KFAI's MinneCulture Presents

The 39 Steps from CBS Studio One We'll hear a gripping romantic thriller by John Buchan and adapted from the famous Hitchcock film . A common man in London tries to help a counter-espionage agent who is attempting to prevent top secret government information from leaving the country. However, when the agent is killed, our innocent hero stands accused of murder. He must now go on the run -- both to clear his name and to stop the villainous spy ring from stealing military secrets. Masterfully suspenseful , humorous, and fast-paced, this vintage radioplay stars Glenn Ford, Kathleen Cordell, and Mercedes McCambridge . Originally broadcast March 23rd, 1948.

.22 Rifle for Christmas from Dragnet Ladies and gentlemen, the story you are about to hear is true. Only the names have been changed to protect the innocent .  Detective Sergeant Joseph "Joe" Friday and Officer Frank Smith search for a missing boy. The first sign that the case is serious is when blood is found. Further probing reveals the boy's parents had purchased him a .22-caliber rifle for Christmas -- and the weapon is missing, removed from its wrapped package. Starring Jack Webb . Originally broadcast December 22nd, 1949.  Britt Ponset's Christmas Carol from The Six Shooter The man in the saddle is angular and long-legged. His skin is sun-dyed brown. The gun in his holster is gray steel and rainbow mother-of-pearl, its handle unmarked. People call them both " the Six Shooter ." In this episode,  Britt Ponset meets a young boy who has run away from home and who seems to be lacking the holiday spirit . To cheer the lad, Ponset tells him a Wil

The Story of Return of the Jedi from Buena Vista Records Luke Skywalker has returned to his home planet of Tatooine in an attempt to rescue his friend Han Solo from the clutches of the vile gangster Jabba the Hutt . Little does Luke know that the Galactic Empire has secretly begun construction on a new armored space station even more powerful than the first dreaded Death Star. When completed, this ultimate weapon will spell certain doom for the small band of rebels struggling to restore freedom to the galaxy… We're going to hear the 1983 Star Wars storybook album produced by Jymn Magon and engineered by George Charouhas. It's narrated by the voice-over extraordinaire Chuck Riley with dialogue, sound effects , and  music  from the film. Starring James Errol Jones, Ian McDiarmid, Mark Hamill,  Carrie Fisher ,  Harrison Ford,  Billy Dee Williams , Anthony Daniels, and Frank Oz.

The Suburbs   Live from Minnesota Founded in 1977,  The Suburbs  helped launch the punk rebellion that later became known as the  Minneapolis Sound . Their quirky, humorous new-wave punk style crafted the vibe for many local clubs including the infamous Jay's Longhorn. We caught them at  First Avenue  in 2017 playing classics such as " Love is the Law " and "Rattle My Bones" plus the more recent " Turn The Radio On ." Featuring original keyboardist and singer Chan Poling with origin al drummer Hugo Klaers, The Suburbs are joined by  some relative newcomers . We greet Stevie Brantseg and Jeremy Ylvisaker playing guitars, Steve Price on bass, Janey Winterbauer provides backup vocals, Max Ray on saxophone, Rochelle Becker on Baritone Sax, and Stephen Kung on horns and keys. This show was recorded by  Mike Birrenbach , mixed by  Steve Price , and produced by  Tom Garneau  for KFAI's  Minneculture . Flamin' Oh's   Live from Minnesota  A T

Understanding the 1862 Dakota War from Ampers In the summer of 1862, a group of four young Dakota men on a hunting expedition killed five settlers who lived along the Minnesota River. The event came after years of treaty violations by the United States creating dire circumstances. Increasing hunger and hardship for their families were rapidly growing. Frustrations were at a tipping point among Dakota people and this provided the spark that flared a wide scale decision to try to drive whites out of the area. Despite their depleted numbers and resources, over the next several months the Dakota attacked white settlements. It became a series of deadly battles  with devastating consequences. In the terrible aftermath,  U.S. Army soldiers took more than a thousand Dakota captive. On December 26, 38 Native American men were hanged -- the largest mass execution in American history. The United States Congress abolished their already meager reservations and the Dakota people were expelled f

The Sweetgrass Road   by David Kattenburg Industrialized societies have much to learn from the  First Nations  of the world. In this episode from the  Earth Chronicles  documentary series, North American Native people share their wisdom and perspectives on life and what it means to be on - and a part of - this earth.  Stop and listen . Try to learn to look at the land as a bible, at the woods as full of spirits, at animals as your brethren, and at time as a circular phenomenon.

Episode One: Kelly Reichardt from The Drunk Projectionist Kelly Reichardt ’s films are full of pregnant pauses and extended silences. In fact, her movies often lack a musical score. They’re shot in the American West, filled with open skies and people living on the margins. In this conversation with The Drunk Projectionist 's Todd Melby , Reichardt discusses why she substituted train sounds for songs in both " Wendy and Lucy " and " Certain Women " as well as why she often shoots outdoors in natural light. Episode Two: Barbara Kopple from The Drunk Projectionist When Barbara Kopple made her 1976 documentary regarding a Kentucky coal miner's strike, she was unproven as a director. It won the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature. In this interview with The Drunk Projectionist about Harlan County, U.S.A. , Kopple describes her nervy confrontations and violence on the picket line while filming. “I was told that if I ever was alone at night, they w

Hark!  from Battery Radio Inspired by Bruce Smith's book The Acoustic World of Early Modern England , producers Chris Brookes, Paolo Pietropaolo, and Alan Hall set out to investigate an acoustic world of four centuries ago. They track down some ancient sounds that still exist and evoke others which have become extinct, to imagine the noises as once heard by Elizabethan ears . We'll also travel back to present time, where listeners are forced to consider our soundtrack of today and the noise pollution which  now  surrounds us at every moment.

Hospice Chronicles from Long Haul Productions November is National Hospice and Palliative Care Month and 2017 marks fifty years since the opening of the world's first modern hospice. St. Christopher's Hospice opened in London in 1967 and since then, millions of people around the world have used hospice at the end of their lives. Over the course of eight months, producers Dan Collison and Elizabeth Meister followed hospice volunteers in southwest Michigan through their training and again on assignments. We'll hear the volunteers set out on their first trip into patients' homes to provide respite and give family members a break from their caretaking responsibilities. As one aid has chance to reflect on her patient’s life in a intimate setting, another explores death in a rather unexpected way -- one which training never could have prepared him for.

Spellbound  from The Screen Directors' Playhouse A psychiatrist plummets into a whirlwind  feverish terror  and tangled identities after discovering an accused murderer posing as a fellow doctor. Surprisingly, she chooses to protect the identity of this mysterious impostor and attempts to cure his amnesia and troubled conscience through psychoanalysis. What unfolds is a transcendent romance replete with taut excitement -- the makings of a classic  Alfred Hitchcock  story. We'll hear a dramatized radio adaptation of Hitchcock's film  Spellbound  (1945) broadcast January 25th,  1951 on Screen Directors' Playhouse. Adapted for radio by Jack Rubin. Starring Hitch ,  Mercedes McCambridge , and  Joseph Cotten  with  Dr. Samuel J. Hoffman  providing spooky theremin accompaniment. 

Shadows on Sparks Street  by Sarah Boothroyd This is the  true story  of Canada’s first political assassination – one that happened less than a year after the new Dominion of Canada was formed.  Thomas D’Arcy McGee  remains the only Canadian federal politician ever to be assassinated. He was a charismatic politician, poet, and journalist, shot on the doorstep to his rooming house on Sparks Street, just a few blocks from Parliament Hill in Ottawa. Killed 6 days before his 43rd birthday, Thomas left behind a wife and a 10-year-old daughter. The frenzy which resulted after the murder culminated in the last public execution in Canadian history and  a mystery  that refuses to die. Many think his farce of a trail led to the wrongful conviction and execution of  Patrick James Whelan , an Irish tailor. Did he do it? Was he working alone? With the expertise of historians David Wilson and David Shanahan, as well as lawyer Lawrence Greenspon, we will  explore  this nineteenth century world o

Polka's Not Dead by Carrie Swiggum In the 1940s, New Ulm was hailed as the polka capitol of the nation, and many national performers called it home. We will explore the evolution of polka music in Minnesota, from World War II up to today with local expert Craig Ebel . Craig walks us through the musical landscape of Minnesota and the varieties of polka which developed here: Slovenian, Dutchmen, Polish, and on. We will also learn about the Conjunto or Tejano styles which were brought north in the early 20th century. This award-winning documentary features the music of “Whoopee” John Wilfahrt , Polkicide, Father Frank Perkovich, the Andrews Sisters and many more. It was produced for KFAI's Minneculture program.

Frankie Lee Live from Minnesota  Singer-songwriter Frankie Lee shows us his rootsy, candid style while playing both piano and acoustic guitar in this performance, recorded live at the Cedar Cultural Center in Minneapolis. Lee is joined by Michael Rosetto on electric guitar for the second half of the show. Masterfully recorded, mixed, and produced by Tom Garneau . Chastity Brown Live from Minnesota To celebrate Brown's recently released Red House Records debut,  Silhouette of Sirens , we're pulling a show from the rich and vast Minneculture vault : Chastity Brown performing at the Cedar Cultural Center on June 12, 2010. Recorded and produced by Dick Rees, Tom Chance, and Nancy Sartor. 

Recent Stories from Minneculture We'll be playing a handful of stories from the Minneculture collective as well as a few tunes from the Live from Minnesota series. It's pledge drive time at KFAI & for the Listening Lounge ! We're asking for your help to PLEASE support our amazing little public radio station by donating today! Every buck counts. Plus, only during this campaign, you can even score yourself a pair of these dopefly socks!   http://kfai.org/donate 

The Minneculture Podcast  from KFAI  More episodes from the new  MinneCulture Podcast ! We are going to air 4 installments from the bi-weekly series which just wrapped up it's first season. Minneculture features  the best arts, culture, and history reporting from KFAI . In these episodes, we'll cover demolition lawn mower derbys, mosquito control, vigilante bikers (as in bicyclists), both rogue potters and plate breakers, b ackyard chicken coops,  plus the professional wrestling scene in Minnesota -- so hold on tight!  Our show will feature work by independent producers:  Britt Aamodt , Xan Holston , Graison Hensley Chapman ,  Sophie Nikitas ,  and Todd Melby .  Minneculture is made possible by a grant from the  Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund . You can hear more stories from  Minneculture at their Soundcloud page  and download all of Series One of the Minneculture podcast NOW on both iTunes and Stitcher.

This is Insanity from Hearing Voices A self-examination and rumination on a myriad of disturbed mental states. First, backed by the Disposable Heroes of Hiphopcracy, William S. Burroughs declares, "This is Insane," an anonymous reporter describes his "Electroshock" therapy, and The Avalanches mashup a " Frontier Psychiatrist ." Plus, Scott Carrier takes "The Test" for schizophrenia and Joe Frank is pathologically challenged by time. Finally, Sound Portraits helps Howard Dully   trace the reasons and repercusssions of his  very experimental  "ice pick" lobotomy, a procedure performed on him when he was 12 years old by psychiatrist Walter J. Freeman.

The View from Room 205 by Linda Lutton This one-hour documentary takes an unflinching look at the intersection of poverty and education in our country. It tells the story of a fourth grade classroom at William Penn Elementary , a public school in one of the nation’s poorest neighborhoods, North Lawndale on Chicago’s West Side. The piece weaves together human stories in the school, from the children to their teacher to the principal, and pulls back to explain the big picture. It looks at poverty’s hold on school achievement and explores the unintended consequences of a core belief driving school reform today – that poverty is no excuse for low achievement. Peabody Award-winning reporter Linda Lutton of WBEZ Chicago spent months reporting from Penn and the neighborhood around the school. Her work tackles fundamental questions about how we educate poor children, and whether schools can actually overcome poverty. It documents - often painfully - how we struggle and fail to lift pover

As I Have Gone Alone In There from Everything Is Stories Forrest Fenn is someone who creates adventure in the 21st century. After surviving cancer, this dealer of antique luxuries hid a treasure chest filled with gold coins, gold dust, gold nuggets, rubies, and other valuables . The treasure is said to be worth over one million dollars, and he’s only given clues to where it may be in his writings and an occasional television appearance . In this story, Forrest Fenn is interviewed at his home in Santa Fe, New Mexico where he shares memories from his childhood, experiences of being a fighter pilot during the Vietnam War, and what exactly made him want to hide a treasure . Local friends and treasure hunters also describe their encounters with Fenn and ideas of where the treasure may be found.

Remembering Andrew from WLRN 25 years ago  Hurricane Andrew turned South Florida upside down . In this hour-long documentary , WLRN uses home videos, archival news footage, 911 calls, personal recollections and even a bureaucratic document from the British consul general in Miami to tell the harrowing story. We will follow two residents who were each changed by the storm in their own profound way: Jenny Del Campo, a typical teenager living in southern Dade County and Bryan Norcross , a TV weatherman. Hosted by Kenny Malone and Alicia Zuckerman , with production help from Sammy Mack and Trina Sargalski .

Hippies from Hearing Voices The so-called " Summer of Love " is celebrating its golden anniversary. In this episode, the tuned in and turned on Barrett Golding takes a walk on the wild side and a stroll down memory lane. We'll hear interviews with Merry Pranksters, advice from Timothy Leary, The Beautiful People remixing Jimi Hendrix , warnings on the evils of acid, and Spiro T. Agnew speaking out . Plus, Johhny Depp conjures Hunter S. Thompson, and Ceil Muller explores Haight Street in the early 90s, looking for remnants of the 1960s. Outtasight!

Creation: The Early Years of Pink Floyd from Joyride Media Pink Floyd experienced a lot of growing pains in its early years. Founding member and drummer Nick Mason walks us through the formation of the group and its steady evolution from 1965 to 1972. From the contributions and eventual firing of frontman Syd Barrett, to being banned by the BBC on its first single, to creating avant garde theater - there's a lot of history behind the band before it broke out worldwide with the smash album " Dark Side of the Moon ." Craig Bailey of the radio series " Floydian Slip " hosts this one-hour special filled with funny stories and rare recordings.

The Halloween Blizzard of '91: A Mix Tape in 6 Songs and 2 Feet of Snow from Minneculture How can you forget that one Halloween in your life which came with two feet of snow? Marylander  Britt Aamodt was studying biology at Gustavus Adolphus College when a record snowstorm blasted its way into her life. She wasn't alone in experiencing the legendary Halloween Blizzard of 1991, a storm that closed schools, shuttered stores and workplaces, and left an indelible memory on those who endured it. The Whether Diaries   from  Radio Netherlands and the  Australian Broadcasting Corporation   Two women on opposite sides of the world keep audio diaries over the course of a single week. One  in Amsterdam  mentally preparing for  the cold gloom of Holland ' s approaching  winter,  the other bracing for  the extreme heat of an Australian summer in  Sydney.  In a world where information and people are highly mobile, how do place and landscape ground our wandering wondering th

The Suburbs   Live from Minnesota Founded in 1977,  The Suburbs  helped launch the punk rebellion that later became known as the Minneapolis Sound . Their quirky, humorous new-wave punk style crafted the vibe for many local clubs including the infamous Jay's Longhorn. We caught them at  First Avenue  in 2017 playing classics such as " Love is the Law " and "Rattle My Bones" plus the more recent " Turn The Radio On ." Featuring original keyboardist and singer Chan Poling with origin al drummer Hugo Klaers, The Suburbs are joined by  some relative newcomers . We greet Stevie Brantseg and Jeremy Ylvisaker playing guitars, Steve Price on bass, Janey Winterbauer provides backup vocals, Max Ray on saxophone, Rochelle Becker on Baritone Sax, and Stephen Kung on horns and keys. This show was recorded by Mike Birrenbach , mixed by Steve Price , and produced by Tom Garneau for KFAI's Minneculture . Flamin' Oh's   Live from Minnesota  A Twin Cit

Chris Bruhn and Kyle Fosburgh from Live from Minnesota Performing at the Warming House in Minneapolis, Christoph Bruhn and Kyle Fosburgh showcase their original blend of folk and Americana styles. You'll hear a variety of guitar picking techniques as these songwriting composers trading tunes throughout the performance. KFAI's Daniel Zamzow produced the show, which includes interviews with the performers as well as Brianna Lane , manager of the Warming House. Other Country Quartet from The World Live! How would you like to travel around the world and never leave Minnesota? The James J. Hill Center and KFAI teamed up to help you do just that. This recording of "The World Live!" concert series features Other Country Quartet , a group that offers an eclectic mix of styles on traditional Middle Eastern acoustic instruments. Other Country Quartet features David Stenshoel, Scott Nieman, Greg Herriges, and Stephen Spaise. KFAI's Tom Garneau produced and mixed th

Charlie Parr Live from Minnesota Although Charlie Parr calls Duluth home , the legendary Minnesota folk singer rarely lays his head there. He's more often touring, sleeping in his car, and singing at bars, county fairs, and in this " Live from Minnesota " performance, at the historic  Paramount Theatre in Austin, Minnesota. Along the way, we’ll hear Mr. Parr speak about his songwriting process, his technique and instruments of choice, and of life on the road. Concert recorded for KFAI's Minneculture by Tom Garneau  and p roduced by  Dan Zamzow .

Dalmar Yare and Bob's Band recorded for Live from Minnesota In this "Live from Minnesota" performance, Somali singer Dalmar Yare and Bob’s Band perform at the Cedar Cultural Center . The show concluded the 2016 Somali Week festival in Minneapolis. Both Dalmar and bandleader Bob Stacke spoke with KFAI producer Daniel Zamzow about their collaboration, the stories in their songs, and the dynamics of this one-of-a-kind band in the Twin Cities. The beginning of this program features their performance of the Somali national anthem. Waayaha Cusub   recorded for  Live from Minnesota To Minnesota by way of Somalia, Nairobi, London and the Netherlands, Waayaha Cusub emphasizes nonviolence and social justice themes in its hip-hop. Presented at the Paramount Center for the Arts in St. Cloud, Minnesota, in association with The Cedar Cultural Center and the Midnimo project. Produced and mixed by Tom Garneau , recorded by Frank Grether.

Liberace and His Spectacular Crystal Closet by Eric Jansen  This sound-rich documentary on the late " Mr. Showmanship's " fabulous life and legacy, produced by KALW's  Out in the Bay  in  San Francisco  is told with love by Liberace Museum curators, a Liberace impersonator, and features Liberace’s own voice and music. So, sit back (preferably in marble tub with champagne in hand!), close your eyes, and enjoy a trip back in time with the most spectacular, fabulous, outlandish , and ground-breaking closeted entertainer of the 20th century. The Ghosts of Fire Island from Myke Dodge Weiskopf For most of the 20th Century, New York's Fire Island was virtually a gay mecca; the only place on Earth where homosexual men and lesbians felt safe to live and to love freely. But at the dawn of the 1980's, an entire culture changed irrevocably, as the populace began falling prey to a mysterious and lethal new illness . What happened over the next decade is a haunting

Man Divided from Everything Is Stories The story of hot chrome motorcycles, leather, and a journey into the wilderness. At age 60, Jay Byrd  lives  off the grid  and  by himself in northern Arizona where he often meditates and reads theology. He's trying to leave his past behind him. In this episode, Jay recounts his experiences with the law, prison, addiction, violence, the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club , and gun-toting girlfriends. Now, after escaping this personal chaos, he’s eager to describe his philosophies concerning beauty and nothingness. “I became a biker, an outlaw, or whatever you want to call it, and tried to be a good one. I had morals. Respect. I wasn’t a rat. I didn’t break anybody’s finger who didn’t need it.”

Pride outLoud from Youth Radio The youth producers of outLoud Radio bring us an hour of stories about lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and otherwise non-straight life. We'll hear stories on LGBT topics from awkward  Sex Ed to exemplar  vampires , coming out and what happens when you're transgender and want to play sports. The outLoud Radio Project gives voice to youth who are otherwise silenced because of who they love or their gender they claim. It's young people of diverse genders and sexualities using the media to explore the issues that affect their lives. It's getting the word out, because understanding is essential. It's young people taking control of how their lives are represented.

The Pines are Live from Minnesota The Pines are deeply connected to their American folk music roots . While their songs revolve around fictional stories and an acoustic guitar, this touring trio from Minneapolis includes more modern textures that lend a cinematic quality to their sound. Hear the band in their own words throughout this one-hour presentation of The Pines live at the Cedar Cultural Center . Recorded for Minneculture by Tom Garneau  and produced by Daniel Zamzow .

The Orphan Train by Annie Wu In September, 1854, the first "orphan train" carried 46 homeless children from New York City to far off homes to become laborers in the pioneer West. It was the first step in what was to become the emigration of as many as 250,000 orphan children to new homes throughout the entire United States. Widely duplicated throughout its 75 year history , the original orphan train was the creation and life project of Charles Loring Brace , a now largely forgotten man who became the father of American  child welfare policy. In this one-hour documentary we will hear interviews from surviving orphan train riders as well as readings from period newspapers, letters, and journals about one of the least known, yet most significant social experiments in American history.

Responding to the Opioid Crisis in Minnesota Native Communities by Melissa Townsend For over a decade, the prescription pain killer and heroin abuse crisis has had a hold on communities across the U.S. Opioid overdoses tripled between 2000 and 2015. In 2015, Minnesota had more American Indians dying from overdoses than any other state. Many American Indians in Minnesota are still wrestling with how best to help people heal from the addiction and the historical trauma at the root of this crisis. In this special report fro m  Minnesota Native News , reporter Melissa Townsend explores the unique nature of addiction in Native communities, and how it is - or is not - shaping a response to the current crisis.

Stolen Childhoods by Melissa Olson America's attempt to separate Native children from their families didn't end with boarding schools. In the decades after World War II, the U.S. government created the Indian Adoption Project , an effort designed to place Native kids with white parents. In this one-hour documentary, KFAI producer Melissa Olson explores the personal and historical impact of this policy. Her Ojibwe mother, Judy Olson, was raised by a white family as were the mothers of several friends. We will hear and explore how the emotional impact of the Indian Adoption Project — and similar state projects — still  continues  today. Photo by John Other Medicine

Jillian Rae from Minneculture Recorded live at Broken World Records in Winona at the 5th annual MidWest Music Fest . Produced and recorded for KFAI’s Minneculture by the one and only Tom Garneau. You can hear Jillian Rae's latest recording, a cover of Prince's When Doves Cry at her Bandcamp page. Ayvah from Minneculture In the second half of our show, the  jazz and funk influenced Twin Cities quintet Ayvah perform live at The Icehouse in Minneapolis. Ayvah is Ava McFarlane on vocals, Samuel Rosenstone on piano, DeCarlo Jackson on bass, Joey C. Hays on drums and Andy Schupp on guitar. This "Live from Minnesota" concert was recorded by Ryan Mach. It was mixed and produced by Tom Garneau . You can hear more from Ayvah by visiting their Soundclound .

The Minneculture Podcast from KFAI Introducing the MinneCulture Podcast ! We are going to celebrate by playing three installments from the new bi-weekly series which will feature the best arts, culture, and history reporting from KFAI. In these first episodes, we'll learn how Black Lives Matter got an anthem, the story of a college student from Minnesota who got the Swedish band Roxette on U.S. radio, and a 28-hour music marathon .  Also, we're going to dive deep into the animal world in interviews with nature videographer Sam Easterson , taxidermist Sarina Brewer , and a harpist that has been playing for primates at the Como Zoo in St. Paul for nearly a decade. We'll hear how the gorillas react, with a beautiful sound all of their own. Our show will feature work by independent producers  Diane Richard , Mason Butler ,  Lila Cherneff , Sam Radwany , Ryan Dawes , and Nancy Rosenbaum . Minneculture is made possible by a grant from the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Herita