This collection encompasses 50-plus years of interviews, readings, speeches, and reports on the vibrant literary scene in Minnesota. Not only home to giants F. Scott Fitzgerald and Sinclair Lewis, our state has an array of incredible contemporary poets, novelists, and playwrights. Their words make up majority of this collection.
Repeatedly being named the “Most Literate City in the United States,” the Twin Cities has played host to numerous visiting national writers via book tours, festivals, and lectures. Many recordings of these are also included.
This project was funded by the National Historical Publications & Records Commission.
September 18, 1996 - MPR’s Chris Roberts presents a story about the birth of a poet. 10-year-old Josh Tane, of St. Paul, would probably be the last to tell you that he deserves the title of "poet." But last year, to the amazement of his teacher and parents, Josh discovered his muse and wrote some remarkable poems.
September 20, 1996 - Voices from the Heartland presents poet Diane Glancy reading "Voices in Wind," a work about the land.
September 20, 1996 - This is a story, let's say it up front, about coonhounds. Now, any story about coonhounds is going to sound more like Mississippi than Minnesota; but the fact is, coonhound culture is thriving here.
September 23, 1996 - In the series, Voices of Minnesota D. J. Leary talks about life and politics. Author Pang-Mei Natasha Chang discusses on Bound Feet and Western Dress and Chinese tradition. Hour 2.
September 23, 1996 - MPR’s Bob Potter interviews Garrison Keillor about famed St. Paul author F. Scott Fitzgeald. Keillor discusses Fitzgerald’s work and connection to the Midwest.
September 23, 1996 -
September 23, 1996 - A Garrison Keillor documentary about F. Scott Fitzgerald entitled Fitzgerald in St. Paul, on the eve of his 100th birthday commemoration. Program includes interviews, music elements, and readings.
September 24, 1996 - A Garrison Keillor documentary about F. Scott Fitzgerald entitled Fitzgerald in St. Paul, on the eve of his 100th birthday commemoration. Program includes interviews, music elements, and readings.
September 25, 1996 - Playwrights and acting troupes have a range of motivations. The folks putting on Tony and Tina's Wedding, for instance, may not be looking for heavy dramatic catharsis from their audience. Showboat moves closer to a social lesson, but also entertains. A new company in Minneapolis opens tomorrow with a more serious motive. By putting on international works with a diverse company, Pangea World Theatre hopes to bring peace and unity. "Conference of the Birds" is based on a 12th Century Persian poem, and involves 15 actors -- including Melanie Julian and Luu Pham. The company was founded by Dipankar Mukherjee. The three joined me in the studio, and I asked Mukherjee how a theatre troupe can hope to bring about world peace and harmony.
September 27, 1996 - Essay on a walk in the woods later collected in "Cold Comfort: Life at the Top of the Map" by Barton Sutter, published October 1998 by University of Minnesota Press.