KFAI's MinneCulture Presents

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 wi...

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.