August 21, 2015 - The Loft Literary Center in Minneapolis celebrates its 40th anniversary with an unusual event. It's called “40 for 40” and features 40 different activities across the Twin Cities over the course of 40 hours. MPR’s Arts reporter Marianne Combs discusses the event with All Thing’s Considered host Tom Crann.
August 28, 2015 - MPR’s Cathy Wurzer and TPT's Eric Eskola co-host "Almanac" live at the MPR State Fair booth. Tom Scheck talks politics, Mark Seeley talks weather, Kevin Kling tells a Minnesota State Fair story, and Duluth musician Charlie Parr performs. There's presidential politics with professors Larry Jacobs, David Schultz and Kathryn Pearson; plus music and a baby lamb.
September 2, 2015 - MPR takes a look at the voices behind the food. MPR’s Tom Crann presents an interview with Stephanie Olson, owner of Blue Moon Dine In Theater located on the fairgrounds.
September 21, 2015 - MPR’s Kerri Miller interviews author Elizabeth Gilbert, who discusses the concept of creativity. Elizabeth Gilbert is the author of many books including "The Signature of All Things" and "Eat, Pray, Love," and "Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear."
September 24, 2015 - Penumbra Theatre co-artistic director Sarah Bellamy moderated a discussion "On The Front Lines," featuring Nekima Levy-Pounds, University of St. Thomas professor and the president of the Minneapolis Chapter of the NAACP; John Harrington, Metro Transit Police chief and former State Senator; Signe Harriday, local artist and activist; and Dave Ellis, a consultant. The panelists talk about the racial tensions between police and community.
September 30, 2015 - MPR’s Marianne Comb interviews writer and performer Roger Guenveur Smith about his play Rodney King. The one-man show is performed at Penumbra Theatre in St. Paul.
October 7, 2015 - MPR’s Cathy Wurzer reports on the one-man show Rodney King, playing at the Penumbra Theatre in St. Paul, that resonates with the discussion on race. Report includes clip of interview with actor Roger Guenveur Smith.
October 23, 2015 - MPR’s Doualy Xaykaothao interviews local playwright May Lee-Yang and poet/playwright Saymoukda Duangphouxay Vongsay about “Hmong-Lao Friendship Play.”
October 23, 2015 - MPR’s Doualy Xaykaothao has a conversation with two Native-American artists, playwright Rhiana Yazzie and writer R. Vincent Moniz Jr.
November 6, 2015 - MPR’s Marianne Combs profiles a group of six Black women Minnesota writers Carolyn Holbrook, Lori Young-Williams, Andrea Jenkins, Shannon Gibney, Tish Jones, and Mary Moore Easter. They gathered at the The Loft Literary Center in Minneapolis for a reading series called “More Than a Single Story.” Series was created by Carolyn Holbrook.