photos: Jae Eun Lee
• Archival Images:
In a neighborhood in the midst of unprecedented change, what does it mean to belong?
Starting Location 2767 Mission St
Duration 55 minutes
Description Produced in partnership with KQED
Roberto Hernandez, the "Mayor of The Mission," takes you deep into the Mission with people who intimately love the neighborhood, but in very different ways. Roberto introduces you to all kinds 'locals': from tech-worker newcomers drawn to the neighborhood's buzz to Latinos who treasure the neighborhood's traditions. And as we travel, they all meet each other to ask: What does it mean to belong in a place in the midst of unprecedented change?
Along the way, you'll make an illegal left-hand turn with the coolest low-riders rolling the 24th Street. You'll visit a controversial new restaurant and eat hot hand-pressed tortillas at the neighborhood's staple Mexicatessen. You'll see a mmillion dollar condo and a house for sale for $9,000. You'll hear the conga drums of Cranaval, decode neighborhood murals, and stop into a backyard patio full of tech workers writing code for start-ups they hope will be the next Uber or Airbnb.
By the end of this Detour, you'll understand why change agents and preservationists alike celebrate the Mission's sense of place and want to belong there — and that a statement like "I belong" can mean two different things. As Roberto will tell you, "If you're saying it to yourself, it's empowering. But if you're saying it to someone else, it can mean: You don't belong. And who gets to belong, that is a real emotional topic around here."
[Note from Detour - The Unofficial Podcast: if you enjoy this Detour, please consider making a donation to KQED at https://www.kqed.org/support.]
Tips & Hours * This Detour is best between noon - 4pm when all of the businesses along the route are open, but this walk can be taken anytime during the day. * Most of the stops are open until 8pm. If you want to eat at the delicious Mexicatessen at the end, be sure to start the walk before 4:30 Monday - Saturday and before 3:30 on Sundays. * Come hungry. This walk stops at a bakery and ends at a delicious Mexicatessen. * Bring some cash for snacks along the way and an optional donation at an after-school program and community mural arts studio.
Credits Narrator
Roberto Hernandez
Producer
Julia Scott
Producing Partner
KQED
Editors
Julia McEvoy, Luisa Beck
Sound Design
Julian Kwasneski
Music Direction
Chris Hoff
Featured Music
Diana Gameros, Tommy Guerrero, John Vanderslice
Featured Voices
Carlos ‘Kookie’ Gonzalez, Ana Diosdado, Susan Cervantes, Jaime Maldonado, Karina van Schaardenburg, Tim Hwang
Image Credits
Cover photo Brian Frank
Navigation photos
Julia Scott & Luisa Beck
Special Thanks
Precita Eyes Muralists, Ron Mullick, Haus Coffee, Susana Rojas, Mission Girls, Terry Passion, La Palma Mexicatessen, Evan Bloom & Leo Beckerman, Wise Sons Deli, Georgiana Hernandez & Alexis Terrazas, El Tecolote, Accion Latina, Eliseana Hernandez, Luis Gutierrez, La Reyna Bakery, Diana Gameros, John Vanderslice, Andrew McKinley, Adobe Books, Arturo Felix, Casa Lucas Market, KPOO Radio, especially CJ (archival tape of Chata Gutierrez)
Surf’s up in the Richmond as “Arne” Jin An Wong guides you along Ocean Beach and the radical culture that once surfed there.
Starting Location 4634 Cabrillo St
Duration 40 minutes
Map Image
Description The Richmond's surf culture is nothing like The Beach Boys, exploding during the 60's alongside the summer of love. Among these early surfers was Arne Wong, a Chinese high school kid who stuck out in the predominantly white community —until he found his place with the surfers and changed his life forever. With them, it didn't matter what race you were, it only mattered if you surfed. But as the sport of surfing and the rules of the beach changed, the community disbanded, until Arne brought the gang back together forty years later.
Tips & Hours * Bring a jacket and hat as it can get very windy on the beach. Wear shoes you are comfortable wearing on the sand. * Bring sunscreen and water if it’s a hot day. * Bring a couple of quarters to use in a binocular viewing post to see beautiful landscapes. * This tour is best enjoyed during daylight hours. * Kawika's Ocean Beach Deli open everyday from 8am-7:30pm. * Wise Surfboards open Monday through Friday 10am-6pm and Saturday & Sunday 9am-6pm. * Beach Chalet open Monday through Thursday 9am-10pm, Friday 9am-11pm, and Saturday 8am-11pm; Sunday 8am-10pm. * This tour is a moderate walk which includes walking on the sand on the beach. * There are no steep inclines, but several short stair cases.
Credits Narrator
Jin An “Arne” Wong
Contributing Voices
Bob Wise Carol Schuldt aka Mama Beach
Head of Content
Heather Schuster
Executive Producer
Kim Kantner
Producer
Megan Peterson
Associate Producer
Adriana Franco
Music Supervision
Mikael Sandgren
Editor
Costas Dafnis
Sound Design
Julian Kwasneski
Image Credits
• Cover photo: Stan Pechner
• Navigation photos: Adriana Franco *Archival photos: Rick Valera, San Francisco History Center, San Francisco Public Library
Special Thanks
Woody LaBounty Western Neighborhoods Project
Podcast Episode Contributing Volunteers
Kris L.
Starting Locations of All Detours
View Map
Join Marie Harrison on her fight against a major power company to save her community and San Francisco’s wetlands.
Starting Location 1 Hare St
Duration 35 minutes
Detour Route Image
Description When Marie Harrison's grandson gets ill, she begins investigating the environmental toxins that seem to be causing it. Her personal crusade to get the neighborhood cleaned up turns into the beginnings of reclaiming San Francisco's wetlands where 70% of the migratory birds land, and a brand new EcoCenter and park at Heron's Head.
Tips & Hours * This tour includes a steep downhill walk. * Wear comfortable walking shoes. * This tour is best when the EcoCenter is open as they will provide binoculars for you to go birdwatching. * We recommend starting this tour before 2:30pm to ensure The EcoCenter will be open. * The EcoCenter is open Wednesday through Saturday from 9:30am-3:30pm. * There may be construction happening in this area so be extra careful crossing streets.
Credits Narrator
Marie Harrison
Contributing Voices
Mavis Williams Nathan John Susie Wasserstrom
Head of Content
Heather Schuster
Executive Producer
Kim Kantner
Producer
Megan Peterson
Associate Producer
Adriana Franco
Editor
Costas Dafnis
Music Supervision
Mikael Sandgren
Sound Design
Julian Kwasneski
Image Credits
• Cover photo: Stan Pechner
• Navigation photos: Adriana Franco Archival photos: Chris Carlsson
Special Thanks
Marie Harrison Bradley Angel Green Action NOW Hunter’s Point Allegra Madsen Susie Wasserstrom Mallory Johnson; Bay.org Bill Carpenter
Podcast Episode Contributing Volunteers
Kris L.
Starting Locations of All Detours
View Starting Locations Map
Explore Savannah's wild history of prohibition, from the 1700s to today — and sip a few cocktails while you do.
Starting Location 325 E Factors Walk
Duration 1 hour, 10 minutes
Description These days in Savannah you can drink just about anywhere, even while taking a stroll through one of its lovely squares or historic downtown streets. But it wasn't always like this. Starting with the founding of the colony by James Oglethorpe in 1733, there's always been a back and forth between Drys - people who want to ban alcohol, and wets - the people who will always fight to keep that from happening. In fact, Prohibition came to Georgia a full 13 years before the 18th amendment outlawed booze nation-wide.
But the good, liquor loving people of Savannah have never been ones to take being told what they can and can't drink lying down. That's why, perhaps more than any other city, Savannah has one of the wildest prohibition stories of all. And why during the years of national Prohibition others came to Savannah for their quality bootlegged hooch, and to learn how to fool the feds.
And the story didn't end with the repeal of Prohibition in 1933. Facing restrictive Blue Laws in the 50s that limited when and how Alcohol could be sold, a whole new generation of bar owners took inspiration from the speakeasies and bootleggers of the 20s and kept the drinks flowing.
Kim Locovozzi knows the boozy history of Savannah well. His father was one of those bar owners and Kim grew up learning all about the history and culture of drinking in Savannah. Join him for a night (or day) out to explore Prohibition in Savannah, taking advantage of the city's current open container policy along the way. You'll visit two of the oldest bars in the city, discover the hidden tunnels used to smuggle bootlegged liquor, and end the night with a prohibition-era, off the menu cocktail at a bar that's just like stepping back into a speakeasy.
Tips & Hours * This Detour can be taken Monday-Saturday between the hours of 11am and 11pm, but be aware that not all the bars are open that early. A full list of hours is below. * We recommend starting this Detour around happy hour when all the bars are open, there are deals on drinks, and the bars are less crowded. * There are 5 historical Bars on this tour. Please have fun and drink responsibly! * This an easy walk, but Bay St. and Broad St can be very busy. Please be aware of your surroundings and keep watch for cars and pedestrians. * The Pirates' House Sunday-Thursday: 11am–9:30PM, Friday-Saturday: 11am-10pm * Abe's on Lincoln Sunday: Closed, Monday-Saturday: 4pm–3am * The Olde Pink House Sunday-Monday: 5pm-10:30pm, Tuesday-Thursday: 11am–2:30pm, 5pm–10:30pm, Friday-Saturday: 11AM–2:30pm, 5–11pm * Tondee's Tavern Sunday-Thursday: 11am-10pm, Friday - Saturday: 11am-12am * The Alley Cat Lounge Sunday: Closed, Monday-Thursday: 5pm-1am, Friday-Saturday: 5pm-2am
Credits Narrator
Kim Locovozzi
Head of Content
Heather Schuster
Executive Producer
Avi Glijansky
Producers
Dan Gilbert
Vince Cunningham
Associate Producer
John Brennan
Jasmine McLaurin
Sound Design Supervisor
Julian Kwasneski
Music Supervisor
Mikael Sandgren
Audio Post Production services by Bay Area Sound
Costas Dafnis
Markus Zakaria
Image Credits
• Cover Photo: Geno DiMaria
• Navigation Photos: John Brennan, Avi Glijansky
Special Thanks
Willy and the staff of Tondee’s Tavern Pila and the staff of the Alley Cat Lounge
Drink and think your way through North Beach with Jack Kerouac and the poets of the Beat Generation in 1950s San Francisco.
Starting Location 2 Jack Kerouac Alley
Duration 1 hour, 45 minutes
Map Image
Description Jack Kerouac, Allen Ginsberg and many of the writers of the Beat Generation started a revolution in San Francisco. Hear how and why while you tumble in and out of the same bars, cafes and bookstores they did.
When the poets and novelists of the Beat Generation first found San Francisco, most were nobodies. A bunch of working class guys with poetry in their pockets and an intense desire to break free from the oppressive norms of the 1950s. But within a few years, they had changed this City - and this country - forever.
Kerouac and Ginsberg and a lot of the Beat writers are gone now. But they really did leave their hearts here. Walk in their footsteps through North Beach, ride a cable car to their homes, and feel them pulling you into their "living rooms." Listen to their words and look back at 1950s San Francisco with people who actually lived it: poets Lawrence Ferlinghetti, Michael McClure and Joanne Kyger.
Tips & Hours * This Detour can be taken any day of the week. The essential stops are open until at least 10pm and every hour has its own magic. * You’ll need about $12 to take full advantage of this tour - $7 in cash for a cable car ride (unless you already have a ticket or clipper card) and about $5 for an espresso and tip Vesuvio café. * Also, it’s hard to predict when the cable cars will be packed. Don’t be deterred if a full one passes you up -- another will come by! * It's nice to take your time on this Detour. If that's your plan, just make sure you leave more than the minimum hour and a half.
Credits Narrator & Producer
Ninna Gaensler-Debs is a writer, radio producer, and enthusiastic punner. She is the founder of Litography, an online magazine mapping the Bay Area's literary culture in audio, print, and illustrations. Ninna also works at KALW doing a lot of different things including but not limited to telling stories, producing stories, playing on social media, and planning live events.
Producer & Editor
Marianne McCune
Interviews
Lawrence Ferlinghetti, poet and co-founder of CityLights Booksellers and Publishers; Michael McClure, Beat poet and playwright; Joanne Kyger, poet; Dennis McNally, historian and author Desolate Angel: Jack Kerouac, The Beat Generation, and America
Photography
Brian L. Frank
Special Thanks
To the many Beat historians and to the Beat Museum for the wealth of information they have collectively amassed since the Beats hit San Francisco.
Podcast Episode Contributing Volunteers
Kris L.
Starting Locations of All Detours
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Seismologist Julian Lozos guides you through Bernal’s bedrock community, revealing how this area survived two earthquakes.
Starting Location 401 Cortland Ave
Duration 35 minutes
Description San Francisco is a geologically messy city built on sand, landfill and bedrock, and sits squarely between two of California's major faults: the San Andreas and the Hayward. So when artist-musician turned seismologist Julian Lozos moved to the city, he found a place in Bernal, which is built on bedrock. In exploring and studying his new neighborhood he discovered that it's one of the few places in the city with exposed bedrock. He also came to appreciate Bernal's earthquake history, and loves the amazing views from the top of Bernal Hill that reveal how the Bay Area's landscape has been shaped by faults. And while no scientist can predict earthquakes, Dr. Lozos believes properly preparing for an earthquake can help alleviate our fear of them.
Tips & Hours * Wear sturdy shoes with good tread. * Bring a jacket as it can get very windy at the top of Bernal Hill. * This scenic Detour is best enjoyed during daylight hours. * This is an advanced walk which includes steep inclines and a steep downhill dirt path. * Bernal Heights Park is a dog friendly park so feel free to bring your fluffy friend.
Credits Narrator
Julian C. Lozos
Head of Content
Heather Schuster
Executive Producer
Kim Kantner
Producer
Megan Peterson
Associate Producer
Adriana Franco
Editor
Connor Stock
Sound Design
Julian Kwasneski
Costas Dafnis
Music Supervision
Mikael Sandgren
Image Credits
• Cover photo: Stan Pechner
• Navigation photos: Adriana Franco
• Archival Images: Library of Congress Online Archive of California
Special Thanks
Bernal History Project Vicky Walker
Wonder how the Castro changed the world? Walk with neighborhood hero Cleve Jones through the gay rights revolution.
Starting Location View Google Map of Starting Location
Harvey Milk Civil Rights Academy, The Castro
4235 19th St, San Francisco, CA 94114
Duration 1 hour 30 minutes
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Description Maybe you’ve seen Milk, that Sean Penn movie about Harvey Milk and the gay rights movement in the Castro? Cleve Jones is the adorable, curly-headed kid (played by Emile Hirsch). But the real Cleve Jones, in his 60s and still living in the Castro, is a hundred times more compelling.
Imagine walking through the Castro with a key figure in almost every twist and turn of San Francisco’s historic fight for gay rights. Cleve helped Harvey Milk get elected when no other openly gay man had succeeded in California. After Milk was killed, Cleve inherited his famous bullhorn and used it to lead some of the most impassioned marches in gay history. That quilt you might have heard of, honoring lives lost to AIDS, that grew large enough to blanket the entire National Mall in Washington DC? Cleve Jones started it.
Walk in Cleve’s shoes through the Castro and you know everyone (the regulars at his local bar, the admiring girl behind the counter at Hot Cookie), you’ve seen everything (a party in every building, a protest on every corner, the death of a friend from AIDS on every block). You’ll walk along gorgeous side streets and up and down the Castro’s main drag, with its racy underwear shops and neighborhood bars. And all along the way, Cleve will tell you how his own story is interwoven with a movement that changed the world.
Tips & Hours * You can take this Detour any day of the week but it is best between 11am - 7pm Monday through Saturday, and noon - 5pm on Sundays, when all of the stops are open. * Wear your walking shoes. This walk has some hills!
Credits Narrator Cleve Jones is a human rights activist, author and lecturer who joined the gay liberation movement in San Francisco in the early 1970s.
Producer Marianne McCune
Editors Jorge Just, Ben Adair, Juliet Hinely
Sound Design Andrew Roth
Music Galen Huckins Sylvester
Featured Voices Emily Palmer, Hot Cookie; brief encounters with Armistead Maupin (author Tales of the City) and other neighbors
Archival Audio GLBT History Museum, NBC News
Image Credits Cover photo, Marianne McCune
Navigation photos, Brian Frank & Juliet Hinely
Special Thanks Cleve Jones, Harvey Milk, the GLBT History Museum and Archives, Human Rights Campaign, The Mix, Cliff’s Variety.
Podcast Episode Contributing Volunteers
Kris L.
Starting Locations of All Detours
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The Black Panthers changed the world. But will anyone in their home neighborhood remember?
Starting Location 915 54th St
Duration 50 minutes
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Description The Black Panther Party for Self Defense changed the world with its militant expression of Black Pride and empowerment. This Detour will walk you through North Oakland's small Santa Fe neighborhood, where two college kids started a movement that fed pancakes to hungry kids, gave legal assistance to families, and carried enough guns to get them labeled "the greatest domestic threat to American National Security."
On this Detour, you'll visit the intersection where the Black Panthers became the first crossing guards to carry shotguns. You'll flip through their favorite quotes from Chairman Mao, eat sweet potato pie baked at the site of their national headquarters, and hear directly from original Panthers like Emory Douglas and Bobby Seale. Plus you'll get a first hand look at the fruits of the Panthers' legacy--the modern day activists carrying on in their footsteps--and the economic forces that might wipe that legacy away.
Best of all, this Detour is set to the beat of the Black Panthers house band, an incredible group of Oakland musicians called The Lumpen.
Tips & Hours * You can take this Detour any day of the week, but it is best between 9am - 5pm when the bakery is open. * Five dollars will buy you a small sweet potato pie near the end of the tour… and if you have any books you’ve been itching to donate, there will be opportunities to do so along the way. * Keep your eyes and ears open while on the tour. Sometimes North Oakland can be an unpredictable place. * You’ll have the opportunity to roll up your sleeves and do some raspberry picking – bring appropriate pants/shoes, if that sounds enticing.
Credits Narrator:
Davin A. Thompson (Do D.A.T.) is an emcee, educator, event host, and Oakland native.
Other Voices:
Bobby Seale, Emory Douglas, Huey P. Newton, Kemba Shakur, Max Cadji, Arsema Tedros
Music:
The Lumpen
Production Team:
Writer/Producer: Jason Jakaitis Reporter/Co-Producer: Mwende Hahesy Engineer & Sound Designer: Ian Davis (id) Editor: Jorge Just Mixing & Mastering: Julian Kwasneski Production Manager: Juliet Hinely
Archival
Archival Materials courtesy of Pacifica Radio Archives, California Newsreel
Thanks
Thanks to Max Cadji, Bill Calhoun, Alex Cherian, Antoine Davis, Brian DeShazor, Emeryville School District, Puppy Time Security Dog, It’s All Good Bakery, Toveo Hill, Billy X Jennings, Marcus Books, Cornelius Moore, Frances Moore, Phat Beets Produce, Urban Releaf, Ricky Vincent, Nate Williams, Luisa Beck, Avery Trufelman, James Calhoun, and Heather Rafferty
Podcast Episode Contributing Volunteers
Kris L.
Starting Locations of All Detours
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25,000 years of history in 25 (or so) blocks, with the author of Cool Gray City of Love.
Starting Location
600 Montgomery St
Duration 2 hours
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Description Join best-selling author Gary Kamiya on a rollicking (and stunning) walk through 25,000 years of San Francisco history. As you follow Gary’s path forward in time, you’ll hide from mammoths and walk in the soft footsteps of the area’s first humans. You’ll watch Chinese immigrants play cards in an historic square, then go back in time to meet the ‘Father of San Francisco,’ the first guy to build a house there.
You'll wander through the flea-bitten, forgotten outpost that, when the Gold Rush hit, became the crazy, instant city of San Francisco. You’ll feel your feet sinking into the muddy streets and hear the soundscape of the time. Prostitutes will beckon to you from shadowy corners, gunshots will make you jump. You’ll learn the Turkey Trot.
And then, you’ll emerge into the sunlight of Telegraph Hill (and the 20th century). A tasty Italian sandwich in North Beach; Coit Tower framed by a narrow alley and then a visit to the WPA-era paintings inside. And all along the way, you’ll meet the waves of newcomers who’ve made and remade this city, decade after decade, and gain a deeper understanding of how this fabled city became what it is.
Tips & Hours * This Detour is best between 9am - 4pm, but is also beautiful at night and can be taken in the evening if stopping at Molinari's Deli isn't a priority. If you want to see the gamblers of Portsmouth Square in action, best to take this walk in the afternoon. * Bring some cash or a credit card for a quintessential Italian deli.
Credits Narrator and Writer Writer, San Francisco Chronicle columnist and San Francisco Magazine editor Gary Kamiya has been wandering the streets of his city for four decades but, a few years ago, he started doing it obsessively. He set out to learn every street, hill, vacant lot and obscure by-way in town – partly for his best-selling book, Cool Gray City of Love: 49 Views of San Francisco, and partly to quench his desire to understand this place that he, like so many other wanderers, has made his home.
Producer and Editor Marianne McCune
Sound Design and Mix Andrew Roth
Music Composition Alex Mandel
Musicians Alex Mandel, Dominic Glynn, Timothy Twiss, Gary Keep, Joan Wilson Rueter
Podcast Episode Contributing Volunteers
Kris L.
Starting Locations of All Detours
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Discover the sights and sounds of Hondae's art, and music scene with artist and local university graduate Han Byul Jang.
Starting Location Wausan-ro 22-gil
Duration 1 hour, 5 minutes
Description Hongik University's famous art and architecture programs, led by university graduate Han Byul Jang, voiced by Alec Cho. Jang graduated with a degree in oriental painting and he creates installation art—his first piece was done in the halls of the university and still exists there today. Discover how students and graduates spray-paint the walls, showcase their work in galleries, sing in clubs, and design many of the high-rise buildings that make up Hongdae. Jang will show you how the neighborhood is a blank canvas and musical playground for students and other young people to fulfill their artistic dreams. Along the way, you'll check out a variety of street art, explore an art gallery/cafe with an eclectic art collection, and discover the art of serving tea.
Tips & Hours * Bring sunscreen and water if it’s a hot day. * This tour can be taken from any day of the week from 11am - 10pm. But it is best taken between 6pm- 10pm when the music clubs are open. * Wear comfortable shoes and have some cash for drinks and snacks. * This tour ends at one of Hongdae’s favorite Korean tea houses, which takes Visa and Mastercard. The tea house closes at 10pm. * Tipping is not customary in South Korea.
Credits Narrators
Han Byul Jang Voiced by: Alec Cho
Contributing Voices
Seenyoung Kim
Professor Hahn Joh
Head of Content
Heather Schuster
Executive Producer
Kim Kantner
Producer
Jay Lee
Kyu Ho Lee
Associate Producer
Maggie Clarke
Writer
Hee Kyeong Lee
Editor
Markus Zakaria
Sound Design
Markus Zakaria
Sound Design Supervisor
Julian Kwasneski
Music Supervisor
Mikael Sandgren
Image Credits
• Cover photo: Yong Dae Kim
• Navigation photos: Jay Lee, Kyu Ho Lee
• Call out photos: Han Byul Jang,
• Archival Images: AERIAL RAILWAY SHOT
Explore the trendy streets of Harajuku as Rei Shito explains how she became Tokyo's top street fashion photographer.
Starting Location 14-27 Jingumae 1-Chōme
Duration 50 minutes
Description Trends change quickly in Harajuku, but the power of its street fashion endures. Join street style photographer Rei Shito, voiced by Tiffany Saito, as she takes you through the neighborhood where she was discovered as a model and later honed her skills as a photographer. Along the way, you'll check out a pedestrian bridge where Rei scouts new talent, stop by a homemade caramel shop to sample her favorite sugar fix, and see the condom shop where she did her first modeling gig.
Tips & Hours * Bring sunscreen and water if it’s a hot day. * This detour is best taken between 11am- 8pm, any day of the week. * Number Sugar is closed on Tuesdays.
Credits Narrators
Rei Shito Voiced by: Tiffany Saito
Contributing voices
Shoichi Aoki Voiced by: Cyrus Sethna
Mr. Shimanoe Voiced by: Bob Werley
Head of Content
Heather Schuster
Executive Producer
Kim Kantner
Producer
Kaori Ikeda
Associate Producer
Maggie Clarke
Editor
Jarrod Ratcliffe
Sound Design
Dylan Peck
Sound Design Supervisor
Julian Kwasneski
Music Supervisor
Mikael Sandgren
Image Credits
• Cover photo: Humphrey Lena
• Navigation photos: Kaori Ikeda
• Call out photos: Shoichi Aoki, Rei Shito
• Archival Images: Rei Shito
Walk through the epicenter of the Summer of Love with one of the activists who was at its center. Presented by KQED.
Starting Location The Panhandle, Oak St
Duration 1 hour
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Description Produced in partnership with KQED
Peter Coyote's a famous actor now, but back then he was one of those starry eyed kids who flooded into San Francisco and got the sixties going. He'll walk you through the heart of the Haight, where it all started --from the site of Jimi Hendrix's first San Francisco concerts to the parade route where Coyote and his pals declared the whole scene dead and tried to bury it. Along the way, he'll tell you about feeding whale meat to hundreds of people in a park, tearing it up with the Hell's Angels, turning tie-dyed shirts into a fashion statement, and sparking radical social changes that have become mainstream.
This Detour, presented by KQED, shows you the real Haight Ashbury through the eyes of someone who was there. In the pop culture version of the 60s, the Summer of Love is always sunny and warm. But in reality, things got dark. Very dark. This walk shows you both sides.
[Note from Detour - The Unofficial Podcast: if you enjoy this Detour, please consider making a donation to KQED at https://www.kqed.org/support.]
Tips & Hours * This Detour is best between 11am - 6pm on weekdays, and noon - 5pm on the weekends. * Bring something small (that would fit in a mailbox) that you would consider trading for something at a Free Store.
Credits Producer:
Rachel Dornhelm
Producing Partner:
KQED
Editors:
Jorge Just & Julia McEvoy
Narrators:
Peter Coyote & Mary Gannon Alfiler
Other Voices:
Judy Goldhaft, Phyllis Willner, Denise Kaufman, Mary Simpson, Dr. David Smith, Diane Vitalich, Richard Wagner
Music:
Ace of Cups Neal Casal
Sound Design/Voice Direction
Julian Kwasneski
Production Team
Elizabeth Pepin Silva, music rights
Photography
Brian Frank
Special Thanks:
Amy Stephenson, Booksmith, Calvin Welch, Christian Kalinsky, Taking It To The Streets, David Donnenfield, David Talbot, Huckleberry Youth Programs, Jane & David Simpson, Ed Beggs, Jesse Block, Laughing Tiger Studios, Maggie Mae, Ray Zegri of City Sightseeing San Francisco, San Francisco Public Library, San Francisco Recreation & Parks Department, and Yana Zegri
Podcast Episode Contributing Volunteers
Kris L.
Starting Locations of All Detours
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Indulge in a walk with The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence to discover how an order of queer nuns has transformed the Castro.
Starting Location 2304 Market St
Duration 55 Minutes
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Description Spreading love and joy through activism and charity never looked as fabulous as it does with the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence. This Castro community "order" of queer nuns in drag started in 1979 and has been going strong ever since. Narrator Sister Flora Goodthyme, a former drug addict and make-up artist, finally found his calling to do charity work with the Sisters and became one of the youngest Sisters to ever wear the veil. Flora will tell you all about how the Sisters have ministered to the queer community, using humor, protest, and controversial religious imagery to raise over $1 million for various causes.
Tips & Hours * Wear comfortable walking shoes. * There is a public restroom on the corner of Market and Castro. * There are two stops on this tour where you can get a drink or snack: Harvey's Bar and Flore. * Strut is open Tuesday through Thursday 10am-8pm and Monday, Friday, and Saturday 10am-6pm. Strut is closed on Sundays. * Flore is open Monday through Friday 10am-12am and Saturday and Sunday 9am-12am. * This is a moderate walk and includes one semi-steep incline.
Credits Narrator
Mark Jacques a.k.a. Sister Flora Goodthyme
Contributing Voices
Timothy Ryan a.k.a. Sister Mary
Timothy Simplicity
Kenneth Bunch a.k.a. Sister Vicious
Power Hungry Bitch
Cass Brayton a.k.a. Sister Mary Media
Head of Content
Heather Schuster
Executive Producer
Kim Kantner
Producer
Megan Peterson
Associate Producer
Adriana Franco
Editor
Connor Stock
Sound Design
Julian Kwasneski
Costas Dafnis
Music Supervision
Mikael Sandgren
Image Credits
Cover photo: Stan Pechner
Navigation photos: Adriana Franco
Archival Images: Sister Flora Goodthyme, Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence
Special Thanks
Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence
Terance Allan
Jared Heming
Podcast Episode Contributing Volunteers
Kris L.
Starting Locations of All Detours
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Meet a strange plant spirit & his unusual plant friends of Golden Gate Park. For adults & cool kids 11+.
[Note from The Unofficial Detour Podcast: this Detour is best suited for kids and families; adults will find this a bit eccentric in presentation.]
Starting Location Golden Gate Park, John F Kennedy Dr
Duration 1 hour, 10 minutes
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Description As you walk through Golden Gate Park, a mysterious spirit introduces you to his many friends: the plants of the park. The plants are alive, full of fascinating scientific tidbits, and sometimes unusual character flaws.
As you explore the park's ecosystem, you'll meet psychotropic cacti, touch leaves that feel like sandpaper, smell the citrusy and piney aromas of crushed needles, munch on edible plants, and discover trees that depend on tiny strands of fungi to feed their babies. If you listen closely, you'll hear the music of the plants, which spans many genres—from gregorian chanting to "trunk" rap—each of them intoxicating in their own way. You'll contemplate man's role in nature-is it really man versus nature, or do they work in harmony? And you'll wonder, exactly who is our guide? And maybe if you are clever enough, you will find out.
For children 11-22 and adults 24-116.
Tips & Hours * Begin this Detour anytime during daylight hours. * This is a great Detour for kids. * If it were a movie it'd probably be rated PG or PG-13. This Detour instructs on plant reproduction using mild innuendo and acknowledges the psychedelic usage of some of the park's plants. * In the final Oak Woodlands section, be cognizant of any potential woods dwellers.
Credits Production
• Written and Produced by Aaron With
• Sound Designer: Mike Caviezel
• Editor: Andy Anderegg
• Assistant Producer: Cameron Reesor
• Botany Research Consultants: Amber Hasselbring, Jolie Elan
Cast
• Matthias Bossi: Narrator
• Aaron With: Nasturtium, Fern #2, Western Redcedar, Sad Potato #1, San Pedro, Oak #2
• Lizzy Gore: Gunnera (Chile-Rube), Fern #1, Artemisia, Oak #1, Sad Potato #2, Dahlia #2
• Sophie Hinkley: Fern #3, Sad Potato #3, Oak #3
• Kennan Gudjonsson: Fern #4, Angel the Angel’s Trumpet, Oak #4
• Kim Handysides: Lexingtonia the Sequoia
• Andrew Fogarasi: Lexingtonia’s Mother
Music
• Original Ditties Sung by the Plants are written and performed by Aaron With (Fern Song, San Pedro Chant, Western Redcedar Rap)
• Trumpet Riffs: Mike C’s Buddy
• Score Selection: Mike Caviezel
Podcast Episode Contributing Volunteers
Kris L.
Starting Locations of All Detours
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Fisherman Mike "Candy" Mitchell shows you the side of the wharf that tourists rarely see.
Starting Location
160 Jefferson St
Duration 60 minutes
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Description Fisherman's Wharf is the most visited place in San Francisco. Somehow, it’s also one of the least well known. Millions of people come here each year; this Detour unlocks the side of the Wharf they rarely get to see.
You’ll follow Candy, a lifelong commercial fisherman, into the heart of the working wharf, to experience the grueling industry that’s giving way to the chain restaurants and souvenir shops you see today. You'll hear from Angela, who owns a thriving crab company with her mom and sisters, no thanks to the male fisherman who tried to shut them down.
Plus, you’ll blow a quarter on an antique game designed to make you mad, hear how a Wharf businessman once bankrupted San Francisco, find out what it feels like to jump into the cold bay for the very first time, and learn why even the meanest criminals sometimes get their hands cut off. We’re going to have a lot of fun.
Tips & Hours * You can take this Detour anytime any day, but a few stops are closed before 10am or after 7pm. The ideal starting time for this Detour is around 11am on a weekday. * Bring a jacket. It can get windy on the Wharf, especially in the evening. Also, make sure you've got at least a dollar with you.
Credits Narrator and Producer Jorge Just has told stories on This American Life, helped bands find creative ways to use the Internet, and made it easier for humanitarian workers in emergencies to reunite children with their families, using RapidFTR, the open-source mobile app he founded. But the thing he likes most is making Detours. Also true love.
Sound Design Andrew Roth
Interviews Mike "Candy" Mitchell - Captain of the Linda Noelle; Dan Zelinsky, Owner of Musee Mechanique; Michael Geraldi, Owner of Fisherman's Grotto No 9; David Johnson, World Famous Bushman; Angela Cincotta, Owner of Alioto-Lazio Fish Co; Dan McLaughlin, Boat House Captain of South End Club; Diane Walton, President of Dolphin Club; Jon Bielinski, Dolphin Club Boat Builder
Photography Brian Frank
Special Thanks Kirk Lombard, Sea Forager Tours; Fr. M.E. Morrison; Ashleyanne Krigbaum, Radio Producer
Podcast Episode Contributing Volunteers
Kris L.
Starting Locations of All Detours
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Explore Seongsu as Jongseok Kim explains how this industrial district is becoming the hip, creative part of Seoul.
Starting Location Seongdeokjeong-gil
Duration 1 hour, 5 minutes
Description In 1997, the Asian Financial Crisis, known as the IMF, hit Seoul hard. Jongseok Kim's family struggled to keep their printing business going, but eventually it closed. Kim, voiced by Juchul Nam, will tell you his story as a lifelong resident of Seongsu-dong who has opened a new business there. And he will explain how he started two landmark community campaigns that built bridges between locals. Along the way, you'll explore a traditional Korean Market to check out Korean kimchi, walk along the edge of the Han River, and see how this neighborhood earned the nickname The Brooklyn of Seoul.
Tips & Hours * This tour can be taken anytime, any day of the week. * Sugarman Pub is open everyday from 3pm to 7pm. * Bring water and sunscreen. In the summer, it can get very hot near the Hangang river. * Wear comfortable shoes and bring some cash for drinks and snacks. This tour ends at one of Seongsu’s most popular cafés. * Tipping is not customary in South Korea.
Credits Narrators
Jongseok Kim Voiced by: Jooch Nam
Contributing voices
Kang Kim Voiced by: Janice Paik
Head of Content
Heather Schuster
Executive Producer
Kim Kantner
Producer
Jay Lee
Kyu Ho Lee
Associate Producer
Maggie Clarke
Writer
Hee Kyeong Lee
Editor
Brian Heater
Sound Design
Costas Davinas
Sound Design Supervisor
Julian Kwasneski
Music Supervisor
Mikael Sandgren
Image Credits
• Cover photo: Yong Dae Kim
• Navigation photos: Jay Lee, Kyu Ho Lee
• Call out photos: Yong Dae Kim
Hear the story of the founding of Savannah by James Oglethorpe and see if his utopian vision for a city of peace came true.
Starting Location 1 E Hull St
Duration 55 minutes
Description In 1733 General James Edward Oglethorpe came over from England with a vision: to found a city with no division of classes. And Savannah was born. Everyone would have the same amount of land and work it themselves. He promoted peace with their Native American neighbors, and most importantly he placed a ban on slavery. Oglethorpe's great experiment was not to last, but his vision was not lost completely, and the city of Savannah still bears witness to it.
Come walk in the footsteps of James Oglethorpe around the part of Savannah he designed personally - the squares, a plan for community spaces where people could interact, talk and share stories with each other. Visit the square where Oglethorpe's friend, the Yamacraw Indian chief Tomochichi is buried, and learn why there is a train carved on the side of his monument. Explore this picturesque neighborhood, hear the stories of Savannah, and discover the legacy its founder left behind.
Tips & Hours The Detour can be taken at anytime. Sunshine hours are best because the cemetery is closed at night.
Credits Narrator
George Dawes Green
Head of Content
Heather Schuster
Executive Producer
Avi Glijansky
Producers
Dan Gilbert
Vince Cunningham
Associate Producer
John Brennan
Jasmine McLaurin
Sound Design Supervisor
Julian Kwasneski
Music Supervisor
Mikael Sandgren
Audio Post Production services by Bay Area Sound
Costas Dafnis
Meihui Qiao
Image Credits
• Cover Photo: Geno DiMaria
• Navigation Photos: John Brennan, Avi Glijansky
Walk the city's most misunderstood neighborhood with people who call it home.
Starting Location 1101 Market St
Duration 55 minutes
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Description "If you've lived here your whole life, you've lived a hard life - period."
Kathleen Lee slept in her car, until it was stolen. After that, she slept on the street. She's sen the worst, most dangerous and difficult sides of the Tenderloin, but she's also seen its best. On this Detour, Kathleen will show you both.
You'll take an intimate walk through one of San Francisco's most misunderstood — and most rapidly changing — neighborhoods, in the company of people who live and work there. Kathleen and her neighbors will show you where the Tenderloin's homeless go to get some rest, introduce you to beat cops who've worked here twenty years, and take you inside modern affordable housing. By the end of your walk, you'll understand why The Tenderloin is a place people go to start over. Or just be themselves.
But be warned: The Tenderloin can be a tough place to visit, and this Detour takes you deep into its heart. As Kathleen says: "People will come up to you. They'll talk to you and ask you for money and say or do things that might make you feel uncomfortable. If you're not up for that, that's okay." be sure to read the 'Before You Go' section before you start.
Tips & Hours * The ideal starting time for this walk is 11am on a weekday. One of the best stops on this Detour has limited hours, so its best to follow the recommended hours on this one. You can take this Detour at other times too, but some of the stops may be closed. * The streets of the Tenderloin are safer than you think, but visitors are sometimes mugged or hassled. Keep your phone in your pocket, and be aware of your surroundings. Please don't take photos of people without asking permission. All that being said, the Tenderloin can be a warm and welcoming community filled with wonderful people. We hope you get a chance to meet and talk with some of them. * This Detour takes you places where people sleep and live. Inside St. Boniface and the Arlington Hotel, be as quiet and respectful as you can. * Bring cash for a drink and tip at Aunt Charlie's Lounge
Credits Reporter and Writer
Julia Scott's radio features and documentaries have appeared on the BBC World Service, Marketplace, NPR, and Living on Earth. She is a features editor at KQED San Francisco.
Narrators & Voices
(In order of appearance)
Kathleen Lee, Indian Joe, Jeff Marshall, Mark Ellinger, Pam Coates, Officers Joe Juarez & Gary Peachey, Susan Hansen, Felicia Flames.
Producer
Jorge Just
Editor
Marianne McCune
Music & Sound Design
Julian Kwasneski and Shani Aviram
Photography
Brian L. Frank
Special Thanks
• The Gubbio Project runs the homeless sleep sanctuary at St. Boniface Catholic Church.
• The Arlington Residence
• Muralist Mona Caron
• Tenderloin Police Department
• Father Tommy King, Saint Boniface Catholic Church
• Archdiocese of San Francisco
• Aunt Charlie’s Lounge
• Del Seymour/Tenderloin Walking Tours
• Molly the Hound Dog
Podcast Episode Contributing Volunteers
Kris L.
Starting Locations of All Detours
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San Francisco’s most important street struggles to find its way
Starting Location 1200 Market St
Duration 55 minutes
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Description Ever since a wily surveyor carved its wide, diagonal path through the center of town more than 150 years ago, Market Street has vexed San Francisco. It's the place where each generation tries to scrap the past and build the city of its dreams.
On this Detour, you'll page through antique maps, walk a slice of Paris by the Bay, descend below street level, and reemerge to see why Market Street is like no other street in the world. Above all, you'll see city planning through new eyes and understand how the city works like never before.
Tips & Hours * Part of this Detour takes place inside the San Francisco Public Library, so best to go when the library is open: Monday 10am-5pm Tuesday-Thursday 9am-7pm Friday 12pm-5pm Sunday 12pm-4pm * Bring a photo ID. You’ll need it to check in at the History Center.
Credits Narrator
Jonathan Pearlman is a San Francisco-based architect and a member of the city’s Historic Preservation Commission.
Producer
Robin Amer
Editor
Ben Adair
Sound Design
Julian Kwasneski
Featured Voices
Louise Mozingo, Chair of the Department of Landscape Architecture, Environmental Planning and Urban Design at UC Berkeley; Muhammed Nuru, Director of the San Francisco Department of Public Works; Kay Kajiwara, architect; David Addington, developer; Erick Lyle, writer & artist; Janet Delaney, photographer.
Image Credits
Cover photo, Alphonso Jimenez “The Great White Way” -- Glenn D. Koch Collection “Market Street Signage” “Welcoming People to Downtown” -- San Francisco Bicycle Coalition
Special Thanks
Jorge Just, Marianne McCune, Lina Misitzis, Valerie Maczak, Deborah Cullinan, Elise Stieren, Karen Strauss, Susan Goldstein, Neil Hrushowy, Simon Bertrang, Mari Hunter, Byron McCulley, Angela Danadjieva, Paul Boden, Danny Norway, Tyler Frisbee, Stefano Corazza, Amber Hasselbring.
Podcast Episode Contributing Volunteers
Kris L.
Starting Locations of All Detours
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Join longtime resident Demece Garepis on a dramatic and historic walk through the evolution of Bernal’s Precita Park.
Starting Location 59 Manchester St
Duration 40 minutes
Description Located on Precita Avenue, the Precita Park cuts a narrow green swath that stretches from Folsom to Alabama Streets. Now a relatively quiet, family oriented park & neighborhood, it belies its colorful history. Precita Park was a weekend mecca where hippies, Black Panthers, Symbianese Liberation Army radicals, and neighborhood Chicanos with their spectacular, sparkling lowriders would all gather around the playground right near where the satellite spinner still spins today. What began in the 1950's as a blue collar community because of its proximity to the shipyard, became a leftist hotbed in the 70's, drawing laborers, leftist revolutionaries and hippies tired of the scene at Haight Ashbury. The cultural clash created a unique arts community, where you can still witness San Francisco's past, present and future in relation to the park. There were two main currents to the 60s—the hippie counterculture and the Left/social movements—that share the coincidence of their proximate births and participant demographics, but little else. These two currents frequently interacted and occasionally merged, but ultimately they remained discrete, and experienced different fates. The hippies won culturally, and the New Leftists lost politically.
Tips & Hours * We recommend beginning this tour before 2pm to ensure all stops are open. * Charlie's Café is open Monday through Friday 6am-4pm and Saturday 7am-3pm. Charlie's Café is closed on Sunday. * This tour is a moderate walk. * Precita Park is a dog friendly park so feel free to bring your fluffy friend.
Credits Narrator
Demece Garepis
Contributing Voices
Susan Kelk-Cervantes
Charlie Harb
Father Guglielmo Lauriola
Head of Content
Heather Schuster
Executive Producer
Kim Kantner
Producer
Megan Peterson
Associate Producer
Adriana Franco
Music Supervision
Mikael Sandgren
Editor
Costas Dafnis
Sound Design
Julian Kwasneski
Image Credits
• Cover photo: Stan Pechner
• Navigation photos: Adriana Franco, Cynthia Burgess
• Archival Images: San Francisco History Center, San Francisco Public Library
Special Thanks
Precita Valley Neighbors Bernal History Project
Explore San Francisco’s most unexpected urban green spaces with Bayview resident Shane King and a handful of his neighbors.
Starting Location 4901 3rd St
Duration 50 minutes
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Description As recently as 15 years ago, the Bayview had been written off as a blighted, high crime, industrial neighborhood. And Quesada Avenue was the worst of it. Along its center median, a row of forgotten palms was filled with hypodermic needles and trash. Drug dealers hung out on the street. Children didn't come out of their houses. But one day Annette Smith, a "farmer's daughter from the South," and her friend Karl Paige planted some flowers and vegetables in the dirt. They started to tend the garden daily. As narrator Shane King watched from his house, he was motivated to come out and help, followed by many other neighbors. Within a year, the community transformed their neighborhood into a green oasis in the middle of the urban decay. Fifteen years later, the community is much safer and their garden has spawned grassroots initiatives to cultivate neighborhood art and other green spaces.
[Note from Detour - The Unofficial Podcast: if you enjoy this Detour, please consider making a donation to KQED at https://www.kqed.org/support.]
Tips & Hours * Wear comfortable walking shoes. * We recommend beginning this tour after 11am to ensure all stops will be open. * Radio Africa Kitchen is open Monday through Friday between 12pm-2:30pm and 5:30pm-8pm. * Big Save Market is open Monday through Sunday between 6am-11pm. * This tour includes a steep downhill walk as well as a large staircase.
Credits Narrator
Shane King
Contributing Voices
Bryana Fleming
Annette Smith
Jeffrey Betcher
Deidre DeFranceux
Mary & Joel McClure
Malik Seneferu
Eskender Aseged
Eddie Edais
Head of Content
Heather Schuster
Executive Producer
Kim Kantner
Producer
Megan Peterson
Associate Producer
Adriana Franco
Editor
Connor Stock
Sound Design
Julian Kwasneski
Costas Dafnis
Music Supervision
Mikael Sandgren
Image Credits
• Cover photo: Stan Pechner
• Navigation photos: Adriana Franco
• Archival Images: Quesada Gardens Initiative
Special Thanks
Quesada Gardens Initiative
Bridgeview Gardens
Podcast Episode Contributing Volunteers
Kris L.
Starting Locations of All Detours
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A walk through San Francisco's audacious plan to end trash as we know it.
Starting Location Walgreen's at 3801 3rd St, Bayview
Duration 1 hour 15 minutes
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Description San Francisco is at war with its garbage cans.
The city has come up with one of the most audacious plans in the history of cities: to stop putting any of what we throw away into landfills – to reuse or recycle every single thing San Franciscans are done with. No more waste by the year 2020.
So, what would it take to end trash as we know it?
On this Detour, you’ll browse shelves of trash-to-be along the aisles of a drug store. You'll visit a thrift store and a park where the things that could be laid to rest in a landfill find a second life, instead. You'll climb a hill with a gorgeous industrial view of the Bay and hear how that view has changed with the tides of trash.
Then, you'll travel into trash's future by peering inside a compost bin and checking out the inner-workings of a brewery. You’ll walk the serene marshlands of Heron’s Head Park and pay a surprise visit to the home of the city's top-100, cutest, most cutting-edge composters.
Is San Francisco’s goal of ‘zero waste’ preposterous or precocious? Decide for yourself on this walk through the bleak and beautiful neighborhood of India Basin.
Tips & Hours * This Detour is best between 10am - 4pm. Be sure to begin before 4pm to see the last stop before it closes. * One of the stops, Speakeasy, is closed on Mondays but you can still see most of it from the outside. * The Bayview is a beautiful neighborhood but not often visited by tourists so the streets are often quiet. * This is not a strenuous walk. There is one hill to climb and a beautiful park at the end. * Remember to bring your ID if you’d like a post-Detour beer at Speakeasy. * To get back to the starting point, walk back to the Speakeasy Brewery and continue west on Evans, away from the Bay. Walgreen's will be on your left just before 3rd Street.
Credits Narrator and Producer Marianne McCune
Editor Alex Blumberg
Sound Design Andrew Roth
Music All the music in this Detour is from MOBRO, a jazz composition chronicling the journey of a garbage barge from New York to Belize and back. The creators call it “an epic quest told through the eyes of the garbage – a story of yearning, of escalating rejections, of self-knowledge, and ultimately of redemption.” The music is composed by Jon Ellis, the libretto written by Andy Bragen. It's here on iTunes.
Featured voices Kevin Drew, Residential Zero Waste Coordinator, San Francisco's Department of Environment; Leonard Stefanelli, Consolidated Environmental Industries Inc (former Sunset Scavenger); Ellen and Javier, local residents; Jose Camacho, bottle and can scavenger; Eric and Mary, local residents; Nick Chew, Speakeasy Ales & Lager; Geoff Coffey, Bay Natives; Mike Crosetti, General Manager, Recology San Francisco; Beth Terry, author Plastic-Free: How I Kicked the Plastic Habit and How You Can Too, blogger at myplasticfreelife.com; Genevieve Church and Treverton Rose, City Grazing; David Gavrich, San Francisco Bay Railroad
Podcast Episode Contributing Volunteers
Kris L.
Starting Locations of All Detours
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Local Jae Woo Seol sends you through Seochon and tells you why this neighborhood is known as the "time capsule of Seoul."
Starting Location Jahamun-ro
Duration 1 hour, 5 minutes
Description Find Seochon's most historic corners with lifelong resident Jae Woo Seol, voiced by Jungmin Park. Seol will tell you how he quit his corporate job and raised enough money through crowdfunding to buy his favorite childhood arcade when it was on the verge of closing for good. Along the way, you'll experience the sights and smells of a traditional Korean street market, see a small stone bridge that has remained untouched since the 1700s, and, of course, play a wicked game of Korean Pac-Man.
Tips & Hours * This tour is best Tuesday through Sunday from 10am- 7pm. The third Sunday of every month Tongin Market is closed. * You’ll need 6,000 won, roughly 5 US dollars to enter the bookstore cafe. The entrance fee gets you a free drink! * Bring some cash or credit cards for additional drinks and snacks. * Bring sunscreen and water if it’s a hot day. * Wear your walking shoes. This tour has some moderate hills! * Tipping is not customary in South Korea.
Credits Narrators
Jae Woo Seol Voiced by: Jungmin Park
Contributing voices
Meekyung Kim Voiced by Yerica Park
Head of Content
Heather Schuster
Executive Producer
Kim Kantner
Producer
Jay Lee Kyu Ho Lee
Associate Producer
Maggie Clarke
Writer
Hee Kyeong Lee
Editor
Andy Jung
Sound Design
Matt Strasser
Sound Design Supervisor
Julian Kwasneski
Music Supervisor
Mikael Sandgren
Image Credits
• Cover photo: Yong Dae Kim
• Navigation photos: Jay Lee, Kyu Ho Lee
• Call out photos: Yong Dae Kim
• Archival Images: Meekyung Kim / Jae Woo Seol
An incredible story of upheaval and change in Western Addition.
Starting Location 1000 Hayes St
Duration 1 hour
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Description The Painted Ladies are beautiful. But the best thing about them is the neighborhood they're in. It's called the Western Addition, and it used to be packed with thousands of beautiful old Victorian houses... until the government sent bulldozers to tear them down. As you'll learn on this Detour, the stories around here often end with that kind of intensity and upheaval. The Grateful Dead threw acid parties here. Down the block, Jim Jones built up America's most notorious cult.
But that was then. Journalist Liz Gannes lives near here now. She'll show you the scars each era left behind and introduce you to people who lived through them, including a reverend who's spent his life fighting the Western Addition's destruction, the reporter who exposed Jim Jones, and a survivor who narrowly escaped the Jonestown massacre. Western Addition isn't the prettiest neighborhood in San Francisco, but as you'll learn when you go Beyond The Painted Ladies, it's one of the most compelling.
Tips & Hours * You can take this Detour any day of the week. It is best during regular business hours when all of the stops are open. * This Detour ends about 10 minutes from where it starts. If you want to avoid the walk, the 22-Fillmore bus picks up next to the statue at Fillmore and O'Farrell. Pull the cord to get off at Fillmore and Hayes and then walk one block uphill back to where you started. It costs $2.25.
Credits Narrator & Writer
Liz Gannes is a reporter based in San Francisco. She covers technology trends and innovation for Re/code. Selena Gomez follows her on Twitter. She is outdoors whenever possible.
Producer
Jorge Just
Editor
Marianne McCune
Sound Design
Rob Thomure
Featured Voices
Christopher Duke; Maya Angelou; Jack Biancalana; Lance Burton, Planet Fillmore Communications; Reverend Arnold Townsend; Tony Biancalana, Live Nation; Marshall Kilduff, SF Chronicle; Laura Johnston Kohl, JonestownSurvivor.com; Karen Johnson, Marcus Books
Special Thanks
Stuart Brioza, Greg Johnson, Mooj Zadie, Cameron Reesor, Sarah Wohl, Andrew Roth
Podcast Episode Contributing Volunteers
Kris L.
Starting Locations of All Detours
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Get lost in the labyrinth of El Raval; see how reality and fantasy inspired literary greats Jean Genet and Roberto Bolaño.
Starting Location La Rambla, Plaça del Teatre
Duration 1 hour, 5 minutes
Description For a century, the twisted, narrow streets of the Raval have attracted thieves and poets, con-men and artists. Walk in the footsteps of two of th greatest writers to ever call the neighborhood home: Jean Genet and Roberto Bolaño. Author Ben Brooks, who has also lived here, will take you deep into the dark streets of El Raval and tell you the twisted, colorful tales of three generations of writers who were influenced by theses streets. Discover why they were drawn to this place, and how it inspired them to produce their most famous works.
Along the way, you'll visit a convent that became a brothel, take in a breathtaking rooftop view of Barcelona, and wander the iconic squares and cobbled streets of the oldest barrio in the city.
Ben Brooks published seven novels by the time he turned twenty-five, and while he doesn't put himself in the same category as Genet and Bolaño, he does think they all have a few things in common: a crappy diet, a habit of stealing books, and the experience of being inspired by El Raval.
Tips & Hours This tour can be taken any day from dawn till dusk, on Sunday one key stop on the tour will be closed.
Credits Narrator
Ben Brooks
Head of Content
Heather Schuster
Executive Producer
Stacey Book
Writers
Andrés Bartos
Aisha Prigann
Producers
Andrés Bartos
Neil Innes
Production Assistant
Leanne Hayman
Research
Aisha Prigann
Carlos Garcia-Arista
Sound Design
Dylan Peck
Connor Stock
Sound Design Supervisor
Julian Kwasneski
Music Supervisor
Mikael Sandgren
Image Credits
Cover Photo: Andrés Bartos
Navigation Photos: Andrés Bartos
Archival Images: Arxiu Nacional de Catalunya, Institut d’Estudis
Fotográfics de Catalunya, Arxiu Fotografic de Barcelona, The Margeret Michaelis Estate, l’Institut Mémoires de l’édition contemporaine
Special Thanks:
Dave Bianchi, Dry Town Studios
David Castillo
The Margaret Michaelis Estate
El Chiringuito de Dios
La Central del Raval
Aurélien Landy Gana
Discover this lost neighborhood buried in the sand of Barcelona's most famous beach with Flamenco legend Carmen Amaya.
Starting Location 18S Passeig Maritim de la Barceloneta
Duration 1 hour, 20 minutes
Description Carmen Amaya was the world's most famous flamenco dancer, and in 1959, her neighborhood of Barceloneta was about to transform. The shanty town where she was born was home to a community of Gitanos, but today the only thing that remains is a fountain dedicated to this famous dancer. Explore Barceloneta with the spirit of Carmen Amaya as your guide and discover the secrets buried in the sand. Wander through this 300 year old fishing village, visit an authentic flamenco bar, learn the secrets of a people long since vanished, and hear about the most important dance of Carmen Amaya's life, which was right here on the beach of the Barceloneta.
Tips & Hours * The best time to do this tour is between 10am-8pm Mon-Sun. * There is a restaurant stop midway through. If you’re planning on eating, it’s best to start at 11am for lunch or at 5pm to arrive for dinner. On weekends this neighborhood is very busy. * For this tour, you're going to want some cash. We recommend 15 Euros.
Credits Narrator
Ariana Cárdenas as the voice of Carmen Amaya
Featured Voices
Alejandro Amory
Head of Content
Heather Schuster
Executive Producer
Stacey Book
Writer
Andrés Bartos
Producers
Andrés Bartos Neil Innes
Production Assistant
Leanne Hayman
Research
Aisha Prigann
Carlos Garcia-Arista
Featured Music
The Musicians of Tablao de Carmen, Karime Amaya, Carmen Amaya and Sabicas
Sound Design
Dylan Peck Connor Stock
Sound Design Supervisor
Julian Kwasneski
Music Supervisor
Mikael Sandgren
Image Credits:
Cover Photo: Neil Innes
Navigation Photos: Andrés Bartos
Archival Images: The Agüero Family
The Tablao de Carmen Archive
Carmen Amaya by Montse Madridejos
Casa de la Barceloneta 1761
Arxiu Municipal de Ciutat Vella
Archival Audio: "Fiesta en Jaén” recording of Carmen Amaya and Sabicas, Cante flamenco de La Niña de los Peines
Special Thanks:
Dave Bianchi, Dry Town Studios
Karime Amaya
Tablao de Carmen
Mimo Agüero
Dancers and Musicians of Tablao de Carmen
Leo from Bar Leo
Victoria at Somorrostro
Bar Electricidad
Pablo Sciuto
Enter the rarest thing in any city: an untamed place.
Starting Location Albany Bulb, Buchanan St
Duration 1 hour
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Description The Albany Bulb was born as a dump. For over twenty years, people threw appliances, construction waste, telephone poles, and yard-scraps into the bay. But then, something unexpected happened -- nature transformed the debris into a strange and wild landscape. Artists, dog walkers, and a homeless community made it their own. Until the city wanted it back and it became one of the most fought-over properties in the East Bay.
On this Detour, we'll see the markings of the battle's winners — city signs, maintained pathways and trash cans that have turned the Bulb into a park. But we'll also step through the weeds to the former homes of the people who once lived there. Two landfillians will tell us about the fight to protect those homes. We'll enter a secret labyrinth, listen to acoustic shadows, and hear a murder mystery whose prime suspect was an alleged "devilish cult". We'll see-saw on old telephone poles and visit the former open-studios of the artists who created ten-foot sculptures out of driftwood. Wear your sturdy sneakers. On this Detour, we'll climb painted concrete slabs, hunt for the sweetest fennel, look out at "million dollar views", and ponder what "invasive" really means.
Tips & Hours * Take this Detour anytime during daylight, but the hours before sunset are the most magical. * FYI: There are a few bad words in this Detour, and a story about a murder. * Wear your sturdy shoes or boots, definitely something with tread. Sunscreen, hat, and jacket also recommended. * The Bulb is a far-flung treasure of the East Bay but worth the trek. The nearest Bart stop is North Berkeley and you can catch a car service from there. There is also a parking lot if you'd like to drive yourself. If you're a biker, the Bulb is accessible from the Bay Trail. Bike racks are available on the path from the parking lot to the Bulb, about 150 feet from the Detour's starting point. * The Bulb is also very dog-friendly if you want to bring your pooch!
Credits Producer & Writer:
Luisa Beck
Editor:
Jorge Just
Narrators:
April Anthony & Scott Justus, former residents of the Albany Bulb Patricia Donald, naturalist and environmental educator
Sound Design:
Julian Kwasneski
Theme music by Hauschka
Special Thanks:
The Landfillians. Especially Amber Whitson, Katherine Cody, Larry Cabrera, Stephanie Ringstadt, Pete Cabrera, Jimbow, Rabbit, Dan Paul, Pat Moore, Tamara Robinson, George Harris, and Bradley Anthony. Susan Moffat & The Atlas of the Albany Bulb Project, Robin Lasser & The Refuge in Refuse Project, Randi Johnson, Osha Neumann, Tom Dubberke, David Ryan, Scott Hewitt, Scott Meadows, Steve Granholm, Jeff Haltiner, Chris Clark, and Zach Pine, Kara Oehler for interviews, research and media. Avery Trufelman, Natalie Jones, Eugene Eric Kim, Mary Rees, Damin Esper, Jason Jakaitis, Sintana Vergara, Katie McMurran, Bob Brokl, Valerie Maczak, Sophie Hinkley, Juliet Hinely, Andrew Roth, and Marianne McCune.
Podcast Episode Contributing Volunteers
Kris L.
Starting Locations of All Detours
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Explore the multicultural MACBA square - the most popular spot for skateboarding in all of Europe - with two twin sisters.
Starting Location 9999 Plaça de la Universitat
Duration 1 hour
Description The Raval is all about outsiders. It's the most multicultural and populated barrio of Barcelona. It's also one of the best places for skateboarding across the European Continent. Discover what has made this place, and especially the MACBA square, a mecca and a refuge for immigrants and skaters alike.
Twin sisters and El Raval skaters Sara and Nayat Cheikh know all about that. They're locals, and they're immigrants. They were born in a refugee camp in Algeria and they come from a country which officially doesn't exist. But they found a home and a family in the biggest skate mecca in the world. Let's walk with them through the narrow streets and beautiful squares of one of the oldest neighborhoods in the city, see the rails and ramps, and discover the secrets of their Raval.
We'll meet a saint and explore the heritage of the neighborhood, and we'll take a look back at '90's skate culture in a quaint old newspaper archive. And of course, you'll see some really great street skaters show off their stuff.
Tips & Hours * You can take this Detour at any time, but the optimal start time is late afternoon Monday to Saturday, in order to see more skaters showing off their moves. * This Detour ends at a very cool neighborhood bar which opens at 1pm each day.
Credits Narrators
Nayat Cheikh, Sara Cheikh
Head of Content
Heather Schuster
Executive Producer
Stacey Book
Writer
Neil Innes
Producers
Neil Innes
Andrés Bartos
Production Assistant
Leanne Hayman
Research
Aisha Prigann
Carlos Garcia-Arista
Sound Design
Dylan Peck Connor Stock
Sound Design Supervisor
Julian Kwasneski
Music Supervisor
Mikael Sandgren
Image Credits:
Cover Photo: Andrés Bartos
Navigation Photos: Neil Innes
Archival Images: Nayat Cheikh, Sara Cheikh
Special Thanks:
Dave Bianchi at Dry Town Studios
Collective Skate Shop
Damià Gallardo & Gemma Muñoz Laia CCCB
Gerard Condemines at Discos Paradiso
Angelica and Team at A la Premsa D'aquell Dia
Visit the mountain to unravel the dark tale of the day when the castle turned its cannons on the people of Barcelona.
Starting Location Parc de MOntjuic, Camí del Mar
Duration 45 minutes
Description The castle on the mountain of Montjuic overlooks Barcelona and it has a long and turbulent history with the people of this city. One of the darkest chapters culminated on December 3rd, 1842 when the castle turned its cannons on the city. Why would a General bomb his own people? We'll go to the top of the mountain to explore this centuries old conflict between Spain and Catalonia. We'll travel back in time to a city in revolt, seek clues around the castle walls, and discover how a bombing that happened over 150 years ago can shed light on the present.
Marc Herman is a foreign correspondent based in Barcelona. He's written stories about everything from volcanoes and gold mines, to refugees and war conflicts, and he finds this story as captivating as any making headlines today. And amazingly, he explains how this story was documented by history's first ever citizen journalists.
Tips & Hours * Take the Funicular from Paralell Metro then the 150 bus. Alternatively, take the 150 bus from Placa España. Or if you’re up for it, you can hike up the mountain trails. * You can take this tour any day, any time. * Wear comfortable shoes, the tour itself has a few stairs and a short stretch on a trail.
Credits Narrator
Marc Herman
Other Voices
Sergi del Bas
Head of Content
Heather Schuster
Executive Producer
Stacey Book
Writers:
Neil Innes
Aisha Prigann
Producers:
Neil Innes
Andrés Bartos
Production Assistant
Leanne Hayman
Research
Aisha Prigann
Carlos Garcia-Arista
Sound Design
Dylan Peck
Connor Stock
Sound Design Supervisor
Julian Kwasneski
Music Supervisor
Mikael Sandgren
Image Credits:
Cover Photo: Neil Innes
Navigation Photos: Neil Innes
Archival Images: Wikicommons
Special Thanks:
Dave Bianchi, Dry Town Studios
Relive the incredible story of the first anarchist revolution with the people who fought it.
Starting Location Ronda del Litoral
The wooden shrimp sculpture known as “La Gamba de Barcelona” located on the Moll de la Fusta (Wood Wharf) in Port Yell (Old Port) Harbor, next to the large avenue, Passeig Colón.
Duration 1 hour 30 minutes
Description In the summer of 1936, Barcelona became the very first and only anarchist state. In the wake of a toppled empire, empowered anarchist unions formed a makeshift army, and successfully resisted a Fascist coup d'état. This began a historic social experiment to see what becomes of society when it’s not governed by a central authority. And all the while, a war of ideologies raged on the front against Franco’s fascists, and in Barcelona’s battlefield streets between the fragmented left. It was the Summer of Anarchy.
Discover this remarkable history on a walk with the characters who lived it first hand, by exploring the places where it took life. You will be walking together with Jose, who became an anarchist after serving as a soldier of the Spanish empire; Concha Liaño a young Spanish feminist and anarchist activist; and George Orwell, whose experiences as a volunteer anarchist soldier would later inform his famous work, “1984”.
Featuring a rich, binaural, period soundscape, this Detour will vividly transport you sonically to an incredible but oft-forgotten moment in history.
Tips & Hours * This Detour can be taken at any time of day on any day of the week. * This Detour starts in an area that sometimes has closures do to public events. It's a good idea to check if anything is happening at the harbor before you head out.
Credits Producer
Edu Comelles
Sound Designers
Edu Comelles and Byron Abadia
Cast
Mercé - Lucía Valverde Concha - Blanca Solé José - Jaume Aguiló George Orwell - Patrick Taggart
Music
Cello+Laptop (Sara Galán & Edu Comelles)
Script Writer
Pol Comelles
Editor
Aaron With
Special Thank
Aitor Allué, Marcel Graell (Nowhere Music), Paige Bohannon, Helena Garo, Eva Fauste and all of our friends who played as extras on all battle and parade scenes …
Sample a tasting menu created by chef Johann Wald to guide you through El Born and unlock the secrets of Catalan food.
Starting Location 2 Passatge Mercantil
Duration 1 hour
Description Traditional, inventive, proud of its roots but open to the world. That is a Catalan cuisine, and no place expresses it better than Barcelona's El Born neighborhood. Here, old meets new, and cultures blend because cooking is a way of life. Why do foodies and chefs flock to El Born? What is the secret ingredient that makes this place so special? On this Detour, you'll search the streets, markets and restaurants for an answer, and explore Catalonia's food heritage in the process.
Johann Wald is a chef, a writer, and the host of a Spanish cooking show. But most importantly, he is an El Born local. The bars and restaurants of this neighborhood are what made him want to become a chef, so he knows all the good spots. Visit two amazing markets, learn about one of the world's first cookbooks, stroll down an old jousting field, and of course, eat some truly outstanding food.
As the Catalans say, 'Bon Profit!'
Tips & Hours * This Detour's optimal start time is 11am - 12pm, Tuesday - Saturday. Outside of these hours you might find one or two of the stops closed. * For this tour, you're going to need some cash. We recommend about 50 Euros to do all the tastings, however all the stops on this tour accept credit cards. * Come hungry! There are four tasting stops along the way and the Detour ends at one of the best little neighborhood restaurants in El Born. * Stops and Hours: El 300 del Born: Tuesday - Sunday 8am - 11pm. Casa Perris: Monday - Friday 8am - 8pm; Saturday 8.30am - 8pm. El Xampinyet: Tuesday - Saturday 12pm - 3.30pm, 7pm - 11pm; Sunday 12pm - 3.30pm. Bar del Pla: Monday - Thursday 12pm - 11pm; Friday & Saturday 12pm - 12am. Casa Marí i Rufo: Tuesday & Thursday - Saturday 1.15pm - 5pm, 8.30pm - 11.30pm; Wednesday & Sunday 1.15pm - 5pm. Mercat Santa Caterina: Monday, Wednesday & Saturday 7.30am - 3.30pm; Tuesday, Thursday & Friday 7.30am - 8.30pm.
Credits Narrator
Johann Wald
Head of Content
Heather Schuster
Executive Producer
Stacey Book
Writer
Neil Innes
Producers
Neil Innes
Andrés Bartos
Production Assistant
Leanne Hayman
Research
Aisha Prigann Carlos Garcia-Arista
Sound Design
Dylan Peck
Connor Stock
Sound Design Supervisor
Julian Kwasneski
Music Supervisor
Mikael Sandgren
Music Clearance
Elizabeth Pepin Silva
Featured Music
‘Wou Wou Wou' by Larry Wald
Image Credits:
Cover Photo: Neil Innes
Navigation Photos: Neil Innes
Special Thanks:
Dave Bianchi, Dry Town Studios
El 300 del Born
Casa Perris
El Xampinyet
Bar del Pla
Espai Mescladís
Casa Marí i Rufo
Join local blues man Julian Thorne for a night out in the barrio and discover a very special liquor - Vermouth.
Starting Location 9999 Plaça del Sortidor
Duration 1 hour, 10 minutes
Description Vermouth. Once the drink of decadent dandies, working class rebels and old-timers. Many people now only know it as a mixer in a Martini. But Thorne will show you that it is so much more— sometimes bitter, sometimes sweet, always complex. Inside the bars and along the narrow streets of Poble Sec, you will discover the origins of this secretive drink, and how it shaped the neighborhood. And along the way, sip a vermouth or two.
Local blues man Julian Thorne has lived in Poble Sec for 25 years, played in its bars, and even written songs about the neighborhood. He'll take you where the vermouth flows. Follow Julian's sultry double bass sounds to trace the drink's history over 100 years. And discover how this neighborhood went from working class barrio to Barcelona's Broadway, enduring a civil war along the way, and becoming one of the coolest hidden pockets of the city.
Along the way, you'll hear about infamous vermouth counterfeiters, stop at one of Ferran Adria's favorite spots, and taste the original vermouth recipe from 1786 that started it all.
Tips & Hours * The optimal start time for this Detour is Tuesday to Friday around 7pm. * Saturday and Sunday you can also take this Detour in the afternoon starting around 1pm, but one stop is closed on the weekend. * To do this tour, you'll need some cash. We recommend 25 Euros. We point out a spot along the way to get cash if you need it. * There are five stops on this tour with the opportunity for food and drink, plan a couple of hours to truly enjoy these carefully curated bars.
Credits Narrator
Julian Thorne
Head of Content
Heather Schuster
Executive Producer
Stacey Book
Writer
Neil Innes
Producers
Neil Innes Andrés Bartos
Production Assistant
Leanne Hayman
Research
Aisha Prigann
Carlos Garcia-Arista
Sound Design
Dylan Peck
Connor Stock
Sound Design Supervisor
Julian Kwasneski
Music Supervisor
Mikael Sandgren
Featured Music
Julian Thorne
Image Credits:
Cover Photo: Neil Innes
Navigation Photos: Neil Innes
Archival Images: Wikicommons
Special Thanks:
El Sortidor
Edu and Jaume at Cal Marino
The Drunk guy from Havana
Quimet & Quimet
El Tigre / Gran Bodega Saltó
La Confiteria
Dave Bianchi, Dry Town Studios
Discover the hidden spaces, forgotten treasures, and lost buildings of downtown San Francisco.
Starting Location 598 Market St
Duration 1 hour, 20 minutes
Map Image
Description San Francisco's not known as an architecture city, but thanks to one of the most radical urban planning projects in the country, that reputation is about to change. This walk takes you into the city's hidden public spaces and forgotten treasures to show you why today's San Francisco looks and feels like nowhere else, and ends with a sneak peek at the massive developments that will make tomorrow's San Francisco even more unique.
Tips & Hours * This Detour can be taken any day of the week. It's best during the hours of 9am - 6:00pm when the buildings are generally all open. * The Citicorp POPO is open Monday-Friday, 10am - 5pm. * If you run into a building or space that is closed, don't worry. Rick will show you pictures on your phone. * This Detour is not strenuous, but it does go up some short flights of stairs.
Credits Host
Rick Evans is an architectural historian and guide who leads tours all over San Francisco. You can book him for a private walk at his website, ArchitectureSF.com.
Producer
Jorge Just
Editor
Marianne McCune
Additional Producing
Avi Glijansky
Sound Designer
Andrew Roth
Composer
Linda Bouchard
Photographer
Brian Frank
Special Thanks
Cameron Reesor, Sarah Wohl, Aaron With, Caleb Pershan
Podcast Episode Contributing Volunteers
Kris L.
Starting Locations of All Detours
View Starting Locations Map
Come to the home of FC Barcelona to hear the story of one legendary player, and learn how Barça became the club it is today.
Starting Location 17 Avinguda de Joan XXIII
Duration 1 hour, 25 minutes
Description The centerpiece of the Les Corts neighborhood is the Camp Nou, Europe's largest stadium, and home of one of the most popular teams in the world: FC Barcelona. This is the story of how this team became, as they say, "más que un club". One player made it possible: a young Hungarian refugee named László Kubala. In the 1950s Kubala emerged from cold war Europe and paved the way for some of the greatest footballers the world has ever seen.
Join Graham Hunter, sports journalist and Barça mega fan, to explore this neighborhood in and around the Camp Nou, and the trials and tribulations of a Catalan club in Franco's Spain. See the stadium, visit the Barça megastore, walk by the 17th centjury Masia where David Beckham trained, and hear how László Kubala revolutionized the sport.
Tips & Hours * The ideal times for this Detour are Tuesday to Saturday 8am - 7pm, and Sunday 10am - 2pm * When it’s close to kick-off time on a match day, part of the tour may be inaccessible. * Wear comfortable shoes and bring water if it’s a hot day. The route is flat, but there are a few stairs.
Credits Narrator
Graham Hunter
Head of Content
Heather Schuster
Executive Producer
Stacey Book
Writer
Andrés Bartos
Producers
Andrés Bartos
Neil Innes
Production Assistant
Leanne Hayman
Research
Carlos Garcia-Arista
Sound Design
Dylan Peck
Connor Stock
Sound Design Supervisor
Julian Kwasneski
Music Supervisor
Mikael Sandgren
Music Clearance
Elizabeth Pepin Silva
Image Credits:
Cover Photo: Andrés Bartos
Navigation Photos: Neil Innes, Andrés Bartos
Archival Images: The Kubala Family, Jordi Finestres
Archival Audio
Sourced from the public domain
Special Thanks:
Dave Bianchi, Dry Town Studios Jordi Finestres Duncan McMath The Kubala family
Discover how a generation of Chinese immigrants turned London's red light district into one of the world's biggest Chinatowns.
Starting Location 63 Rupert Street
Duration 35 minutes
Description Walking through London's Chinatown is a potent sensory experience with fire-red lanterns, sweet and sour aromas of traditional cooking, and the sound of Chinese languages being spoken around every corner of the cobbled streets. Second generation Chinatown business owner, Lucy Mitchell, will lead you through this bustling district she calls home.
When her father, Stanley Tse, first arrived by boat from Hong Kong as an impoverished teenager he encountered a red light district. As a kid growing up in Chinatown in the 70s, Lucy saw first-hand how her father's generation worked to build one of the biggest Chinatowns in the world. Today, as an executive of her family's supermarket, she feels it is her turn to ensure that Chinatown remains the cultural hub for generations to come.
As she shares her family's story, Lucy will take you into Chinatown's first Cantonese bakery, where you'll get to sample authentic Chinese pastries. You'll visit London's answer to a Chinese bazaar and learn about the Chinese zodiac calendar. And, of course, you'll see where it all started, Lucy's supermarket, SeeWoo.
Tips & Hours * This tour is an easy walk with no steep inclines or stairs required. * This Detour is best between 12pm - 8pm when all the businesses along the route are open. * Ten pounds will buy you three Sichuan skewers and a Cantonese cake from the bakery. Make sure you bring your appetite! * London weather is unpredictable so please bring an umbrella.
Credits Narrator
Lucy Mitchell
Head of Content
Heather Schuster
Executive Producer
Kim Kantner
London Series Producer
Laurie Harris
Producer
Danielle Clark
Editor
Connor Stock
Sound Design
Julian Kwasneski
Matt Strasser
Music Supervisor
Mikael Sandgren
Image Credits
• Cover photo: Sam Gordon
• Navigation photos: Laurie Harris
Follow a career civil servant into Westminster’s hidden ventricles to see its diseased but still beating heart.
Starting Location 32 Smith Square
St. John's Church at Smith Square and Lord North Street (SW1P 3HA), Westminster
Duration 1 hour
Description Join Henry Adeane, senior civil servant and forgetful whiskey enthusiast, for a jaunt around the seat of British government. Take in a millennium of history as you tread the same streets as Westminster’s greatest heroes and its many villains. Hear tales of achievement and triumph, deceit and skullduggery, botches and blunders, even as your guide struggles to contain a blunder of his own.
You’ll explore hushed backstreets where politicians plot, mandarins machinate, and the tourists rarely reach. You’ll see the government departments of Whitehall with an insider’s eye as Henry strips away the myths, cuts through the grandeur, and uncovers the true stories of government.
You’ll also travel hundreds of years back in time to meet a 17th century street urchin, wade through epic amounts of horse manure, and saunter along Victorian London’s best-known gay cruising spot.
Tips & Hours * You can take this Detour at any time. * This Detour briefly stops inside a small alcove within Westminster Abbey. If you begin before 3:30pm, you’ll be able to enter and appreciate that stop. However, one can also take the tour after 3:30pm. It is also an enjoyable walk at night. * This Detour finishes outside a pub frequented by prime ministers, politicians and civil servants. If you’d like to drop in for a drink then make sure you’ve a few pounds in your pocket.
Credits Presented by
In The Dark
Producer
David Waters
Writer
Robbie MacInnes
Director
Boz Temple-Morris
Sound Designer
Alisdair McGregor
Narrator
Henry Adeane played by James Lailey
Composers
Mick Somerset and Dave Lewin
Edito
rAaron With
Have a pint or two while exploring the home, heritage, and history of north London's beloved football club: Arsenal.
Starting Location View Google Map of Starting Location
204 Blackstock Road
Duration 1 hour, 10 minutes
Description Join Ian Stone, comedian and lifelong Arsenal supporter, for a pub crawl around the North London neighborhood that surrounds his beloved football club.
Football fans are a cornerstone of English culture. For millions of people, it is the reason to get out of bed on a Sunday morning. How has this experience evolved over time? And what does that mean for English society? Over a few jars, Ian and some other Arsenal regulars will give you a true understanding of the spirit of the game.
Ian will show you other local landmarks that only real fans know about. You'll see the old and new ground, visit the set of a 1930s detective movie, and discover why the city council was so determined to destroy a memorial to one of Arsenal's most legendary fans. Along the way, you'll raise a glass in a few of the best pubs in the neighborhood.
Tips & Hours * The ideal time to start this tour is from 4:00pm onward, Monday to Thursday, and from 12:00pm onward Friday and Saturday. * You’ll want to bring some cash, one of the pubs on the route does not take credit cards. But we’ll point out an ATM along the way. * If you choose to take the tour on an Arsenal game day be aware that the pubs may be very crowded. Also, if it is a home game at the Emirates Stadium, security might hold you up at times along the route. * In addition, one of the stops on this Detour is an away fans’ pub, so if it is a game day and you are wearing some Arsenal gear, you might want to skip that stop. If it’s not a game day you’ll be fine.
Credits Narrator
Ian Stone
Head of Content
Heather Schuster
Executive Producer
Stacey Book
Producer
Ant Adeane Andrew Arthur
Series Producer
Laurie Harris
Sound Design Supervisor
Julian Kwasneski
Music Supervisor
Mikael Sandgren
Audio Post Production services by Bay Area Sound
Matthew Strasser
Cameron Taylor
Featured Voices
Ant Adeane
Jen Langley
Robbie Lyle
Image Credits
• Cover Photo: Sam Gordon
Discover how Art Larrance and a handful of passionate home brewers, started a craft beer revolution in Portland - and beyond.
Starting Location 10 NW 12th Ave
Duration 55 minutes
Description How did Portland become one of the nation's leading cities in craft beer production and consumption, with more than fifty breweries in the city limits? Was it the quality hops or the deep-rooted appreciation of saloon culture? And is Portland really Beervana for all? On this brewery crawl, Art Larrance, founder of Portland Brewing, will tell the story of brewing from frontier saloons, through temperance and Prohibition, to the hard-fought Brewpub Bill and the massive success of the Oregon Brewers Festival. Along the way, you'll meet industry icons, hear about their trials and tribulations in the pursuit of great beer, and enjoy a few good pints along the way.
Tips & Hours * This Detour can be taken any day of the week. * The most ideal time to take this Detour is at, or after 11:30am, when the breweries are open. If you're wanting to purchase any bottled beer or brewery swag, Brewed Oregon, a retail store near the end of the route, opens at noon (that means starting the Detour around 11:30am). * Please be advised that many of the locations might be crowded in the evenings. * Bring your ID! And try to eat beforehand… this Detour takes you into 6 bars/breweries. Obviously drinking is not required, but Art will suggest places where you can get free tasters, and he'll recommend 4-5 pints along the way. Remember: Half pints are always an option! * Bring some cash to tip your bartenders!!
Credits Narrator
Art Larrance
Head of Content
Heather Schuster
Executive Producers
Stacey Book
Avi Glijansky
Producer
Samantha Lee
Associate Producer
Erika Kimpel
Jasmine McLaurin
Music Supervisor
Mikael Sandgren
Sound Design Supervisor
Julian Kwasneski
Sound Design
Costas Dafnis
Brian Heater
Image Credits
• Cover Photo: Michael Bryant
• Navigation Photos: Erika Kimple and Samantha Lee
Archival Photographs Courtesy of:
• Art Larrance
Special Thanks:
Geoff Phillips
Walk in the footsteps of one rebel who refused to bow before the Nazis who occupied Rome's Jewish Ghetto during World War II.
Starting Location 5 Via Elio Toaff
Duration 1 hour
Description Pacifico di Consiglio, better known as Il Moretto (the dark one,) was a Jew from the Roman Ghetto who refused to cower and hide from the Nazi occupiers who took over Rome in 1943. Follow Il Moretto's adventures, as he proudly walked the streets of the Gehtto during Nazi occupation—even though he was the most wanted Jew in the city.
Explore one of the oldest Jewish communities in the world, which has reamined largely unchanged for hundreds of years. See where the gates of the ghetto once locked-in the Jews, and visit the Great Synagogue of Rome, as you hear Il Moretto's incredibly moving story.
Tips & Hours * The ideal start time for this Detour is between 8am to 2pm, Sunday to Thursday. Or Friday from 8am to 10am, when the Great Synagogue of Rome is open. * IF you'd like to go inside the Great Synagogue, the cost is 11 Euros for Adults and 5 Euros for Students. Inside, you'll also have the option to join a guided tour of the Main Temple. * This is not a difficult walk but there are a few steps, and be sure to bring water if it is hot.
Credits Narrator
Marco Quaglia
Producer
Michael Epstein
Associate Producer
Federica Sasso
Head of Content
Heather Schuster
Executive Producer
Stacey Book
Sound Design Supervisor
Julian Kwasneski
Sound Design
Kyle Randall
Bay Area Sound
Music Direction
Kyle Randall
Image Credits
Navigation photos: Michael Epstein, Federica Sasso, and Felippo Macelloni
Special Thanks
Miriam Haiun
Alberto di Consiglio, who told me the story of his father and his neighborhood
Walk the beautiful streets and hear the story of two world class artists, separated by 400 years, but inspired by this place.
Starting Location Foutain of the Four Rivers, Piazza Navona
Duration 1 hour, 10 minutes
Description Michelangelo Merisi, known as Caravaggio, was a master Baroque painter who lived, created, and loved in the working class neighborhood of Campo Marzio. His paintings featured signature contrasts between light and dark and often contained hidden criticisms of the 17th century Rome in which he lived.
On this Detour, you will see several masterpieces of Caravaggio, and visit the places that inspired their subjects. The Turbulent life of this remarkable painter will unfold as you walk the streets where he lived, and visit the magnificent churches where his art is center stage. You'll also learn how Caravaggio's paintings inspired one of the world's greatest cinematographers, Vittorio Storaro.
Vittorio Storaro has won three Academy Awards for his work on films, including "Apocalypse Now", and "The Last Emperor." He will share his personal story, and his insight into Caravaggio's approach to painting. And he'll share how Caravaggio's celebrated use of light inspired his own career.
Tips & Hours The ideal starting time for this Detour is: 9am to 11am, Monday, Friday and Saturday 9am to 11am, or 3pm to 5:30pm Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.
Outside of these times, some of the stops on this Detour may be closed.
Bring some 1 Euro coins, they will be useful for turning on the lights in the churches.
Credits Narrator
Vittorio Storaro, Valentina Gioia Levy
Producer
Michael Epstein
Filippo Macelloni
Associate Producer
Federica Sasso,
Jean-Denis Le Dinahet
Head of Content
Heather Schuster
Executive Producer
Stacey Book
Sound Design Supervisor
Julian Kwasneski
Sound Design
Kyle Randall,
Bay Area Sound
Music Direction
Kyle Randall
Image Credits
Navigation photos, Michael Epstein, Federica Sasso, and Filippo Macelloni
Special Thanks
Giovanni Storaro, Soundart Studios
Explore the history and politics of The Vatican with an insider and hear about Pope Francis' mission to remake the church.
Starting Location 7 Via della Stazione Vaticana
Duration 1 hour, 5 minutes
Description Andres Beltramo is a vaticanist, which means he is a journalist specializing in the Pope and the Vatican. He has written two books on Pope Francis and flown with the Pope's attaché on seven international missions. He is most fascinated with how Pope Francis is able to rule in a way that is both merciful and tough on members of his court who stray from justice.
On this Detour, you will explore the dilemma that Pope Francis finds himself in as he tries to return the regal institution to humble service. You'll see the dormitory where Pope Francis' reforms right in St. Peter's square. You'll even cross the border into the Vatican City with Andres' help. Once inside Vatican City, you'll get to visit a photo office dedicated to the Pope's public life and inner struggle. And you'll visit the intimate Pilgrim's chapel.
Walk right into the nerve center of the Catholic faith and discover how Pope Francis is challenging the Church's practices while returning to its core doctrine.
Tips & Hours This Detour can be taken any day of the week at any time of day. But the ideal start times are Monday to Saturday, from 9:00am - 1:00pm.
On Sunday mornings and other church holidays, it can be difficult to walk through the crowds in St. Peter's Square. In addition, the last stop on this Detour, the Vatican Photo Archive, is closed on Sundays.
Bring water and wear comfortable shoes, but no flip flops, and be prepared to cover your shoulders if you want to enter Vatican City.
Credits Narrator
Andres Beltramo
Marco Quaglia, Voice Artist
Producer
Michael Epstein
Federica Sasso
Associate Producer
Jordan Demaio
Head of Content
Heather Schuster
Executive Producer
Stacey Book
Sound Design Supervisor
Julian Kwasneski
Sound Design
Kyle Randall
Bay Area Sound
Music Direction
Kyle Randall
Image Credits
Navigation photos: Michael Epstein, Federica Sasso, and Jordan Demaio
Special Thanks
Soundart Studios
Taste the flavors of Rome's traditional cuisine, from pizza to biscotti to salami, while discovering its humble roots.
Starting Location 22 Piazza Campo de' Fiori
Duration 1 hour, 10 minutes
Description Sophie Minchilli grew up in Rome the daughter of an Italian architect and food blogger, Elizabeth Minchilli. She leads food tours in Rome and specializes in celebrating the quaint, authentic places that serve traditional Roman cuisine.
On this Detour, Sophie will explain how Roman cuisine comes from the "cucina popolare" tradition which combines fresh, simple ingredients in creative ways to produce incredible flavors. You'll discover how Roman food was the result of dietary restrictions imposed by Popes, and how the influence of centuries of urban farmers and various immigrant populations have colored the dishes. Wander from the Campo de Fiori, through the Jewish ghetto, and into the winding streets of Trastevere to get to these hidden roots of Roman food.
Along the way, Sophie will take you to some of her favorite hidden spots for fantastic piazza bianca and amazing Roman cookies. You'll visit her family's preferred fruit and vegetable vendor in the lovely Campo de Fiori market, and have a spcial tasting of salami that comes from the countryside of Rome. So bring your appetite!
Tips & Hours The ideal starting time for this Detour is between 9:30am - 2:30pm, Monday to Saturday.
Bring some cash. We recommend 20 Euro, which will be enough to get you a taste of everything.
This walk is a moveable feast, so please come hungry. Most importantly, take your time. Romans like to talk, laugh, and drink while they eat. We suggest you do the same.
Credits Narrator
Sophie Minchilli
Producer
Michael Epstein
Associate Producer
Federica Sasso
Head of Content
Heather Schuster
Executive Producer
Stacey Book
Sound Design Supervisor
Julian Kwasneski
Sound Design
Kyle Randall
Bay Area Sound
Music Direction
Kyle Randall
Image Credits
Cover Photo: Sam Gordon
Navigation photos: Michael Epstein and Filippo Macelloni
Special Thanks
Elizabeth Minchilli
Max Francia
Prof. Ernesto di Renzo
Roberto Lucifero and the Accedemia del Superfluo
Tessa Lee tells her story of, once selling pot illegally, now making it her career, in Portland's most eclectic neighborhood.
Starting Location 3279 SE Hawthorne Blvd
Duration 1 hour
Description The Hawthorne neighborhood of Portland has always been at the center of the city's counter-culture. And that counter culture has always included Marijuana. But how did Hawthorne become ground zero for Portland's cannabis culture? And what's changed now that Pot is legal? Portland native Tessa Lee tells you her story, from when Hawthorne was her old stomping ground, once selling pot on the black market to now making cannabis her career, as a budtender at a local shop. She'll show you her favorite indie shops, invite you to stop and smell the nag champa, discover a one of a kind bong that sells for $10,000, and explore a few of her favorite dispensaries. All against the backdrop of what is arguably one of the most artsy and eclectic pockets of the city.
What are you waiting for? Let's go!
Tips & Hours * The most ideal time to take this Detour is at 2pm on weekdays, or at or after 11:30am on weekends when the dispensaries and head shops are open. If you'd like to see the historic Backstage Bar and Mt. Tabor Theater, they open at 3pm on weekdays, 12pm on weekends. * Bring your ID! This Detour takes you into 2 marijuana dispensaries. Obviously purchasing is not required, and partaking publicly is illegal, but dispensaries are 21+. * The route ends at Quarter World in the historic Mt. Tabor Theater, an arcade that is open Tuesday-Sunday. If you're wanting to play, bring a few dollars for the cover, and quarters to play some games! * There's an option to walk a short distance up to Mt. Tabor. If you're interested in hiking, bring comfortable shoes!
Credits Narrator
Tessa Lee
Head of Content
Heather Schuster
Executive Producers
Stacey Book
Avi Glijansky
Producer
Samantha Lee
Associate Producer
Erika Kimpel
Jasmine McLaurin
Sound Design Supervisor
Julian Kwasneski
Music Supervisor
Mikael Sandngren
Audio Post Production Services by Bay Area Sound
Costas Dafnis Brian Heater
Image Credits
• Cover Photo: Michael Bryant
• Navigation Photos: Erika Kimpel
Jazz legend Mel Brown describes Portland's Jazz Renaissance in the 70s while his son, Christopher, encourages the one now.
Starting Location 240 N Broadway St
Duration 1 hour, 10 minutes
Description Portland has been called the "Whitest City in America" but it was once home to a vibrant African American community called Albina where there was a jumping music scene. In fact, it was known as "Jumptown." So what happened? Where is the jazz music scene now and is there hope for the future?
Local jazz drummer, Christopher Brown, was born and raised here in Portland, Oregon. And his father, legendary Mel Brown, taught him everything he knows. Together they will show you a club where Sammy Davis Jr. once played and see a church where Martin Luther King Jr. spoke before he died. They'll take you to the backyard where Mel once jammed into the wee hours as a teen and bring you to what were once the most jumping spots in town.
And of course they'll let you listen to their personal collection, and show you where you can still catch some of the hottest jams in town. Can you dig it? Let's go!
Tips & Hours * This Detour can be taken any day of the week, ideally at 3pm or after if you want to see some jazz at The 1905, at the end of the route. Check here for showtimes. * Bring your ID, and come with an appetite for jazz! And some pizza. This Detour leaves you outside The 1905, a craft cocktail bar/artisanal pizza spot where narrator, Christopher Brown, often plays.
Credits Narrator
Mel Brown
Christopher Brown
Head of Content
Heather Schuster
Executive Producers
Stacey Book
Avi Glijansky
Producer
Samantha Lee
Associate Producer
Erika Kimpel
Jasmine McLaurin
Sound Design Supervisor
Julian Kwasneski
Music Supervisor
Mikael Sandgren
Music Clearance
Elizabeth Pepin Silva
Audio Post Production Services by Bay Area Sound
Costas Dafnis
Tyler Clausen
Image Credits
• Cover Photo: Michael Bryant
• Navigation Photos: Erika Kimpel
Archival Photographs Courtesy of:
• Paul Knauls
• City of Portland (OR) Archives, A2001-025.626
• City of Portland (OR) Archives, A1999-004.1138
• Oregon Historical Society, bb004106
Featured Voices
Adam Ciresi
Special Thanks:
Paul Knauls
Discover the ancient mythical origins and practices of Roman Alchemy as you explore its most important sites.
Starting Location 9/A Via di Santa Prassede
Duration 1 hour, 20 minutes
Description Claudio Lanzi is a 7th generation Roman and comes from 30 generations of alchemists, some of whom prepared potions for early Popes. Claudio takes us on an intimate journey to explore the practice of Alchemy and reveals the secret alchemical details in the churches, ruins, parks, and monuments of Esquilino.
See if you can decipher chemical and astrological symbols on the revered Porta Magica. Walk the infinite path that priests have walked for centuries in Santa Prassede. Touch the spirits by chanting in an ancient chapel. And page through sacred geometry in an esoteric bookstore. You will end the tour deep inside a 2000 year-old underground temple.
Immerse yourself in alchemy's teachings and lessons while learning the origins of Catholicism and modern mysticism.
Tips & Hours * The ideal starting times for this Detour are Monday to Saturday 8:00am - 11:am, or 4:00- 4:30pm and Sunday 11:00am- 12:00pm, or 4:00 - 4:30pm to ensure all stops will be open. Because the beginning and the end of this Detour are in spectacular churches, we recommend you stick to the start times listed.
Credits Narrator
Claudio Lanzi
Producer
Michael Epstein
Massimo Bavasto
Associate Producer
Federica Sasso
Jean-Denis Le Dinahet
Head of Content
Heather Schuster
Executive Producer
Stacey Book
Sound Design Supervisor
Julian Kwasneski
Sound Design
Kyle Randall
Bay Area Sound
Music Direction
Kyle Randall
Image Credits
Cover Photo: Sam Gordon
Navigation photos: Michael Epstein, Federica Sasso, and Filippo Macelloni
Special Thanks
Soundart Studios
Rome Zoo
SNIA Crew
Claudio Lanzi
Emanuele Terracina
Barbara Valli
Federica Sasso e Filippo Macelloni
Discover the story of how the Roman Republic fell, told through the eyes of the most powerful leader you've never heard of.
Starting Location Altar of the Fatherland
Duration 1 hour
Description Marcus Crassus was one of the wealthiest men in history, amassing a fortune worth more than $5 billion in today's money. But he appears as only a small footnote in the history of the Roman Empire. On this Detour, you'l unravel the mystery of this man and learn how he created the pedestal on which Julius Caesar and Pompey the Great, Crassus ruled Rome for two decades and ushered in the age of Empire.
Along the walk, Crassus will tell you about his power struggle and reveal the culture and the events that elevated him to power and then crushed him. Enjoy stunning views of the Forum as you visit where Crassus and his contemporaries banked, debated, bathed, and worshiped. You'll also discover a Roman insula, or apartment building, that holds secrets to how Crassus amassed his enormous fortune. And you'll see how Caesar inscribed his hubris on his own Forum.
Tips & Hours * This Detour can be walked any day at any time, but is best in the evening when there are fewer crowds and the Forum is illuminated. Optimal start time is dusk to 9:30pm. * This Detour follows a route that lets you explore the Forum without entering areas that require an admission ticket. * If you decide to walk the tour in the daytime, keep in mind that the rooftop bar at the end of the tour may be closed. * Bring water, and wear comfortable shoes. If you are walking in the evening be aware that some of the path is uneven.
Credits Narrator
Marcus Crassus
Michael Fitzpatrick, Voice Artist
Producer
Michael Epstein
Producer
Jordan Demaio
Associate Producer
Federica Sasso
Head of Content
Heather Schuster
Executive Producer
Stacey Book
Sound Design Supervisor
Julian Kwasneski
Sound Design
Kyle Randall
Bay Area Sound
Music Direction
Kyle Randall
Image Credits
Navigation photos: Michael Epstein, Federica Sasso, and Jordan Demaio
Special Thanks
Soundart Studios Max Francia
Learn what brought authors Richard Wright and James Baldwin to this neighborhood and hear the tale of their dramatic clash.
Starting Location 12 Rue Monsieur le Prince
Duration 1 hour, 10 minutes
Description Explore the quaint streets of Saint Germain-des-Pres as you follow in the footsteps of two former residents, the African-American literary legends Richard Wright and James Baldwin. Find out why these two writers, who were once great friends, became bitter enemies while living as ex-pats in Paris.
Jake Lamar, an African-American writer living in Paris, is inspired by Wright and Baldwin. He'll take you through Saint Germain, and tell you the different reason why these two literary men came to Paris, and what happened to them when they got here. You'll explore the culture of this left bank neighborhood during the mid 20th century and visit some of the cafés made famous by the world's best writers and artists: places like Café de Flroe and Les Deux Magots.
Tips & Hours * The ideal start time for this Detour is 11am to 7pm, Monday to Saturday, or Sunday afternoon. * You won't need more than 10 or 15 Euros in cash if you want to stop in the cafés where these storied writers used to hang out. The cafés also take credit cards.
Credits Narrator
Jake Lamar
Head of Content
Heather Schuster
Executive Producers
Stacey Book
Director of Production in Paris
Jim Bittermann
Senior Producer
Niki Cook
Producer
Sandrine Amiel
Associate Producer
Erin Ogunkeye
Sound Design Supervisor
Julian Kwasneski
Sound Design
Austin Guerrazzi
Music Supervisor
Mikael Sandgeren
Featured Voices
• Richard Wright, Audio courtesy of the NYC Municipal Archives, WNYC Collection.
• James Baldwin and R.H Darden, Original Broadcast by KPFK, April 1st, 1968.
Image Credits
• Cover photo: Christine Zenyi Lu .
• Navigation photos: Lina Agabani Puch and Erin Ogunkeye .
• Photos of James Baldwin and Richard Wright: Carl Van Vechten for the Library of Congress Collection
Metadata
Lina Agabani Puch
Erin Ogunkeye
Special Thanks
Shawn Dellis at Pacifica Radio Archives The NEH Preservation Project
Join playwright Jean-Pierre Muller for a walk through Mouffetard, the setting for a classic French tale of love and loss.
Starting Location 51 Rue Monge
Duration 1 hour, 5 minutes
Description The Latin Quarter is one of the oldest neighborhoods in Paris. It also happens to be the setting for one of France's classic love stories that dates back to the 12th century. Director, actor, and playwright Jean-Pierre Muller offers you a behind-the-scenes glimpse into how he wrote a play based on this tragic love story. Muller, voiced by Laurent Lederer, will tell the story as you walk along the very cobblestone streets the hero of the story once strolled.
Tips & Hours • Be sure to bring water if it is a warm day.
• This detour is best taken between 9:30am - 5:30pm, Tuesday - Saturday.
Credits Narrators
Jean-Pierre Muller Voiced by: Laurent Lederer
Head of Content
Heather Schuster
Executive Producer
Kim Kantner
Director of production in Paris
Jim Bittermann
Senior Producer
Niki Cook
Producer
Eva Tapiero
Associate Producer
Lina Agabani Push
Maggie Clarke
Editor
Connor Stock
Sound Designer
Dylan Peck
Sound Design Supervisor
Julian Kwasneski
Music Supervisor
Mikael Sandgren
Image Credits
• Cover photo: Mathieu Aimard
• Navigation photos: Lina Agabani Push
• Call out photos:
• Archival Images:
• Paris and its story, by T. Okey (1904) Marché de la rue Mouffetard en 1896. Paris street market in the Rue Mouffetard in 1896. Author unknown.
• Les Amours d'Héloïse et d'Abeilard (1819), oil on canvas (fragment). Jean Vignaud
• Abaelard and his pupil Heloise. Edmund Leighton - Unknown - 1882 Heloise World Noted Women 1883
• Lettres d'Abelard et Heloise translated by Victor Cousin 1875
• Plan of Paris in 1223, the fourth of eight chronological maps of Paris from Traité de la police Nicolas de La Mare (1639–1723) Antoine Coquart (1668–1707). This image comes from Bibliothèque Gallica online with the number btv1b8593325k.
Special Thanks
TIGRE productions
Explore the Palais-Royal neighborhood and discover how the artists and writers of Paris survived Nazi occupation.
Starting Location 155 Rue Saint-Honoré
Duration 1 hour, 20 minutes
Description Travel back to the 1940's and explore a dark and fascinating era: the Nazi Occupation of Paris, which lasted from June 1940 to August 1944. These were dark years in the City of Light and yet Parisians continued to crowd music halls, theaters, movie houses. Author and journalist Alan Riding will show you that Palais-Royal neighborhood, where the finest of French culture came face-to-face with Nazi barbarism. You'll meet many of the French artists and intellectuals of that time-- some who resisted the Nazi regime, some who just tried to get by, and some who actively collaborated.
You will see where some of these artists lived and worked right next door to the Nazi headquarters, and hear the story of the heroes who risked their lives to save some of France's most important works of art. You'll visit some amazing cultural landmarks like the Comédie-Française Theater, and the Louvre, and see some of Paris' most beautiful gardens and most iconic locations, such as the Place de Concorde.
Tips & Hours * The ideal starting time for this Detour is between 10:00am - 5:00pm, any day except Sunday when all the stops along the route are open. * You don’t need cash for this Detour but you might want to have 10 - 15 Euros on hand, just in case. * Think of this as an urban hike, wear comfortable shoes and bring some water if it’s hot outside.
Credits Narrator
Alan Riding
Head of Content
Heather Schuster
Executive Producer
Stacey Book
Director of Production in Paris
Jim Bittermann
Senior Producer
Niki Cook
Producer
Sandrine Amiel
Associate Producer
Erin Ogunkeye
Sound Design Supervisor
Julian Kwasneski
Sound Desginer
Austin Guerrazzi Costas Dafnis
Music Supervisor
Mikael Sandgren
Metadata
Lina Agabani Puch
Image Credits
• Cover photo: Christine Zenyi Lu • Navigation photos: Lina Agbani Puch, Erin Ogunkeye and Sandrine Amiel
• Map By historicair 23:45, 29 July 2007 (UTC) (Own work) [GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html), CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/) or CC BY-SA 2.5-2.0-1.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.5-2.0-1.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
Navigation Photos
Lina Agabani Puch
Erin Ogunkeye
Sandrine Amiel
Archive Photos
Robert Brasillach: Anonymous www.executedtoday.com {Public domain}, via Wikimedia Commons
André Zucca (Bibliothèque historique de la ville de Paris) [CC0], via Wikimedia Commons Adolf Hitler in Paris with Albert Speer and Arno Breker, Public Domain via US National Archives and Records Administration
The artists' muse unravels the mix of glittering sin & artistic genius that defined modern life
Starting Location Le Dome restaurant, 108 Boulevard de Montparnasse (75014) - just at the metro stop Vavin, on the line 4, Montparnasse
Duration 60 minutes
Description Once the epicenter of an international artistic revolution, Montparnasse is today a neighborhood often ignored.
But between the world wars, this area was a magnet for artists and writers looking for a place they could freely work and create. It was also the center of a fast and decadent lifestyle fueled by jazz music and cocaine.
At the center of it all was the original "it" girl, Kiki de Montparnasse, the muse and model for a number of soon-to-be-famous painters and photographers. Way before Paris Hilton, she was famous just for being famous.
Kiki will lead you by the hand to the hangouts and studios frequented by the period's glitterati, from Picasso to Hemingway. She'll also explain what was behind the debauchery: a potent movement in art and literature, trying to figure out the truths behind "modern" life. While throwing light on the key art movements from the time, Kiki will take you through Montparnasse's hidden studios, secret graves, and Picasso's favorite oil pastels.
Tips & Hours * This Detour is best during daylight hours Tuesday through Friday. Saturday through Monday, a few of the indoor locations might be closed. * Each tour taker will want to bring 1 euro and 30 cents, preferably in exact change. * Just a heads up, you'll be entering a cemetery on this tour.
Credits Producer Laura Morris (htttp://www.lauramorris.fr) is a journalist, radio producer, and occasional painter.
Guide Kiki is played by Lea Minod, a Parisian radio producer and voice actress.
Editor Aaron With
Dictators, democracy and scandal; discover 100 years of Italian politics from [a] place that is the epicenter of power in Rome.
Starting Location Altar of the Fatherland
Duration 1 hour, 15 minutes
Description The epicenter of the past hundred years of Italian politics is one neighborhood: Piazza Venezia. This is where Mussolini gave fiery speeches that inspired Hitler, where the manhunt for a kidnapped political kingpin unfolded, and where Silvio Berlusconi lived.
Investigative journalist Enrico Deaglio will explore all of this history while sharing his own stories about reporting on scandal.
You'll get behind the scenes of Mussolini's dictatorship, follow the clues of an infamous kidnapping, and check-out a private collection of election posters to understand how democracy has always been searching for a moral anchor here in Rome. You'll even visit Berlusconi's mansion.
Tips & Hours * The ideal start time for this Detour is between 10am to 5pm, Tuesday to Sunday. * Be prepared for an urban hike. There are some stairs to climb, so wear comfortable shoes, and bring water, especially if it's a warm day.
Credits Narrator
Enrico Deaglio
Producer
Michael Epstein
Producer
Filippo Macelloni
Associate Producer
Federica Sasso
Head of Content
Heather Schuster
Executive Producer
Stacey Book
Sound Design Supervisor
Julian Kwasneski
Sound Design
Kyle Randall
Bay Area Sound
Music Direction
Kyle Randall
Image Credits
Navigation photos: Michael Epstein, Federica Sasso, and Filippo Macelloni
Special Thanks
Soundart Studios
Walk through this hidden neighborhood with one of Rome's first Afro-Italians, and hear how Hip Hop became his best defense.
Starting Location 173 Via Prenestina
Duration 1 hour
Description Fabio Perilli may be one of the first Afro-Italians born in Rome when his parent were evacuated from Eritrea by the Italian government in the 1970's. But being first meant that he dealt with endless jokes and blatant racism about his brown skin. Explore the rich world of Italian Hip Hop music and graffiti that he and his crew created to defend themselves against racism. You'll also experience the diversity that followed Fabio's eary struggles, making Pigneto one of the most eclectic neighborhoods in Rome.
You'll see massive and active tag walls that tell Fabio's story. You'll also visit the sites where horrible acts of racism both cut him off from Italian society and inspired the songs that made him famous. You'll hear how his elementary school has completely changed. And you'll visit the record stores, bars, and streets that make Pigneto one of the coolest out of the way neighborhoods in Rome.
This is an unforgettable journey into a corner of the Hip Hop movement that few know exists.
Tips & Hours * This Detour can be done any time, any day of the week. But is best in the afternoons between 4pm to 7pm.
Credits Narrator
Fabio Perilli
Producer
Michael Epstein
Associate Producer
Federica Sasso
Andrea Virili
Head of Content
Heather Schuster
Executive Producer
Stacey Book
Sound Design Supervisor
Julian Kwasneski
Sound Design
Kyle Randall
Bay Area Sound
Music Composition
Mikael Sandgren
Image Credits
Navigation photos: Michael Epstein, Federica Sasso, Jordan Demaio, and Filippo Macelloni
Special Thanks
Soundart Studios
Rome Zoo
SNIA Crew
An architecture tour with a terrifying twist, science writer Nathan Gilles shows what will happen if the Cascadia quake hits.
Starting Location 5 SE Madison St
Duration 1 hour, 5 minutes
Description According to seismologists, the chances of a massive 9.0 earthquake slamming the Pacific Northwest are disturbingly high. And Portland is situated right on the Cascadia subduction zone, the fault line that would cause it. But is Portland ready for what could be the most devastating quake in US history? And more importantly, are you? Science Reporter Nathan Gilles imagines the moment of the potential quake and takes you through the city during the immediate aftermath, offering his visions and wry sensibilities of what could happen-- how your time in keep-it-weird Portland could ultimately kill you, crush you, or maim you. How you and your companions could be murdered by a legacy of lax building codes, how you could be without power, plumbing, and cell reception for months, and how you might end up living in a tent while you wait for help that comes only too late.
This immersive "doomsday" scenario will be packed with real science to prepare for the "what if" quake. It'll help you mentally prepare fro the really big one, changing the way you think about survival, and hopefully realizing that survival isn't a solo mission. In case of extreme emergency, the community will have to be prepared to work together.
Your life could depend on the information you learn on this walk.
Tips & Hours * This Detour can be taken any time and day of the week. * The most ideal time to take this Detour is during daylight hours. * Bring your umbrella! This Detour is primarily outside and, well, this is Portland.
Credits Narrator
Nathan Gilles
Head of Content
Heather Schuster
Executive Producers
Stacey Book Avi Glijansky
Producer
Samantha Lee
Associate Producer
Erika Kimpel
Jasmine McLaurin
Sound Design Supervisor
Julian Kwasneski
Music Supervisor
Mikael Sandgren
Audio Post Production services by Bay Area Sound
Costas Dafnis Brian Heater
Image Credits
• Cover Image: Michael Bryant
• Additional Images: Julia Precourt
Valid, controversial, or silly, Montmartre’s strict laws were made to be broken.
Starting Location 27 Rue des Saules
Lapin Agile Cabaret, 22 rue des Saules (nearest Metro station Lamarck Caulaincourt) Montmartre
Duration 60 minutes
Description Forget about the romantic past of Montmartre. On this walk, you will explore the rebellious and contemporary side of the hill. Radio producer Jeanne Robet will lead you through a world of the fringe economy. Our journey will make you think about the way we use public space, as you witness how Paris’s strict laws, ranging from comical bureaucratic regulations to controversial laws to meaningful restrictions on darker vices, play out in the streets. You’ll meditate on how we choose what we show and what we hide in public, what we condone, and what we punish.
You will first climb the hill of Montmartre among the tourists, and then walk down to La Goutte d'Or district with a large population of African immigrants. You will meet a grumpy painter, Barry Black the Goulou-Goulou, the Cowboy and his illegal flyers, a pickpocket and other lawbreakers and observers, including the police commander of the whole district. You will search for Eiffel Tower miniatures and stocks of contraband cigarettes, salute a crew of fresh fowl, and remember how beautiful an Imam can sound. Hopefully after this walk, you will feel just as comfortable downhill in the vibrant chaos of illicit activities, as uphill in the polished postcard.
Tips & Hours * Begin this Detour between 10am - 6pm during summer and between 11am - 4pm in the winter. Avoid Mondays and rainy days and don't take the tour at night. Weekends are very crowded, but good also days to experience this Detour. * This Detour is recommended for ages 16 and up. * Be aware of pickpockets and keep your phone in a safe place. * This is an energetic walk. There is one hill to climb and a long flight of stairs.
Credits Producer and Narrator Jeanne Robet is a radio producer and sound artist based in Paris (www.jeannerobet.com)
Music All the music is composed by Samuel Hirsch.
Editor Aaron With
Interviewees Paul, the painter. Barry, the goulou-goulou. Abdu, the hashish dealer. Nelson the police commander. Lansana the cowboy, Malick the observer of every mother f* thing, Matt the addict pickpocket, Jacky the neighbor, Karim the specialist, Sofia the writer, Minou and Badri, the cigarette sellers. (Listed in order of appearance).
Actors All the interviews are based on authentic interviews of real people. Some translated interviews needed to be acted in English.
Paul is played by Mohammed Rouahbi. Nelson is played by Olivier Claverie. Lansana is played by Adama Diop.
Thanks Many thanks to the long list of friends and people who helped me during this production. Special thanks to the chicken shop.
Explore the baking battlefield of Grenelle with a narrator from Le Cordon Bleu and taste some of the best bread in Paris.
Starting Location 47 Bouldevard de Grenelle
Duration 55 minutes
Description Just a few blocks away from the Eiffel tower, the Grenelle district is a residential area where tourists rarely venture. Yet this quiet corner of Paris has become an aromatic battlefield for some of the best bakeries in town, including the famous Poilane. Founded in 1932 by Pierre Poilane, this family-run bread empire has conquered the hearts and stomachs of Parisians with its exquisite sourdough loaves.
Leanne Mallard from Le Cordon Bleu Institute will lead you through the neighborhood where her school trains tomorrow's bakers. You'll taste several different styles of breads, as well as some of the best local cheeses and cured meats. And you'll meet Apollonia, the heiress to the Poilâne bakery who will tell you about her family's generations-old bread empire.
Today you will decide which side of the bread wars you will join. The only way to know is to taste!
Tips & Hours This Detour is best taken between 10am to 6pm, Tuesday to Saturday. Most of the stops are closed on Sunday and Monday.
You'll need between 10 and 15 Euros in cash. You will pass by an ATM at the beginning of the tour.
You'll buy several different kinds of bread. Don't be worried if it feels like you have a lot of leftovers by the end of your tour. Many of these breads are will keep for several days.
Credits Narrator
Leanne Mallard/Le Cordon Bleu Institute
Head of Content
Heather Schuster
Executive Producer
Stacey Book
Director of Production in Paris
Jim Bittermann
Senior Producer
Niki Cook
Producer
Sandrine Amiel
Associate Producer
Erin Ogunkeye
Sound Design Supervisor
Julian Kwasneski
Sound Design
Austin Guerrazzi
Music Direction
Mikael Sandgren
Featured Voices
Apollonia Poilâne Eric Kayser
Image Credits
• Cover photo: Christine Zenyi Lu
• Navigation photos: Lina Agbani Puch, Erin Ogunkeye and Sandrine Amiel
Special Thanks
Le Cordon Bleu Institute
Explore the student and worker revolt of May 1968 that rocked Paris and see how it unleashed a cultural revolution.
Starting Location 2 Place de la Sorbonne
Duration 1 hour, 10 minutes
Description In the spring of 1968, millions of students and workers joined hands in a general strike that paralyzed the country and almost brought down the government. The political revolution envisioned by the young idealists taking the streets didn't happen. So why is May 1968 still considered such a pivotal moment in recent French history, and why are the effects still relevant today?
Explore the legacy of that utopian spring with Bernard Schalscha, who was on the frontlines of the 1968 uprising in the vibrant Latin Quarter. You'll walk the streets where students built their barricades and dug up cobblestones to throw at the police. Bernard will take you to the prestigious Sorbonne
Tips & Hours * The ideal start time for this Detour is between 10:00am-5:00pm, Tuesday to Saturday. * You won't need cash on this Detour but there is a stop at a great record shop if you're into vinyl.
Credits Narrator
Bernard Schalscha
Head of Content
Heather Schuster
Executive Producer
Stacey Book
Director of Production in Paris
Jim Bittermann
Senior Producer
Niki Cook
Producer
Sandrine Amiel
Associate Producer
Erin Ogunkeye
Sound Design Supervisor
Julian Kwasneski
Sound Designers
Austin Guerrazzi
Costas Dafnis
Music Supervisor
Mikael Sandgren
Featured Voices
Anne Zelensky (Dubbing: Vittoria Fresco)
Baki Youssoufou
Image Credits
• Cover photo: Christine Zenyi Lu
• Navigation photos: Lina Agbani Puch, Erin Ogunkeye and Sandrine Amiel
• Archival Photos: Photo of Daniel Cohn Bendit, Public Domain via. Netherlands National Archives. Author: Jac. de Nijs
Step out for a night on the town and hear the story of the renegade ladies of burlesque.
Starting Location 296 Bowery
Duration 1 hour, 10 minutes
Map Image
Description Back in 1868, the English performance troupe known as the British Blondes came to New York City and they showed us that burlesque can be all about political satire and overt feminine sexuality. They showed a little skin, at a time when seeing an ankle with scandalous. Since then burlesque has ridden the waves of politics and feminism in New York, from prohibition to the 90s when Giuliani padlocked the cabarets.
Come out tonight for a drink at some of the coolest, tucked away bars in Manhattan. Dirty Martini, a world renowned burlesque performer, will show you around her neighborhood. Discover how the Lower East Side has evolved from tenement housing for Irish and Jewish immigrants, to a hot-bed of prohibition era bootlegging. See where the gangsters and showgirls hung out, and where the saloons on New York's famous Bowery served up cheap beer and bar brawls. And of course, you'll get a chance to see some live burlesque as well.
Tips & Hours * It’s best to start this Detour after 7:00pm, as most of the bars on the Lower East Side are just waking up around then. * Don’t forget your ID! Most of the stops on this tour will check your age, so make sure you’re over 21. * If you want to see the live burlesque show at The Slipper Room you should take this Detour Wednesday through Saturday. Keep in mind that tickets for the show are between $10 - $20 depending on the act and the night. Shows start between 8pm and 10pm so check the Slipper Room website to be sure. Start your Detour 30 minutes before showtime. www.slipperroom.com * There is one stop that has a no-fur, and no-flip-flop policy. So please leave your mink at home and wear proper shoes. * Bring some cash for drinks and snacks. We recommend $40.
Credits Narrator
Dirty Martini
Head of Content
Heather Schuster
Executive Producers
Stacey Book and Rick Smigielski
Producer
Lindsey Schneider
Sound Design Supervisor
Julian Kwasneski
Sound Design
Connor Stock
Music Direction
Julian Kwasneski
Connor Stock
Featured Voices
Dirty Martini
Image Credits
• Cover photo: Sam Henriques
• Navigation photos: Lindsey Schneider
Recording Studio
Brewery Recording Studio
Podcast Episode Contributing Volunteers
Kris L.
Starting Locations of All Detours
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Local Historian Yukie Ohta reveals how Soho transformed from a manufacturing hub, to a vibrant artist community, to the shopping district of today.
Starting Location 91 Prince St
Duration 1 hour, 5 minutes
Map Image
Description Yukie Ohta grew up in 1970's SoHo when it was the epicenter of the New York Art world. Her dad was a working artist and her family lived in an old cast iron warehouse where world-renowned artists were their neighbors, friends, and sometimes, plumbers. Now she is the neighborhood archivist, memorializing the groundbreaking creativity in SoHo over the last 100 years.
Yukie will show you the neighborhood's hidden artworks, how this artist community bubbled up in a neighborhood that the city had largely forgotten, and how even the high-end designer shops that line the street today give a nod to the artistic past of the neighborhood.
Along the way, you'll discover an astonishing sculpture hidden in plain sight and the secrets of New York's old cast iron buildings. You'll peruse the shelves of the same industrial supply store where artists found their inspiration and take an elevator up to a bohemian artist's loft that now only exists to sell expensive designer goods. You'll even see New York City's oldest brothels and visit some of its oldest bars. Walk with Yukie through a neighborhood and era that changed Downtown culture, the city itself -- and even the question of "what is art?"
Tips & Hours * This Detour can be taken any time, any day, but is best between 11am and 4pm, Wednesday to Saturday, when all stops on the tour are open. * This Detour begins just outside the Prince Street Subway stop on the N/ Q/ R line. * This Detour ends at an old SoHo bar and restaurant. Be sure to bring some cash or a credit card for food and drink if you’d like to eat after your tour. * The final stop is within walking distance from Subway lines A / C / E, 1 / 2, and N / Q / R.
Credits Narrator
Yukie Ohta
Head of Content
Heather Schuster
Executive Producer
Rick Smigielski
Advising Producer
Jorge Just
Producer
Laura Morris
Podcast Episode Contributing Volunteers
Kris L.
Starting Locations of All Detours
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Explore Union Square park with one of NY's premier architects and hear about one of the city's notorious figures: Boss Tweed.
Starting Location 20 Union Square W
Duration 30 minutes
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Description During the 19th century Union Square was the stage for one of New York City's most notorious figures: the politician William "Boss" Tweed. Come explore Union Square park as it is today with renowned architect and designer David Rockwell hear about how public space influences public life. Learn how the park looked and felt when it was Boss Tweed's stomping ground, and hear how he went head to head with one of the world's great parks designers, Frederick Law Olmstead. Visit the site of the old Tammany Hall, get a personal tour of the W Union Square designed by the Rockwell Group, and see how this park has been the stage for some of New York's most important protests, celebrations and public gatherings for nearly 200 years.
Tips & Hours * This tour can be taken any day of the week, at any time. The famous Union Square Greenmarket operates Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays between 8 am and 6pm. The market does not impede the tour, but it might slow you down just a bit - especially if you're tempted by beautiful, organic fruits and vegetables. * During the Christmas season there is a holiday market that operates on the south side of the park. * This is a short Detour, easy to fit in during a busy day!
Credits Narrator
David Rockwell
Head of Content
Heather Schuster
Executive Producer
Stacey Book
Producer
Laura Morris
Associate Producer
Samara Smith
Sound Design Supervisor
Julian Kwasneski
Sound Design
Dylan Peck
Andy Jung
Audio Post Production services by Bay Area Sound
Image Credits
• Cover Photo: Sam Enriques
• Navigation photos: Samara Smith
Podcast Episode Contributing Volunteers
Kris L.
Starting Locations of All Detours
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Pro skater Eric “Tuma” Britton shows you why Venice is irresistible to outsiders -- from street performers and body-builders to pro skateboarders.
Starting Location 1800 Ocean Front Walk, Venice, CA 90291
Duration 35 minutes
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Description Venice locals talk about the "vortex" - an irresistible force that attracts all kind sof society's outsiders to this bohemian beach town. From street performers to bodybuilders, they're people who want to live on the edge, always pushing their limits. In the 1970s, a new kind of outsider started gravitating to Venice...skateboarders. Now, they are one of the boardwalk's staple attractions.
On this Detour, Third-Generation Z-boy and professional skateboarder Eric "Tuma" Britton will show you what Venice's edgy vibe is all about. He'll guide you around the iconic Venice skatepark and show you where he got his start as one of the first African-American pro skaters. You'll dive deep into the heart of the Venice boardwalk "freak show," and meet local fixture Perry Hernandez, the Glass Walker of Venice Beach. And, you'll get an insider's view of Muscle Beach, a place as sacred to bodybuilders as the skate park is to Eric.
Along the way, you'll also get a peek at the newest bunch of outsiders to claim Venice as their home - the "technorati" of companies like Google and Snapchat who've felt the pull of the Venice vortex too. Come along with Eric and find out why there's no place like it for those who love living life on the edge.
Tips & Hours * This Detour can be taken anytime between sunrise and sunset, seven days a week. * To catch the boardwalk at its liveliest, take this Detour on weekday evenings or on the weekend. * Wear comfortable shoes and lots of sunscreen!
Credits Narrator
Eric “Tuma” Britton
Head of Content
Heather Schuster
Executive Producer
Dan Arden
Advising Producer
Luisa Beck
Associate Producer
Elyssa Dudley
Producers
Dana Millikin
Research Supervisor
Bo Palinic
Writers
Dana Millikin
Luisa Beck
Production Assistant
Cameron Kell
Music Supervisor
Mark Governor
Sound Design
Alex MacInnis
Image Credits
• Cover photo, Photo by Alexander Londoño
• Archival Photograph Courtesy of: Photograph of Venice Pavilion Courtesy of University of Southern California, on behalf of the USC Libraries Special Collections, Los Angeles Examiner Photographs Collection
Featured Voices
Perry Hernandez
Special Thanks
Perry Hernandez
Podcast Episode Contributing Volunteers
Kris L.
Starting Locations of All Detours
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Street artist, Nuke, shares his story as an urban artist growing up in DTLA. He shows us his crew's stomping ground and some of the Arts District's coolest murals.
Starting Location 700 E 3rd St
Traction Ave & E 3rd St, Los Angeles, CA 90012
Duration 40 minutes
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Description Nuke, leader of the prolific Under The Influence (UTI) crew, reveals the Arts District’s gritty history as the wild west of street art. Join him on a walk through this industrial neighborhood as he shares where he and his crew began to make art and all the places street art continues to thrive today.
We'll check out a parking lot covered in amazing murals by Nuke and his UTI crew; stop at the American Hotel and hear about the early days when Nuke lived and drank there: and we'll visit the Container Yard, where the owner has created a street art gallery that brings top artists from around the globe to paint in DTLA.
Tips & Hours * Bring sunscreen and water if it's a hot day. * This Detour is best between 11am and 4pm when all of the businesses along the route are open. * Lili Lakich's Studio is typically closed on Sundays, so if you ring the bell you may not get an answer. * The Arts District Co-Op is not open on Mondays. The Container Yard hours vary and you may not be able to go inside. * There are two public restrooms along the route — at the Art Share LA building and the Container Yard.
Credits Narrator
Joseph “Nuke” Montalvo
Featured Voices
Peter Greco
Colette Miller
Head of Content
Heather Schuster
Executive Producer
Kim Kantner
Producer
Samantha Lee
Associate Producer
Maggie Clarke
Editor
Cameron Taylor
Brendan Stock
Sound Design
Julian KwasneskI
Image Credits
Cover photo: Kat Bawden J Navigation photos: Samantha Lee
Special Thanks
Lili Lakich Art Share L.A. INSA
Podcast Episode Contributing Volunteers
Kris L.
Starting Locations of All Detours
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Matthew Kang, Koreatown native and Editor of Eater LA, takes us deep into K-Town for a booming mix of food and culture.
Starting Location 3455 W 8th St, Los Angeles, CA 90005
Duration 40 minutes
Description LA's Koreatown is not only the largest concentration of Koreans outside of Korea, it's also a vibrant immigrant community that has carved out a distinctive cultural hub. Koreans and Korean-Americans have a very special relationship to food, and socializing around eating and drinking is key to the culture.
This Detour is narrated by Matthew Kang, a Koreatown local and Editor at Eater LA, a food and dining website. Kang will show us inside his Koreatown - the restaurants, shops and landmarks that make K-Town such an exciting destination and the true home for Korean-Americans. You'll visit some of Matt's favorite dining spots, from one of the most traditional Korean restaurants in LA, to a contemporary place that celebrates Korean flavors with a twist. Along the way, you'll learn about a Korean hangover cure that's also rumored to be a beauty treatment, and check out a shop that continues the centuries-old art of traditional Korean silk dress-making.
But this is much more than a restaurant guide. Throughout the Detour, Matt explores the rough history of the Koreans that pioneered Koreatown, to get a deeper sense of what shaped this place. First generation immigrants had seen Japanese occupation, WWII, and the Korean War firsthand, only to get caught up in the 1992 L.A. Riots.
It's a story of perseverance and growth, of the everyday needs (jobs, community, and of course, food) that brings people together, and what happens when a newer generation of Korean-Americans grow up in the cultural stew that is Los Angeles.
Tips & Hours * This Detour can be taken any day, from 11am to 9pm. * Late afternoon or early evening is a great time to start, with the goal of enjoying a delicious dinner at the end of the tour * The Detour includes going inside the traditional Korean restaurant Dong Il Jang, which is open every day except for Monday. * Bring an appetite, but don’t be so hungry that you can’t walk the full tour before eating; there will be an opportunity for coffee and a snack along the way
Credits Detour Head of Content
Heather Schuster
Narrator
Matthew Kang
Executive Producer
Dan Arden
Producer-Writer
Tim Halbur
Associate Producer
Cameron Kell
Sound Designer-Music Supervisor
Mikael Sandgren
Research Supervisor
Bo Palinic
Production Assistant
Adriana Cargill
Image Credits
• Cover photo, Kat Bawden
• Photographs Courtesy of: David Butow / Corbis Historical / Getty Images Photograph of Wilshire Boulevard Temple, Courtesy of Wilshire Boulevard Temple
Featured Voices
Roy Kim
Eunjoo Kim
Roy Choi
Writer Lynell George shares the path many immigrants have walked from Union Station into the heart of Downtown.
Starting Location The front door of Los Angeles Union Station, Downtown
800 N Alameda St, Los Angeles, CA 90012
Duration 55 minutes
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Description Los Angeles is one of the most ethnically diverse cities in America. Over 225 languages are spoken within the LA city limits! On this Detour, acclaimed LA author and journalist Lynell George leads you through several of the city’s unique cultural enclaves. Walking the time-honored path traveled by generations of immigrants, you’ll see how they shaped LA by pursuing their dreams and answering the question “What If?”
You’ll set off from Union Station, the traditional and symbolic gateway to Los Angeles. It’s also Lynell’s favorite building in LA because it’s here that her mother first arrived from New Orleans at age 17. Along the way, you’ll visit the “Birthplace of Los Angeles,” a vibrant alleyway and church steeped in cultural heritage, and an out-of-the-way artwork that caused so much controversy when it was unveiled in 1932 that its artist was deported and the mural was whitewashed. You’ll wind through the streets beneath the red lanterns of Chinatown and see a hidden last vestige of the lost neighborhood known as “China City.”
By the end, you’ll take a seat in Philippe’s restaurant, which Lynell calls “LA’s communal dining room.” At Philippe’s, generations of immigrants and Angelenos from every ethnic neighborhood have been gathering for food and conversation for more than a century. So bring your appetite and join Lynell on this journey through Downtown LA, and discover your own “What If?”
Tips & Hours * This Detour can be taken between 10am and 7pm, every day of the week. * The most ideal days to take this Detour are Tuesday through Sunday when the America Tropical Interpretive Center is open from 10am to 3pm (that means starting the Detour between 9:40 am and 2:30 pm). * Wear comfortable shoes and come with an appetite… this Detour ends at one of LA’s most historic and favorite restaurants.
Credits Narrator Lynell George
Head of Content Heather Schuster
Executive Producer Dan Arden
Advising Producer Luisa Beck
Producer Brent Pierson
Associate Producer Elyssa Dudley
Writers Lynell George
Research Supervisor Bo Palinic
Music Supervisor Mark Governor
Sound Design Alex MacInnis
Production Assistant Cameron Kell
Image Credits * Kat Bawden
Archival Photographs Courtesy of: C. C. Pierce, C. C. Pierce Collection / Los Angeles Public Library
Harry Quillen, Harry Quillen Collection / Los Angeles Public Library
Lynell George
Featured Voices Jose Antonio Aguilar
Bonnie Chen
Ed Fuentes
Stephen Gee
Francisco Hernandez
Luis J. Rodriguez
Stephen Gee Interview Courtesy of: Stephen Gee interview audio from Southern California Public Radio’s Take Two® “John Parkinson: The man behind some of LA’s most iconic buildings” (p) (c) 2013 Southern California Public Radio. Used with permission. All rights reserved.
Special Thanks: Jose Antonio Aguilar
Bonnie Chen
Ed Fuentes
Stephen Gee
Francisco Hernandez
Luis J. Rodriguez
Philippe’s
Podcast Episode Contributing Volunteers
Kris L.
Starting Locations of All Detours
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Explore the flavors, fashion, and rich heritage of Harlem with world class chef Marcus Samuelsson.
Starting Location 52 W 116th St
Duration 1 hour
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Description Explore the distinctive flavors of Harlem and find out what the food here can tell us about this neighborhood's past and future - from the Harlem Renaissance and Capital of Black America to a global neighborhood on the rise. Globe-trotting chef Marcus Samuelsson gives you a personal guided tour of the places and flavors of Harlem, where he has made his home, and which heavily influence the menu of his flagship Red Rooster restaurant.
Tips & Hours * This tour is easy to walk with no steep inclines. * Bring some water if it's a warm day. * This Detour is best after 12:00pm when most of the businesses along the route are open. * This is a food tour with lots of tastes and snacks - so come hungry! * Most of the stops on this route take credit cards, but it's not a bad idea to have some cash on hand just in case. * Duration: 90 minutes - 2 hours, depending on how hungry you are and how long you linger at each stop.
Credits Narrated and Curated by
Marcus Samuelsson
Written and Produced by
Robin Espinola
Music Courtesy of
Brian Keane
Head of Content
Heather Schuster
Executive Producer
Stacey Book
Associate Producer
Lindsey Schneider
Featured Voices
Aliyyah Baylor
Kenneth Black
Sam Hargress
Elizabeth Gwin
Ahmadou Jean
Tariq Shahid
Tren’ness Woods-Black
Marc Williamson
Still Photography
Sam Enriques
Sound Recording
Lindsey Schneider
Michael Doherty, Audio Paint Studios
Charles Martinez, Audio Paint Studios
Sound Editing and Design
Julian Kwasneski
Connor Stock
Austin Guerazzi
Brendan Stock
Connor Lasky
Bay Area Sound P 2/2
Music Direction
Mikael Sandgren
Production Assistants
Jenifer Abel Shedley Osse, Jr.
Special thanks to
Joseph Brettschneider
Jenn Burka
Paul Deo
Barnard Jaffier
Brian Keane
Laura Morris
The Marcus Samuelsson Group
Sylvia’s Restaurant
The Studio Museum of Harlem
Podcast Episode Contributing Volunteers
Kris L.
Starting Locations of All Detours
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Academy Award nominee Ken Burns reveals the secrets behind the building of the Brooklyn Bridge.
Starting Location Fulton Ferry Landing, 1 Water St
Duration 43 minutes
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Description Join Ken Burns, America’s most celebrated historical filmmaker, for a fascinating walk across New York City’s Brooklyn Bridge. On this Detour, Ken takes you over and under the famous bridge to reveal the secrets of its dramatic history and...
Tips & Hours * This Detour can be taken anytime, any day of the week. * In filmmaking terms, the hour before sunset is known as “Magic Hour” and provides sunlight that is especially beautiful. If you are lucky, a rosy glow will illuminate the New York skyline as you walk across. * The Brooklyn Bridge is a popular destination for everyone from wide-eyed, globe-trotting, tourists to the most hard-bitten New Yorkers. Be ready for crowds! * Bring water and some cash for additional drinks and snacks. In the summer, it can get very hot on the bridge. * Also, use the restroom before embarking on the tour. Once you are on the bridge itself, there are no places to stop.
Credits Narrator
Ken Burns
Producers
Robin Espinola
Lindsey Schneider
Executive Producers
Rick Smigielski
Brad Stratton
Head of Content
Heather Schuster
Consulting Producer
Jorge Just
Audio Post ProductionBANG Music + Audio Post
Music and Audio Post Production
Brad Stratton
Senior Engineer
Paul Vitolins
Composer
Timo Elliston
Image Credits
• Cover photo: Sam Henriques
• Narrator photo: Tim Llewellyn
• Navigation photos: Sam Henriques, Rick Smigielski
Special Thanks
Samara Smith, Laura Morris, Sarah Klein, and Tom Mason
Podcast Episode Contributing Volunteers
Kris L.
Starting Locations of All Detours
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Dive into the collective memory of the people of the souk and the artists of Jamaa el Fna
Starting Location Horse Coach Street by Place Jemaa el Fnaa (Rue el Mouhadine across from Mosquee al Koutoubia near Club Med), The Medina
Duration 1 hour 10 minutes
Description Dive into the collective memory of the thousand years old square, Place Jemaa el Fnaa, and its surrounding souks. Beyond the iconic postcard imagery often associated with the Medina, this walk offers a glimpse into the lives of the people working there. Their stories show how familial, oral transmission has preserved traditional crafts and arts here for centuries.
You’ll meet Hicham, a snake charmer and Simohammed, a monkey trainer. You will learn the rules for haggling, and discover white magic love cures with Zakaria, while soundscapes of the souk’s past and present explore the sonic origins of today's traditions. This walk will equip you to with the secrets to engage in the essence of Jemaa el Fnaa—the halqa—the circular gathering around artists that has animated the square for centuries...
Artist Anna Raimondo’s inclusive creative process involved many contributors working together, sharing their stories to create a collective mosaic of memories and perspectives. In addition to the interviews presented in this piece, Anna has merged multiple people of the Medina into Rokia, the semi-fictional narrator who guides listeners to a deeper understanding of the area.
Tips & Hours * This Detour is best between 1pm - 5:30pm when the markets are in full swing. We don't recommend this Detour on Fridays or during Ramadan because most of the stops are closed. * You'll need a good internet connection for downloading. Try “le Jardin” in the Medina, or “Café du Livre” in Gueliz. * Before you get there, change at least 100 dhr in coins or small bills for the snake charmer, performing monkeys, and Moroccan treats. * If shop-keepers talk to you while you are listening, just point to your earphones with a big smile or press pause and explain.
Credits Producer
Anna Raimondo is a radio producer and sound artist based in Brussels and working internationally. www.annaraimondo.com
Narrator
Rokia El Baz
Sound mix
Julian Kwasneski
Studio recording of Rokia’s voice
Charles Collin
Logistics
Adil El Filali
Editor
Aaron With
Music
• Improvisations by the group "Gnawa of the Casbha" • “Ingouba Finkouma" by The Servants of the Invisible, copyright KamarMusic USA with the friendly authorisation of Maalem Abbès Larfaoui Baska and the Sons of the Moon Ensemble KamarStudios Morocco • “Apple Concentrate" by Omar Rafaat • Additional introductory percussion by Samuel Hirsch • Various percussion samples by Linda Brouchard, arranged by Anna Raimondo ### Interviewees in order of appearance: • Hicham Chrif Al Isaoui, snake charmer • Mohammed Baabout , monkey trainer • Hakim, ceramics seller • Hosni, rug seller • Mohammed Sbai, spice seller • Zakaria Bazzari, the white magic practitioner • Meriem Said, singer All of the interviews are real, but the voices of Mohammed and Meriem are translations performed by actors. Mohammed, the spice seller, was interpreted by Youssef Meriem, the halqa singer, was interpreted by Zineb Chbibi Cadoux
Explore the birth of jazz in what was historically a vice district, and soak up the history of New Orleans music.
Starting Location 301 Basin St
Duration 40 minutes
Description Jazz man Glend David Andrews was born and raised in New Orleans and grew up hearing stories from older musicians about the music in Storyville and the South Rampart neighborhoods. Now you can walk with him and hear these same stories as he takes you on a trip back to those heady decades between 1890 and 1920, when jazz was in its infancy.
Between the red-light district of Storyville, and South Rampart, Glen knows this neighborhood's secrets, and where to find all the ghosts of its musical past. You'll see one of the last existing structures that was a famous New Orleans whorehouse, see where Louis Armstrong won his first talent show, and hear how jazz evolved out of a handful of different influences thanks to the wildness of the neighborhood. Perk up your ears and listen, you might just dance your way through Storyville.
Tips & Hours * You can take this Detour any day of the week but it is best between 11am - 7pm Monday through Saturday, and noon - 5pm on Sundays, when all of the stops are open. * Think of this as an urban hike, wear your walking shoes, and bring some water if it's hot. This walk has some hills.
Credits Narrator
Glen David Andrews
Producer
Matthew Hartwell
Associate Producer
Elsa Kern
Head of Content
Heather Schuster
Executive Producer
Avi Glijansky
Sound Design
Julian Kwasneski
Connor Stock
Bay Area Sound
Music Direction
Julian Kwasneski
Connor Stock
Image Credits
• Cover Photo: Abe Felix
Special Thanks
Barney Kilpatrick Robert Dafford
Frances Anderton, host of KCRW's DnA: Design and Architecture, shows you how architects and residents are reclaiming Santa Monica for pedestrians and cyclists.
Starting Location 333 Olympic Blvd
Santa Monica: Designing a Pedestrian Utopia
Duration 45 minutes
Description Frances Anderton is a radio reporter who loves two things: design and Santa Monica Beach. In fact, she is the host of KCRW's DnA — a weekly show from LA exploring architecture and design. On this Detour, Frances takes you deep inside the designed world of Santa Monica to see how Santa Monica's architects and residents are leading the "post-car revolution" and creating a pedestrian utopia.
Along the way, Frances shares the bizarre story of a massive freeway over the ocean that never came to be, and introduces us to the architects who have shaped and reshaped Santa Monica, including her friend Frank Gehry. You'll see the famous beach and pier and visit Santa Monica's stunning new Esplanade, designed to be the city's iconic gateway that integrates the beach, civic center and downtown. Frances will show you how the city has totally redefined common urban spaces, from shopping malls to parking structures. And, you'll find out how parking structures in Santa Monica have become the new center of "urban mountaineering."
Tips & Hours * This Detour can be taken anytime between sunrise and sunset, seven days a week. * If you want to visit the Camera Obscura as part of the Detour, plan to go Monday through Friday between 9am to 3pm, or Saturday from 11am to 4pm. * Wear comfortable shoes and be prepared for one hearty climb up a long flight of stairs. But at the top, you will be rewarded with a stunning view of the beach and coastline!
Credits Narrator
Frances Anderton
Head of Content
Heather Schuster
Executive Producer
Dan Arden
Advising Producer
Luisa Beck
Associate Producer
Elyssa Dudley
Producers
Avishay Artsy
Frances Anderton
Writers
Frances Anderton
Avishay Artsy
Research Supervisor
Bo Palinic
Music Supervisor
Mark Governor
Sound Design
Alex MacInnis
Production Assistant
Cameron Kell
Image Credits
• Cover photo: Kat Bawden
• Santa Monica Causeway Photograph Courtesy of: City of Santa Monica
Featured VoicesF
rank Gehry, Christof Jantzen, Anne Marie Karlsen, Alex Lightman, Sam Lubell
Special Thanks
KCRW
Walk through Bronzeville with Jazz performer Maggie Brown and explore the neighborhood’s golden age and unexpected decline.
Starting Location 4633 S Dr Martin Luther King Jr Dr
Duration 55 minutes
Description Over the years Bronzeville has been called a lot of things: the Black Metropolis, the Black Belt, a city within a city; but jazz singer Maggie Brown calls it home. Her grandfather helped build the community in the darkest days of segregation, and since then it's nurtured four generations of her family.
When segregation kept African Americans from living almost anywhere else in Chicago, people like Maggie's grandfather worked to create a place where the black community could not only survive, but also flourish. And soon Bronzeville was a dynamic neighborhood where black-owned business, activists, and artists that influenced the whole country, thrived.
Let Maggie take you back in time to the age of Dizzy, Louis, Mahalia and Muddy. You'll walk past beautiful mansions where the working class and the weld side-by-side, visit a church where Dr. Martin uther King Jr. spoke, and drop into a hip new restaurant that's becoming a community gathering spot. You'll learn how this vibrant community blossomed and thrived in the 30s and 40s, fell in the 60s and 70s, and why residents today think it's on the rise again.
You don't know Chicago until you've taken a stroll through Bronzeville.
Tips & Hours * This Detour can be taken anytime but is best between 9am - 4pm Monday through Thursday, 9am-5:30 pm Friday, and 9am - 12:30 pm on Saturday when all of the businesses along the route are open. * If you want to eat at Peach’s at the end of the Detour, be sure to start the walk before 2pm.
Credits Narrator
Maggie Brown
Head of Content
Heather Schuster
Executive Producer
Stephanie Jenz
Producer Donna Wilson
Editors
Marianne McCune
Avi Glijansky
Consulting Producer
Rachel Dickson
Associate Producer
Sara Medlin
Production Assistant
Casey Hudetz
Sound Design
Noise Floor Stosh Tuszynski Devin Delaney
Music Direction
Noise Floor Stosh Tuszynski Devin Delaney
Featured Music
“A Great Migration” Written and Performed by Maggie Brown Courtesy of Magnolia Warbler Music
“Long as You’re Living” Written by Oscar Brown Jr. Performed by Maggie Brown Courtesy of Bootblack Publishing, LLC
“Rags ‘n Old Iron” Written by Oscar Brown Jr. Performed by Maggie Brown Courtesy of Bootblack Publishing, LLC
Featured Voices
Jeanette Simpson Cliff Roam Quote from “By a Thread” Written by Oscar Brown Sr, Courtesy of Maggie Brown
Image Credits
• Cover Photo: Danielle Scruggs
• Navigation Photos: Sara Medlin
• WPA photographers: Russell Lee, Edwin Rosskam
Special Thanks
Todd Wood
Lamar Burris
Cliff Roam
Jeanette Simpson
Harold Lucas
Natalie Moor
Hollywood secrets are revealed on this walk through Tinseltown with actors, artists, journalists and industry insiders.
Starting Location 6260 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90028
Duration 1 hour, 15 minutes
Description Millions of artists flock to Hollywood with dreams of making it big in film, TV, live theater, comedy and music. Get your backstage pass to historic theaters, checkout a former speakeasy, and take in more than 2500 stars beneath your feet as you walk the streets of Tinseltown. Hungry artists and industry insiders share their stories of struggle and success to give you the ultimate behind the scenes scoop. You will visit the infamous Pantages Theatre, the legendary intersection of Hollywood and Vine, and a surprising spot on the street where many of Hollywood's greats are waiting to witness your very own performance.
Tips & Hours * This Detour is best between 10:30am - 9 pm when all of the stops should be open. * Amoeba Music is open everyday from 10:30am - 11pm. * The Second City Los Angeles is open everyday from 10am - 10pm. * This tour is an easy walk with no steep inclines, it does have a flight of stairs, but they are not mandatory.
Credits Narrator
Kim Masters
Contributing Voices
Francisco Caseras
Christof Korner
Kara Lane
Maribeth Monroe
Bob Nunly
Bradley Pierce
Thomas Suriya
Marc Weinstein
Head of Content
Heather Schuster
Executive Producer
Kim Kantner
Producer
Allison Hynes
Associate Producer
Maggie Clarke
Sound Editor
Dylan Peck
Connor Stock
Music Supervisor
Mikael Sandgren
Sound Design
Julian Kwasneski
Image Credits
• Cover photo: Kat Bawden
• Navigation photos: Maggie Clarke
• Archival Media: Los Angeles Public Library Photo Archive, Vintage Hollywood Photo Archive,
Special Thanks
KCRW
Explore the bohemian, alternative roots of Greenwich Village and learn about the radical women who changed our world.
Starting Location 60 Grove St
Duration 50 minutes
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Description Over the decades the Village has been a haven for bohemian, alternative - radical ideas. Among these city blocks progressive movements developed and spread. Come walk with poet, writer, and self described “proud weirdo" Eileen Myles around her neighborhood. As far back as the 1900s a radical, bohemian culture thrived here, one that would attract fierce, strong women who would make their voices heard. Learn about the radical women who lived, worked, and took part in political protests in and around Greenwich Village, and explore how different our world would be today without them.
Tips & Hours This Detour can be taken at any time, but is best started between 10am and 5pm, any day except Sunday in order to catch all the stops when they are open.
Credits Narrator
Eileen Myles
Head of Content
Heather Schuster
Executive Producers
Stacey Book and Rick Smigielski
Producer
Laura Morris
Sound Design Supervisor
Julian Kwasneski
Sound Design
Connor Stock
Music Direction
Julian Kwasneski
Connor Stock
Featured Voices
Eileen Myles
Image Credits
• Cover photo: Sam Henriques
• Navigation photos: Laura Morris
Featured Music
“Strange Fruit” performed by Buster Harding, John Fields, and Marquis Foster, composed by Lewis Allen. Courtesy Music Sales Corporation and Storyville Music.
Podcast Episode Contributing Volunteers
Kris L.
Starting Locations of All Detours
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Explore the neighborhood that shaped the life and work of one of America's most famous playwrights - Tennessee Williams.
Starting Location 723 Toulouse St
Duration 40 minutes
Description Kenneth Holdich, a friend of Tennessee Williams, and lifelong scholar of how work, takes us on an intimate tour of the playwright's adopted home. Following in Tennessee's footsteps, you'll see the sites of his earliest days in the city all the way through to his last. New Orleans was a place that he could be free. A permissive city in the conservative South where gay culture began to find a foothold in the 1950s, when Tennessee was a young man. But his road wasn't always smooth. You'll follow his rocky ups and downs as you see the places that inspired A Streetcar Named Desire and other famous works. And on the way you'll stop into some of his favorite haunts for a respite from lively New Orleans streets. By the time you're done, you'll have experienced the French Quarter as Tennessee saw it and loved it.
Tips & Hours * You can take this tour at any time of day, on any day of the week - though the French Quarter neighborhood is known for parties and can get very crowded in the evening. If you're looking for a more tranquil experience, try the walk on a weekday, earlier in the day. * This Detour gives you the option to stop at two bars, and enjoy a drink - though you're not required to imbibe if you prefer. You'll have the option to hear the tour information while standing outside.
Credits Narrator
Professor Kenneth Holdich
Head of Content
Heather Schuster
Executive Producer
Avi Glijansky
Producer
Laura Morris
Matthew Hartwell
Sound Design Supervisor
Julian Kwasneski
Sound Design
Matthew Strasser
Music Supervisor
Mikael Sandgren
Audio Post Production services by Bay Area Sound
Image Credits
• Navigation photos: Laura Morris
Korean immigrant, Carol Cho, and her son, Alec, give you a taste of Seoul right here in LA with a walk through Koreatown.
Starting Location 621 S Western Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90005
Duration 55 minutes
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Description Strange sights, smells, and flavors are around every corner in the heart of Koreatown. Join Korean immigrant, Carol Cho, and her son, Alec, on a walk through Carol's neighborhood. Get the insider's scoop to navigating Korean grocery stores, Hear what the streets were like at the peak of the 1992 LA riots, and discover where you can experience the night life of Seoul without needing your passport.
Tips & Hours * This tour is an easy walk with no steep inclines or stairs required. * Bring sunscreen and water if it’s a hot day. * This Detour is best between 3:30pm and 11:30pm when most of the businesses along the route are open. * This tour ends at Dan Sung Sa, a great place to stop for drinks or a snack. Dan Sung Sa is open everyday from 4pm to 2am. * Sixtern Kim’s Mart is open from 8am- 8:30pm Monday through Friday and 8:30am- 8:00pm Saturday and Sunday. They are closed the second Sunday of every month. * Zion Market is open 8am to 12 am everyday. * Madang Plaza and Zion Market have public restrooms available. These are also good places to pick up a snack or bottled drink. * You will have the opportunity to make a small purchase at one of our stops. They only take cash so be sure to bring a few dollars or your ATM card! * This Detour features a stop at a wishing well so bring a coin to make a wish.
Credits Narrators
Carol Cho
Alec Miyata
Head of Content
Heather Schuster
Executive Producer
Kim Kantner
Producer
Allison Hynes
Associate Producer
Maggie Clarke
Editor
Connor Stock
Sound Design
Julian Kwasneski
Dylan Peck
Music Supervision
Mikael Sandgren
Image Credits
• Cover photo: Kat Bawden
• Navigation photos: Maggie Clarke
• Call out photos: Kat Bawden, Maggie Clarke
• Archival Images: Los Angeles Public Library
Podcast Episode Contributing Volunteers
Kris L.
Starting Locations of All Detours
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Discover the true story behind Mardi Gras, why it's important to this city, and why it's so much more than just a big party.
Starting Location 2 Canal St
Duration 45 minutes
Description Mardi Gras is New Orleans' biggest party. Once a year, revelers dress up in costumes and masks to celebrate traditions that date all the way back to the Roman Empire. But what's it really all about? And why is Mardi Gras so essential to the soul of New Orleans? People call Errol Laborde the "Mardi Gras Guy" and he'll take you on a walk around the historic French Quarter to discover how all this revelry actually began.
Walk these storied streets and find out how these traditions have changed as new groups of people have joined the fun. Along the way, we'll uncover secret societies, and the little known stories behind the beads, the floats, and the masks. And you'll even sip an Ojen Frappe, the unofficial drink of Mardi Gras.
Tips & Hours This tour can be taken any time, any day, but is best Monday - Saturday, during business hours, when all of the stops will be open.
Credits Narrator
Errol Laborde
Head of Content
Heather Schuster
Executive Producer
Avi Glijansky
Producer
Laura Morris
Associate Producer
Elsa Kern
Jasmine McLaurin
Additional Voices
Dow Michael Edwards
Additional Research
Matthew Hartwell
Sound Design Supervisor
Julian Kwasneski
Music Supervisor
Mikael Sandgren
Audio Post Production services by Bay Area Sound
• Costas Dafnis
• Markus Zakaria
Image Credits
• Cover Image: Heather Schuster
• Nav Images: Laura Morris
Discover how Venice was created -- and almost destroyed -- and meet the spirit of town-founder Abbot Kinney.
Starting Location The American Flagpole on Ocean Front Walk and Windward Avenue, Venice Los Angeles, CA 90291
Duration 40 minutes
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Description When Abbot Kinney bought land on the Southern California coast over 100 years ago, it was nothing but a swampy marsh. But Kinney was a world traveler and had a wild vision -- to transform this acreage into his very own “Venice of America.”
On this Detour, longtime Venice photographer Edizen Stowell takes you back to 1904 to introduce you to Abbot Kinney himself -- played by renowned character actor and resident Venetian, Orson Bean. Together, you’ll walk beneath the beautiful colonnades and Italian decor that still remains, and learn about Abbot Kinney’s network of tunnels below. You’ll see how what is today a car-packed traffic circle was once Kinney’s Grand Lagoon. Along the way, Edizen conjures Kinney’s imported singing gondoliers, the town’s popular miniature steam train, and the wildest roller coaster on the West Coast. And before the tours ends, you’ll discover the fate of Abbot Kinney’s vision for a city of canals as we walk through a waterfront American neighborhood unlike any other.
With Kinney’s words, we will trace Venice’s wild origins, from its beginning as a devoted copy of the Italian original, to its modern incarnation where you’ll see that more than just a glimmer of Kinney’s dream lives on.
Tips & Hours * This Detour can be taken anytime between sunrise and sunset, seven days a week. * Wear comfortable walking shoes and lots of sunscreen!
Credits Narrator Edizen Stowell
Head of Content Heather Schuster
Executive Producer Dan Arden
Associate Producer Elyssa Dudley
Producer Dana Millikin
Writers Dana Millikin Dan Arden
Research Supervisor Bo Palinic
Music Supervisor Mark Governor
Sound Design Alex MacInnis
Production Assistant Cameron Kell
Image Credits * Cover photo: Kat Bawden * Archival Photographs Courtesy of: Library of Congress. Photograph of Venice Lagoon Courtesy of University of Southern California Libraries, on behalf of the USC Libraries Special Collections, California Historical Society
Featured Voices Glen Irani
Edith Beaucage
Podcast Episode Contributing Volunteers
Kris L.
Starting Locations of All Detours
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Explore the modernist architects, artists and activists who helped define Silver Lake's bohemian culture with local authors.
Starting Location 2411 N Glendale Blvd
Duration 50 Minutes
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Description Silver Lake was recently voted one of the hippest neighborhoods in the country. But if you look beyond the skinny-jeans and cool glasses, you'll see a progressive neighborhood that was a major hub for cutting-edge mid-century modern architecture. Nearly a century ago, Frank Lloyd Wright's Hollyhock House attracted the first wave of modernist architects, such as Richard Neutra, Rudolph Schindler, and John Lautner, to this neighborhood. And ever since, Silver Lake has been ahead-of-its-time in artistic expression and groundbreaking activism. Check out the Silver Lake Library, walk around the reservoir that gave this neighborhood its name, and discover some of the houses designed by this area's most influential architects.
Tips & Hours * Be sure to bring water and sunscreen if it is a warm day. * This tour includes walking on dirt paths, grass, and up one very steep flight of stairs so we recommend comfortable walking shoes. * The Silver Lake Public Library is open on Monday and Wednesday from 10am-8pm; Tuesday and Thursday from 12pm-8pm; Friday and Saturday from 9:30am-5:30pm. It is closed Sunday. * There are public restrooms inside the Silver Lake Public Library.
Credits Narrators
Vincent Brook Michael Locke
Contributing Voices
Barabara Lamprecht Marty Adams
Head of Content
Heather Schuster
Executive Product
Kim Kantner
Producer
Allison Hynes
Associate Producer
Maggie Clarke
Editor
Kyle Randall
Sound Design
Julian Kwasneski Matt Strasser
Music Supervision
Mikael Sandgren
Image Credits
Navigation photos: Maggie Clarke
Podcast Episode Contributing Volunteers
Kris L.
Starting Locations of All Detours
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Journey through one of the last three Little Tokyo neighborhoods in the country with third-generation resident Brian Kito, and discover first-hand the enduring spirt of its people.
Starting Location 1/2, 106 Judge John Aiso St, Los Angeles, CA 90012
Duration 30 minutes
Map Image
Description When Brian Kito's grandparents immigrated to the United States, there were over 43 Japantowns in California alone. Today, there are just three and LA's is the largest.
Walk through the neighborhood with life-long resident Brian Kito. He will show you how Japanese immigrants created a home here and share his family's story. Brian's family arrived from Japan and became part of this community. Then, in 1941, they were ordered to an internment camp. After WWII ended, the Kito's returned to the neighborhood and have continued to flourish with it. From the mochi shop started by his grandfather in 1903 and the historic Koyasan Buddhist Temple, to modern murals and new businesses, Brian offers a glimpse into the special place that generations of his family have helped create.
Tips & Hours * Bring sunscreen and water if it’s a hot day. * This Detour is best between 11am and 4pm when the Koyason Temple and all of the businesses along the route are open. * Public restrooms are available at The Koban, 307 E. 1st st. and Japanese Village Plaza. * Most of the businesses along this tour accept credit cards, but if you want to purchase something at the Koyason Temple be sure to bring cash! * Little Tokyo is known for its rich culinary heritage. If you work up an appetite on this Detour there are plenty of nearby options for traditional Japanese meals and snacks!
Credits Narrator
Brian Kito
Featured Voices
Jorge Diaz
Sergio Diaz
Ellen Endo
Reverend Hayashi
Tony Osumi
Head of Content
Heather Schuster
Executive Producer
Kim Kantner
Contributing Producer
Matthew Hartwell
Associate Producer
Maggie Clarke
Editor
Cameron Taylor
Brendan Stock
Sound Design
Julian Kwasneski
Image Credits
• Cover photo: Kat Bawden
• Navigation photos: Kim Kantner
Special Thanks
Michael Okamura
Alan Miyataki
Little Tokyo Historical Society
Podcast Episode Contributing Volunteers
Kris L.
Starting Locations of All Detours
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Come see how this neighborhood grew from plantation into one of the most influential African American neighborhoods in the nation
Starting Location Louis Armstrong Park, St Peter St
Duration 45 minutes
Description Al Jackson, a Treme native, and founder of the Treme's Petite Jazz Museum, takes you on a revealing tour of the Treme neighborhood. Walk these streets and hear about their humble beginnings outside the city proper, and see how they've developed into the most highly influential African American neighborhood in the country. Learn about the Treme's contributions to music and civil rights and modern American culture.
Walk with Al and explore how the neighborhood flourished despite the hardships imposed on it over the centuries. You'll see the nation's oldest African American church, stand in a circle where slaves gathered and danced in the 18th and 19th centuries, and see where the New Orleans musical community continues to thrive. Take a stroll through the Treme, and learn about, and from, its rich history, which gave us everything from New Orleans's famous second line parades and jazz funerals, to some of the earliest fights for equal rights in the country!
Tips & Hours * Best walked between sunrise and sunset – Congo Square and Louis Armstrong Park both close at sunset. * Al Jackson's Petite Jazz Museum is usually open Monday through Saturday 10:00am - 4:00pm, and Sunday 3:00pm to 6:00pm. * The neighborhood is perfectly safe, but it's always wise to pay attention to your surroundings.
Credits Narrator
Al Jackson
Producer
Matthew Hartwell
Associate Producer
Elsa Kern
Head of Content
Heather Schuster
Executive Producer
Avi Glijansky
Sound Design
Julian Kwasneski
Connor Stock
Bay Area Sound
Music Direction
Julian Kwasneski
Connor Stock
Image Credits
• Cover Photo: Abe Felix
Special Thanks
The Treme Coffeehouse
Local artist Marie Roberts shows you this birthplace of American popular culture, from the colorful boardwalk to the original “Freak Show.”
Starting Location 1051 Surf Ave
Corner of West 12th St. & Surf Avenue, Coney Island
Duration 60 minutes
Map Image
Description Marie Roberts’ Coney Island connections go back 100 years. Her late Uncle Lester was the “Talker” for the Dreamland Coney Island Sideshow in the 1920’s, her grandfather chiefed the Coney Island fire department that battled the epic 1911 blaze, and her parents rode the Parachute Jump at Coney Island when they were young. But when Marie was a young woman, she ran away from the sideshow “and tried to join the normal” -- only to be lured back when she had an epiphany that could only have happened at Coney Island. Now, she’s the Artist in Residence at Coney Island USA, one of the spots where American pop culture was born.
Amidst the thrill rides and along the boardwalk, Marie will introduce you to Mr. Strange, the Sideshow “Bally Master,” and Bumper Cars DJ Louis Beard will show you the winning trick to Skee ball. You’ll get a look under the hood of the famous Wonder Wheel ride and meet three generations of mechanics who have kept it spinning since 1920. You’ll also hear from the un-elected “Mayor of Coney Island” who brought the whole place back from extinction in the 80’s and modernized the famous freak shows to be an empowering performance venue for the “born different.” And don’t forget to get a Nathan’s Famous Frank!
Tips & Hours * Coney Island is seasonal! We recommend taking this tour in the summer, Wednesdays through Sundays, between noon and 6pm when the park and all the stops are open. * Attractions are generally open from 12 noon til late into the night. But be sure to start the tour before 4pm, so you won’t miss the amazing museum at the end.
Take this Detour when the park and all the rides are open: * From Easter to Memorial Day: Usually weekends only. * From Memorial Day until Labor Day: Usually running every day of the week. * Between Labor Day until the end of October: Weekends only. * Bring some cash for snacks and rides and an optional donation at the incredible Coney Island Museum. * Coney Island is seasonal! We recommend taking this tour in the summer, Wednesdays through Sundays, between noon and 6pm when the park and all the stops are open. * Attractions are generally open from 12 noon til late into the night. But be sure to start the tour before 4pm, so you won’t miss the amazing museum at the end.
Credits Narrator Marie Roberts
Head of Content Heather Schuster
Executive Producer Rick Smiegelski
Advising Producers Jorge Just
Associate Producer Lindsey Schneider
Producer Jeff Folmsbee
Sound Design Brad Stanton, Bang World Executive Producer
Music direction Jeff Folmsbee
Featured Music Timo Elliston
Featured Voices Louis Beard DJ Vourderis Jim McDonnell Pete Agrapides, Sr. Mr. Strange Dick Zigun
Image Credits Cover photo: Sam Henriques
Navigation photos:
Rick Smigielski
Rei Hayashi
Jeff Folmsbee
Podcast Episode Contributing Volunteers
Kris L.
Starting Locations of All Detours
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Grant Gershon, artistic director of the Los Angeles Master Chorale, reveals the secrets of the Walt Disney Concert Hall.
Starting Location 110 N Grand Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90012
Duration 40 minutes
Map Image
Description You may have thought of a building as a static structure up until now, but this journey around and through the Walt Disney Concert Hall will make you believe this building can dance and sing...and unleash the creative energy of all who come in contact with it.
Join Grant Gershon, artistic director and conductor of the Los Angeles Master Chorale - and conductor of over a hundred concerts in Disney Hall - on an exploration of the hall's inspiring spaces and little known secrets.
Grant will take us to the most exciting vantage points where we'll witness the genius of architect Frank Gehry - from the hall's soaring exteriors, to its stunning lobby and intimate gardens. We'll get a peak underneath Disney Hall's stainless steel skin, and even take a "hidden passageway" up and over the hall for a view that almost no one who lives in L.A. knows about!
More than anything, we'll seek the answer to the question of how this single building redefined an entire city. And, we'll end our adventure at the hall's most magical spot, the Blue Ribbon Garden, where the LA Master Chorale will perform a very special piece of music that resonates with the creative energy of the city's greatest monument...the Walt Disney Concert Hall.
Tips & Hours * This Detour can be taken anytime from 9am to 10pm, seven days a week. * While the grounds and lobby of Disney Hall remain open until 11pm daily, many of the views this Detour offers are best experienced prior to sunset. * Wear comfortable shoes and be prepared for a bit of stair-climbing, which is totally worth it for the stunning views!
Credits Narrator
Grant Gershon
Head of Content
Heather Schuster
Executive Producer
Dan Arden
Writers
Dan Arden
Grant Gershon
Associate Producer
Cameron Kell
Sound Designer-Music Supervisor
Mikael Sandgren
Research Supervisor
Bo Palinic
Production Assistant
Adriana Cargill
Image Credits
- Cover photo: Kat Bawden
- Photographs Courtesy of:
Robert Berbec
Ted Soqui / Corbis Entertainment / Getty Images
Archival Audio Credits
• Clip from “An Icon Is Born” Courtesy of: KCRW Music Credits
• “Cloudburst” by Eric Whitacre Copyright © 1996, Walton Music Corp. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
• “Cloudburst” performance: Los Angeles Master Chorale Grant Gershon, Artistic Director Conductor, Lesley Leighton
Featured Voices
Frances Anderton
Special Thanks
Andrew Brown Brent Pierson Claire Long Eric Whitacre Gary Scott Genie Davis Jean Davidson Kyle Cothern Linda Marr Loraine Gayle-Sandgren Los Angeles Master Chorale Megan Davies Walton Music
Podcast Episode Contributing Volunteers
Kris L.
Starting Locations of All Detours
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Retrace the footsteps of the men who led the secession movement in Charleston and find out how it and the Civil War began.
Starting Location View Google Map of Starting Location
18 Tradd St
Duration 1 hour
Description When many Americans learn about the Civil War, they're told "The South seceded from the Union." But that's not entirely true. IT was South Carolina that seceded first. And it was Charleston itself that led the charge for South Carolina and the other Southern states that would follow suit.
What were the key events that lead to secession? And how did this picturesque city become the very "tip of the spear" for the secession movement in The South.
Professor Ed Ayers, has spent a great deal of his life studying the Civil War and searching for its causes. Join him on a journey to retrace the footsteps of the men who led the secession movement in Charleston. It's a part of the Civil War many people don't know — the story of what led a city to make the radical decision to secede from the very nation they had helped found.
Between iconic stops and views of beautiful historic homes and buildings, Ed will reveal the stories and individuals that spurred the secession movement. You'll stand on a street where men who helped found our nation in the Revolutionary War and men who would secede from those United States both congregated. You will hear the story of the chaotic and wild 1860 Democratic Convention that finally tipped the scales towards war. You'll discover the house where a British spy sent coded messages back to his homeland to warn them of the South's intentions. And, you'll stroll along Charleston's incredible harbor — the site of Fort Sumter and the battle that officially launched the American Civil War.
And as we understand more about the complicated and fraught times back then, perhaps we'll learn a bit more about our own political times today.
Tips & Hours * This Detour can be taken anytime, any day, but is best when started between 9am - 3pm Monday through Thursday to catch all the stops along the route while they’re open. * Charleston City Hall Hours: Monday through Friday 8:30am - 4:30pm (CLOSED during lunch 12 - 1pm). CLOSED on the weekends. * St. Michael’s Church Hours: Monday- Thursday 9:00 am-4:30 pm, Friday 9:00 am-3:00 pm Saturday 9:00-Noon (except during church functions). * With the stops included, this tour lasts approximately 1:00 to 1:30. * Charleston’s summer weather is very hot and humid -- so it’s always good to wear comfortable shoes and bring a bottle of water. (If you don’t, there are food and drink vendors and establishments along the route.)
Credits Narrator
Ed Ayers
Head of Content
Heather Schuster
Executive Producer
Avi Glijansky
Producer
Dominique Ferrari
Associate Producer
Christopher Hanson
Jasmine McLaurin
Sound Design Supervisor
Julian Kwasneski
Music Supervisor
Mikael Sandgren
Audio Post Production services by Bay Area Sound
• Matthew Strasser
• Andy Jung
Image Credits
• Cover Photo: Geno DiMaria
• Navigation Photos: Christopher Hanson
Explore hidden gems and hear untold stories of how Chicago's dreamers and idealists shaped the city with Cultural Historian Tim Samuelson.
Starting Location 9 S Wabash, under the Iwan Riese Tobacco awning
Duration 1 hour, 10 minutes
Description Tim Samuelson is not your typical historian. For Tim, history is not confined by facts and names -- it is felt, deeply and emotionally, engaging all your senses. Through Tim’s eyes, buildings are living artifacts, each one inviting you to step into the past and see the city around you in a whole new way. On this downtown Detour, Tim takes you deep into the world of the outsiders, idealists, and dreamers who built Chicago quite literally from the ground up.
Along the way, you’ll climb the soaring stairs of a palace of light and experience the ghost of the lonely, bookish man who designed every last detail. You’ll stroll through the film noir alley that inspired the city’s most famous poet. You’ll be dwarfed by a brick behemoth that was once the world’s largest office building and hear how a visionary lovingly restored the first floor into an authentic 1890’s shopping arcade. You will touch details, explore hidden corners, and hear virtually unknown stories about people who have been all but forgotten - except for their legacies that live on in these amazing buildings.
Tips & Hours * Be ready for some strong brew by the end of this tour; we end at a coffee shop in what is believed to be the oldest (and tiniest) structure still standing in the Loop. * This Detour is best begun at 10am and no later than 4:30pm, when stops along the way are guaranteed to be open.
Credits Narrator Tim Samuelson
Head of Content Heather Schuster
Executive Producer Stephanie Jenz
Advising Producer Jorge Just, Luisa Beck
Producer Steven Jackson
Writer Tim Samuelson
Associate Producer Sara Medlin
Sound Design Stosh Tuszynski, Noise Floor LTD
Music Direction Devin Delaney, Noise Floor LTD
Image Credits * Cover photo: Danielle Scruggs * Navigation photos: Sara Medlin
Special Thanks Tim Samuelson
Discover the people and places of this historic DTLA neighborhood through the voices of its most interesting residents.
Starting Location 304 S Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90013
Duration 55 minutes
Description Join Don Spivack, Mr. Downtown, and a host of other Los Angeles luminaries for an in-depth introduction to LA's most up-and-coming neighborhood: Downtown. You'll walk the streets of DTLA and experience the architecture and history of this dynamic neighborhood (with a few secrets thrown in along the way) as well as see everything downtown's recent revitalization has to offer. Let Harry Medved, film location expert, guide you through the influence of DTLA on the Sci-fi film Blade Runner and other films as you explore the Bradbury Building; explore the history of DTLA as the hub of the early movie industry with Charlie Chaplin's grandson, Orson; and visit LA's most famous used bookstore and art space with owner Josh Spencer.
Tips & Hours * Bring sunscreen and water if it's a hot day. * This Detour is best between 10am and 5pm when all of the businesses along the route are open. * Riding Angels Flight costs $1 for a one way ride or .50 if you have a valid Metro Tap card. You can pay at the top and they do accept credit cards. * This tour ends at Grand Central Market, a great place to stop for a snack, coffee, or beer. Some vendors are cash only, so be sure to stop at an ATM. * This route may be particularly busy on weekends. * Grand Central Market is the only stop with public restrooms.
Credits Narrators
Don Spivack
Orson Chaplin
Harry Medved
Evan Kleiman
Josh Spencer
John Welborne
Rev. J. Edgar Boyd
Head of Content
Heather Schuster
Executive Producer
Kim Kantner
Producer
Matthew Hartwell
Associate Producer
Maggie Clarke
Editor
Cameron Taylor
Brendan Stock
Sound Design
Julian Kwasneski
Image Credits
• Cover photo: Kat Bawden
• Navigation photos: Matt Hartwell, Maggie Clarke
• Archival Images: Security Pacific Bank Collection/ Los Angeles Public Library
Special Thanks
Rocio Lopez
The story of culinary hero Nat Fuller - an enslaved chef who hosted a "Reconciliation Feast" at the end of the Civil War.
Starting Location 102 Church St
Duration 1 hour
Description Local chef Kevin Mitchell takes you on a walk to recount the incredible story of one of Charleston's most important, but nearly forgotten, chefs — Nat fuller. In 1865, Nat was the greatest chef and restaurateur in all of Charleston. And he was also a slave. And as slavery ended, Nat hosted the first racially integrated meal in the city's history. He called it the Reconciliation Feast and his goal was to bring Charleston together to break bread and forge a new, more peaceful path. But how did a slave end up becoming Charleston's top restaurant owner and what was the impact of his feast?
Chef Kevin Mitchell is one of the men who, along with Professor David Shields, literally wrote the book on Nat Fuller — Nat fuller: From Slavery to Artistry — and was the head chef who helped revive Nat Fuller's amazing feast in Charleston. On this walk, Chef Mitchell will take you to some of the most pivotal stops in Nat Fuller's amazing life and tell you the story of this remarkable man as well as the story of reviving Nat's powerful feasts today.
You will see the place where Nat Fuller was bought and sold as a young boy and discover some of the hidden marks left all around Charleston by the enslaved people who helped build the city. You'll visit the vibrant city market where Nat bought the incredible ingredients he used to wow his dinner patrons. You'll see the building where the most important meal of the 19th century in Charleston, the Reconciliation Feast, was held as well as the restaurant that hosted the 150th anniversary revival of Nat's feast. And along the way, you'll even get a chance to taste a few delicious bites of Nat's story for yourself.
So come hungry, and let's break bread!
Tips & Hours * Because of the varying hours of the restaurants on the route, there are several windows during which it’s best taken to catch all the stops along the route while they’re open. Ideal times to take his tour are: Mondays and Tuesdays after 4pm; Wednesday - Saturday between 10:30 and 12:30pm or after 4pm. * This Detour has several stops where you may wish to purchase food: Normandy Farm Bakery, O-Bar Oyster House, Henry’s, and McCrady’s Tavern -- so bring your wallet and come hungry! * Because Charleston is a top food destination - many of its restaurants are very busy - especially during the spring and summer months! So if you have a little wait, please be patient or if you don’t care to wait, you can always listen to the content outside and then move on. * McCrady’s --our last stop-- is a fantastic, world-class restaurant and so it can often be very busy. If you’re able to, you may want to call ahead for a reservation.
Credits Narrator
Kevin Mitchell
Head of Content
Heather Schuster
Executive Producers
Stacey Book
Avi Glijansky
Producer
Dominique Ferrari
Associate Producer
Christopher Hanson
Jasmine McLaurin
Sound Design Supervisor
Julian Kwasneski
Music Supervisor
Mikael Sandgren
Audio Post Production services by Bay Area Sound
Matthew Strasser
Meihui Qiao
Featured Voices
Professor David Shields
Chef Benjamin Dennis
Joseph McGill
Image Credits
• Cover Photo: Geno DiMaria
• Navigation Photos: Christopher Hanson
Special Thanks
Josetta and Edna Taylor @ Edna’s Lowcountry in Charleston’s City Market
Learn about the cultures and religions that came together to shape the cuisine of the city, and its most iconic dish: Gumbo.
Starting Location 701 Decatur St
Duration 55 minutes
Description Chef Alfred Singleton, born and raised in New Orleans, spent his childhood working in the kitchen of his family's popular sandwich shop which was steeped in the rich food traditions of New Orleans. Now come walk with Chef Al and experience the dishes and joints that have shaped New Orleans cuisine. Come hungry, because you're going to eat your way through the French Quarter as you learn about gumbo, the famous New Orleans stew that's a tapestry as rich as the city itself.
Alfred shares his secrets of the foodways that shaped New Orleans cuisine and made it something entirely different than anything else in America. You'll stand on the bank of the Mississippi, walk through a Cajun market, and try multiple different styles of gumbo. You'll meet the folks who spend their days cooking and serving food in the French Quarter - chefs, waiters and historians. Through them, you'll see how the many diverse communities that arrived in New Orleans over the centuries contributed to its flavor palette.
This is restaurant hopping like you've never done it, with a chef in your ear and a spoon in your mouth. Hope you brought some loose pants!
Tips & Hours * This tour can be taken any time after 12pm, but is best experienced in the early evening, starting after 4pm, to maximize the number of stops open and serving gumbo. * All of the stops accept credit cards. Some of the stops have a special deal for Detour customers and some restaurants have a smaller cup of gumbo for sale that is only available for Detour listeners. Just ask! * There is an opportunity to purchase a lot of delicious food on this tour – be sure to come hungry!
Credits Narrator
Alfred Singleton
Producer
Matthew Hartwell
Associate Producer
Elsa Kern
Head of Content
Heather Schuster
Executive Producer
Avi Glijansky
Sound Design
Julian Kwasneski
Connor Stock
Bay Area Sound
Music Direction
Julian Kwasneski
Connor Stock
Image Credits
• Cover Photo: Abe Felix
Special Thanks
Liz Williams Southern Food and Beverage Museum Brennans Café Sbisa Tujague’s Rouses Antoine’s
A former marijuana smuggler tells us the story of Charleston's other most notorious outlaws — the pirates.
Starting Location 1 Vendue LN
Duration 1 hour, 5 minutes
Description Barry Foy is a Charlestonian who knows a little something about being a maritime outlaw. In the 70's and early 80's, he and his friends smuggled a billion dollars worth of marijuana into the United States on sailboats — much of it into the shoreline near Charleston. The Feds that were chasing them called them "The Gentlemen Smugglers" and eventually put together the largest task force in South Carolina history to catch them: Operation Jackpot. Barry is one of the few people around who can actually tell us first-hand what it feels like to be running from the law on the high seas. And so who better to tell us about Chalreston's most famous outlaws — the pirates?
During the Golden Age of Piracy, Charleston was one of the largest hubs for pirate activity on the East Coast. Some of the most famous pirates of all time called Charleston home, plundered ships outside its harbor, and spent their hard-stolen money in its taverns and brothels. But in 1718, two pirates — Blackbeard and Stede Bonnet — took the whole city hostage and sparked Charleston to launch an all out war on piracy. On this journey, you'll learn about their story — and the story of the Gentlemen Smugglers — as you walk the beautiful streets of Downtown Historic Charleston.
You'll stroll around Charleston's beautiful, world-class harbor and find out what attracted so many pirates to the Holy City in the first place. You'll see the taverns and brothels they frequented and learn from a local expert which of the stereotypes we believe about these infamous rebels are fact and which are fiction. You'll meet the author who wrote the best-selling book on Barry and his smuggling compatriots and learn how the Feds finally caught up with them. And you'll do it with a modern day renegade leading the way.
This is the real story of the two of Charleston's most colorful, and infamous, groups of outlaws — the pirates and the Gentlemen Smugglers!
Tips & Hours * This Detour can be taken anytime, any day, but is best when started between 10 am - 3 pm Monday through Saturday to catch all the stops along the route while they’re open. * Monday through Saturday, The Tavern is open 10am - 7pm and the Powder Magazine is open 10am - 4pm. On Sunday, the Tavern is closed and The Powder Magazine’s hours of operation are shortened to 1pm - 4pm. * This Detour has several stops where you may wish to purchase items: The Tavern, The Powder Magazine, and 82 Queen -- so bring your wallet if you think you’ll want to. * Occasionally on Saturday, the Tavern will hold impromptu spirits tastings. So if you’re over 21 years old, make sure to bring ID and see if you can catch one of them! * Charleston’s summer weather is very hot and humid -- so it’s always good to wear comfortable shoes and bring a bottle of water. (If you don’t there are food and drink vendors and establishments along the route.) * With the stops included, this tour lasts 1 hour.
Credits Barry Foy
Heather Schuster
Avi Glijansky
Dominique Ferrari
Christopher Hanson
Jasmine McLaurin
Julian Kwasneski
Mikael Sandgren
Bay Area Sound
Matthew Strasser
Andy Jung
Jason Ryan
Michael Coker
Geno DiMaria
Christopher Hanson
Jason Ryan
Norman Smith
The Powder Magazine
The Tavern
See how the green fairy of absinthe took over here and became a cultural staple, until the government tried to ruin the party
Starting Location View Google Map of Starting Location
130 Roosevelt Way
Duration 55 minutes
Description Ted Breaux, an environmental chemist turned distiller, takes you on a boozy historical tour of the French Quarter. Learn about how New Orleans, the Little Paris of the South, became the absinthe capital of the United States, and how the drink infiltrated every aspect of its culture. This drink, bohemian in most places, was shockingly commonplace here in the Crescent City, and when it was made illegal by the Federal Government, the city was reluctant to give it up.
Wander between iconic bars and shuttered distilleries as Ted reveals the history of a drink that was banned for almost a century. You'll walk through a glamorous hotel, drink with the ghost of Andrew Jackson, and taste the cocktail preferred by a secret society. Try some amazing drinks, and learn how Ted brought absinthe back, not just from obscurity, but from prohibition, with a combination of art and science. Find out how only New Orleans, and a New Orleanian, could have given absinthe back to the world. Cheers!
Tips & Hours * This Detour can be taken anytime after 12:00pm, any day. * Drinks can be taken to go in New Orleans, and most bars provide a plastic “go cup” for that purpose.
Credits Narrator
Ted Breaux
Producer
Matthew Hartwell
Associate Producer
Elsa Kern
Head of Content
Heather Schuster
Executive Producers
Avi Glijansky
Sound Design
Julian Kwasneski
Connor Stock
Bay Area Sound
Music Direction
Julian Kwasneski
Connor Stock
Image Credits
• Cover Photo: Abe Felix
Special Thanks
Hannah Griggs
Mahogany Jazz Hall
Take a walk in Central Park and discover how this audacious democratic experiment was sculpted out of rock, dirt, and trees.
Starting Location Grand Army Plaza (59), Central Park
Duration 1 hour, 20 minutes
Map Image
Description Adrian Benepe, who grew up near Central Park and has worked there once as a food vendor and later as Commissioner of Parks, takes you on a scenic and intimate tour. Put on your time-travel glasses to see the park in its grandest moments and darkest days. Central park embodies some very lofty ideas, designed by romantic idealists who believed public parks improved democracy and that nature rejuvenated the body and soul. But for a very long time, Central Park couldn't fulfill this promise. For years it was rundown and dangerous, neglected and unloved. Does it fulfill its lofty mission today? Let's explore the park together and you can decide.
Between iconic stops and glorious vistas, Adrian reveals small secrets of the park that few visitors know. You'll stand on ancient bedrock for iconic skyline views, relax before a splendid fountain, and explore a magical castle. You will meet the folks who spend their days in the park - gardeners, birdwatchers and musicians - and know the park better than anyone. Through them, you'll see inside the many diverse communities that gather here and live the park's "democratic experiment". You'll also experience the transformative power of nature, strolling down winding paths and relaxing next to a bubbling stream - all just down the street from Times Square.
This is a walk in the park like no other. And as you stroll, you just might find that the oasis of nature that transformed New York City, will transform you. It's a beautiful day to leave the city streets behind and lose ourselves in a glorious park!
Tips & Hours * This Detour can be taken anytime, any day but is best when started between 10am and 4pm to catch all the stops along the route while they’re open. * NOTE: Belvedere Castle is currently undergoing renovations and isn't always open to the public - that's why our Detour doesn't currently take you inside. If you happen to be there on a day when it is open, feel free to pause the tour and explore. * Central Park gets very crowded on nice days, especially in the afternoons, so if you’re looking for a tranquil experience try early in the day Monday - Friday. For an even more relaxed experience, try a cloudy or cooler day, but every kind of weather brings out a different side of the park’s personality. * Think of this walk as an easy urban hike, be ready for lots of walking and some rugged paths. Wear comfortable shoes and layers, and bring a water bottle. (If you don’t have one there are food and drink vendors around and within the park.)
Credits Narrator
Adrian Benepe
Head of Content
Heather Schuster
Executive Producers
Stacey Book and Rick Smigielski
Producer
Samara Smith
Associate Producer
Lindsey Schneider
Additional Producing
Avi Glijansky
Sound Design
Julian Kwasneski, Connor Stock, Bay Area Sound
Music Direction
Julian Kwasneski, Connor Stock
Featured Voices
Elise Boeger, Regina Alvarez, Bill Dobbs
Image Credits• Cover photo: Sam Henriques
• Navigation photos: Sam Henriques and Samara Smith
Special Thanks
Arlo Bechini Gustavo Bechini Adrian Benepe Kate Donatelli Sean Hanley Ariana Souzis Melissa Nicolardi
Ben Svetkey, Senior Editor of The Hollywood Reporter, leads a time-traveling tour back to the golden era of Hollywood.
Starting Location 7018 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90028
Duration 40 minutes
Description Hollywood is the heart of show business. But how have showbiz and the notions of fame evolved throughout Hollywood's history? There are few better places to explore American Celebrity than the very places where celebrities hang out. So we're going to travel through time, and visit a few of the most iconic nightspots in the history of Hollywood.
Ben Svetkey, Senior Editor at The Hollywood Reporter, has interviewed some of the biggest celebrities in the world, from Angelina Jolie to Jack Nicholson. And he's watched the concept of celebrity evolve with the advent of the internet and social media. But some things still haven't changed, like the iconic watering holes we visit on the Detour.
Ben takes us back in time to the swanky restaurants that Frank Sinatra, Steve McQueen and Judy Garland frequented, and shows us the location where James Dean ate his last meal. We'll meet a career bartender who mixed drinks for many of these stars, and get the lowdown on what they were really like.
From the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel to Musso & Frank Bar & Grill, you'll hear stories about old and new Hollywood, and raise a glass or two of your own, as we celebrate celebrity.
Tips & Hours * This Detour is great for lunch or dinner hours, but the best time to take it is anytime after 5pm. * All venues are open seven days a week, except for Musso & Frank, which is closed on Mondays. * While several of our featured stops are cooler “in-the-know” places, this stretch of Hollywood Boulevard is quite popular, so be prepared for crowded sidewalks.
Credits Narrator
Ben Svetkey
Head of Content
Heather Schuster
Executive Producer
Dan Arden
Producer-Writer
Fran Solomita
Associate Producer
Cameron Kell
Sound Designer-Music Supervisor
Mikael Sandgren
Research Supervisor
Bo Palinic
Production Assistant
Adriana Cargill
Image Credits
Cover photo: Kat Bawden Photographs Courtesy of: Archive Holdings, Inc. / Archive Photos / Getty Images Leonard McCombe / The LIFE Picture Collection / Getty Images Ethan Miller / Getty Images Entertainment / Getty Images Herald-Examiner Collection / Los Angeles Public Library
Featured Voice
Ruben Rueda
Historian Eddie Muller uncovers how true crime and Hollywood moviemaking merged in downtown Los Angeles to create film noir.
Starting Location 200 N Spring St, Los Angeles, CA 90012
Duration 50 minutes
Description Los Angeles is known as the epicenter of noir. In this Detour, we'll divulge all the little known locations on downtown LA's "mean streets" where true crime and Hollywood moviemaking merged to create all those classic noir crime thrillers from the 40s and 50s.
We'll join Eddie Muller, Founder and President of the Film Noir Foundation, as he digs up the dirt on LA's corrupt civic past at iconic City Hall, and uncover sensational true crime stories of the noir era at the LA Times.
We'll walk in the shoes of author Raymond Chandler through what remains of old Bunker Hill, which was Hollywood's real-life backlot for film noir, and visit Angels Flight, a beloved film noir icon known as "The World's Shortest Railroad."
After a stop at Chandler's old haunt, the Grand Central Market we'll behold the magnificence of the city's first grand movie palace, the Million Dollar Theater, before our grand finale at one of the most spectacular buildings and noir movie locations in all of Los Angeles - the stunning Victorian-era Bradbury Building.
Tips & Hours * This Detour can be taken anytime from 9am to 5pm, seven days a week. * The Detour includes going inside the Los Angeles Times building lobby when it's open: Monday through Friday from 9am to 5pm, and Saturday from 10am to 2pm (the building is closed on Sundays) * Wear comfortable shoes and be prepared for a bit of stair-climbing
Credits Narrator
Eddie Muller
Head of Content
Heather Schuster
Executive Producer
Dan Arden
Producer
David Rajter
Writers
David Rajter
Eddie Muller
Associate Producer
Cameron Kell
Sound Designer-Music Supervisor
Mikael Sandgren
Research Supervisor
Bo Palinic
Production Assistants
Adriana Cargill
Sarah Stephanie Monte
Image Credits
Cover photo: Kat Bawden Photographs Courtesy of: Photograph of Bunker Hill, Second and Olive Streets, Courtesy of the Arnold Hylen Collection, California History Room, California State Library, Sacramento, California. Ed Clark / Getty Images Bettmann / Getty Images Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division, HABS, HABS CAL, 19-LOSAN, 23 Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division, HABS, HABS CAL, 19-LOSAN, 13—1 John Malmin, Copyright © 1943. Los Angeles Times. Reprinted with Permission. Photograph of Downtown Los Angeles from the Melrose Hotel, ca. 1914, Courtesy of University of Southern California Libraries, on behalf of the USC Libraries Special Collections, California Historical Society
Featured Voice
Denise Hamilton
Special Thanks
Judith Freeman
Cing Chang