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At 7pm on the fifth Thursday of the month (Fifth Thursdays in 2022 are March, June, September, December).About the Show
From Ark to Microchip
The provocative "From Ark to Microchip" mixes commentary, dramatic re-enactment, original music, historic voices, audio art and sound effects in a pan-historical, pan-cultural milieu. Programs in the program series have received several awards.
International Radio Solstice
Solstice-celebrating artists take over the world satellite network—for a half-hour it is subverted to promote peace through music-making. Features Abbey Lincoln, Don Cherry, Neneh Cherry, Charlie Morrow, and Alvin Curran.
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Sun Celebrations 1973-89
“We got up early, with the smell of moisture and the likelihood of rain. Grey fog-clad clover was luminous and the sparrows were chirping. It was very early June 21, 1973 in Central Park fog. Carol Weber and I walked into the park, having announced to the media our intention to celebrate the first moments of summer.
“The results were so startling that we keep going for many years, culminating in world broadcasts on radio, then TV. New York City parks were animated with our performances until 1989. We saw solstice and equinox celebration as potentially universal art holidays, an observance of nature’s cycles as important both cross-culturally and non-denominationally. We combined the new and the old, the tribal and the experimental. In later sun celebrations, when we combined these events with international satellite links, we would carefully select six locations that together would give audiences the mental picture of the whole world celebrating.”
–Charlie Morrow
“Our solstice music, composed by Ed Herrmann, was played for the Kansas City link in a celebration between musicians all over Earth—perhaps the first live musical celebration using the world satellite network. We were one of the six up-linked sites. Groups from each place performed about 4 minutes, and then we all improvised together—live! Like a collective mind, a new kind of layered music emerged, each place distinct but mixing together—a very in-the-moment and connected feeling among participants including Frederick Rzweski and Alvin Curran (in Rome); and the Conch Shell Choir (in NYC) directed by Charlie Morrow, the visionary behind (and in front) of the project, with support from the New Wilderness Foundation.”
–Dwight Frizzell
Performed at KCUR-FM studios with satellite link (June 21, 1982) by Ron Jones and Ed Herrmann. Broadcast as part of the first International Radio Solstice celebration organized by Charles Morrow, to whom the piece is dedicated. The piece was also performed at the Music at Midnight concert series adjunct to New Music America in Chicago, Illinois on July 8, 1982 at Crosscurrents.
The Kansas City feed for the International Radio Solstice—
In Praise of the Midland Sun (Ed Herrmann)
Thomas Aber-bass clarinet
Dwight Frizzell-clarinet, sopranino clarinet, voice
Valerie Smith-trumpet, percussion
Ed Herrmann-Serge synthesizer, electronics
Chuck Reynolds-percussion
Allaudin Ottinger- Nubian tar
Solos Allaudin Ottinger-Ed Herrmann-electronics, Thomas Aber-bass clarinet, Dwight Frizzell-clarinet, Allaudin Ottinger-Nubian tar
