December 15, 2015 - MPR’s Marriane Combs speaks with playwright Jessica Huang about her play on mixed race, titled “Purple Cloud.” Well... here's a question. "What are you?" It's a question that people of mixed race get all the time. A new play produced by Mu Performing Arts explores what it means to be mixed race... and how it leads one family on a journey of self-discovery.
November 6, 2015 - MPR’s Cathy Wurzer interviews Minnesotan author and columnist Rick Shefchik about his book “Everybody's Heard About the Bird: The True Story of 1960s Rock N Roll in Minnesota.” The book tells the story of The Trashmen and the bands that came before and after them. It's also about the influential figures behind the scenes like Amos Heilicher, founder of Minneapolis-based Soma Records and disc jockey Bill Diehl, the Dick Clark of the Twin Cities.
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.
September 24, 2015 - MPR’s Laura Yuen profiles Oakdale teen Amaiya Zafar, a female boxer whose is fighting in and out of the boxing ring. Zafar is trying to compete in ring fully covered, according to her Islamic principles. That is something boxing authorities are against, siting safety concerns.
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.
August 17, 2015 - MPR News host Tom Weber included several places at the Fair in his guide book ”100 Things to do in the Twin Cities Before You Die.” Weber stops by one…The Miracle of Birth Center.
August 6, 2015 - MPR’s Tim Nelson profiles the State Fair’s Ye Old Mill as preparations are made for it’s 100th year in operation. For some the ride is romantic; for others it is simply three-and-a-half minutes of peace, solitude, quiet amongst the hustle and bustle.
May 19, 2015 - On this episode of Minnesota Sounds and Voices, MPR’s Dan Olson profiles Native American activist and White Earth band member Clyde Bellecourt.
May 18, 2015 - As members of the Minnesota Orchestra returned tired and triumphant from their whirlwind tour of Cuba Sunday night, MPR’s Euan Kerr reflects on the significant concert performance.
March 23, 2015 - With the passing of Bruce Kramer, Morning Edition’s Cathy Wurzer takes a look back at her conversations with Kramer as he battled ALS. Bruce Kramer would always say he was, first and foremost, a teacher. He said that ALS taught him many things, and as difficult as those lessons were, he was grateful for them.