The Next Big Thing Archive

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November 2004

Thanks

Friday, November 26, 2004

A retired park ranger remembers falling in love with his second wife, in an award-winning radio documentary by Bente Birkeland. A reporter draws us into the complicated relations among Côte d’Ivoirians living in West Philadelphia. We draw on the expertise of reference librarians and record sellers. Also, comedy from Jonathan Katz and company, and something approaching a roundtable – among singers, writers, philosophers and people on the street – about prayer.

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What to Make of a Season’s End

Friday, November 19, 2004

Late night conversations about stereos, midday conversations about democracy in a 99¢ store, and an extended meditation on the mullet (the fish and the hair) from Florida’s panhandle. Also this week, poet Mark Strand, word mistress Erin McKean, mystery writer Donald Westlake, and jazz collaborators Don Byron and Jason Moran.

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Ugly Ducklings

Friday, November 12, 2004

We try to make bridges (between red and blue states). We also listen to bridges. Homesick Danish reporter Pejk Malinovski seeks solace in stories by and about Hans Christian Andersen. Word rescuer Erin McKean tries to bribe mystery writer Donald Westlake with a promise of chocolates. Plus, new fiction from David Cale, and an award-winning radio documentary about a woman negotiating the challenges of a debilitating disease and a voice box.

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Endurance

Friday, November 05, 2004

This election season was an exercise in endurance - not unlike the work of Frank Browning’s family, which has run an apple orchard in Kentucky for several generations. Or Luis Rios, who competes in multiday, long distance running races. Or the young and masterful fingerstyle guitarist Kaki King. We bring you their stories, plus poetry for the street, and for the graves of World War I veterans.