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Aug. 24–Sept. 4, 2006
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From Minnesota Monthly
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MPR at the State Fair

Minnesota Public Radio is presenting live broadcasts and on-stage events every day of this year's Minnesota State Fair. Come visit us for political debates, music, and even A Prairie Home Companion. MPR Day at the Fair is Friday, September 1, 2006.

Event Highlights

Thursday, August 24



Live Broadcasts
11 am–1 pm
Midday with Gary Eichten
Broadcast on all MPR News stations

11–noon: Meterologist Mark Seeley. Take Mark's Weather Quiz.

Noon–1 pm: DFL candidates for 5th Congressional District

3–7 pm
Music with Mary Lucia
Broadcast on The Current

7–10 pm
Music with Mark Wheat
Broadcast on The Current

Location: MPR booth at corner of Judson & Nelson [Show me]
Events
1:30–3 pm
Dosh
Martin Dosh makes electronic music with a drumset, Fender Rhodes electric piano, drum samples and an assortment of delay and loop pedals—no laptops. He combines elements of hip-hop, rock, jazz and electronica to create layers of rhythm and melody that unfold before your eyes.

3:45 pm (approximate)
The Flaming Lips' Wayne Coyne "in-studio" with Mary Lucia


5:30 pm (approximate)
Mark Mallman and band "in-studio" with Mary Lucia

Location: MPR booth at corner of Judson & Nelson [Show me]

Friday, August 25



Live Broadcasts
6–9 am
The Morning Show with Dale Connelly and Jim Ed Poole
Broadcast on The Current, and Classical Music stations in greater Minnesota

Guests: Ann Reed, Dan Chouinard and The Brass Kings

3–7 pm
Music with Mary Lucia
Broadcast on The Current

7–10 pm
Music with Mark Wheat
Broadcast on The Current

Location: MPR booth at corner of Judson & Nelson [Show me]
Events
1:30–3 pm
Douglas Ewart's Nyabingi Drum Choir
The Nyabingi drums are utilized by the Rasts of Jamaica, in their liturgical chants. The six-piece choir plays drums developed from the African Burru and Kumina religious movements. Douglas Ewart is a past president of the Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians, the performer of original music with Muhal Richard Abrams, George Lewis, Anthony Braxton, and others, and the maker of brightly colored "rain sticks," man-tall "totem flutes," percussion instruments, and panpipes. Hosted by Marianne Combs.

Location: MPR booth at corner of Judson & Nelson [Show me]

Saturday, August 26



Live Broadcasts
3–7 pm
Music with Bill DeVille
Broadcast on The Current

Location: MPR booth at corner of Judson & Nelson [Show me]
Events
1:30–3 pm
Keston and Westdal with JT Bates
Keston and Westdal focus on carefully evolving their compositions, layering them with contagious melodic themes and lush harmony. With Keston's background in jazz piano and Westdal's bass brilliance this duo mixes electronica with a classic jazz groove.

Location: MPR booth at corner of Judson & Nelson [Show me]

Sunday, August 27



Live Broadcasts
3–7 pm
Music with Danny Sigelman
Broadcast on The Current

Location: MPR booth at corner of Judson & Nelson [Show me]
Events
1:30–3 pm
MacPhail Rimshots!
Rimshots! Is a group of metro area high school percussionists at the MacPhail Center for Music under the direction of Paul Babcock. Hosted by Ward Jacobson.

Location: MPR booth at corner of Judson & Nelson [Show me]

Monday, August 28



Live Broadcasts
3–7 pm
Music with Mary Lucia
Broadcast on The Current

7–10 pm
Music with Mark Wheat
Broadcast on The Current

Location: MPR booth at corner of Judson & Nelson [Show me]
Events
1:30–3 pm
Mick Labriola Percussion Workshop
Rhythm Roots Workshop attempts to combine traditional drumming techniques with a sense of cultural awareness and appreciation. Audience members will be invited on stage to join in a 25 drum circle under the leadership of Mick Labriola (The Maroons, Mojo Roots).

Location: MPR booth at corner of Judson & Nelson [Show me]

Tuesday, August 29



Live Broadcasts
9–11 am
Midmorning with Kerri Miller
with guests R.T. Rybak, Mayor of Minneapolis and Chris Coleman, Mayor of St. Paul
Broadcast on all MPR News Stations

3–7 pm
Music with Mary Lucia
Broadcast on The Current

7–10 pm
Music with Mark Wheat
Broadcast on The Current

Location: MPR booth at corner of Judson & Nelson [Show me]
Events
1:30–3 pm
Ill Chemistry featuring Desdamona & Carnage
Ill Chemistry combines Desdamona's soulful, heart-felt vocals with Carnage's seemingly impossible "human beatbox," a rarely-witnessed symbiosis that exists between word and rhythm section, utilizing the most primitive of all instruments: the mouth.


5:00 pm (approximate)
G*d Damn Doo Wop Band "in-studio" with Mary Lucia

Location: MPR booth at corner of Judson & Nelson [Show me]

Wednesday, August 30



Live Broadcasts
3–7 pm
Music with Mary Lucia
Broadcast on The Current

7–10 pm
Music with Mark Wheat
Broadcast on The Current

Location: MPR booth at corner of Judson & Nelson [Show me]
Events
1:30–3 pm
Mu Daiko Percussion Workshop
Taiko ("big drum") drumming has been part of Japanese culture for over 2000 years. Its roots lie in religious festivals and ceremonies. This workshop will explore the history and tradition of taiko, and will allow volunteers from the audience to come up and try the drums. Hosted by Mindy Ratner.

4:30 pm (approximate)
Penn Jillette "in-studio" with Mary Lucia

Location: MPR booth at corner of Judson & Nelson [Show me]

Thursday, August 31



Live Broadcasts
3–7 pm
Music with Mary Lucia
Broadcast on The Current

7–10 pm
Music with Mark Wheat
Broadcast on The Current

Location: MPR booth at corner of Judson & Nelson [Show me]
Events
Noon–1 pm
VocalEssence
with host John Birge

1:30–3 pm
Mystery Palace
Sequenced electronics plus live instruments with a remarkably varied profusion of colors and textures wrenched from Frankeninstruments. Circuit-bent keyboards from Ryan Olcott (ex-12 Rods), omnipresent bassist James Buckley and veteran Vertiform drummer Joey Van Phillips.

Location: MPR booth at corner of Judson & Nelson [Show me]

Friday, September 1: MPR Day at the Fair



Live Broadcasts
11 am–noon
Senatorial Debate on Midday
Broadcast on all MPR News stations

Noon–1 pm
Former Minnesota Governors Al Quie, Arne Carlson and Wendell Anderson on Midday.
Broadcast on all MPR News stations

Location: Carousel Park [Show me]

3–7 pm
Music with Mary Lucia
Broadcast on The Current

7–10 pm
Music with Mark Wheat
Broadcast on The Current

Location: MPR booth at corner of Judson & Nelson [Show me]
Events
2 pm
Minnesota Opera
Meet the new Minnesota Opera Resident Artists who will perform aria and ensembles from the upcoming opera season, including highlights from The Tales of Hoffmann and The Marriage of Figaro, as well as other favorites, with host Valerie Kahler.

4 pm
International Novelty Gamelan
International Novelty Gamelan explore new music, with composers and musicians creating new combinations of sounds to broaden the range of what Javanese gamelan can be. With host Mindy Ratner.

Location: Carousel Park [Show me]

5:00 pm (approximate)
Haley Bonar "in-studio" with Mary Lucia

Location: MPR booth at corner of Judson & Nelson [Show me]

8 pm
A Prairie Home Companion with Garrison Keillor

Location: State Fair Grandstand [Show me]

Saturday, September 2



Live Broadcasts
3–7 pm
Music with Steve Seel
Broadcast on The Current

Location: MPR booth at corner of Judson & Nelson [Show me]
Events
1:30–3 pm
Cold Steel
ColdSteel is a five person steel drum combo consisting of lead tenor pan, double second pans, cello pans, bass guitar, and drums. They play caribbean/latin style music as well as jazz, funk, pop, show tunes, rock, soul, ska, and many more. Hosted by Melissa Ousley.

Location: MPR booth at corner of Judson & Nelson [Show me]

Sunday, September 3



Live Broadcasts
3–7 pm
Music with Tony Lopez
Broadcast on The Current

Location: MPR booth at corner of Judson & Nelson [Show me]
Events
1:30–3 pm
University of Minnesota Marimba Ensemble
Fernando Meza, Director

This student marimba ensemble creates uniquely beautiful interpretations of classical repertoire and beyond, featuring both classical and folk marimbas. Hosted by Gayle Ober.

Location: MPR booth at corner of Judson & Nelson [Show me]

Monday, September 4



Live Broadcasts
9–11 am
Midmorning with Kerri Miller
Broadcast on all MPR News stations

11 am–1 pm
Midday with Gary Eichten
Broadcast on all MPR News stations

Guests: Howard Sinker and Movie Maven Stephanie Curtis

3–7 pm
Music with Jill Riley
Broadcast on The Current

Location: MPR booth at corner of Judson & Nelson [Show me]
Events
1:30–3 pm
Crash
Mary Ellen Childs, Director/Composer

"Crash" embodies the concept of music in motion, the union of sight and sound, from works for body percussion to pieces for crash cymbals to compositions for enormous drums. Movement is always an integral part of their work and several of their pieces are performed on wheeled chairs, allowing for a kind of choreography that approaches dance. Hosted by Bill Morelock.

Location: MPR booth at corner of Judson & Nelson [Show me]