June 24, 2022 - All Things Considered’s Tom Crann speaks with Jean Tretter, a founder of Twin Cities Pride; and Roxanne Anderson, founder of Power to the People, about the 50th anniversary of the Pride festival in the Twin Cities.
July 28, 2022 - The Minnesota Orchestra Thursday named Danish conductor Thomas Sondergard as its 11th music director. All Things Considered’s Tom Crann takes a moment to chat with Sondergard about his upcoming new role. Topics of interview include Minnesota Orchestra’s future model and diversity within the orchestra and performances.
July 29, 2022 - On this segment of North Star Journey, MPR’s Dan Kraker profiles individuals that identify as both of Native American and Scandinavian descent. They share how they are finding connections and surprising parallels between the cultures.
September 13, 2022 - MPR’s Cathy Wurzer interviews Jessica Edwards on her new documentary, Skate Dreams. The documentary premiered in Minnesota at the end of September 2022 at the Duluth Superior Film Festival. Skate Dreams follows the rise of women’s skateboarding. It’s the first feature documentary to capture the story behind the rise of women’s skateboarding.
September 14, 2022 - On this segment of North Star Journey, MPR’s Simone Cazares profiles Tina Jackson and her soul line dancing class at Oxford Community Center in the heart of St. Paul’s Rondo neighborhood.
September 30, 2022 - MPR’s Tim Nelson profiles jazz pioneer Oscar Pettiford. Born 100 years ago and raised in Minnesota, Pettiford changed the sound of American music. He got his start on the stages of the Twin Cities, helping create a "Minneapolis sound" long before Prince. Pettiford’s innovations made him one of the most influential bass players of the bebop era. A century after his birth, that legacy endures.
October 5, 2022 - MPR’s Matthew Holding Eagle III reports on items related to tribal life in North Dakota being returned digitally. Thousands of culturally significant photographs, wax cylinder recordings and journals recently returned to the place where they were created over a century ago among the Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara tribes in North Dakota.
November 18, 2022 - MPR’s Hannah Yang visits the Veterans Memorial Center in rural Tracy, a southwestern Minnesota town. Young Hmong dancers are busy getting ready for the Hmong New Year as they practice traditional dance routines.
April 19, 2023 - MPR’s Alex Cipolle reports on “Latin Art in Minnesota: Conversations and What’s Next” a hardcover art tome featuring in-depth interviews with 12 Minnesota artists who have roots in Central and South America, from Mexico to Chile. William “Billy” Gustavo Franklin edited the book, which explores their art, personal journeys, and conversations about identity, aiming to bridge gaps and inspire a wider audience to appreciate Latino art.
May 1, 2023 - On this segment of North Star Journey, MPR’s Jacob Aloi talks with Hmong shaman Billy Lor and others about shamanism and its importance in the Hmong community.