KCRW's Politics of Culture

'Petrushka' with a Twist

podmaster@kcrw.org (KCRW Podmaster) — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 18:36:01 EST

Basil Twist?s production of Petrouchka spins new magic around the music of Stravinsky and the legendary Ballets Russes production, originally commissioned for Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts. Sarah Spitz speaks with KCRW theatre critic James Taylor and master puppeteer Basil Twist.

International Medical Corps

podmaster@kcrw.org (KCRW Podmaster) — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 18:30:57 EST

Among the many organizations helping the Haitians recover from the earthquake is one based right here in Santa Monica, the International Medical Corps. Its mission is to provide healthcare training, relief and development programs to help build local capacity. KCRW General Manager Ruth Seymour speaks to the organization's president and vice president.

The Changing Culture of War

podmaster@kcrw.org (KCRW Podmaster) — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 18:17:00 EST

How do we wage war in the 21st century, when remote drone operators shoot missiles at targets across the globe while suicide bombers blow themselves up in crowds of innocents or behind fortress walls? Can ethics be applied to war, and how will the soldiers of tomorrow be trained? KCRW General Manager Ruth Seymour explores these and other questions.

The Los Angeles Lakers: 50 Amazing Years in the City of Angels

podmaster@kcrw.org (KCRW Podmaster) — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 18:35:58 EST

Love 'em or hate 'em, the Lakers are a significant part of Los Angeles' history over the past half century. Join LA Observed's Kevin Roderick for a discussion about the new book, The Los Angeles Lakers: 50 Amazing Years in The City of Angels.

The 'Emancipation' of Europe's Jews

podmaster@kcrw.org (KCRW Podmaster) — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 17:30:00 EST

When we use the word "emancipation" we think of slavery in America. But for centuries in Europe, Jews lived in ghettos with restricted rights. Jonathan Kirsch talks to author and former NPR London Bureau Chief Michael Goldfarb about his book Emancipation: How Liberating Europe's Jews from the Ghetto Led to Revolution and Renaissance.

Good without God

podmaster@kcrw.org (KCRW Podmaster) — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 17:30:00 EST

What is a humanist? Do we need religion to give us moral guidance? These are questions addressed in Greg Epstein?s new book, Good Without God. Jonathan Kirsch discusses these concepts and more with him.

Sport: Annenberg Space for Photography

podmaster@kcrw.org (KCRW Podmaster) — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 17:45:21 EST

Images by two of the world's pre-eminent sports photographers are on exhibit at the Annenberg Space for Photography in Century City. KCRW's Diana Nyad speaks with Neil Leifer, who discusses his iconic images, sports photography as art, and how to capture that one perfect moment.

Shakespeare's Globe: Love's Labour's Lost

podmaster@kcrw.org (KCRW Podmaster) — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 17:30:00 EST

Shakespeare's Globe Theatre in London was the dream of an American actor. Now we can share the dream, as they bring their celebrated production of the comedy romp Love's Labour's Lost to the Broad Stage in Santa Monica. Prepare yourself for a lively conversation about the play, the company and Shakespeare

Ramparts Magazine: A Bomb in Every Issue

podmaster@kcrw.org (KCRW Podmaster) — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 18:29:33 EST

Ramparts magazine turned the 60's on its head with a high-octane combination of avant-garde satire and gumshoe investigative reporting. KCRW's own Robert Scheer served as its editor, and contributors included the likes of Noam Chomsky, Seymour Hersh, Cesar Chavez, Angela Davis and Susan Sontag. Peter Richardson has written about the largely untold story of this hugely influential magazine in his book A Bomb in Every Issue and he talks with KCRW's Will Lewis about it.

The Wende Museum's Berlin Wall Project

podmaster@kcrw.org (KCRW Podmaster) — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 18:16:27 EST

Twenty years ago, the Berlin Wall was torn down. Now, original segments of the wall are on display in front of 5900 Wilshire, across the street from LACMA. While it stood, the wall served as a public art canvas for graffiti and protests. While in Los Angeles, artist Shepard Fairey and muralist Kent Twitchell will paint on these segments. Historian Steven Ross discusses the project with the founder of the Wende Museum, muralist Twitchel and others.

Central Avenue and Beyond

podmaster@kcrw.org (KCRW Podmaster) — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 18:06:27 EST

The 20th century's Harlem Renaissance has come to define the first great explosion of African American culture in the US. But Los Angeles had a hub of its own where black culture also flourished: Central Avenue. KCRW's Michael Barnes hosts this conversation about the Huntington Library's upcoming exhibition, "Central Avenue and Beyond: The Harlem Renaissance in Los Angeles."

R Crumb's 'Illustrated Book of Genesis'

podmaster@kcrw.org (KCRW Podmaster) — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 18:32:54 EST

From Keep on Truckin? to Fritz the Cat, R. Crumb was pushing the boundaries of comics long before the graphic novels became so popular. Now he?s taken on the Bible.

The Fight over Frida

podmaster@kcrw.org (KCRW Podmaster) — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 18:42:00 EST

A treasure trove of Frida Kahlo papers, recipes, letters and diary entries have been discovered in Mexico, but are they real?

The Cartoons That Shook the World?without the Cartoons

podmaster@kcrw.org (KCRW Podmaster) — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 18:00:00 EST

Yale University is publishing a book about the controversial cartoons that appeared in a Danish newspaper depicting the prophet Mohammed, which resulted in worldwide Islamic protests, riots and deaths. But the book itself will omit any and all images of the prophet. Jonathan Kirsch discusses this decision with religious scholars and others.

UCLA Live Season Begins Anew

podmaster@kcrw.org (KCRW Podmaster) — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 18:51:48 EST

In what's become an annual tradition, the always fascinating David Sefton gives us the skinny on the upcoming season of international theater and other performing arts events, taking place at UCLA this year.