Around Noon: December 2007

Jose Gonzalez, The Ohio Boy Choir and Bugs on Broadway
Originally aired Monday, December 3
Dee speaks with the Argentinean/Swedish singer-songwriter Jose Gonzalez about his cross-cultural style and his upcoming gig at the Grog Shop. Plus Dee introduces us to the new director of the Ohio Boy Choir, and explains what Bugs Bunny is up to at Severance Hall.

Takacs Quartet, Neil Zaza and Pulp
Originally aired Tuesday, December 4
Dee shares her conversation with Geraldine Walther of the Takacs Quartet prior to its performances for the Cleveland Chamber Music Society and Oberlin College. Plus local guitarist Neil Zaza gets the holiday season rocking with his 5th annual "One Silent Night." And we welcome the star of the new Cleveland Public Theater production "Pulp", for a live cabaret performance in the Key Bank studio.

Wallace Coleman and Red an orchestra
Originally aired Wednesday, December 5
Dee spotlights the new CD from Cleveland blues man Wallace Coleman and British guitarist Dave Thomas as they get ready for gigs at Fat Fish Blue and The Savannah. Then Dee takes us back to the Key Bank studio for a preview performance by violinist Caroline Goulding who takes the stage with Red an orchestra.

PWLGC, Michael Krasny and Apollo’s Fire
Originally aired Thursday, December 6
Dee turns the page on a new direction for the Poets and Writers League of Greater Cleveland with the group's new director. Plus, ideastream's Dan Moulthrop shares a conversation with former Clevelander and the host of KQED's Forum -- Michael Krasny -- about his new book "Off Mike: A Memoir of Talk Radio and Literary Life." And Apollo's Fire music director Jeannette Sorrell ignites a new concert series for the holidays.

The Buzzard, The Cleveland Orchestra and Black Nativity
Originally aired Friday, December 7
ideastream's David C. Barnett takes flight with The Buzzard as he shares a conversation with former WMMS music director, John Gorman. Plus the Cleveland Orchestra's Gary Hanson previews tonight's premiere of the orchestra's Vienna performance of Bruckner's 9th Symphony, on WVIZ/PBS. And Dee previews the annual Karamu production of Langston Hughes' Black Nativity.

Lynda Sackett , City Music and Alice Parker
Originally aired Monday, December 10
The Beck Center bids adieu to long-time arts educator Lynda Sackett; City Music offers Fire and Ice for the Holidays; and Robert Shaw protege Alice Parker leads carols at the First Unitarian Church of Cleveland.

Lilian Tyrrell Tribute, Michelle Shocked & Angelin Chang
Originally aired Tuesday, December 11
Dee remembers the late Northeast Ohio artist Lilian Tyrrell, whose life and work will be celebrated at Spaces Gallery; ideastream's Jim Goldurs chats with folk singer Michelle Shocked prior to her performance at the Beachland Ballroom; and Grammy-winning pianist from CSU, Angelin Chang, shares selections from her new CD.

Adaora Udoji and North Coast Men’s Chorus
Originally aired Wednesday, December 12
Dee welcomes Adaora Udoji who's in town with John Hockenberry tracking the 2008 election for PRI's "Your Billion Dollar President." Then Dee heads to the Key Bank studio for a performance by members of the North Coast Men's Chorus, to preview their upcoming holiday concert Swingle Bells.

Derek Hess, A Christmas Story and A Christmas Carol
Originally aired Thursday, December 13
Dee frames a conversation with acclaimed local artist Derek Hess about his first-ever exhibit in Tremont. Dee's scheduled talk with the moderator for the Cleveland Public Library and Cleveland Public Art's Spectrum Series -- New York Times chief art critic, Michael Kimmelman, has been cancelled due to weather. So today we bring you archived conversations from the Cleveland Play House and A Largely Literary Company about their annual holiday productions.

Picasso at CMA, Oberlin Jazz and Bill Rudman
Originally aired Friday, December 14
Dee speaks with the acclaimed author of "A Life of Picasso" -- John Richardson -- and makes a connection to the Cleveland Museum of Art's latest exhibit, Modern Masters. Plus, ideastream's Bobby Jackson joins Dee to share music from the new CD -- Beauty Surrounds Us -- from the Oberlin Conservatory's Jazz Faculty. And, Footlight Parade's Bill Rudman returns with his annual Christmas Cabaret.

Plain Dealer “Show of Love”, Cleveland Orchestra, Joe McBride
Originally aired Monday, December 17
Dee welcomes writers from the Plain Dealer who share the inspiration behind a new serial project for the holidays; we preview the Cleveland Orchestra's annual holiday programs; and Dee deals a hand of Texas Hold 'Em with jazz musician Joe McBride, prior to his performance at Nighttown.

An Unreasonable Man, John C. Reilly and John Soeder
Originally aired Tuesday, December 18
Dee talks with Steve Skrovan, the Clevelander behind the new documentary about Ralph Nader coming to PBS tonight -- An Unreasonable Man; plus we Walk Hard with acclaimed comic-actor John C. Reilly; and the Plain Dealer's John Soeder shares some of his favorite CD's from the past year.

Holiday Book Call-in
Originally aired Wednesday, December 19
Dee welcomes a panel of book worms to unwrap some holiday shopping ideas for the book lover in you. Joining Dee are Sari Feldman, the executive director of the Cuyahoga County Public Library, Suzanne DeGaetano from Mac's Backs Paperbacks on Coventry, and Karen Long the book editor for the Plain Dealer. Books discussed on today's program

Joe Crea and The Hackensaw Boys
Originally aired Thursday, December 20
Dee takes a Taste of the holidays with Plain Dealer food editor Joe Crea. Then she welcomes the old-time alt-country act The Hackensaw Boys to the Key Bank studio for a performance to preview their appearance tonight at the Beachland Ballroom.

Holiday Film Call-in Show
Originally aired Friday, December 21
Today we save you an aisle seat for our annual Holiday Film Call-in program as we see what's onscreen this Christmas, plus take a look back at the year in movies. Joining Dee are Plain Dealer movie critic, Clint O'Connor, Pam Zoslov of the Free Times, and John Urbancich of the Sun News.

Concordia College Christmas Concert 2007
Originally aired Monday, December 24
Special Broadcast. For 80 years the small Lutheran Evangelical school out-on-the-Prairie, Concordia College, has had anything but a small vision when it comes to celebrating music. With a choir and orchestra of over 400, the Concordia College Christmas concert attracts capacity crowds from all faiths to celebrate the season and the promise it holds. For this Christmas, listeners hear nationally-renowned conductor René Clausen as he leads the pure, youthful voices in a concert called "On our Way Rejoicing," a potpourri of familiar and traditional works intertwined with music that brings new sounds and meaning to the season. The complete list of ideastream holiday programming is here.

Christmas with Morehouse and Spelman Glee Clubs
Originally aired Tuesday, December 25
Special Broadcast. One of the great holiday traditions in America, the choirs of Morehouse and Spelman Colleges -- two of the most prestigious historically black institutions in the nation -- got together to present a spine-tingling concert program. This encore presentation featurs the best works of the last several years. It's a joyous celebration of the schools' tradition of singing excellence, with their trademark mixture of spirituals and carols. The complete list of ideastream holiday programming is here.

Around Noon’s Best of 2007: Elmore Leonard
Originally aired Wednesday, December 26
Dee begins a series featuring our favorite programs from the past year. Today we share an encore broadcast of Dee's interview with America's favorite crime novelist -- Elmore Leonard.

Around Noon’s Best of 2007: Harlan Ellison and Nikki Giovanni
Originally aired Thursday, December 27
Dee continues her look back on her favorite shows from 2007 with Cleveland native and award-winning writer Harlan Ellison, along with Ohio poet and Virginia Tech professor, Nikki Giovanni.

Around Noon’s Best of 2007: Michael Reiss, John Kenley and Sharon Jones
Originally aired Friday, December 28
Dee continues her look at her favorite interviews from 2007. Today we hear from the Emmy-award-winning producer of the Simpsons, Michael Reiss; local theater legend John Kenley; and rhythm and blues diva, Sharon Jones.

Around Noon’s Best of 2007: Key Bank Studio Performances
Originally aired Monday, December 31
Today Dee shares some of her favorite performances from the Key Bank Studio recorded in 2007: Carrie Rodriguez, Angelin Chang, Bill Ransom and Anuna.