On Demand
The Next Big Thing
-
Willard Asylum (Blue Chevigny)Channeling
We bring you the voices of the dead, but also the voices of birds, dogs, and … Zero Boy, a species unto himself. Blue Chevigny brings us the memories of people who lived in and around a psychiatric hospital founded in 1869. Actor Sam Waterston stands at the podium where Abraham Lincoln stood, and recites the hour-long political "stump speech" Lincoln gave there in 1860. Sound artist Pamela Z makes birdsongs. And Zero Boy is back to bring to life the "sound cartoon" scenarios presented to him by listeners.
The Dog Has Spoken
A new company is offering a pet cloning service. We consult with one expert, Lulu, on whether or not such a service seems desirable. Translation provided by Lulu’s owner, Daniel Pinkwater.
Holding Forth at Cooper Union
On February 27, 1860, Abraham Lincoln gave a speech at Cooper Union’s Great Hall that captivated his audience. Were such a speech - filled as it was with details of constitutional history – given today, would it have had such an effect? Harold Holzer, author of Lincoln at Cooper Union: The Speech that Made Abraham Lincoln President dared actor Sam Waterston (who has portrayed Lincoln before) to find out, by reading the speech once in its entirety before a live audience. We check in with Howzer and Waterston at Cooper Union, a few hours before the crowd shows up. Produced by Julie Subrin.
Back in Willard
When Willard Asylum was first built in upstate New York in 1869, there was no one around to say “not in my backyard.” Rather, the town of Willard grew up around the institution. And then, over the course of the next century, the lives of those who lived “inside” and those who lived "outside" became utterly intertwined. The hospital is closed now, but the recent discovery of 400 suitcases belonging to some of its patients has stirred up a lot of memories, as Next Big Thing contributor Blue Chevigny has discovered. Produced by Amanda Aronczyk.
» Click on picture for a larger image of some items found at the Willard Asylum(Blue Chevigny)
» More on an exhibit of the found suitcases at the New York State Museum.
Rhyming in the Ring
Everyone has their methods when it comes to perfecting a skill. Tony Pelligrino is no different. Now 62 years old, he’s been boxing at Gleason’s Gym in Brooklyn for the past fourteen years, and he uses a rather surprising technique to master the fancy footwork. Produced by Jamie York.
Zero Boy Rises Again
Last week, we put out a call to listeners to “stump Zero Boy” with the most complicated and strange “sound cartoon” scenarios they could think of. Now he’s back to deliver, using only his remarkable skill as a “vocal acrobat” to create a vast array of voices and sounds. Produced by Pejk Malinovski.
» Visit Zero Boy's website
Birdsong
A sampling of the sound of birds, slowed down, speeded up, and reinterpreted in human voices. It’s the work of composer, performer and sound artist Pamela Z. Her piece, “Syrinx,” was part of the MorrowSound Cube at this year’s New Sound New York Festival.
» More information about Pamela Z’s work on her website
Glory of the Seas
Writer David Cale brings us another one of his fictional scenarios about little moments with big repercussions in the lives of ordinary people. This time we meet Judith Feldman on a boat, in the Atlantic Ocean, and in love. Judith is played by actress Laura Esterman. Produced by Emily Botein.
