2/6/2012 MinneCulture

Five stories from our 10,000 Fresh Voices series:

1. Artist Jim Denomie
Produced by Allison Herrera
Artist Jim Denomie depicts politics, history and contemporary Native American issues using bold colors, big brush strokes and a heavy dose of satire. He earned a degree in studio arts and Native American studies from the University of Minnesota, and began painting the world around him. A visual storyteller, his work enlightens and educates people, and is in collections all over the world. KFAI producer Allison Herrera met the artist at his studio in Shafer, Minnesota.

2. Lunalux: Something Heavy that Leaves a Trace
Produced by Todd Melby
The U.S. Postal Service reports that people are writing fewer and fewer letters. Americans are, of course, increasingly turning to e-mail, texting, Facebook and other forms of digital communication. But there’s at least one place in Minneapolis that still values the handwritten, personal note. Todd Melby visits Lunalux, a printer that embraces 15th century technology.

3. Jazz Dance Company, Rhythmically Speaking
Produced by Michelle Alimoradi
Jazz dance developed as a working-class art form in the early 20th century and represented longing, struggle and perseverance. Choreographers Erin Liebhard and Heather Westerlund are keeping jazz dance alive as co-directors of the Twin Cities' company, Rhythmically Speaking. By pushing the envelop with their productions, they hope to inspire new conversations about jazz.

4. Northwest Airlines History Centre
Produced by Susan Gray
Three years after being sold, Northwest Airlines has been completely erased from the Minneapolis/St. Paul International Airport. For years the 1928 Waco plane--part of Northwest's original fleet--hung in Concourse G, but recently the Waco was sent to the Delta Air Transport Heritage Museum in Atlanta. Former employees of Northwest Airlines are determined to keep the history of the company in Minnesota. KFAI producer Susan Gray spoke with Bruce Kitt and Wayne Synder at The Northwest Airlines History Center, located at Wings Financial Credit Union.

5. Black Men Reading
Produced by Will Wright
Black Men Reading is a North Minneapolis book club and study group modeled after groups that formed in Harlem during the 1920s and 1930s. For more than 10 years, Black Men Reading (which also includes women) has been meeting regularly to read and discuss literature, building role models in the Black community. KFAI producer Will Wright attended a session, and met Ezra Hyland, the group's facilitator.