Andrea Shea

Boston

Senior Arts and Culture Reporter at WBUR-FM (Boston, MA)

Senior arts & culture reporter for WBUR, Boston’s NPR news station. Once a professional brewer, I also write about beer, local food and agriculture

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Articles

'Jaws' at 50: How Martha's Vineyard helped create a monster

2 weeks ago | ctpublic.org | Andrea Shea

WBUR | By Andrea Shea Published May 22, 2025 at 12:59 PM EDT The lurking shark in “Jaws” has been stoking our primal fears for 50 years. When the movie premiered on June 20, 1975 it became the first summer blockbuster. It also put Martha’s Vineyard on the pop culture map.
Like a giant lazy Susan, Boston Calling debuts new rotating stage

2 weeks ago | wbur.org | Andrea Shea

Editor's Note: This story is an excerpt from WBUR's weekly arts and culture newsletter, The ARTery. If you like what you read and want it in your inbox, sign up here. The Boston Calling music festival returns to Harvard University’s athletics complex this weekend with a few additions. The largest — and most intriguing — is a massive, rotating stage.
'Jaws' at 50: How Martha's Vineyard helped create a monster

2 weeks ago | wbur.org | Andrea Shea

The lurking shark in “Jaws” has been stoking our primal fears for 50 years. When the movie premiered on June 20th, 1975 it became the first summer blockbuster. It also put Martha’s Vineyard on the pop culture map. Director Steven Spielberg’s Hollywood film crew transformed the island into the fictional tourist town Amity, but an exhibition opening Memorial Day weekend is celebrating the locals who gave “Jaws” it’s salty, New England authenticity. We got a peek as the show was coming together.
Listen, my children, and you shall hear what actually happened with Paul Revere

1 month ago | wbur.org | Andrea Shea

On April 18, 1775, Paul Revere raced through the Massachusetts countryside on horseback to warn patriot leaders that British soldiers were on the march. A lot of us learned about the revolutionary sprint through Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s iconic poem that begins, “Listen, my children, and you shall hear, of the midnight ride of Paul Revere.”On this 250th anniversary, historic sites around Boston are bringing Revere’s real ride to life. But they’ll also be setting the record straight.
MFA hires new director and CEO Pierre Terjanian from within

1 month ago | wbur.org | Andrea Shea

After an international search, the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston has selected its next director and CEO from within its own ranks. Pierre Terjanian, who is presently the museum's chief of curatorial affairs and conservation, will assume the new role in July. “I came to the MFA because I was really moved by the institution’s people, collections, commitment to audiences,” he said during an interview.
Turkish composer and musician transforms his oud to let loose with electric riffs

2 months ago | wbur.org | Andrea Shea

Turkish composer and musician transforms his oud to let loose with electric riffsMehmet Ali Sanlikol plays a traditional oud at his studio in Belmont, Mass. (Robin Lubbock/WBUR)Grammy-nominated Turkish composer and musician Mehmet Ali Sanlikol fuses traditional Turkish music with other genres and styles on a custom electric oud. This segment airs on April 7, 2025. Audio will be available after the broadcast.
This Turkish musician channels Ottomans and rock gods on the electric oud

2 months ago | wbur.org | Andrea Shea

Grammy-nominated Turkish composer and musician Mehmet Ali Sanlikol would like to introduce his one-of-a-kind dream instrument. It’s been decades in the making, and on Wednesday, March 26, his custom-built electric oud will take the stage with the Dünya Ensemble during a free concert at the New England Conservatory’s Jordan Hall. Sanlikol’s singular oud transforms centuries-old Turkish sounds and — when the urge strikes —allows him to unleash his inner rock star.
Beloved Gardner Museum music curator Scott Nickrenz dies at 87

2 months ago | wbur.org | Andrea Shea

The music community in Boston and beyondis mourning the loss of a passionate, energetic pioneer named Scott Nickrenz.The 87-year-old died on Monday, March 17. Nickrenz's lengthy resume includes helping to launch the careers of musicians like violinist Joshua Bell and overseeing the concert programming at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum for 26 years. During his tenure as curator of music, Nickrenz was the driving force behind the creation of a stunning, acoustically pristine concert hall.
Empty restored frames highlight Gardner Museum heist 35 years later

2 months ago | wbur.org | Andrea Shea

35 years ago on March 18, thieves disguised as police men stole 13 precious artworks from the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum. During the robbery they swiftly sliced five out of their frames in the Dutch Room. Those empty frames have remained in the gallery as stark reminders of the notorious art heist. Now, as part of the Dutch Room’s ongoing restoration — the gallery that once held Rembrandt’s only known seascape — has been refreshed and rehung in time for the theft’s anniversary.
Artists turn vintage video game sounds into electronic pop music

Mar 7, 2025 | wbur.org | Andrea Shea

Artists turn vintage video game sounds into electronic pop musicKris Uzzle, also known as Astro, uses the nostalgic sounds of his handheld Gameboy to make an 8-bit style of electronic pop music called chiptune. WBUR's Andrea Shea explains. This segment airs on March 7, 2025. Audio will be available after the broadcast.