May 8, 1980 - MPR's Nancy Fushan interviews Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Donald Justice, who talks about writing poetry and reads some of his poems.
May 16, 1980 - MPR’s Nancy Fushan interviews Dennis Russell Davies, Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra's principal conductor, as he completes his 1972-1980 tenure with organization. Davies reflects on his time at SPCO, why he programs more contemporary music than other conductors, what different factors make up a successful orchestral season, his experience conducting at Bayreuth for the Ring Cycle, and reflecting on his time at SPCO.
May 24, 1980 - Dick Cunningham of the Minneapolis Tribune talks with MPR's Greg Barron about his role as reader representative on the paper investigating reader complaints.
June 2, 1980 - Minnesota Public Radio's Nancy Fushan interviews Max Neuhaus on Como Park Conservatory installation.
June 4, 1980 -
June 17, 1980 - Writer, photographer and artist Gordon Parks speaking at Our Creative Community conference at the Spring Hill Center in Wayzata, Minnesota. Parks address was titled “Universality in Art.” Subjects of speech included his time in Minnesota, race issues, the Civil Rights movement, and education.
July 19, 1980 - MPR’s Rich Dietman interviews Fred Steiner, MPR’s music host/announcer, who just returned from a trip to the People's Republic of China with the University of Minnesota marching band. Steiner reflects on the experience, and answers listener questions.
July 30, 1980 - MPR’s Nancy Fushan talks with Thomas Sanchez, a California writer. Sanchez discusses language, writing and visual arts. Sanchez’s works include "Rabbit Boss", tracing the development of an Indian family from the 1850s to the Eisenhower Era; "The Zoot Suit Murders", a story of love and suspense amid the racial strife of Los Angeles in the 1940s; and a fictionalized account of the 1970s Wounded Knee conflict based on his real-life experiences as a supply-runner at Pine Ridge. Sanchez has been turning back to works of another era - the 50s Beat Generation. He’s traveled around the country reading to blues music poetry by Allen Ginsberg, Jack Kerouac, and Neal Cassady. Program opens with Sanchez performing a reading at the Walker Art Center. Also, on hand was pianist Butch Thompson.
August 6, 1980 - On this segment of People on Books, Paul Gruchow comments on “The World of Oz.”
August 18, 1980 - MPR's Fred Steiner accompanied the University of Minnesota concert band's tour of the People's Republic of China, and in this program we hear the thoughts and impressions members of the band had about their recent musical tour, with musical excerpts from concert performances.