On Demand
The Next Big Thing
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Make-Believe Movies, Music and Made-Up Stories
Some things to do when the weather turns bitter cold… like taking a mah jong lesson, learning to play mariachi music, or creating your very own radio talk show. Also, Rick Moody reads from The Black Veil, his “memoir with digressions,” and host Dean Olsher visits with 86-year old ethnomusicologist and radio broadcaster Henrietta Yurchenco.
My Own Private Hollywood
These are prime times for a little escapism. Next Big Thing contributor Henry Alford goes out on the street and talks to people about the little movies that play in their heads. Produced by Julie Subrin.
Word Crank
Almost every day, David Shulman makes his way from his nursing home in Brooklyn to the New York Public Library to prove other people wrong, by locating words in texts that predate the words’ earliest known use. Host Dean Olsher goes to the library to meet this self-appointed citation searcher.
Confidence Tricks
Not long after “confidence man” entered the American vernacular, an entire confidence industry was born. Next Big Thing producer Curtis Fox takes a look at the advent of modern advertising.
My Turn?
Most of the people playing mah jong in the park in New York City's Chinatown are getting on in their years. But the game's appeal is not lost on a young group of aspiring players, many of them American-born, who gathered at the Museum of Chinese in the Americas for an introductory lesson.
¡Attencion! ¡Attencion!
New York City’s Mexican immigrant population is growing, and with it, the need for mariachi musicians. Ramon Ponce, Jr., to the rescue. He opened the Mariachi Academy of New York. Next Big Thing producer Amanda Aronczyk meets the Academy’s first students. For more information, contact the Center for Traditional Music and Dance.
Acetate Disks and a Mule
Ethnomusicologist and radio broadcaster Henrietta Yurchenco has spent many of her 86 years traveling the world, recording music in remote places, and bringing it to the airwaves along with the work of Leadbelly, Woody Guthrie and other legendary musicians. Yurchenco shares with host Dean Olsher her stories, her records and a few tunes on the piano.
You’re on the Air with Jonathan Katz
Jonathan Katz always wanted his own radio show. Now he has one, at least when we have a little extra airtime. Guest appearances by H. Jon Benjamin, Tom Leopold, and Al Franken. Produced by Amanda Aronczyk. Thanks to Jay Allison and the Open Studio Project. For more "You're on the Air with Jonathan Katz" visit transom.org.
