July 24, 1998 - One of the leading figures in the life of the Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis has died. Former Artistic Director Garland Wright died of cancer Wednesday night in New York City. He was 52. Wright is being remembered as an artistic visionary who also contributed significantly to the Theater's financial stability.
June 11, 1998 - The month of June is officially "Picture File" month at the Minneapolis Public Library. The "Picture File" is a sprawling collection of pictures and images dating back to the turn of the century. It's widely used by artists, graphic designers and advertisers but relatively unknown to the general public. The library has launched a campaign to get the word out about what a vast and fascinating resource the "Picture File" is. Minnesota Public Radio's Chris Roberts reports.
June 8, 1998 - A coalition of Hmong agencies and Ramsey County have announced a 10-year plan to curb violence in the Hmong community. While the plan is more a call to action than a series of concrete recommendation, organziers say it is historic because it represents the first time the Hmong community has acknowledged violence is a problem. MPR’s Chris Roberts talks with some of those involved with plan.
May 29, 1998 - [WARNING! THIS PIECE MAY BE HOT! PLAY IN AUDITION AND CHECK LEVELS BEFORE AIRING.] If you're new to the Twin Cities and are looking for a way to get around, a map might be helpful, or maybe a guidebook which tells you where all the notable landmarks are. If you're interested in a publication that goes quite a bit deeper, you may consider picking up "A Definitive Guide to the Twin Cities, in Poetry and Prose." Its publishers describe it as the only guide to the Twin Cities that focuses on the experiences of its inhabitants. Minnesota Public Radio's Chris Roberts reports.
May 25, 1998 - As a special Memorial Day program, Larry Powell, photo-journalist and Vietnam veteran discusses his photo essay book “Hunger of the Heart: Communion at the Wall”. Powell shares his experience in Vietnam and perceptions of the wall. He also answers listener questions.
May 22, 1998 - Larry Buboltz, Director of the Rural Minnesota Concentrated Employment Program, and Earl Wilson, Deputy Commissioner of the MN Dept of Economic Security, discuss summer jobs. Topics include what's available, who can get them, what employers are looking for, pay and skills required, and the job market.
May 19, 1998 - MPR’s Chris Roberts profiles Native American blues band, Indigenous.
May 14, 1998 - An award winning, controversial play is coming to Minneapolis, after dominating the off-broadway scene in New York for the last year. Paula Vogel's, "How I Learned to Drive," which was awarded the Pulitzer Prize last month, explores a disturbingly erotic relationship between a girl and her uncle. The "Eye of the Storm Theater" scored a coup when it won the rights to stage the play, in part because of its relationship with the playwright. Minnesota Public Radio's Chris Roberts reports.
May 8, 1998 - MPR’s Chris Roberts profiles Twin Cities' most eclectic radio station as it celebrates its 20th birthday. "KFAI", also known as "Fresh Air Radio", is a non-commercial throwback to the days of "freeform radio", when the format changed from song to song. Its news and public affairs programming is unabashedly liberal, even left-wing.
May 1, 1998 - The Minneapolis/St. Paul International Film Festival closes tomorrow night, with the local premiere of a locally made film which may have more riding on it than just its own success. "With or Without You" is the story of two young adults thrust into a relationship because of a pregnancy. It was made by Mt. Curve Productions in Minneapolis, a company which is trying to help Minnesota become not only a place where movies are shot, but are produced.