Camels, Kit Kats and Crashes

A day in the life of the Rockettes — backstage, with wardrobe assistant Celeste Canfield. Also, a new and disturbing love story from Joe Frank. Record spinning at the Tate Modern in London. An exposé concerning the entertainment of sheep. And, a forward-looking contest for "Word of the Year for 2005." Christmas Spin, Part 1 It's an annual tradition. Sound artist Christian Marclay hands over his collection of twelve-hundred Christmas records to deejays who remix them in front of a live audience. Last weekend, at the Tate Modern in London, Strictly Kev, a.k.a. DJ Food, was at the turntable. Produced by Amanda Aronczyk. » More on the event on the Tate Modern website Future Words Word-savvy writers Elissa Schappell, John McWhorter, Katha Pollitt and Steve Almond join host Dean Olsher and dictionary editor Erin McKean in looking forward, rather than back, for Word of the Year. Produced by Julie Subrin. » Vote HERE Protest Songs Heard on the Street: high-quality protest music, performed outside the Knitting Factory, a performance space and record label in downtown Manhattan that has recently changed hands. A Winter Love Story (Joe Frank-style) Joe Frank has one of the darkest story-telling voices on radio. Here, he offers a passionate love affair, complete with champagne, ice-skating, and an ambulance crash. Written and narrated by Joe Frank, and created in collaboration with David Rapkin. » For more from Joe Frank, visit his website. Backstage with the Rockettes The Rockettes have long amazed audiences with their precision dance routines. What few of us realize is the degree of precision required backstage to make the Rockettes look so good. Host Dean Olsher spends a day with wardrobe assistant Celeste Canfield, as she dresses and undresses Rockettes and other performers for the 11 a.m., 2 p.m., and 5 p.m. performances of the Radio City Christmas Spectacular. Produced by Emily Botein. » Information on the Radio City Christmas Spectacular Christmas Spin, Part 2 More music from Christian Marclay's "Sounds of Christmas," with guest Strictly Kev, a.k.a. DJ Food. Sheep Trends According to Next Big Thing correspondent Tim Hinman, there's an important development underway in sheep cultivation. Here's this exclusive report — for those who are easily led. Produced by Pejk Malinovski and Tim Hinman. Music for the Huddled Masses Heard in line at the lower Manhattan pier where ferries depart for Ellis Island. The Swinging Seniors Meet the Swinging Seniors, a collection of women who once worked as night-club dancers in chorus lines and small touring groups. They were victims of racial prejudice and low pay, but got to share the stage with Eartha Kitt, Bessie Smith, Louis Armstrong and other great performers. Their most recent honor? Induction into City Lore's "People's Hall of Fame," in New York. Produced by Emily Botein. » More on City Lore » Click for a larger image of the Swinging Seniors (photo by Martha Cooper) Christmas Spin, Part 3 One last song from Strictly Kev, a.k.a. DJ Food, who participated in Christian Marclay's "Sounds of Christmas" at the Tate Modern in London.

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