MinneCulture

Tonight MinneCulture is being preempted, as Andy Driscoll and the Truth to Tell team present a Community Connections forum on Sulfide Mining. Starting at 7pm, the show is being broadcast live from the University of Minnesota-Duluth.

Tipping the Scale

During the coldest days of winter, an “Earth Train” departed from St. Paul, carrying dozens of artists, activists and regular folks from Minnesota to Washington, DC. On board were KFAI producers Barbara Jean Meyers and Melissa Koch. Along the way they interviewed passengers including Kevin Kling, Louise Erdrich, Prudence Johnson and others, about why they were making the journey. Many were inspired by Bill McKibben, co-founder of 350.org, who believes that the Keystone XL pipeline wound be the final nail in the coffin for planet Earth.

On February 17, advocates gathered at the nation’s Capitol for Forward on Climate to protest Keystone and draw attention to global warming. Nearly 50,000 people assembled to promote environmental stewardship, making it the largest rally on climate issues in U.S. history. “Tipping the Scale” is a two-part audio documentary that chronicles this historic event. Tune into MinneCulture on Monday, June 3, and Wednesday June 5, at 7:30pm.

West Hills State School: A troubled past for the Owatonna orphanage

KFAI producer Dan Greenwood received a Page One Award from the Minnesota chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists for this audio documentary. In it, he tells the story of the State-Run School for Dependent and Neglected Children, which opened in Owatonna, Minnesota in 1886.

For nearly 60 years the orphanage housed thousands of children, and during the Great Depression, was massively overcrowded. For some, the orphanage provided a safe haven, but for many others, beatings and neglect were commonplace. In this documentary, Greenwood talks with Harvey Ronglien—a former state-schooler who spent his entire childhood at the orphange—to learn about the dark and sordid past of the institution.

Since the 1990s, Harvey and his wife Maxine have worked with the city to create a museum honoring the children who lived there. Today the campus at West Hills is on the National Registry as a Historic District. For more information, visit orphanagemuseum.com.

Xonxaro Baro’s Gypsy Love Show

Xonxaro Baro means “the great trick.” This live performance of the Gypsy Love Show at Amsterdam Bar and Hall features music by the Bourgeoisie Bohemians—Balkan and Gypsy performers with a touch of French circus—with storytelling by Tansy Undercrypt. Also included are three recordings by Gypsy Mania from their self-titled release, including “Butterfly,” “East Hennepin” and “Blues de Paris.” Gypsy Mania is Glen Helgeson (guitar), Gary Schulte (violin), Reynold Philipsek (guitar/vocals), Jeff Brueske (acoustic bass), Michael Bissonnette (percussion) and James Allen (guitar). Produced for KFAI by Daniel Zamzow and Nancy Sartor.