January 30, 1998 - All Things Considered’s Chris Roberts reports on high school students participating in the annual Music Listening Contest. Whiz kids from all over the state gathered at Augsburg College in Minneapolis for the state finals. Roberts looks at how they prepared, what they've learned, and the rigors of the contest itself.
January 28, 1998 - President Clinton tried to lay controversy aside last night as he delivered his State of the Union Address in the face of swirling allegations he had an affair with a White House intern. The president's speech was greeted cordially if not warmly by Democrats and Republicans on both sides of the aisle in Minnesota's Congressional delegation. Minnesota Public Radio's Chris Roberts reports.
January 9, 1998 - In their struggle to find a place in American society, Blacks and Jews share a unique history. At times, the two communities have fought alongside each other, but lately, tension, fear and distrust have caused them to grow apart. A group of local organizations are sponsoring what they call a seven week cultural dialogue to mend wounds and rekindle old relationships between Blacks and Jews in the twin cities. The festival is called Intersecting Rhythms, and Minnesota Public Radio's Chris Roberts has more.
January 7, 1998 - Name a local theater that's been around for more than 20-years in the theater-saturated twin cities and you're likely to come up with a relatively short list. For the last 22-years, The Park Square Theater in downtown St. Paul has quietly built an audience that's becoming the envy of theaters across the metro area. The people who run Park Square say one of the secrets to their success is....customer service.
November 20, 1997 - MPR’s Chris Roberts profiles the Gay 90’s and the unanticipated consequences of non-gay crowd changing the scene at Minneapolis bar. Roberts interviews individuals about the reasons and its social impact to LGBTQ community.
October 23, 1997 - The name Disneyland conjures images of fairy tale castles, Mickey Mouse, clean and tidy streets and glimpses of the future; a place where nostalgia and fantasy are woven together. Disneyland has also become a metaphor for American popular culture and its grip on the rest of the world. Many cultural critics cringe at Disney's sweeping global influence. But a new exhibit making its American debut at the Walker Art Center in Minneapolis seeks to supply a new, more historical perspective on Disney's cultural rise to power. Minnesota Public Radio's Chris Roberts spoke with the exhibit's curator, University of Minnesota Art Historian Karal Ann Marling.
October 2, 1997 - MPR’s Chris Roberts presents a report on The Jayhawks, who have decided to stay together and embark down a new musical path with album, "Sound of Lies." Roberts interviews band members Gary Louris and Marc Perlman about that new musical journey.
September 25, 1997 - MPR’s Chris Roberts interviews Bob Hest and Steve Kramer, two ex-members of the experimental group The Wallets. Hest and Kramer discuss their new career of merging music into advertising campaigns.
September 16, 1997 - The Twin Cities, with its plentiful parks, shimmering lakes, vibrant cultural life ,and booming economy is a pretty good draw these days for "out-of-staters" ... as long as you can withstand the deep freeze of winter. But for some people who move here, there's another deep freeze operating that can hurt a newcomer's ability to make friends. That's one of the reasons the group "Twin Cities Transplants" was formed, to help take the edge off what can be an icy reception for non-Minnesota natives. Minnesota Public Radio's Chris Roberts -- a transplant himself -- went to a semi-regular meeting of "Twin Cities Transplants" to find out more. The next meeting of Twin Cities Transplants will be October 16th around 6 P-M, at City Billiards in Minneapolis. If you're interested in findi
September 9, 1997 - The business of buying and selling art has traditionally been the reserve of the priviledged few. For an artist to come to the attention of art collecting circles, he or she has to show their work, and galleries are generally reluctant to take a chance on an unknown talent. The Groveland Gallery in Minneapolis is taking steps to make the art marketplace more accessible by opening up an annex devoted to new emerging artists and clientele who will find their prices a little easier to swallow. Minnesota Public Radio's Chris Roberts reports.