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The Leonard Lopate Show

Monday, March 13, 2006
  • Junior

    All in the Family

    On today's show, Macaulay Culkin makes his literary debut with Junior—it's part memoir, part novel. But first, we'll learn about the history and culture of Iranian Jews for the Purim holiday. Plus, we'll talk to two leading jazz musicians: harmonica player Toots Thielemans, and percussionist Paul Motian. And we'll hear about a new novel about a young Hawaiian woman’s family ghosts.

Esther's Children

Houman Sarshar, the author of Esther’s Children, looks at the long history of Jews in Iran—from the first documented settlement in 722 B.C.E., to today.

Man Bites Harmonica

Jazz great Toots Thielemans--a virtuoso harmonica player and whistler–-describes his unique sound.

Events: There will be a concert celebrating Toots Thielesman's music
Thursday, March 16th at 8pm at Carnegie Hall
For tickets, call 212-247-7800

The Rythym of a Life

74-year old drummer Paul Motian reflects on his impressive career, and describes what it was like to play with Coleman Hawkins, Thelonious Monk, and Bill Evans.

Events:Paul Motian will be playing as part of the Bobo Stenson Trio
Wednesday, March 15 through Saturday, March 18 at 9 and 11pm
Birdland (315 West 44th Street,­ between 8th & 9th Avenues)
Tickets are $30.
Call:(212) 581-3080 or visit www.birdlandjazz.com

Skeletons in the Closet

Lois-Ann Yamanaka shares her new novel, Behold the Many. It’s the story of a young Hawaiian woman who’s haunted by the ghosts of her two sisters, who died of tuberculosis in an orphanage.

Junior

Most young authors are given the advice to “write what you know.” Macaulay Culkin—of “Home Alone” and “Richie Rich” fame—tells us about channeling his experiences as a child star into his first book: Junior. Part memoir and part literary experiment, the book explores a young man’s feelings towards his abusive father.

Events: Macaulay Culkin will be appearing
Monday, March 13 at 7pm
Union Square Barnes and Noble

National Book Award Winners

The Leonard Lopate Show

A number of this year’s National Book Award winners have appeared on The Leonard Lopate Show. Click here to see the list!

Tributes: Jeanne-Claude

The Leonard Lopate Show

Jeanne-Claude created environmental works of art with her husband and fellow-conspirator/collaborator Christo. Together, they wrapped the Reichstag in Berlin, the Pont-Neuf in Paris, and created The Gates, with billowy orange drapes, in Central Park. Jeanne-Claude just died at the age of 74. You can hear Leonard Lopate’s last interview with them both, from July 19, 1999.

Please Explain: Eco-Labels

The Leonard Lopate Show

Your broccoli, shampoo, and air conditioner might bear labels declaring them to be organic, cruelty-free, or energy efficient, but what do those labels mean and are they true? Dr. Urvashi Rangan, Project Director for Consumer Reports' GreenerChoices.org and Consumers Union’s Senior Scientist for Policy Initiatives, and Dara O'Rourke, founder and CEO of GoodGuide.com, took a look at what eco-labels indicate, how standards are set, and what they mean for consumers and manufacturers around the world.

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.