November 23, 2001 - New book "Portraits of America" is discussed by author Bill Allard.
November 23, 2001 - MPR’s Kaomi Goetz interviews Mark Browning Milner, a local musician who has taken known works and created a new sound by dramatically slowing down the notes. The result is Bozo Adagio, an ambient sound to create a calming effect.
November 23, 2001 - In hockey-focused Minnesota, it's easy to forget the state has a strong tradition in any other sport. But in 1895, the first college baskeball game in the country was played at Hamline University against the St. Paul Agriculture School. The game took place in a rundown basement with 9 foot ceilings. The final score was just 9-3. Ross Bernstein tells the story of that game- and the countless high school, college and professional basketball games played in the state since- in his new book, "Hardwood Heroes." He says his favorite chapter in the book is on the Minnesota Lakers.
November 23, 2001 - A Voices of Minnesota program featuring three Minnesotans who help the poor find food and work: Steven Rothschild, founder of Twin Cities Rise!, Janine Laird, Hunger Solutions public policy director, and Clarissa Walker. Walker runs the Sabathani Community Center emergency food shelf in South Minneapolis.
November 28, 2001 - MPR's Music Director Rex Levang has phone interview with famed Italian operatic tenor Luciano Pavarotti. They spoke about the fundraising concerts the singer has played over the years.
November 29, 2001 - MPR’s Euan Kerr interviews Osmo Vänskä, Minnesota Orchestra’s new music director. Vänskä discusses his approach in building relationship with musicians as he raised his baton to conduct the Minnesota Orchestra for the first time since being named music director. While he doesn't officially assume the post until 2003, it's apparent he and the orchestra are keen to get working.
November 30, 2001 - Eric Begoshian's play "Talk Radio," based on a true story where a radio personality was murdered in 1984. Franklin Artworks features art by Roland Marquette.
November 30, 2001 - Public Good Guys, Twin Cities technicians, come to the rescue of Twin Cities technical problems. The Stepping Stone Theater is starting its 15th year.
December 5, 2001 - Three decades after the Swedish pop group ABBA first started toping charts, the group's songs became the basis of a musical "Mama Mia". MPR’s Lorna Benson talks with songwriter Björn Ulvaeus, who says he told musical producer Judy Cramer she could do whatever she wanted. He said he gave the project his blessing on one condition…don’t change the lyrics.
December 5, 2001 - The stage show Triple Espresso started humbly enough in a church basement in 1995. Since then, the production has become the foundation for a burgeoning business enterprise. Minnesota Public Radio's Andrew Haeg reports.