2/27/2012 MinneCulture

Five shorts from our 10,000 Fresh Voices series, made possible by the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund:

1. National anthem singer Michelle Delgado
Produced by Robert W. Morgan
You've probably heard her voice at college and professional sporting events, but who, exactly, is the diva behind the National Anthem? KFAI producer Robert W. Morgan introduces us to Twin Cities singer and actress, Michelle Delgado.

2. Twin Cities Hmong hip-hop on the rise
Produced by Dan Zamzow
Hip hop in the Hmong community is alive and on the rise in the Twin Cities. KFAI producer Daniel Zamzow talked to artists and emcees Ge, YungFate, Fres Thao and Brad Matala about how hip hop is having a positive role in Hmong culture.

3. Ice-climbing at Lilydale Regional Park
Produced by Maria Almli
Despite this winter's lack of snow, resourceful Minnesotans find a way to enjoy cold weather activities. At Lilydale Regional Park in St Paul, ice falls form every winter, regardless of snowfall, making it an excellent spot for ice climbing. Lilydale attracts local climbers, as well as enthusiasts from out of state. KFAI producer Maria Almli met St Paul Forestry Supervisor, Scott Kruse for a climb.

4. Twin Cities art collectives
Produced by Flor Trevino
"Come Together" is not only the name of a Beatle's song, it's a trend the Twin Cities is leading through the formation of art collectives. Art collectives vary in size, structure, and mediums, but they have one thing in common: collaboration. KFAI's Flor Trevino talked to members of the Northside Arts Collective, Yes!Let's Collective, and Rage to Order Collaboration. For more information on the Northside Arts Collective, visit nacarts.org. For the Yes!Let's Collective, go to yesletscollective.com. Look for the Rage to Order Collaborative on facebook.

5. Poet and musician Brian Laidlaw
Produced by Flor Trevino
California native Brian Laidlaw considers himself a poet first and musician second. After several years of touring, Laidlaw settled in Minneapolis to earn his Masters of Fine Art in poetry at the University of Minnesota. He wrote the album "wolf wolf wolf" as the audio counterpart to his masters' thesis and released it in the fall of 2011. In this edition of Live from Minnesota, Laidlaw shares his poetry, music and insight on blending of these art forms. For more information, go to brianlaidlaw.com.