December 21, 2011 - Midday re-broadcasts Lisa See, author of Shanghai Girls and Snow Flower and the Secret Fan, speaking at the Hennepin Country Central Library in downtown Minneapolis as part of the Talk of the Stacks series. See discusses her writing and the influence of her Chinese American heritage.
December 23, 2011 - Midday presents a broadcast of Of Mirth and Mischief, a performance of stories, winter fairies, and elves from writer and humorist Kevin Kling at the Fitzgerald Theater in St. Paul.
January 13, 2012 - A Prairie Home Companion's Garrison Keillor joins Midday to talk about his long career in radio and where his popular program is headed. Keillor also answers listener questions.
February 3, 2012 - As part of Arts Week, MPR’s Marianne Combs has a conversation with scholar Paul Carter Harrison and Penumbra’s Lou Bellamy. The group discusses the history behind the Black Arts Movement and its impact.
February 10, 2012 - On this episode of Minnesota Sounds and Voices, MPR’s Dan Olson talks with members of Mu Daiko, a St. Paul-based Japanese drumming ensemble. Iris Shiraishi and Rick Shiomi discuss the background and rudiments of music style.
February 14, 2012 - MPR’s Chris Roberts reports on formation of Minneapolis band, Poliça. Roberts talks with Ryan Olson, creator behind group, and numerous band members about album release "Give You the Ghost."
March 12, 2012 - We Minnesotans take pride in our reputation for friendliness. The catchphrase "Minnesota Nice" has become something of a cultural motto. But what's it really like to be NEW to Minnesota? The answer is complex. Young transplants from outside the state say the flip side of Minnesota Nice is an insular culture that keeps newcomers at a comfortable distance. They say making friends and finding a sense of community here is daunting. While the problem is hard to measure, business leaders and others who track economic growth are concerned. They say Minnesotans are not doing enough to welcome newcomers into their fold, and that can have consequences for the state's economic future.
March 18, 2012 - On this episode of On Being, Krista Tippet interviews Minnesota writer Kevin Kling, who shares hear his own special angle on life's humor and its ruptures.
March 21, 2012 - On this episode of Minnesota Sounds and Voices, MPR’s Dan Olson presents report on Jane Belau, who has volunteered for ten years playing piano in the Mayo Clinic's Gonda Building lobby. Many at the hospital find the music therapeutic.
March 23, 2012 - MPR’s Euan Kerr has a conversation with acclaimed photographer Alec Soth and Minnesota writer Brad Zellar about their collaboration on story about running away. The book is titled “House of Coates” and contains photography of ‘Lester B. Morrison.’