This Week's Program Highlights Wednesday, July 21 - Sunday, August 1, 2010.

Wednesday 7/21

4:00-5:00 PM
Issues and Ideas ... Play write Gale McNeeley provides a review of his show, Over the Rainbow, that debuts this month; and author Vicky Leon give us a sneak preview of her latest book, How to Mellify a Corpse.

6:30-7:00 PM
An Evening With ... ProPublica: Independent investigative journalism has fallen on hard times lately with the down sizing, or closure of newspapers. But, ProPublica, an independent, non-profit newsroom that produces journalism in the public interest, focuses exclusively on truly important stories, stories with "moral force." Communications Director Mike Webb joins the show to discuss this importance of investigative journalism to democracy.

Thursday 7/22

4:00-5:00 PM
New Dimensions Radio ... Nature's Path to Your Soul: Environmentalist Catriona MacGregor understands how easy it is to become exhausted by our busy schedules, overwhelmed by your to-do list. But, it's also easy to forget there's a world of renewal just outside your door. Indeed, she says, regaining a connection with the natural world is the surest way to rediscover the truest part of you. Catriona MacGregor is an authority on environmental trends, and for more than twenty years led and supported environmental initiatives around the globe.

Friday 7/23

11:00-NOON
McPartland's Piano Jazz ... Pianist John Bunch learned to arrange for big bands while held captive in a German POW camp during World War II. After returning stateside, he worked with the likes of Woody Herman, Gene Krupa and Benny Goodman, and was Tony Bennett's pianist for a number of years. He passed away earlier this year, and Piano Jazz remembers Bunch with this 1991 session. Bunch performs "Something to Live For," and duets with host Marian McPartland on "What is This Thing Called Love?"

7:00-8:00 PM
the Club McKenzie ... Thirty-Five: This weekend is the official anniversary of KCBX, and in recognition of this important date, the Club turns things over to the inspiration for the show: Red McKenzie and his musical Comb.

8:00-9:00 PM
Rhythm Retrospective ... Join host Sunny Leland at his new time and enjoy early jazz, New Orleans, Chicago, Swing, Blues and Boogie. Leland, an accomplished boogie-woogie pianist and vocalist takes you from Bunk To Monk with his weekly sojourn.

9:00-10:00 PM
Caravan 9 ... Kurt Vonnegut says "Dance, even if you have nowhere to do it but your living room." One thing that brings people together all over the world is a love of dancing. Join the global celebration as KCBX brings a World Dance Party to your living room on Friday nights at 9:00, with Caravan Nine with host Janelle Younger. Merengue, square dance, samba, soukous - if it's got a beat, and you can dance to it, chances are good you'll hear it on Caravan Nine. From Celtic reels to Nigerian high-life, these infectious grooves will demonstrate how we've all got something in common - around the world, people everywhere like to celebrate rhythm with dance.

Sunday 7/25

11:00-NOON
This American Life ... This week's show presents an assortment of little known and surprising stories of how all sorts of institutions, from a controversial legal precedent to a Hollywood teen dance flick, began.

4:00-5:00 PM
NOTE: The following program is a limited series. Le Show returns to its regular time on Aug. 8.
RadioLab ... Famous Tumors: This hour of Radiolab is dedicated to tumors. It may sound like a grim topic, but what we find when we look closely at these anatomical aberrations are fascinating tales of evolution, immortality, and even... maybe... God? We'll hear about a tumor that changes modern science, and the tragic untold story of the woman attached to that tumor. We'll witness terrifying contagious tumors, tumors that bring joy, and tumors that bring ecstasy. And Robert will try to touch, literally touch, the tumor that killed President Ulysses S. Grant.

6:00-7:00 PM
Selected Shorts ... Listen Up! "The Apology" by Brock Clarke, read by Stephen Lang; "The Chairs" by Joshua Ferris, read by Ivy Austin; and, "Feeling Good, Feeling Fine" by George Garrett, read by BD Wong.

Monday 7/26

4:00-5:00 PM
Alternative Radio ... Myths, Empire and the Middle East: Writer and commentator on Middle East affairs, Richard Becker, looks at the deeply contested regions of the Middle East. Britain and France were heavily involved in the geographical shaping of the Middle East. Today the US is the principle influence blanketing the region with its armed camps and naval and air bases. Becker is the author of Palestine, Israel and the US Empire.

Wednesday 7/28

4:00-5:00 PM
Issues and Ideas ... Organizers of the Pacific Coast Dance festival, Jumpbrush, highlight activities of the 3-day event held at the San Luis Obsipo Performing Art Center; and, spokeswoman Angie King updates the annual Creative Day of Women.

6:30-7:00 PM
An Evening With ... Collective Guilt: Investigative journalist Justine Sharrock begins her search for answers by going directly to the source. She talks with soldiers who tortured. They were following orders. In her book Tortured: When Good Soldiers Do Bad Things, Sharrock reveals that it's not just the prison interrogators who suffer the memories, it's also a county with a torn moral fiber.

Thursday 7/29

4:00-5:00 PM
New Dimensions Radio ... The Gospels of Jesus: A Map for Transformation: The number four is integral to life and its cycles, and this truth was not lost on the early church. This week's guest, Dr. Alexander Shaia, sees the same cyclical pattern in the four gospels, as four distinct tenets of spiritual practice. Dr. Shaia holds master's degrees in counseling education and religious education, and is founding director of the Blue Door Retreat Center in Santa Fe

Friday 7/30

11:00-NOON
McPartland's Piano Jazz ... Guitarist Pat Metheny is one of the brightest stars in the jazz firmament. The Grammy-winning artist is constantly experimenting with technology new and old, and honing his improvisational skills and unique style. On this Piano Jazz, the Pat Metheny Trio, which includes bassist Christian McBride and drummer Antonio Sanchez, performs exclusive versions of "Go Get It" and "Bright Size Life."

7:00-8:00 PM
the Club McKenzie ... Expatriate Sam: As far as the 1920s New York Jazz scene is concerned, Sam Wooding and his Orchestra performed at the best. Mid decade, his band was picked to be the orchestra for a new musical revue that was being formed to tour Europe. The brand new musical selections included music written by Duke Ellington. So begins the saga of the Wooding feud that lasted 60 years.

Sunday 8/1

4:00-5:00 PM
RadioLab ... Who Are You? This hour centers on a chilling question: can you ever really know the people around you? Even those most dear to you -- your mother, your child, your loved one -- can you ever really know what they are thinking, feeling, or experiencing? Or is it all just a leap of faith? In this episode, Radiolab hosts talk with neuroscientists, primatologists, zookeepers, actors, and dog owners who are all trying to get inside another's mind.

6:00-7:00 PM
Selected Shorts ... Wild Guys: "Gleason" by Louise Erdrich, read by Robert Sean Leonard, and, "Red" by Maile Meloy, read by Keith Szarabjaka.