Special Programs: Upcoming Community and Cultural Programs

Airs Wednesday, May 22 at 2 p.m. "Barbershop: Made in the USA" is a program that explores the roots of a truly American art form--barbershop harmony.  While we've all heard barbershop quartets like the Buffalo Bills or seen the Dapper Dans at Disney World, few of us know how it came to be or what gives it such a special place in American music history and it was almost lost as an art form but is experiencing a resurgence.   A cappella music is sweeping college campuses now across the country and indeed across the world and barbershop is sort of the "martial arts" of a cappella music.  It's truly like nothing else---fun to hear and a lot of fun to sing. I'm a relative new comer to barbershop music having sung it for only about eight years now, but it has really provided me with an opportunity to perform for many people in many places and watch faces light up when you ring a chord the way no other music seems to touch people.  I hope you'll enjoy the show.

Airs Tuesday, May 21 at 9 p.m.  A classic male singer, Kurt Elling has an old-school vibe to everything from his mannered stage banter to his declamatory, full-chested delivery. But he isn't afraid to write brainy, twisty lyrics over an obscure jazz number, or take a pop song back to the drawing board. He can do a lot with his voice, you see, and the band featuring long-time collaborator Laurence Hobgood, a pianist, helps to set the stage. Also joining him on stage are guitarist John McLean, bassist Clark Sommers and drummer Kendrick Scott.
Set List:

Airs Sunday, May 19 at 6 p.m.  Does the internet poison politics? It's been argued that the rise of 'personalization,' the use of algorithms to filter what you see online, and easy access to the like-minded, have served to reinforce our pre-conceptions. Is the information bubble a myth, or is it undermining civic discourse? Is the rise of social media really broadening our world views, or narrowing them? The debaters are Eli Pariser, Siva Vaidhyanathan, Evgeny Morozov, and Jacob Weisberg.

Airs Saturday, May 18 at 12 noon. The Lyric Opera of Chicago Season opens with Giuseppe Verdi's Simon Boccanegra (in Italian), a tale of political intrigue, lost love regained and ancient rivalries overcome. The production features Thomas Hampson as Boccanegra, Ferruccio Furlanetto as Fiesco, Krassimira Stoyanova as Amelia, Frank Lopardo as Adorno, Quinn Kelsey as Paolo and Evan Boyer as Pietro. Sir Andrew Davis conducts and Elijah Moshinsky directs this production.

Airs Friday, May 17 at 9 p.m. This week on the Caravan we have new music by the Secret Sisters and The Black Swans as well as tunes by Robert Deeble, John Trudell, and Alex De Grassi. On Blues at the Bottom, something old from Billy Holiday and something new from James Cotton, plus Joe Pug and Charles Brown. Then, in our concert hour, Dave Brubeck at the 2009 New Port Jazz Festival. On Be Quiet and Play the Music we'll wander into the Great Impossible. Tune in Friday at 9 for the Caravan here on Red River Radio.