Hudson Mohawk Magazine

Vinny DamaPoleto and Caelan McPherson spoke with Niek from Mojo’s Cafe at 147 4th St here in Troy. This Saturday, October 18th they will be hosting Killdeer Trio, who will be releasing their latest album, for Niek’s 40th birthday. The festivities will start at 7 pm.

Today, on the Hudson Mohawk Magazine, First, Mark Dunlea speaks with Dayna Locitzer, from the Break the Bonds NYS Campaign. Then, Marsh Lazarus chats with Elizabeth EP Press, a board member for the Sanctuary for Independent Media. Later on, we will chat with Niek from Mojo’s Cafe. After that, we will tell you who won the capital region's funnest comedian contest,we will tell you later in the show. Finally, this week Thom Francis sat down with three poets, BradQuan Copeland, Gripp, and S.L. Maurice who talked about their poetry. Hosts: Vinny DamaPoleto and Caelan McPherson Enginners: Caelan McPherson

This week, Thom Francis introduces us to three local poets - BradQuan Copeland, Gripp, and S.L. Maurice - who took the stage and shared their work at the Poetic License Poetry Reading & Open Mic last month at the Fish Market in Troy. That was just the first of two readings that are part of Poetic License 2025, a joint project of the Hudson Valley Writers Guild and the Upstate Artists Guild. —— It was a beautiful early-fall evening in Troy when poets and writers gathered at the Fish Market for a special evening of poetry and spoken word. Local poet and photographer Dan Wilcox hosted the Poetic License Poetry Reading & Open Mic welcoming some of the writers whose work inspired the art lining the walls of the North Central Troy art space. While not in the exhibit themselves, poets BradQuan Copeland, Gripp, and S.L. Maurice, took part in the open mic portion of the night and were warmly received by the audience. First up to the mic is a relative newcomer to the local open mic community, BradQuan Copelend, who read two poems ““Phantom Vision,” from his new book “Rebirth,” and “Blood of Tender Flame.” The next poet up is Slam Quphoria’s very own Gripp. They shared two pieces “Azinam” and “Still Sleep.” And finally, the great S.L. Maurice stepped to the mic with two poems of his own, “Vibrant Sounds, Colors, and Motion,” the title poem from his new book, followed by “Spins on Change.” — The 2025 edition of Poetic License exhibit has moved across the river and is now on view at the Honest Weight Food Co-op in Albany through November 16. For more information on Poetic License and its upcoming events, go to poeticlicensealbany.com. And while you are there, you can read the poems and view the art that is featured in the show.

‘Mind Your Melons!’ Eye-Popping PETA Campaign in Albany Says Go Vegan to Reduce Breast Cancer Risk. In time for Breast Cancer Awareness Month, PETA is serving up some food for thought in New York—a state with one of the highest breast cancer incidence rates in the U.S.—plastering buses in Albany with a reminder that one of the best things an individual can do to lower their cancer risk is to say “ta-ta” to meat, eggs, and dairy. Reilly Park of PETA talks with Mark Dunlea of Hudson Mohawk Magazine.

In place of our regular Hudson Mohawk Magazine programing, today we share this episode of The Aunties Dandelion podcast called “Nikaronhya’a Dawn Martin (Kanyen’kehà:ka) Miss Six Nations, Teacher, Two-Spirit Advocate, Farmer” by The Aunties Dandelion.” The interviewer is Kahstoserakwathe Paulette Moore who presented on “Indigenous Lens on Media Making” at The Sanctuary for Independent Media on 10/03/2023. Show notes from The Aunties Dandelion: Wa’tkwanonhweráton Sewakwékon. On this edition of The Aunties Dandelion we visit with Emergent Auntie Nikaronhyá’a Dawn Martin who is Kanyen’kehà:ka (or Mohawk) from Six Nations of the Grand River Rotinonhsón:ni Territory and who recently won the title of Miss Six Nations. Nikaronhyá’a is a two-spirit culture and language carrier, a teacher, and a farmer who honors the foundation of the feminine. NIKARONHYA’A: The way I translate it is… that’s my power… that is my power. My mother is my power, my mother is my strength – that is where I get – all the will to live comes from her and that could be Mother Earth or my birth mother, right? AUNTIE: During our visit we discuss Nikaronhya’a’s relationship with the beauty and trauma of her community and family and how the power of our Mohawk language – through her father’s influence – has become her support and guide. NIKARONHYA’A: He said it’s about the voices of your ancestors. It’s not even about a word. And that’s what he would talk about is vibration and energy. That that word don’t live on the paper. That word don’t live in the text book. That word only lives with us in our being and our energy and our voice and our breath to make it come into existence. AUNTIE: We are Yethi Nihsténha ne Tekaronyakánere – the Aunties Dandelion. We’re a media collective focused on revitalizing our communities through stories of land, language, and relationships. We are thrilled today to say “nyá:wen” which means “thank you” in Mohawk to the our friends at the Indigenous Screen Office of Canada onkak teyonhkiwihstekénha who are funding our podcast for the coming year. So make some tea, get comfortable and take some time to… listen to your Aunties.

On Thursday, October 16, the Break the Bond NYS Campaign is holding a rally and march starting at West Capitol Park. They are asking to State Comptroller to divest from Israeli Bonds, arguing that pension funds should not be used to fund the genocide in gaza. Dayna Locitzer talks with Mark Dunlea for Hudson Mohawk Magazine.

Discussion of launching of Hudson Mohawk Magazine by Board Member EP: why independent media is important, how and why EP got involved, what draws them into a story and their unique approach to interviewing. Part 1 of a 4-Part series with EP. Produced by Marsha Lazarus

First, we hear from Jeid Ebanks about the Rage Out Rave dance party fundraiser. Then, Mark Dunlea speaks with Greg Campbell-Cohen, the Democrat and Working Families Party candidate for Troy City Council in District 6. Later on, Lavender sits down with eL and Sadiki of Acute Inflections to talk about their upcoming performance in Troy. After that, Andrea Cunliffe brings us coverage from the 2025 Collar City Pride Festival. Finally, we have some recordings from the Homelands Pow Wow, a homecoming for the Stockbridge-Munsee Band of Mohicans. Hosted by: Richard Sleeper, Jacob Boston. Engineered by: Jacob Boston

On Friday, at Collard City Growers from 5-7pm, there will be a Weaving Bookmarks workshop with Azure' Keahi and Angela Bartlett, one part of a series called Strands of Regeneration. Rotating fiber artists will hold monthly demos through the end of the year.

Lavender spoke with eL and Sadiki of Acute Inflections, “New York’s jazzy R&B duo”, about their live show Soulful Sounds, which is coming to Troy, NY. You can find all their performance dates at https://acuteinflections.com/.

Today, on the Hudson Mohawk Magazine, First, Mark Dunlea brings us excerpts from the Lights Out Norlite press conference featuring local residents and a former EPA Regional Administrator. Then, Willie Terry interviewed Carlos Raul Dufflar, Beat Poet Laureate, Community Organizer, and participant in the original Poor People’s Campaign in 1968. Later on, Azure' Keahi interviews local artist Angela Bartlett to chat about their upcoming weaving workshop at Collard City Growers. After that, we have a live interview with Wei Qin, who joins us from Asian Arts New York, also known as AANY. Finally, Marsha Lazarus continues their conversation with JAJJA'S KIDS Co-Founder Diane Reiner, talking about their sustainability efforts to support formerly homeless youth.

Asian Arts New York is building community through the arts, and bringing Asian culture and heritage to the capital region through classes and exciting performance art. Wei Qin, the president of AANY, spoke with Vinny and Marrow of the Hudson Mohawk Magazine.

On Oct. 9, Lights Out Norlite held a news conference in Cohoes, NY pointing out that there is still toxic dust being blown around from the Norlite plant despite the plant temporarily stopping the burning of imported hazardous waste since March of 2024. Norlite LLC is the defendant in a lawsuit brought by New York Attorney General Letitia James and the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation on October 12, 2022. The lawsuit aims to stop the ongoing pollution from the facility. Three years later, the case has not been brought to trial or settled with the polluter. We hear from local residents Joe Ritche, Brad Blauhut, and Ed Sokol, and Judith Enck, former EPA Regional Administrator.

On Sunday, September 7, 2025, Hudson Mohawk Magazine’s Roaming Labor Willie Terry interviewed Carlos Raul Dufflar, Beat Poet Laureate, Community Organizer, and participant in the original Poor People’s Campaign in 1968. In this Labor segment, Carlos discusses Cornelius “Cornbread” Givens and Rev. Annie Chambers, and other unsung heroes and organizers in the Poor People’s Campaign in Washington, D.C., Resurrection City in 1968—part 2.

Today, on the Hudson Mohawk Magazine, First, we hear about a report by Mark Dunlea on how many lobbyists were employed to defeat the packaging bill in the state legislature. Then, we get a report about the protest against shipping weapons to Israel from Port Elizabeth, NJ where activist John Amidon was present. Later on, Rosemary Armao discusses the second anniversary of Hamas’ attack in Israel. After that, we have an interview with Columbia County Sanctuary Movement about the last day of their Latinx Festival Tour taking place on Sunday, Oct 12 in Hudson. Finally, Lavender speaks with singer song writer Eli Lev who has upcoming performances in Hudson and Albany.

Greg Campbell-Cohen is the Democrat and Working Families Parties candidate for Troy City Council in District 6 (South Troy). He discusses his campaign with Mark Dunlea for Hudson Mohawk Magazine, including lead pipes, housing, and predatory towing.

A showcase of performances, food, vendors, and culture, this year Columbia County Sanctuary Movement (CCSM) offered 3 days of their Latinx Festival-- with the last day coming this Sunday 10/12. David Quituisaca of CCSM spoke with Sina Basila Hickey about the range of Latinx representation, the festival format, and what's being offered on Sunday. Learn more: https://www.sanctuarycolumbiacounty.org/latinx-festival

Opening the 2nd Annual Collar City Pride Festival at the Hudson Shores Park in WaterVliet on October 4th 2025 was Collar City Pride’s Megon Norlasco along with Jamie Krouse from Ttory’s YWCA’s. Hudson Mohawk Magazine’s Andrea Cunliffe talks with a few of the 55+ vendors of local business and community partners, the majority are LBGTQIA+ owned. Here in Part 1 of our Collar City Pride Festival Coverage we hear from Frolicking Faun, The Empire Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, and the Albany Gay Men Chorus. This event was supported by sponsors. Cafe Euphoria, YWCA of the Greater Capital Region, American Foundation for Suicide Prevention- Capital Region Chapter, and Nine Pin Cider. Collar City Pride extends a special thank you to the Mayor and the City of Watervliet for their support of our festival. info@collarcitypride.org

On October 7, Beyond Plastics released a new report, “Follow the Money: The David vs. Goliath Battle to Pass the New York Packaging Reduction and Recycling Infrastructure Act.” Reports filed with the state showed that the bill was the most lobbied on during the section, with 107 lobbyists paid to defeat it. 21 of the 50 highest-paid lobbying firms in New York were retained by industry opponents to defeat a bill that was supported by 73% of New Yorkers. We hear from Judith Enck of Beyond Plastics and Blair Horner of NYPIRG. This has been Mark Dunlea for Hudson Mohawk Magazine (I will note that I am married to Judith Enck.)

As we hit the two-year anniversary of the terroristic Hamas raid on Israel, the horrific war of Israel on Gaza has been labeled GENOCIDE by the United Nations. Rosemary Armao, host of the podcast. Beyond the Brink and Fighting Back pairs with opinion writer Jay Jochnowitz at a community public affairs salon to talk about US support of Israel and increasing world-wide recognition of Palestine as a separate state.