All Of It: Episode Summary – "What Are You Doing the First Weekend of Spring?"
Release Date: March 21, 2025
Host: Kusha Navadar
Duration: Approximately 19 minutes
Introduction
In the episode titled "What Are You Doing the First Weekend of Spring?" from WNYC's All Of It, host Kusha Navadar invites listeners to share their weekend plans as spring blossoms in the New York City area. The show emphasizes community engagement, cultural celebrations, and diverse activities that reflect the vibrant spirit of the city.
Crowdsourcing Weekend Plans
Kusha begins the episode by encouraging listeners to participate in crowdsourcing their weekend activities. She states:
"Maybe you're listening right now and thinking hey guess what, I need ideas or maybe you've got a great plan or event. So let's crowdsource." [00:23]
Listeners are prompted to call or text their weekend plans to 212-433-9692 or reach out via social media (@lvitnyc). Kusha also teases the upcoming Monday show topics, including a discussion on the "Severance" finale and March Madness.
Kusha’s Personal Plans
Kusha shares her personal weekend plans, highlighting a cultural celebration:
"This week happens to be Nowruz or Persian New Year. Saturday is also my wife's birthday so we are having a party. It will be dual purpose for Nowruz." [00:44]
She describes traditional Nowruz activities such as decorating eggs and jumping over fire for cleansing, alongside celebrating her wife Elise’s birthday with cake.
Listener Calls and Texts
Caller Matt from Brooklyn
Matt shares his plans to attend a rare Metropolitan Opera performance of "Moby Dick":
"My neighbors were giving away tickets to see Moby Dick at the Metropolitan Opera, so I took them up on their gift and my wife and I are going to go on Saturday night." [02:51]
Kusha humorously responds, wondering if the whale will sing, highlighting the unique experience of attending the opera.
Text from a Listener Moving Locally
A text from a listener moving this weekend is acknowledged:
"I’m moving this weekend, so y'all are gonna have to have fun without me living vicariously through the show." [03:29]
Kusha wishes a smooth move, recognizing the challenges of relocating in New York City.
Caller Andrew from Crown Heights
Andrew plans to volunteer at a local farmer's market and attend a jiu-jitsu class:
"I plan to spend some of my weekend volunteering at the local farmer's market and then attending my weekend jiu jitsu class. I hope everybody has a blessed day into the weekend." [11:19]
Andrew expresses his enthusiasm for community involvement and personal development.
Team’s Weekend Activities
Producer Kate Hines
Kate engages in traditional and leisurely activities:
- Playing Mahjong: Participates in Chinese mahjong at a long-standing club.
- Attending a Norus Party: Details remain playful, adding intrigue.
- Birding in Central Park: Takes advantage of spring migration season.
Producer Luke Green
Luke introduces listeners to his involvement in the office March Madness bracket pool:
"Most of you probably will know what this is already, but basically, the NCAA... puts on basketball tournaments for the men's and women's side of the game." [05:51]
He explains the dynamics of filling out brackets, the excitement of potential upsets, and the camaraderie it fosters among coworkers. Luke humorously admits:
"I am so not an expert that I'm currently in second to last place in our office pool." [08:58]
He shares his picks for the tournament, backing UConn women’s team based on his childhood affinity and their strong performance history.
Additional Listener Contributions
Caller Paul from Morristown
Paul highlights affordable local theater options:
"I'm going to be at my daughter's high school performance of Les Miserable this weekend... there's a lot of good theater in the area." [10:45]
He emphasizes the accessibility of quality performances outside Broadway, encouraging support for local arts.
Caller Maria from New Canaan, Connecticut
Maria promotes multiple theater productions:
"My husband has a small part in [Skin of Our Teeth]... also doing a volunteer for hair and makeup at another Les Mis show at the New Canaan High School." [12:02]
Her contributions showcase the community's involvement in the arts, both onstage and behind the scenes.
Caller Lindsay from Morris County, New Jersey
Lindsay celebrates spring with a Friendsgiving event:
"This weekend I'm having my annual friendsgiving that I do in the spring instead of the fall... it's a great time to look forward to spring and summer." [13:16]
She shares her excitement for traditional dishes, particularly her prized turkey recipe.
Caller Robin from East Brunswick, New Jersey
Robin announces a Makers Weekend event at the East Brunswick Public Library:
"East Brunswick library is having a lot of activity for Makers Day... Crafts, robotics, 3D printing." [15:35]
This highlights educational and creative opportunities within the community.
Text from Maggie in Sleepy Hollow
Maggie shares her plans to attend "The Moth Radio Hour Live" at the Tarrytown Music Hall:
"Taking my husband to see the Moth Radio Hour live at our amazing local jewel, the Tarrytown Music Hall." [14:50]
Text from Katrina in the Bronx
Katrina discusses her weekend theater outings:
"My wife and I just saw Dorian Gray on Broadway... we're gonna go see Colton Kastrup and his band at the Delancey." [16:49]
She praises performers and supports local artists, reflecting the episode's cultural emphasis.
March Madness Segment
A significant portion of the episode delves into March Madness, moderated by Luke Green. He explains the intricacies of the bracket pools, the thrill of unexpected upsets, and the social aspects it brings to workplaces. Notably, Luke mentions a coworker, Malik, who boasts an impressive bracket:
"Malik... currently has a 99th percentile bracket with only two wrong." [07:02]
Kusha and Luke discuss their personal bracket choices, with Luke expressing confidence in UConn's women's team and humorously admitting his lack of expertise.
Upcoming Events and Recommendations
Kusha shares listener recommendations, including:
- Orchid Show at the New York Botanical Garden: "I highly recommend the orchid show... it’s great." [14:47]
- The Moth Radio Hour Live at Tarrytown Music Hall: Emphasizing unique live storytelling experiences.
She also highlights Simon Close’s playful weekend plans involving a chicken-themed bar crawl in Williamsburg, adding a light-hearted conclusion to the episode.
Closing Remarks
Kusha wraps up the episode by thanking listeners for their contributions and teasing the Monday show:
"Coming up on Monday's show, we'll talk about the season finale of Severance, the new Broadway musical Buena Vista Social Club, and also why even non-basketball fans are getting into March Madness." [18:48]
She expresses gratitude for the community's engagement and encourages continued participation.
Notable Quotes:
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"Culture encompasses religion, food, what we wear, how we wear it, our language, marriage, music, what we believe is right or wrong..." – Cristina De Rossi (Referenced in Podcast Description)
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"Malik... currently has a 99th percentile bracket with only two wrong." [07:02]
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"This week happens to be Nowruz or Persian New Year. Saturday is also my wife's birthday so we are having a party." [00:44]
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"East Brunswick library is having a lot of activity for Makers Day at the library." [15:35]
Conclusion
This episode of All Of It beautifully captures the essence of spring in New York City through diverse cultural celebrations, community events, and personal anecdotes. By integrating listener interactions and team activities, the show fosters a sense of belonging and shared experiences among its audience. The combination of traditional festivities, local theater, sports enthusiasm, and innovative events like Makers Day exemplifies the rich tapestry of New York City's cultural landscape.