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Special Programming
Special Programming
 We take breaks from our regular schedule to bring you new and different programs. Learn more about what's ahead and listen to what you may have missed.
Recent Programs
7/3/2009 : The Capitol Steps, 9am
The Cap Steps gang is back with a half-hour of July 4th seasonal satire.
7/3/2009 : Hearing Voices: The USA Plan, 9:30am
An all-American half-hour of audio and stories from around the country reflecting on who we are as a nation.
7/3/2009 : Five Farms: Stories From American Farm Families, 12pm
During mid-summer visits to a Massachusetts milking barn, an Iowa soybean field, an apricot orchard in California, a hog farm in North Carolina and a desert corn field in Arizona, five families describe and demonstrate what sustainability means on their farms.

Most Americans know little about where their food comes from and even less about the lives of farming families who plant, water, feed, herd, harvest and deliver that food to market. "Five Farms: Stories From American Farm Families" confronts that information gap head on.
5/25/2009 : State of the Re:UNION : Motor City Rebound, 9am & 8pm
If you listen to the news, you've heard a lot about Detroit lately, none of it very good. Host Al Letson travels to Detroit to move beyond the headlines and explore the Motor City. What makes Community? Who are the people that help bring it together? What issues do they face..?
5/25/2009 : Independent Minds: Into the Storm 12pm & 9pm
Winston Churchill -- known for powerful prose, undaunted persistence, and uncompromising ideals -- led Britain against all odds, to overcome the Nazi's mighty military and its stranglehold on Europe. This program follows Churchill into World War II  -- from his appointment as Prime Minister through the victory of the Allies to his defeat at the hands of a grateful nation.
5/20/2009 : America Abroad: The Long Road Out of Iraq, 11pm
America Abroad: The Long Road Out of Baghdad (Previously aired 5/15 12pm & 9pm)Where the US used to be in Iraq wasn’t pretty. Sectarian violence had exploded into what was essentially a civil war. Yet, through perseverance, policy changes, and plain old good luck, the situation today is dramatically different.

Violence is down, and attitudes are perking up. But, in April, insurgents detonated a series of deadly reminders that they are still in business. And politically and economically Iraq is still pedaling with US training wheels. So, American forces can expect more than a few speed bumps on the long road out of Baghdad.

 America Abroad is presented at 11pm on the third Wednesday of every month.

4/22/2009 : Sustainability, 10pm
Sustainability looks at what is being done to address our energy needs and environmental challenges -- on a large scale and a small scale -- to actually address some of the biggest problems we have.

Learn about people working on sidewalks that will suck CO2 out of the air. A professor at MIT has invented a solar cell that works at night and when it's raining. There's a company in California that captures CO2 coming out of power plants before it ever hits the air.
4/15/2009 : America Abroad:Judging the International Criminal Court: Bringing War Criminals to Justice: , 11pm
In 1998, 121 countries reached a historic verdict and established the ICC. But the jury is still out on whether the ICC can bring war criminals to justice and heal the wounds of conflict. In this program we hear the arguments for and against creating the court and the trials of handing down international justice from The Hague, Uganda and the former Yugoslavia.
4/6/2009 : Against the Odds
Monday through Thursday, April 6th-9th 10pm

Against the Odds
is a multimedia documentary series that profiles people who have overcome significant obstacles in life. They are stories of uplift but also stories with a serious message; and they have a particular focus on people from marginalized groups who don’t typically get a lot of media play.

Hope on a Pile of Bones: Introduces listeners to a range of people who are building the new Rwanda.

Nerds in the Hood:
Looks at kids from some of the toughest streets on both coasts who have managed, despite their harsh backgrounds, to become exemplary achievers.

Breaking the Bonds of Tradition:
Focuses on several remarkable people in India who have said “no” to prejudice and low expectations.

Trauma, Turmoil and Recovery: Surviving Foster Care:  Profiles survivors of foster care, including two sisters who last year graduated from Smith College and Virginia Polytechnic, respectively.

1/21/2009 : America Abroad: Power Shift? America’s Role in a Changing World, 11pm
China, Russia, India, and many other nations have been on the rise, but does that mean America is in decline? As Barack Obama takes the keys to the White House we explore the state and role of American power today. America Abroad explores the political power shifts of the 20th century, and touches down in South America to see the consequences of China's growing investments in America's back yard.
1/19/2009 : The Promised Land: Different Takes on the Legacy of MLK, 12pm
During this special, The Promised Land: Different Takes on the Legacy of Martin Luther King, activist, environmentalist, humanitarian Majora Carter gauged the reach of King’s influence. How far have we come? What has been the impact on our kids? On our communities? And what’s in a name? What if yours is Martin Luther King? Majora found out by calling people from the Atlanta phone book.
1/19/2009 : American Routes: A Change is Gonna Come: Words and Music in the Spirit of Martin Luther King, 8pm
As historic events take place in Washington, DC American Routes reflects on the legacy of Martin Luther King in both words and music. We’ll talk music with Civil Rights activist and college professor Julian Bond. Jazz trumpet legend Freddie Hubbard stops by to share stories of his life in the jazz world during those tumultuous times. All this plus songs and voices to commemorate our past and look to our future.

Originally broadcast 1/17/09
1/1/2009 : Dick Buckley Special, 8pm
After more than 50 years in radio, the last 31 of them at WBEZ, our beloved jazz radio host Dick Buckley has retired from the airwaves. For jazz lovers and casual fans alike, listening to Buckley’s Sunday afternoon show has been a treasured tradition. He’ll fill the airwaves with swing and happiness one last time. Buckley will spin some of his all time favorite records, and he’ll talk with Dan Bindert and Richard Steele about his legendary career in radio. The program will also include some rare Buckley air checks from the past, as well as a few salutes from special friends. Originally broadcast 7/27/08.
1/1/2009 : Studio 312, 9am
It’s Jimmy Carrane’s Studio 312 New Years Day Spectacular! Jimmy takes his best shot at interviewing some of the brightest stars of stage, screen, television, and even the catwalk. This ain’t no Barbara Walters. It’s celebrity one-on-ones done "The Carrane Way"-disjointed, discombobulated, and hilarious. 

Listen to individual segments from the show.
1/1/2009 : Studio 312: New Year's Day Spectacular!
It’s Jimmy Carrane’s Studio 312 New Years Day Spectacular! Jimmy takes his best shot at interviewing some of the brightest stars of stage, screen, television, and even the catwalk. This ain’t no Barbara Walters. It’s celebrity one-on-ones done "The Carrane Way"-disjointed, discombobulated, and hilarious.

Listen to individual segments from the show.
12/31/2008 : The Capitol Steps: Politics Takes a Holiday, 7pm
Should old acquaintance be forgot? Not if the Capitol Steps have a say. Say yes we can to listening to the Capitol Steps annual year's end award ceremony. New categories this year: Worst Use of a Plumber by a Politician (since Nixon), Best Shade of Lipstick for a Pig and Most Creative Excuse to Buy $150,000 Worth of Clothes.

And, in a stunning announcement it's official Alaska has overtaken long-time winner Florida as the funniest state, by winning in both the best home renovation by a politician and fastest time field-dressing a moose category. Join Barack Obama, John McCain, Sarah Palin, Oprah Winfrey, FEMA, everyone who owns a sub prime mortgage, Hillary Clinton, and many, many more as the Capitol Steps bring you their hour long year in review. You have every reason to look forward to 2009- but not before we make fun of 2008 first.

Repeats 1/1 at noon.
12/31/2008 : Toast of the Nation, 8pm
Count down to 2009 this New Year's Eve with live jazz on Toast of the Nation. Party with live music from coast to coast, from a Sonicbloom in Boston to a Pink Martini in Los Angeles, from ribs and Mingus in New York to black-eyed peas and a licorice stick in New Orleans, Toast of the Nation presents live music with multiple midnights!
12/26/2008 : Through the Lens, 9am
An hour-long special that examines current affairs though the prism of religion. This hour examines how different faith communities in Chicago are responding to youth violence.
12/26/2008 : Autism Chronicles, 12pm
Autism spectrum disorder is the fastest-growing developmental disability in America, now affecting one in every 150 children. No one knows for sure - or can agree on - what causes autism spectrum disorder - but every parent of an autistic child can tell you stories about the challenges it presents.

Autism Chronicles is an hour-long special profiling three of families living and coping with autism, produced by Dan Collison and Elizabeth Meister for Long Haul Productions, in association with Chicago Public Radio. Partial Funding from the Coleman Foundation. Repeats 12/28 9pm.
12/25/2008 : Tinsel Tales: NPR Christmas Favorites, 9am
This program features stories from the NPR archives that touch on the meaning of Christmas. David Sedaris, Bailey White, Jay Allison, John Henry Faulk -- these and other NPR voices, past and present, tell stories of the season

Hosted by Lynn Neary.
12/25/2008 : American Routes, 10am
There's no place like home for the holidays. Our guests for this holiday version of American Routes wax nostalgically in words and music. Jazz pianist and singer Diana Krall recalls her childhood on Vancouver Island and how those traditions are being carried on in her own home today. Jimmy and Tootie Heath of the Heath Brothers reminisce about a life in jazz and late brother Percy.
12/25/2008 : A Season's Griot 2008, 12pm
One-hour Kwanzaa celebration in story and song.
12/24/2008 : Jazz Piano Christmas XIX, 7pm
This year, we’ll hear lots of Latin Jazz onstage at the John F. Kennedy Center for Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. This ever popular program will include original interpretations of holiday favorites performed in concert by established jazz stars and talented newcomers. As always, both the artists and audience are sure to have a good time.

This year’s exciting lineup includes Brazilian pianist and singer, Eliane Elias; Afro-Cuban jazz pianist and composer, Arturo O’Farrill; prolific pianist and composer of Latin and world music, Rebeca Mauleón; and New Orleans' own premier modern jazz pianist, Ellis Marsalis.

Hosted by Felix Contreas.
12/24/2008 : Songs of Joy and Peace: The Yo Yo Ma Holiday Party, 8pm
One-hour holiday party featuring Yo-Yo Ma in collaboration with his favorite musicians from around the world.
12/24/2008 : Joy to the World 2008, 9pm
One-hour jazz holiday program performed and recorded live at the Cultural Center in Charleston, West Virginia.
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