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Special Guests Robert Bly was born on a farm in Madison, Minnesota, in 1926, and lived in the area for much of his life. He graduated from Harvard, before devoting his life to poetry. In 1958 he launched a poetry magazine, The Fifties (renamed as each new decade dawned), in which he spoofed academic critics, urged American poets to open their work to dream and surrealism, and introduced translation of the works of important European and Latin American poets. He is best known in recent years for his 1990 book, Iron John: A Book About Men. His latest book is Eating the Honey of Words: New and Selected Poems, published by Harper Collins. ¡Cubanismo! exploded onto the Latin music scene in 1995, under the direction of trumpeter and bandleader Jesús Alemañy. A virtuoso group of musicians, ¡Cubanismo! is loyal to traditional Cuban rhythms, but avoids nostalgia. They take their name from the expression that designates a word or phrase that is specifically Cuban, something unique to that island. Their first album, ¡Cubanismo!, was released in 1996, and was followed by Malembe, in 1997 (both on Hannibal Records). Like their previous CDs, their latest release, Reencarnación, was recorded in Havana. Members of ¡Cubanismo! performing with Alemañy tonight are: Rolando Martinez (vocals), Rafael Duany (vocals), Ignacio Herrera (piano), Carlos Del Puerto (bass), Luis Alemañy (2nd trumpet), Emilio Del Monte (timbales), Carlos Alvares (trombone), Javier Zalba (saxophone & flute), Carlos Godines (percussion), Tomás Ramos (congas), Leonardo Castellini (saxophone), Alberto Hernandez (bongos), and Efrain Rios (tres). The University of Minnesota Concert Choir is made up of 75 singers who represent a cross-section of majors at the University. They perform tonight under the direction of Kathy Romey. Choir members are: Soprano: Nicole Andrews, Megan Bennis, Mary Beyers, Stacy Brake, Michelle Burton, Kristine DeRuyscher, Jody Eggen, Annie Fitzgerald, Rachel Grippen, Kari Groves, Rachel Hanthorne, Karla Hvezda, Melissa Lins, Chiana Loreti, Sarah Louisell, Megn Meyer, Emily Paulson, Dayna Schauer, Kellie Simons, Meghan Tallent-Bennis, Jaime Thomalla, Vanessa Thyne, Angela Veomett; Alto: Katherine Boyle, Bethany Brunsell, Varvara Chernova, Jacqueline Decker, Jill Dieser, Lauren Fuller, Katie Jensen, Jessica Kampa, Liza Laabs, Dorinda Otten, Brenna Peterson, Mary Radtke, Christina Swenson, Catherine Weber; Tenor: Kevin Boren, Joshua Bornfield, Sean Campbell, Paul Dehnert, Michael Sahlen, Jack Jarnis, Jeff Klobucar, Nate Pequette, Matthew Verkuilien, Matthew Wilmes; Bass: Joseph Braun, Chris Gable, Marc Falk, Philip Groth, Ian Loeppky, Matthew Miller, Andrew Naseth, Peter Nichols, David Pojar, Sean Prada, Andrew Richter, Charles Schwandt, Jon Snyder, Evan Tsai, Todd Weinkauf, John Winzenburg, Scott Wright.
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An Interview with Heather Masse
In a 2009 interview, Heather Masse tells us about her earliest influences, auditioning in a women's bathroom, and a few memorable moments from A Prairie Home Companion.
Old Sweet Songs: A Prairie Home Companion 1974-1976
Lovingly selected from the earliest archives of A Prairie Home Companion, this heirloom collection represents the music from earliest years of the now legendary show: 1974–1976. With songs and tunes from jazz pianist Butch Thompson, mandolin maestro Peter Ostroushko, Dakota Dave Hull and the first house band, The Powdermilk Biscuit Band (Adam Granger, Bob Douglas and Mary DuShane).
