June 5, 1997 - MPR's Laura McCallum reports on the efforts underway in the small north-central Minnesota community of Staples to restore a hidden theater. Built in 1908, Batcher's Opera House is located above a department store-turned-antique shop. History buffs say it provides a rare glimpse into theater in the early 20th century.
June 5, 1997 - Governor Arne Carlson has signed a bill nearly doubling state funding for the Arts over the next two years. The 12-million dollars in new money will expand arts programs across the entire state, and allow twin cities based artists to take their talents on the road. Minnesota Public Radio's Karen-Louise Boothe reports: The Governor signed the bill during a ceremony on Peavy Plaza, outside of Orchestra Hall downtown Minneapolis. He was surrounded by artists, and arts administrators from Minnesota and across the country gathered here for a meeting by the group, "Americans for the Arts." Carlson told the crowd, art is the soul of a community, and THIS bill will provide money to regional arts councils, and allow for m
June 6, 1997 - Take a stroll in the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden and you may or may not notice a chorus of crickets....chirping in broad daylight. This aural celebration of summer is actually a sound installation by electronic composer Ron Kuivila (KWEE-vi-la), whom the Walker Art Center describes as a pioneer in creating computerized sonic environments. Minnesota Public Radio's Chris Roberts visited the installation and found an artist who's primary goal is making people pay attention.
June 7, 1997 - In sports news..... Horse racing will celebrate its 12th Triple Crown champion today if "Silver Charm" wins the mile and a-half Belmont Stakes. "Silver Charm," which has aready won the Kentucky Derby and Preakness, will be ridden by Gary Stevens. Stevens already has "guaranteed" a victory. The last Triple Crown winner was "Affirmed" in 1978. The race starts at 3:30 this afternoon.It seems like St. Paul's bid for a NHL Hockey team is...well, put on ice. St. Paul mayor Norm Coleman says St. Paul is a virtual shoo-in now that plans have been worked out to build a new hockey arena in St. Paul. But NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman has a message for the league's six expansion candidates -- Don't rush us.
June 8, 1997 - The annual Twin Cities Juneteenth film festival is underway this weekend. The festival is a showcase for exploring blackness in American culture. Organizers of this year's festival hope the films will spark insights and discussions about race in America.
June 9, 1997 - MPR’s Euan Kerr talks with guitarist Steve Tibbetts about his recent work. Tibbetts, whose work is primarily instrumental, is trying something new…but also very old, with his latest album "Cho." He adds music to a 900-year-old acapella song cycle performed by Buddhist nuns in Nepal.
June 11, 1997 - Midday talks with MPR Classical Music Host Eric Friesen as he prepares to leave Minnesota Public Radio. Friesen has accepted a position as a national music host with the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation in Toronto.
June 14, 1997 - Tomorrow is Father's Day, but TODAY hundreds of dads are gathering near the Minneapolis Stone Arch Bridge to take part in the "Dad's of Destiny Father's Walk for Peace." The 1-point-8 mile walk along the Mississippi starts at 10:00 this morning. Lamarr Scott is the Project Director for the Dad's of Destiny Walk...he's also involved with "Urban Ventures Center for Fathering." Scott says today's walk is a time for father's to get support.
June 14, 1997 - MPR’s Greta Cunningham interviews Phil Gotsch and Scott Wolter, two ‘rockhounds’ who discuss their fascination with Lake Superior agates, which are among the oldest and most colorful agates in the world.
June 15, 1997 - The Minnesota Twins defeated the Astros 8-to-1 in Houston last night. Twins owner Carl Pohlad has the go-ahead to start shopping his team to other cities. This week Baseball owners gave Pohlad their approval to possibly move the team to another city. This move gives the Twins more leverage in their negotiations with state lawmakers over funding for a new stadium. Weekend Edition Sports Commentator Jay Weiner attended the baseball talks in Philidelphia this week.