The Lowdown: Lois Reitzes

Reitzes is director of arts and cultural for the NPR affiliate in Atlanta... her lighter side touts Mel Brooks as a favorite philosopher and dreams of Chicago deep dish pizza.

By Marcia Caller Jaffe April 10, 2019, 2:30 pm Edit

After 37 years with the Atlanta Journal-Constitution and now with the AJT, , Jaffe’s focus is lifestyle, art, dining, fashion, and community events with emphasis on Jewish movers and shakers.

Our readers have enjoyed The Lowdown column we rolled out in 2018 spotlighting local “movers and shakers” – some bent on creativity, empire building, activism and/or just celebrating what it’s like to live the good life. Lean in to hear some off the cuff remarks as to what makes Lois Reitzes tick.

Lois Reitzes is director of arts and cultural programming for WABE-FM 90.1, the National Public Radio affiliate in Atlanta. She began working at the station in 1979 as a music programmer and announcer and was program director from 1992 to 2007. Before that, she pursued graduate studies in musicology at Indiana University in Bloomington.

Weekdays at 11 a.m. she hosts “City Lights,” WABE’s arts and culture program and presents morning music on WABE’s classical stream. Reitzes serves as commentator and interviewer for WABE’s Atlanta Symphony Orchestra broadcasts and hosts “Spivey Soiree.”

Reitzes’ lighter side touts her favorite philosopher as Mel Brooks and her dreams of Chicago deep dish pizza.

Get to know her better right here.

How did you develop such distinctive and deliberate diction?

I was born with an unusually low voice and register, as was my brother. I had no training in drama, but as a child I was called Tallulah Bankhead [actress known for her husky voice] because of it.

David Foster or Beethoven?

Mozart is my fav composer, if that’s the question.

How would you spend a day off?

I read a lot, now into “Rules of Civility” by Amor Towles. He also wrote “A Gentleman in Moscow.”

You’ve interviewed a lot of famous folks. By whom were you most awestruck?

I have been so privileged. Yo-Yo Ma, Robert Battle (artistic director for Alvin Ailey), film director Barry Jenkins, authors Salman Rushdie and Richard Russo. Locally [director and playwright] Susan Booth and Pearl Cleage.

What’s the best advice you’ve proffered?

Be over-prepared and an especially good listener.

My biggest pet peeve is …

Overall rudeness and humor at someone else’s expense.

My comfort foods are …

Rich chocolate brownies are the perfect food. Non sweets would be Chicago deep dish pizza. Oh, I love gelato. … must be the food of the gods.