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Topic: Arts & Ideas → Sports

World Class Tennis Underway at Open Tournament

August 26, 2008

Tennis enthusiasts of all stripes are flocking to the U.S. Open tennis tournament in Queens over the next two weeks. Many fans say they're looking forward to a re-match between Roger Federer and top ....


Nadal

Tennis Takes Center Stage

August 25, 2008

The Olympic torch is barely out and while swimmers and track stars may be relaxing and enjoying their first cheeseburger in months, the world's best tennis players have another big tournament to play....


Just what was on Michael Phelps' iPod anyway?

August 25, 2008

Now that the Michael Phelps Show, er, Summer Olympics is over, a nagging question remains: Just what was on the swimmer's ubiquitous iPod? Jason D. O'Grady, an editor at ZDNet.com and editor of PowerPage.org joins us with some answers.


(RIchard Yeh/WNYC)

Chinese NYers Watch Olympics With Pride

August 21, 2008

The Olympics have been China’s big coming out party, and in New York City’s Chinatown, Chinese people of all ethnic groups watch with pride and optimism. WNYC's Richard Yeh has the story. Slide....


Sports in Education

August 21, 2008

Gordon Marino, Professor of Philosophy and Director of the Kierkegaard library at St.Olaf College, talks about the proper role of sports in a well-rounded education.


Sports and Politics in Asia

August 21, 2008

Find out how China is using the 2008 Beijing Olympics to promote its political agenda at home and abroad. Victor D. Cha talks about the history of sports as politics in Asia; he’s the author of the new book Beyond the Final Score .


Sharp Shooter

August 19, 2008

18-year-old rifle shooter, Sandra Fong, returns home to New York City after competing in Beijing. She joins us to talk about her Olympic experience.


Mets Ticket Prices Skyrocket

August 13, 2008

Tickets to see the Mets play at their new ballpark are going to cost you. Tickets prices will increase 79 percent over this year, but executives say that is still a fraction of what you'll pay to se....


At Least They're Good at Sports

August 11, 2008

Roger Cohen, columnist for the International Herald Tribune, discusses the relationship between Spain's failing economy and wild athletic success.


On your marks, get set, compose!

August 11, 2008

A big public event requires a big fanfare. Composer Zhiyi Wang provided just that for the opening ceremonies of the Beijing Olympics on Friday. Today, the 27-year-old graduate of the Oberlin Conservatory of Music and University of Louisville joins us to talk about how he got the gig, and how he wrote music to be played in such a large forum.


Olympics 2008

When Music Takes the Olympic Stage

August 11, 2008

Music has a big role in China's extravagant packaging of the Beijing Olympics. On today's show, China-based music writer Ken Smith talks about the opening ceremony, and about the complex dance between the music industry, the Olympic organizers, and the Chinese government. And composer Zhiyi Wang joins us from Beijing to talk about the music he wrote for the opening ceremony. Later on the show: The East Village Opera Company could best be described as a cross between Freddy Mercury and George Frederic Handel. The rock band/opera troupe has a new album, "Olde School," which we sample today.

Listen to Soundcheck's 2007 interview with soul singer Isaac Hayes, who died Sunday at age 65.


Tim McCarver’s Baseball Gems

August 01, 2008

Catcher-turned-sportscaster Tim McCarver tells stories about the many baseball stars he’s known over the years, from Sandy Koufax to A-Rod. His new book is Tim McCarver’s Diamond Gems.

Event: Tim McCarver will be speaking and signing books
Friday, August 1 at 1 pm
Sports Museum of America
26 Broadway (at Morris Street)


China Aims for Gold in Classical

July 11, 2008

In China, somewhere between 30 million and 100 million children are said to be learning piano, violin or both. Concert halls are full. And classical music will play a significant role in the Summer Olympics. But New Yorker music critic Alex Ross had some doubts about China’s music boom. We find out if a recent trip changed his mind.

Our blog: John Schaefer on China and classical music