This episode of Big Blend Radio's TOAST TO THE ARTS Show features Marc Saltarelli, an award-winning director with work in both narrative and documentary filmmaking. Hear about his latest film, STUDIO ONE FOREVER.

A beacon of dancing and freedom for gay men looking for identity in a world that saw them as outcasts, Studio One was a haven and the blossoming center of nightlife in West Hollywood. From merging the gay community and Hollywood elites like Bette Davis and Jimmy Stewart to being at the forefront of the LBGTQ+ rights movement and the fight against the AIDS crisis, the venue was more than just a disco, it was a movement.

STUDIO ONE FOREVER, the untold story of America's iconic gay disco, world premiered at Outfest Los Angeles in July 2023 and was selected by over twenty festivals to date, garnering several audience choice awards. It was an Austin Film Festival jury award nominee for best documentary and won Best of Fest at the 2024 Palm Springs International Film Festival. Watch the trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CuHmJhq_LJI

STUDIO ONE - Coming soon to Theaters, VOD & BluRay: September 13-19 - Landmark Sunset in West Hollywood October 3rd - Laemmle NoHo - with Q&A October 8th - Available on all VOD platforms

Full details at https://marcsaltarelli.com/

This episode is also featured on Big Blend Radio's "Big Daily Blend" Podcast. Check out our network of shows, here: https://www.podbean.com/podcast-network/bigblendradionetwork

This episode of Big Blend Radio's 2nd Wednesday "Books & Authors" Show with Books Forward features debut author Ann Lowry who discusses her novel, "The Blue Trunk."

When Ann Lowry inherited an ancestor's blue travel trunk, she had no idea that this artifact was about to take her on a three-year journey of discovery. She was told that the trunk’s previous owner, a great-great aunt, had been institutionalized for insanity. Despite meticulous genealogy research, she was unable to uncover any facts about her and concluded that she must have spent her entire adult life in an asylum.

Lowry was inspired to write "The Blue Trunk" (Sept. 10, 2024, Koehler Books) to help reclaim her ancestor’s voice and shed light on these all-too-common institutionalizations. Seamlessly weaving historical fiction with contemporary life, Lowry’s tale explores identity, strength, and connection across decades. Visit: https://www.annlowry.com/

In observance of World Suicide Prevention Day (Sept. 10) and National Suicide Prevention Month (Sept), this episode of Big Blend Radio focuses on Johnny Schaefer's new song "When It's Your Kid" as well as teen suicide prevention and the pressures youth face today. Watch the music video: https://youtu.be/CfqF8q1BgQc?feature=shared

FEATURED GUESTS: - JOHNNY SCHAEFER - Award-winning singer/songwriter https://hearjohnny.com/ - LINDA CORELY - Emmy award-winning documentary filmmaker of "Parkland: Healing a Community and a Nation https://daydreamproductionhouse.com/ - GEOFFREY LEVIN - Musician, composer, singer/songwriter https://www.geofflevin.com/ - SUSAN HOLDER - Vocalist, Manager for Melissa Manchester