August 14, 2007 - As part of the series “Songs from Scratch,” MPR reporters Sanden Totten, Larissa Anderson, and Chris Roberts get first reactions from three bands as they get the lyrics from writer Stephen Burt, and begin shaping his words into songs.
July 20, 2007 - A "Puppet Rampage" has overtaken the Twin Cities this week. Members of the organization Puppeteers of America are holding their national festival in St. Paul and Minneapolis. One of the festival keynoters is Obie Award-winning performance artist Paul Zaloom. During the 90s, Zaloom starred in the cable TV series "Beakman's World." He's performing his latest puppet production tonight at In the Heart of the Beast Theater in Minneapolis. It uses an ancient Middle Eastern shadow puppet tradition to lampoon 21st-century America. Minnesota Public Radio's Chris Roberts reports.
June 1, 2007 - MPR’s Chris Roberts reports on "The Mad Ripple Friday Night Hootenanny" at Java Jack's. The event is thrown together by writer and singer/songwriter Jim Walsh, who's stage name is the Mad Ripple. Each week Walsh presents a handful of musicians, usually local, some of them rookies and some established. The artists take turns trading stories and songs, mostly originals.
May 28, 2007 - It's been nearly a year since the new Guthrie Theater complex opened its doors on the banks of the Mississippi river. By some accounts the Guthrie has exceeded expectations in terms of its affect on the cultural life and the economy of downtown Minneapolis. It's also permanently altered the Twin Cities theater landscape. Minnesota Public Radio's Chris Roberts went out to measure the "Guthrie effect" on other theaters in town.
May 18, 2007 - Nearly 50-thousand African immigrants representing 45 different nationalities now call Minnesota home, and the population continues to grow. Despite living in close proximity, these communities rarely interact and are isolated not only from each other but from mainstream Minnesota. A Minneapolis group is hoping to break down some of those barriers by organizing the area's first Pan-African music and art festival. Minnesota Public Radio's Chris Roberts has more.
February 16, 2007 - MPR’s Chris Roberts talks with members of the band Army Defense, based out of Golden Valley. Army Defense has produced 20 albums containing 492 songs, but the players design each project primarily for their own entertainment, just because they get a kick out of going to such lengths. Segment includes music clips.
February 2, 2007 - MPR’s Chris Roberts reports on ‘Bob Dylan's American Journey: 1956-1966’ exhibit at Weisman Art Museum. Roberts interviews curator Colleen Sheey about the collection of Dylan artifacts. Roberts also talks with longtime Dinkytown musicians “Spider” John Koerner and Tony Glover about their reflections of time with Bobby Zimmerman when he lived in Minneapolis.
December 1, 2006 - MPR’s Chris Roberts profiles Doomtree, a new hip hop collective hitting the Twin Cities music scene. Roberts interviews members of the group on the collective’s creation. Roberts also talks with local music critic about the group.
November 3, 2006 - MPR’s Chris Roberts reports on "Vestibular Sense," the Mixed Blood Theatre play that peaks into the life of a young man with autism in its latest production. The play raises questions about what autism is and whether it's a deficit or an attribute for someone who has it.
October 2, 2006 - MPR’s Chris Roberts reports on the 26th annual Minnesota Music Awards. Roberts, who attended the First Avenue event, describes the evening and interviews award winners, including rapper P.O.S and members of Tapes 'n Tapes and The Hopefuls.