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The Leonard Lopate Show
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Peru NegroOvercoming Adversity
Bryan Mealer, a former AP correspondent who has just returned from a year in Kinshasa, brings us up to date with the latest news from the Democratic Republic of Congo--including what we might see in the upcoming elections. Then, we’ll learn about the strong African cultural influences in Peru from the musical group Peru Negro. Sam Stagg, author of When Blanche Met Brando, gives us a behind-the-scenes look at A Streetcar Named Desire. And John Kelly profiles the Black Death in his new book: The Great Mortality.
A Year in Kinshasa
The Democratic Republic of Congo has been home to one of the worst humanitarian crises in recent years. But the upcoming elections might spell big changes there. Bryan Mealer--a former AP correspondent who recently returned from a year in Kinshasa--joins us with an update.
Music:
“Kevin Volans: White Man Sleeps” by Krono’s Quartet
Peru Negro
The members of the musical ensemble Peru Negro describe themselves as the cultural ambassadors of black Peru. Incorporating instruments like wooden crates and donkey jaws—which originally came into being when Spanish colonizers banned slaves from playing drums—the group’s unique sound is a living tribute to Peru’s African heritage. Leonard talks to the group's manager and producer, Juan Morillo, as well as Leo Garofalo, professor at Connecticut College. He's currently in Spain researching the Afro-Iberian roots of Peru´s sixteenth-century black communities.
» The Latino Festival's website
» More about Peru Negro at perunegro.org
» More about Leo Garofalo here
Events:
Peru Negro is playing at the Latino Cultural Festival in Queens on July 27th and July 28th at 8 pm. For tickets and more information, go
here or call 718-760-0064.
Music:
Selections from the Peru Negro album Jolgorio, from Times Square Records:
"Afro"
"Negrito"
"Son de los Diablos"
When Blanche Met Brando
Sam Stagg explains why the movie and theater productions of A Streetcar Named Desire are some of the most important dramatic works of the 20th century in When Blanche Met Brando.
Events:
Sam Staggs will be appearing on:
Wednesday, July 27th at 7pm
Barnes & Noble, Lincoln Center
He’ll discuss his book When Blanche Met Brando with theater actors Everett Quinton and Penny Fuller
Music:
Theme from Spartacus preformed by Michael Chertock
The Great Mortality
John Kelly revisits the horror of the Black Death in The Great Mortality: An Intimate History of the Black Death, The Most Devastating Plague of All Time. This historical investigation combines the personal accounts of those who experienced the horrors of the plague with modern scientific perspectives on the disease.
Music:
From the Motion Picture “The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship off the Ring” tracks “The Treason of Isengard” and “Flight To The Ford” composed, orchestrated and conducted by Howard Shore
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Patrick Swayze
The Leonard Lopate Show
Patrick Swayze mixed grace with athleticism in his movies – and rose to stardom with roles in “Dirty Dancing” and “Ghost.” He died just recently after a battle with pancreatic cancer. And you can hear his interview with Leonard Lopate from July 16, 2002, when he came by to discuss appearing in the film, “Green Dragon.”
- Comments [2]
The Silver Anniversary of the Silver Palate
The Leonard Lopate Show
Sheila Lukins was one half of a partnership that helped popularize gourmet cooking throughout America – first, through their gourmet food shop in New York City and then with the cookbook, The Silver Palate, which remains one of the top-selling cookbooks of all time. She collaborated on 2 other cookbooks that simplified gourmet cooking for the home cook. She died recently from brain cancer at the age of 66, and you can listen to her 2007 conversation with Leonard Lopate and her business partner Julee Rosso about the 25th Anniversary of the publication of The Silver Palate.
Dominick Dunne
The Leonard Lopate Show
Dominick Dunne was a famous novelist and Hollywood producer. But he may be best remembered for covering trials of the rich and famous – from Claus von Bulow to O. J. Simpson. He died just recently at the age of 83. But you can still hear his interview with Leonard from November 23, 2001, when he was discussing crimes, trials, and punishments.
Video Pick: The J.D. Allen Trio
The Leonard Lopate Show
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- Comments [4]
Let’s Go Swimming!
The Leonard Lopate Show
According to the Centers for Disease Control, bacterial, viral, and parasitic organisms found in recreational water in the United States sicken thousands of people every year, and even result in deaths. We’ll speak with chemist and industrial hygienist Monona Rossol about the protozoa, amoebas and other things that love to go swimming with us. Monona is also founder and President of Arts, Crafts and Theater Safety.
- Comments [33]
Frank McCourt
The Leonard Lopate Show
Frank McCourt has been a guest many times on this show over the years, starting in 1996 for the memoir, Angela’s Ashes, that would earn him a Pulitzer Prize. Fame came to him late in life, after he’d retired at the age of 65 from teaching English and creative writing at public schools here in New York. He was a sweet, eloquent man who spoke with grace and humility; he just died at the age of 78 after a battle with cancer. You can hear him speaking with Leonard Lopate for his Survival Kit in 2000, and in 2005, for his memoir, Teacher Man.
- Comments [1]
Science and Faith
The Leonard Lopate Show
Earlier this week, Pres. Obama announced that he plans to nominate geneticist Dr. Francis Collins to lead the National Institutes of Health. You can listen to Leonard’s 2006 conversation with Dr. Collins about how he reconciles his personal faith with his professional scientific knowledge.
FDA to Regulate Tobacco?
The Leonard Lopate Show
May 14, 2009
Congress is getting ready to a vote on whether to make tobacco subject to FDA regulation. You can listen to a segment we did in May about the bill and what it would mean for the cigarette companies.
- Comments [9]
Our 3-ingredient Challenge wins a James Beard Award
The Leonard Lopate Show
On May 3, the Lopate Show won its third James Beard Award for our 3-ingredient challenge. In August, we asked our listeners to call in and name 3 ingredients and then challenged New York chef and 3-ingredient expert Rozanne Gold to whip up a recipe! You can listen to the 3-ingredient challenge and get some inspiration for simple, delicious, and unexpected dishes.
Leonard is on Facebook
Now Leonard is on Facebook! We’re posting photos, status updates, links to notable interviews, and lots more. Check it out.
Barack Obama, Circa 2004
The Leonard Lopate Show
Listen to President-Elect Barack Obama on the Leonard Lopate Show in November 2004. He had recently won a seat in the U.S. Senate, and only a few months before, his rousing speech during the 2004 Democratic National Convention catapulted him into the national spotlight.
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Guest Picks
The Leonard Lopate Show
Find out surprising facts about some recent guests on the Leonard Lopate Show. Check out our Guest Picks section! Did you know that football star Herschel Walker loves Judge Judy, Laurie Anderson is a big fan of agility training for dogs, and Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi likes Johnny Depp?
