Cultural, Community, Information

Airs Saturday, June 2, at 7:00 p.m.  Guitarist Steve Howell joins hosts Wally Derleth and Bill Beckett for a live show on Red River Radio. Howell presents a delicate blend of roots music from country, blues and rockabilly to torch songs. In 2011, his CD "Since I Saw You Last" was awarded the Historical Significance Award from the Academy of Texas Music. Support live, local music on the radio by making a pledge by calling 800-552-8502.

Airs Saturday, June 2 at 12:00 noon.  Look out for dancing bears and dinosaurs as into the enchanted forest we go! Lyric’s inspired production reflects the composer himself — seamlessly blending emotional profundity with slapstick humor that appeals to the kid in us all. With a hapless and endearing birdcatcher as his sidekick, Prince Tamino is searching for the girl of his dreams. The mysterious Queen of the Night says her daughter’s the one — and just waiting to be rescued from the evil wizard, Sarastro. But it turns out he’s not the evil one at all! A young couple’s journey to adulthood, the search for universal truths, Masonic rituals and religious allegory — Flute gives us much to ponder, and music that’s a wondrous joy!

The performance is crowned by the passionate, womanly Pamina of Nicole Cabell...her vibrant lyric soprano floats exquisitely above the staff. Looking every inch the prince with charisma to spare, the extravagantly gifted Charles Castronovo gives a wonderful performance as Tamino. With his marvelously rich sound, Austrian bass Günther Groissböck makes an impressive and sonorous Sarastro. Stéphane Degout’s Papageno is funny, sexy and touching. Audrey Luna brings down the house as Queen of the Night.

Airs, Friday, June 1 at 8 p.m. When Janis Joplin knew what she wanted, there was little that could stop her. With her music, she pushed and experimented until it felt just right. Her fourth and final album – Pearl – showed Janis at the top of her game, working hard with a new band and new ways to use her voice. This one-hour radio special explores Janis’ final years and the making of Pearl from her sister and author Laura Joplin, road manager John Byrne Cooke, Pearl producer, the late Paul Rothchild, and author Holly George Warren.