KFAI's MinneCulture Presents

Music Box Healer by Emily Eagle The fancy MP3 player you unwrapped yesterday will soon be obsolete. As portable music players get smaller and sleeker, our old ones are tossed and forgotten. But music players haven’t always been so disposable. A century and a half ago music lovers and talented craftspeople designed and created music boxes . These elaborate machines are considered antiques, but many of them can still play music -- if they've had the proper repairs. Michael Everett  is one of the very few remaining music box technicians.  Shodekeh Profile by Aaron Henkin Remember the days of Doug E. Fresh and the Fat Boys , when 'human beat-boxing' mesmerized us fans of early hip hop? The old art form is still around today, some 30 years later. And vocal poly-rhythm masters like Baltimore's Shodekeh are continuing to stretch musical boundaries with the technique. Teen Contender  from Radio Diaries Boxing has been an Olympic sport since the time of ...

Nights of Edith Piaf by The Kitchen Sisters She rose every day at dusk and sang, rehearsed, performed, ate and drank until dawn, then slept all day and began to create and unravel again as the sun went down. Nearly every song Piaf sang was a moment of her life from the streets of Paris. She would tell her composer and musician lovers a story, or describe a feeling or show them a gesture. And they would put music and words to her pain and passion, giving her back her own musical autobiography. We'll hear from some of France's greatest musicians and composers recall their nights with the "the Little Sparrow."

In a Railway Station on the Western Plains by Ruth Draper Famed monologist, Ruth Draper , evokes a  woman working the late shift at a small town railway station who is going about her quotidian duties when a call comes through that a train has crashed, resulting in many casualties. While she sets up the station as a makeshift emergency ward, she awaits word of Jerry, her fiance and the engineer of the wrecked train . During her lifetime, "Railway Station" was a popular "monodrama" favorite with Draper's audiences.

The Elephant's Child by Rudyard Kipling   What do crocodiles eat for dinner? Inquiring elephants want to know! Written by Rudyard Kipling in 1902 and published in his book of Just So Stories for Little Children . We'll hear a version read by Jack Nicholson in 1986 and accompanied by Bobby McFerrin . So gather the family around the wireless for this timeless origin story classic by a trio of seemingly strange bedfellows.

Ministry of Presence from Unfictional Memories of 95 executions from a man who was there for all of them. Carroll Pickett served as pr ison chaplain at the  Death House in Huntsville, Texas for 15 years. During this time, Rev. Pickett offer ed comfort to some of the worst criminals in Texas history ; men with nicknames like "The Good Samaritan Killer," and "The Candy Man . " After each execution , he recorded his own thoughts about sitting with the condemned m a n on his last day. This is his memoir .

Dying Wish by Karen van Vuuren Retired surgeon, Dr. Michael Miller is dying of end-stage cancer and is determined not to prolong his dying process. He's conducted his own, extensive research and believes that stopping eating and drinking will ease his suffering and result in a peaceful, more natural death. His wish is to die with grace . During his fast, Michael suffers neither thirst nor hunger. He enjoys a last meal, takes leave of his family, and surrounds himself with art and music. Medical ethicists speak about patients' rights, and hospice staff share their own, similar experiences of others who have made this choice.

Bracelets of Grace by David Berner In January of 1968, U.S. Air Force Major Stanley Horne was listed as missing-in-action (MIA) after his fighter-bomber was shot down over Vietnam. Soon after, his name was one of the many engraved on a POW-MIA bracelet. The bracelets made a lasting impression on all those who wore them. Millions were worn by family, friends , supporters and critics of the war alike. It may have been the only item - the only common bond - that crossed the tumultuous political divide at the time. We will hear recollections from the Californian students who originated the bracelets , those who wore Major Horne’s bracelet, and audio from the personal tapes sent back and forth between Stanley and his family back home in Madison.

The Bull Moose Candidacy from Prairie Public 2012 marks the 100th anniversary of Theodore Roosevelt 's t hird party bid to be president. We will look back at Roosevelt's career and how the issues he raised in the 1912 campaign are still at the center of today's political debates. Roosevelt scholar Clay Jenkinson (known to some for "The Thomas Jefferson Hour") is featured along with wax recordings of TR's campaign speeches . Eleanor Roosevelt on This I Believe by Edward R. Murrow Eleanor Roosevelt, niece of Teddy Roosevelt , was active in Democratic politics and helped shape her husband 's New Deal programs while he was president. She is considered one of the most active and influential First Ladies in U.S. history, she advocated racial equality, women's rights, and world peace. With Eleanor's time , she will speak to us about responsibility .

The Legend of Sleepy Hollow by Washington Irving It is a special hour-long edition of the Listening Lounge this All Hallows' Eve !!! Our story, written by Washington Irving in 1820, is one of the earliest classics of American fiction. "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" tells the tale of schoolmaster Ichabod Crane , who is chased through the Hudson River Valley by a headless horseman. The Legend has been rendered many times in theaters, on television and film. The interpretation we will air is read by stage and radio actor David Kurlan and was released on Folkways Records in 1967. PS. There was indeed a real Ichabod Crane . He was however not a small town school teacher, but a well respected military officer with a career spanning 48 years. Irving met Colonel I. B. Crane in 1814 and later used his name for the Sleepy Hollow character. Though it earned him an immortal place in American culture, the real Crane detested Irving for it.

Margaret Chase Smith: Cold Warrior in Pearls from Radio Diaries In 1964, Margaret Chase Smith became the first woman from a major party to run for President. The Republican Senator ran as a staunch hawk and expert on national defense while she handed out muffin recipes at campaign stops. Shirley Chisholm: The Politics of Principle from Radio Diaries In 1972, Shirley Chisholm launched a spirited campaign for the Democratic nomination. She was the first woman and first African American to run. Declaring herself “ unbossed and unbought ,” she took on the political establishment as the candidate of “all the people.” Gracie Allen: The Joke That Became a Campaign from Radio Diaries In 1940 the United States was just emerging from the shadow of the Great Depression and war loomed in Europe. Into these serious times stepped Gracie Allen, part of the popular comic duo Burns and Allen , who launched a campaign for President . Allen’s ‘Surprise Party’ began as a publicity s...

Victoria Woodhull: The First Woman to Run for President from Radio Diaries In the 19th century, Victoria Woodhull was many things: a clairvoyant, a businesswoman, an advocate for women’s rights and sexual freedom , and a magnet for media attention and scandal. Her 1872 campaign for president came at a time when most women did not even have the right to vote. William Jennings Bryan: The Speech That Changed Politics from Radio Diaries At the 1896 Democratic Convention, Bryan gave a speech that electrified his party and won him the nomination. His “ Cross of Gold ” speech is known today as one of the most important oratorical performances in American history. Adlai Stevenson: A Candidate in the Age of Television from Radio Diaries The 1952 presidential campaign pitted the immensely popular General Dwight D. Eisenhower against the ferociously intellectual and intensely private Adlai Stevenson . It was an election fought on a new battleground: television .

Bon Voyage by Julia Scott Paul Perkovic and his husband, Eric Trefelner, have lived in style for 36 years. When they find out that Paul has inoperable pancreatic cancer, they decide he should go out in style, too. Eric plans a lavish, quarter million-dollar “Bon Voyage” party at a fine arts museum in San Francisco. Paul and Eric aren’t just planning a party; they’re trying to choreograph a death. But the couple soon discovers that death has its own agenda. Come along with the Listening Lounge on this intimate and emotional journey of a same-sex couple coping with mortality.  This I Believe by Nancy Yucius Nancy's life creed has taken on special meaning now that she is battling colon cancer .

Secrets and Noise byAmy Conger Audio experiment in amplifying the noises that often get ignored. Come closer & listen up.   Secrets by Love + Radio Stories about secrets, Babar , adoption, and so many more secrets waiting to be discovered. Features Ben Popik, Harlyn Aizley, and Frank Warren of the Post Secret project.

Rip, Rift, and Panic: Earthquake Stories of Life and Death Along the Fault Lines by Susan Stone One spring morning in 1906, a massive earthquake struck San Francisco, killing thousands, and leaving almost a quarter-million people homeless. Californians have lived ever since with the knowledge that, one day, another cataclysmic temblor will rock the ground beneath their feet. It's simply not a matter of if, but when. Join us for a look back at a hundred years of life along the fault lines and preparations for the Big One to come.

Drones: A New Death From Above from Making Contact It’s being sold as a cleaner way to wage war, but unmanned military drones are wreaking havoc in Pakistan, Afghanistan and elsewhere. Making Contact will bring us voices from Pakistan of families destroyed by drone strikes. We will also hear interviews with Medea Benjamin and other activists who are working to build a global movement against this controversial military technology.

Be Whatever You Want by Sara Curtis On a hot summer afternoon three ten year old kids push around a soccer ball style sorbet maker and concoct elaborate and imaginative stories and adventures to make their mundane task more interesting. Biloxi Stabbing by Jeff Forester and Jeremy Lerman  Biloxi, Mississippi, 3 a.m. The attackers advanced from the dark. The violence was sudden, intense. Forester's cheek, nose and two ribs were broken. A fourteen-inch knife gash exposed kidney and lung. Then they were gone into the night. Swaying, bloody foam bubbling from his back, he struggled to breathe--at that moment Forester was transformed from victim to master of his life. Sweet Science by Tom Niemisto A new class run by the local YMCA in Northfield, MN, trains high school students in the basics of boxing. While the sport can be physically demanding and useful for self-defense, the head coach thinks boxing nurtures philosophical inquiry. Dr. Gordon Marino both coaches the teens on...

The Greatest Minnesota Athlete To Run On Four Legs from MN90 One of Minnesota's greatest athletes was Dan Patch , a harness horse from the turn of the 20th century. Yep, one of the main drags at the state Fair is named after him. But very few of us actually remember who he is. Great Pumpkins from Next Generation Radio A story of people who dream about pumpkins... pumpkins that weigh over a thousand pounds . Lindsey Larson went to an annual pumpkin weigh-off in Toppsfield, Massachusetts. Do What You Fear And Fear Disappears by Sarah Boothroyd Sarah visits a "fun house" for some screams, thoughts on fear, spooky music, and more screams. A Nighttime Fair Audio Collage by Jason Rayles Every fair is essentially two separate events - one bright and sunny - full of cuddly animals and babies; the other dark, hormone-fueled and ambiguously dangerous full of oddballs, oddities, misfits, and shysters. We’re visiting the later. Fireworks from Mystery ...

Part two of our tribute to tape hobbyist, media guru, sound designer, and pioneering advertising theorist, Tony Schwartz . Mr. Schwartz would have celebrated his 89th birthday this past weekend; he died in 2008. Sounds of My City by Tony Schwartz We'll hear an agoraphobic expressing his love for his zip code. Released on Folkways Records in 1956, Sounds of My City was an audio snapshot of NYC; full of vivid scenes that documented modern life. Tony narrates the album parsing into loosely organized sections and painting us a portrait of urban splendor and diversity. At the root of the album, i t's an aural love letter . "The best thing about radio is that people were born without earlids. You can't close your ears to it." - Tony Schwartz

If you love people who love radio, don't miss this show. It's a profile of "the wizard of sound," Tony Schwartz , an innovative and inspired sound gatherer. Mr. Schwartz would have been celebrating his 89th birthday on August 19th; he died in 2008. Favorite Sounds by Tony Schwartz From the Recorded Sounds Reference Center at the Library of Congress , we'll hear Tony asking speakers from the Jewish Guild for the Blind to describe their favorite sounds. A montage of recordings of some of these sounds follows. 30,000 Recordings Later by The Kitchen Sisters For over 55 years Tony assembled a vast collection of audio-visual materials from other folklorists all around the world . Along with collecting tape he recorded a lot too - a genuine radio pioneer. He is said to have created the first portable tape recorder. Schwartz’s life-long interest in people, events, and music led him to record hours of the sounds of urban life. The Kitchen Sisters comb throug...

Couscous and Cultural Diplomacy by Andrea Wenzel What's it like to be the only Muslim in the only US town named after an Arab Muslim? Frederique Boudouani certainly knows. He & the town of Elkader, Iowa felt the impact of September 11th in unique ways.  That's partly because Elkader was named after a 19th century Algerian jihadist named Emir Abd el-Qader . Since the " War on Terror " began, some residents have wanted to change the town's name, but others have been drawn to explore the town’s Algerian connection -- including Frederique & his parter, Brian. This openly gay couple that decided that it'd be a great idea to start an Algerian-American restaurant on Elkader's Main Street. Our story charts their adventures with cultural adaptation, American identity, and small town politics.

Anne Frank left behind a stunning document which has provided the world a powerful reminder of the horrors of war . The maturity, sensitivity, and courage displayed within the pages also serve as a testament to the human spirit. August 1st, 1944 is the last entry in the diary. We will mark the occasion by playing selections from an album released by CMS Records in 1968. Anne Frank: The Diary Of A Young Girl is read for us by Elinor (Basescu) Randal and was produced by Leon Golovner. Initially, Anne wrote her diary strictly for herself. Then, one day in 1944, a member of the Dutch government in exile, announced that he hoped to collect eyewitness accounts of the suffering of the Dutch people under the German occupation. As an example, he specifically mentioned letters and diaries. Anne decided that when the war was over she would publish a book based on her diary. Because she did not survive, the task fell instead to her father . Anne's diary has now been publis...

Teen Contender from Radio Diaries Boxing has been an Olympic sport since the time of the ancient Greeks. But only men have taken part. This year, that changes . For the first time ever, women will step into the ring at the 2012 summer Olympics in London. One of the contenders is 16-year old Claressa Shields , a junior at Northwestern High School in Flint, Michigan. We follow Claressa as she prepares for her Olympic trial. Kicking Ass and Changing Names by Shea Shackelford Amanda Storm (A.K.A. The Queen of Pain, The Storm Bringer, The Black Widow) is a woman wrestler in Maine, but she is also known as Alexandra at her day job as a truck driver. After 10 years chasing bright lights and bruises from coast to coast, Amanda figured out a few things about professional wrestling along with herself . Now 40, wrestling mostly in the state of Maine, she’s doing things her own way. Boulder County Bombers by Maeve Conran We'll end with a profile of The Boulder County Bom...

Glass Not Glitter from This Land Press Neighbors of the Murrah Federal building recall the 1995 bombing that altered the life and culture of Oklahoma City. 22nd of July   by George Drake, Jr. On the 22nd of July, 2011,  terror struck the capital of Norway  in the form of a car bomb followed by a shooting massacre on a nearby island youth camp. On average, Norway has only 30 fatal gun killings each year, but the man behind the twin attacks,  Anders Behring Breivik  managed to nearly triple that number in 3 hours time. Eight young Norwegians retell the events and discuss their feelings about the the day that changed Norway forever. A Fresh Look at the OK City Bombing  from This Land Press Andrew Gumbel, co-author of the book " Oklahoma City: What the Investigation Missed -- and Why it Still Matters " with Roger Charles, expounds on the connection between  Timothy McVeigh  and  Elohim City . In his book, he alleges that government a...

Bucky's Dome by Katie Klocksin In the middle of a town where almost every home is covered in classic New England wood shingles, there's a giant dome . It looks like a three story tall golf ball . Lucky for us, the door was left unlocked -- so we get to go inside and check it out! Who was Guinea Pig B by Euan McAleece An exploration of the life of Richard Buckminster Fuller in which Euan interviews Bucky aficionado Noel Murphy. We'll hear all about Bucky's life and his impact on the world that surrounds us today.

The Bike Ride of '76 by Hugh Duncan   Midway through his career, a college professor decided to act upon his lifelong desire to take a grand adventure. His plans become complicated when his two young children beg to join him. We'll hear the story of a dad (& his kids ) trying to bike across the country before a 4th of July deadline. Their mission: to celebrate our great nation's bicentennial at Independence Hall!

Governing the Occupation by Frances Harlow With a 24-year-old USM student as our guide, we learn about Occupy Maine 's encampment in Lincoln Park and its accompanying infrastructure. Like many of the solidarity demonstrations across the nation and globe, Occupy Maine governs by consensus, meaning that everyone has to agree on every decision. Obviously, this is a slow process. To Dream an Anarchist's Dream by Mary Rose Madden In this story, we hear the hopes and aspirations of one Maryland anarchist group: to open a shop where everything is totally free. The Baltimore Freestore is based on the radical idea that we can live in a free society, if we come together as one community. Despite some ideological struggles, the Freestore has been a great success. As we'll hear, it takes a lot of work to live out the Freestore's philosophy - though it may fail by anarchism's standards. Teenage Anarchist from City High Radio A youth produced piece from City High Sch...

Sun Tunnels by Scott Carrier Scott marks the solstice by spending the night inside a gigantic concrete tube. Specifically, an obscure art installation called the Sun Tunnels in a very remote part of the Utah desert. Poke Stick Scrape Dump by Bill Palladino Bill recounts his first summer job in this rhythmic essay. It was mundane, repetitive work. It was picking up garbage at a drive-in movie theater . Showing the Garden by Ruth Draper Finally, monologue from the talented Ruth Draper ; An English lady of somewhat advanced middle age guides her visitor into her garden. As they move down the pathway from one bed of flowers to another, they pause at each as she explains that nothing is at its best. Such a shame, too, because her Glubjullas, Seccalikums and other highly unusual flora are usually so exquisite. "People come from far and wide, and they all agree they have never seen finer Glubjullas than mine." Listening Lounge - Summer Solstice Promo by micahnathan...

A college student leaps from a bridge, a young mother walks into a lake, a widow clings to a ledge. Impulse. Depression. Illness. Grief. “Here There Is No Moon,” produced by Susan Stone, is a portrait of the suicidal mind from the perspective of those who have survived the bullet, the bottle, the jump --and those who have helped in rescue and intervention. There is the limbo in which some live: Why am I still here? Will I try again? Can I resume the life I almost left? For others, there is relief in having a second chance at life. And then there are the doctors, philosophers, counselors, and poets who grapple with suicide as epidemic, violence, and siren song. But the fundamental question remains: Why does one commit suicide, while another does not? No one really knows the answer -- but we'll hear true stories from those who just might.   Listening Lounge - Here There Is No Moon Promo by micahnathaniel  

Voicemail From My Ex by Catherine Spangler You know the kind. They usually come in the middle of the night, when you're sound asleep. Suddenly the phone rings. Dare you answer? It's been months since you last spoke. Better to let it go through to voicemail... Duo Twins by Seth Lind Saul and Joshua are a surprising pair forging an unlikely friendship. Saul is short and thick, a tough, self-taught, middle-aged Guatemalan rhythm guitarist. Joshua is a young, tall, soft-spoken, almost frail, American banjo plucker. Saul is a veteran of the trains, and rescued Joshua from the poverty of platform-playing. Together they are Duo Twins, a joke name playing on how different they look - though the Twins gel together  beautifully . They play mostly Latin standards though they have a fresh sound to them because of the combination of Joshua's virtuoso plucking with Saul's solid strum and charisma. But could the differences that make their music beautiful eventually tear the...

Cogito Ergo Sum by Amy Conger Cogito Ergo Sum by Amy Conger An abstract sound collage dealing with questioning identity , the passing of time in the mind, and our mental states. This audio was originally accompanied an installation piece which can be seen here . Traces by Judith Weber An interview with sound artist , who works with biofeedback music, takes a strange turn and becomes an audio attempt to trace thought. Everybody Scream!!! from The Truth Warm up that saddle and pick up the pace, we are going inside the minds of two very competitive women... in spin class !!!

Back From the Dead from Long Haul Productions The Chicago Recovery Alliance has been distributing a drug called Naloxone which is designed to reverse heroin overdoses. It’s been used for years by paramedics and in emergency rooms to save lives - but they are now putting it on the street. The idea is for a drug user to be able to save a fellow user’s life by injecting Naloxone whenever and wherever an overdose occurs. Since the program started, hundreds of "deaths" have been reversed. When All Else Fails from Long Haul Productions A first-person account of a man undergoing electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) , formerly known as electroshock. Rob MacGruder tells of his lifelong battle with bipolar disorder and how ECT has repeatedly saved his life. The story follows MacGruder for almost a year as he falls into a severe depression, undergoes a series of ECT treatments and gradually recovers. During that time, MacGruder loses his job, and loses his children to th...

Working With Studs from Transom Radio May 16th would have been Studs Terkel's 100th Birthday. He died in 2008. As a tribute we'll be airing an hour-long documentary about what it was like to work WITH Mr. Terkel. For many years, Transom editor Sydney Lewis worked side by side with Studs on his radio show and his books . For this hour, produced in a seamless blend of documentary and reminiscence, Syd brought together a crew of Studs’ co-workers who, in turn, brought great stories, along with wonderful previously-unheard tape of Studs himself. Sydney is an oral historian, and like Studs , not a skilled technician, but she overcame her fear of digital recorders and ProTools in order to craft this lovely eulogy to American’s greatest listener.  You can listen to the entire documentary right here:  

Birth by Thin Air Media This week in the Listening we'll be airing a special hour-long documentary about the practices and perceptions of birth in America. Starting with early observations, we move through the process of birth beginning before labor, continuing during labor, and following the actual event. The act of giving birth will be examined with a multiplicity of voices woven with sound from an emotional, physical and philosophical perspective. Download or stream the entire documentary: LISTEN

Todd & Micah depicted in our dear mother's lovely tattoo. There is a yearly conflict that anglers struggle with here in Minnesota -- it's choosing between the opening of fishing season and Mother's Day . The guilt of missing a visit with your dear mom to go cast a rod and reel is intense. This year and the next three years, Mother's Day will again fall on opening weekend of the fishing season. The question we're proposing to you on our Facebook page is this: Which event should we honor on the next episode of KFAI's Listening Lounge? VOTE HERE

It’s been 20 years since four white police officers were cleared of unlawfully beating Rodney King in LA. But we might never have heard of Rodney King had it not been for an amateur cameraman who caught the whole thing on tape. In a special radio adaptation of the film “ Police Tape ,” we will hear how video cameras have changed the way we see the police. Journalist Josh Wolf investigates how law enforcement and amateur videographers across the country have responded to changing technologies. Police Tape was produced by Making Contact .   Listening Lounge - Police Tape Promo by micahnathaniel

Be A Hero. Save The World. Energy Brat from Youth Radio Antony Jaureguí grew up in sunny Southern California, and has never worried much about where energy comes from and how much he uses. But on a trip to his parents’ hometown in Mexico, he begins to question why he never considers his own energy consumption. Clean Dirt by Abby Wendle Kris Gosney and her husband were like most of their neighbors in northwestern Oklahoma: conventional farmers relying heavily on chemicals to produce their crops. But fifteen years ago, in an effort to weather a difficult economic moment in agriculture, they stumbled into organic farming. Forest to Desert by Sarah Boothroyd An audio doodle inspired by the phrase: "Humankind is preceded by forest, and followed by desert." An aural art piece that entwines natural, found, and sampled sound together to blow your mind. Produced for and winner of the Third Coast Festival's Short Docs Challenge: Radio Ephemera.   The M...