KFAI's MinneCulture Presents

Dr. Seuss's Sleep Book read by Marvin Miller First published in 1962, Dr. Seuss's Sleep Book te lls the story of a small yet contagious yawn which spreads and  spreads from bedroom to bedroom across the world until zillions of Seussian creatures (such as the  Foona Lagoona Baboona , the Chippendale Mupp, and the Krandles ) are all soundly fast asleep.  Our recording was released on Camden Records in 1966. It is "dramatized" by Marvin Miller  with Marty Gold and His Orchestra . If his voice sounds familiar, it's because  Miller is famous for narrating another Seuss tale, Gerald McBoing-Boing, and Disney's Sleeping Beauty. He has also lent his vocal talents to the characters  Robby the Robot , Aquaman , Zarn , Deux Deux , and appeared on many shows including  the Millionaire, Wonder Woman, Perry Mason, and Space Patrol. Dreaming of Sleep by Todd Melby Rough­necks and other oil field workers make big money . But that money...

Musicians Guide to Warming Up by David Schulman World class musicians discuss their technique of warming up their instruments - from opera singers, bluegrass twangers, to concert pianists . Check out more of David Schulman’s musician profiles at NPR. Gary Nuñez by David Schulman Sound profile of Puerto Rican bassist Gary Nuñez about the rhythms of the Plena , a near-forgotten Latin dance which his band has revived. This piece is from the series Musicians In Their Own Words ; all about their approach to the musical craft. Sounds of Democracy by Elizabeth Chur A sound collage of a public library in Portland, Maine . You'd think it be pretty quiet with hints of shushing - but this library provides much more than just books. Elizabeth tells us about a community coming together around a free-to-use piano in a public space. The Gift of Music from the Salt Institute for Documentary Studies The volunteer choral group, Evensong , specializes in singing the l...

Trade from the  Woodrow Wilson Center Drawing on his 34 years in office, Lee H. Hamilton , former Congressman from Indiana and president and director of the Woodrow Wilson Center for Scholars , offers a unique perspective on Congress, foreign affairs, and the legislative process. How Did We Get Here?  from  Fronteras Desk  What exactly were the economic and political conditions that led to the signing of the North American Free Trade Agreement in the fall of 1991 , and what were the expectations ? NAFTA Boy by  Claes Andreasson The pact went into force at the start of 1994 and NAFTA Boy has been complaining about it ever since.  "NAFTA has meant middle-class Mexicans buying Chinese-made products in U.S. malls and idle Americans going to Tijuana to buy counterfeit medicine and plastic surgery at cheap prices. Sounds like free trade to me!" Burning Man and the Gift Economy from Making Contact There is no commerce allowed at Burning Man . Its ...

Does Fair Trade Coffee Work? by Julie Grant If you've gotten used to paying the higher prices of specialty coffees, then the prices associated with Fair Trade coffee seem appropriate. But some people argue that the artificial market of Fair Trade is not sustainable and that Fair Trade coffee doesn't necessarily mean good coffee . Global Mamas by Michelle Alimoradi Global Mamas is a nonprofit organization that imports colorful clothing and handmade products from a women's cooperative in Ghana. Peace Corps volunteers Kristen Johnson and Renee Adam founded the fair trade co-op to help promote economic independence for African women and their families. The Global Mamas network of producers has grown from six founding members in 2004, to nearly 500 producers in nine communities. The Amias Project by  Dan Greenwood Nicole Smagleck has traveled extensively to Tanzania and East Africa. During one trip, she met an elder tribal woman who suggested she bring Tanzania...