"Diamonds in the Rough" stick sculpture by World-Famous Artist Patrick Dougherty

by Lynne McCarthy
Fri, June 10, 2011

Throughout the first three weeks of May 2011, artist-in-residence Patrick Dougherty built a large-scale, temporary sculpture of woven sticks and saplings in the Anderson Meadow at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden; a transformational activity they called  “Meadowmorphosis.”

Road Trip Summer Playlist

by Ian Stewart
Fri, June 10, 2011
David Byrne

Roll down the window and stick your hand out like you’re flying a plane, because I want to bring you my summer road trip playlist that’s the alternative to what you may have plugged into your cassette deck over the past years. I love road trips and one of the best parts about taking them, besides the pit stops at some dive-diners and oddly named historical-themed road markers, is the music I get to play. In the past, my soundtrack has consisted of music from a certain era or genre (hello high school/college playlist).

Art-o-mat: Savor the Flavor of Original Art

Art-o-mat

What is Art-o-mat? Simply described, it is a recycled cigarette vending machine which has been converted into an original artwork dispensing appliance. The mission behind the Art-o-mat is as equally simple - yet elegant: to encourage art consumption by combining the worlds of art and commerce in an innovative form. The mission also asserts that art should be progressive yet personable and approachable.

Eric Clapton headlines new "Crossroads Guitar Festival 3" Monday, June 6

Crossroad Guitar Festival 3

Grammy Award-winning guitar superstar Eric Clapton has re-teamed with fellow “guitar gods” for a third Crossroads Guitar Festival in Chicago, America’s Blues Capital.

The Celebration of Random World Holidays

by Ian Stewart
Fri, June 3, 2011
bebel gilberto

When I was looking at the calendar for June for some ideas for the World Music Show, I noticed that besides Father's Day (in which they'll be a great World Music Show), there were some very interesting holidays happening around the globe. So this week's World Music Show (6/4) is going to a celebration of Random Holidays. For instance, in Australia, there is Foundation Day; in New Zealand, the Queens Birthday; in Ireland, there is a bank holiday and there is also World Environment Day on June 5th.

Beyond Peter and the Wolf - 7 Great Pieces to Introduce Your Kids to Classical Music

by Bobbie Barajas
Wed, June 1, 2011
children dance

If you love classical music, then you want to share that love and excitement with the children in your life. But how? How do you introduce children to classical music in a way that helps them feel the humor, the great rhythm, and the emotion in the music without  boring them or making them feel like they're stuck in school? By picking pieces they will love. Children have an innate sense of musicality and rhythm that we adults can nurture. Play music for the kids in your life - and just watch how they react!

It's "Bloody Murder" At The Chamberlayne Actors Theatre

John Porter in Theater Reviews

Is it a comedy or a mystery? Critic John Porter looks at "Bloody Murder."

Critic finds "Title of Show" Delightful, Delicious

John Porter in Theater Reviews

The title of the show is "Title of Show." Reviewer John Porter liked it a lot.

The Global Blender

by Ian Stewart
Fri, May 27, 2011
Vicky Cristina Barcelona

Sometimes when I'm trying to think of what to play for a show, I toss around a few different themes or points on the globe in order to put together a solid show. Then, there are other times when I take all those ideas and just toss then in the metaphorical blender just to see what comes out. On this week's show (5/28), that's the route I've chosen. But, don't worry, blended shows are just as tasty as well, crafted shows. I mean, how else would you get to hear reggae music from New Zealand, or Woody Allen movie music from Barcelona? With a blended show, the possibilities are endless.

The iPod Shuffle Show

by Ian Stewart
Fri, May 20, 2011
The Jolly Boys

Let me ask you this: Are you someone who likes to or has to play a CD from start to finish? Or are you someone who likes to hit the shuffle or random button when you play your music? As for me, my needle (that's a reference to how albums are played) likes to play my music both ways. Sometimes I have to go from start to finish and other times I like to take whatever plays. So on this World Music Show (5/21), I've decided to hit the shuffle button on my world music playlist, which will feature some tunes from my personal iPod.