From The Studio

Grammy & Emmy nominated pianist & composer Philip Aaberg visits the KPBX studio at 10 a.m. in advance of his appearance tonight at the Kroc Center in Coeur d'Alene. Philip has an unusual blend of classical piano, bluegrass, and blues.

Portland author Benjamin Parzybok visits with Verne Windham for a special Bookshelf on his second novel, Sherwood Nation and a conversation about writing. Parzybok is in Spokane in advance of an appearance at Auntie's Bookstore Thursday night. Sherwood Nation is described as a dystopian eco-crisis novel where characters’ struggle for what we take for granted today: water and other natural resources.

The Spokane Symphony and State Street Ballet return to perform their second joint production of The Nutcracker, a family favorite in 2011. Dancers from the State Street Ballet of Santa Barbara will fill the roles of Clara, the Nutcracker Prince and, of course the Sugar Plum Fairy while local dancers will perform supporting and ensemble roles and the Spokane Symphony performs Tchaikovsky's memorable compositions. Ballet teachers Emily Grizelle and Peggy Goodner Tan spoke with Verne on Friday morning about the process of preparing local ballet students for the performances.

Lewis & Clark High School in Spokane is the first school in the country to perform The Trumpet of the Swan, an acclaimed melding of music and drama in a symphony intended for all ages. The LC Orchestra will combine with Tiger Drama (the LC theater students) to present this 'Novel Symphony for orchestra and actors.'

At 11 am Verne speaks with Max Mendez, artistic director of the Spokane Choral Artists about their upcoming concerts this Friday in Coeur d'Alene at First Presbyterian Church and Saturday in Spokane at St. Thomas More Church at 7:30pm

At 10 am Verne speaks with Spokane Symphony cello soloist Edward Arron about his upcoming performances at the Fox on November 22nd and 23rd.

Spokane Civic Theatre actors and director Keith Dixon visit KPBX with songs and discussion about A Christmas Carol, the musical by Lynn Ahrens and Alan Menken.

Director Abbey Crawford, and Assistant Director Phoebe Oosterhuis, visit KPBX to discuss the dramatization of the Christmas Truce of 1914. All Is Calm features a male cast singing a cappella, with quotes by the soldiers involved in the historic WWI truce 100 years ago.

Margaret Travolta and Patrick Treadway visit the KPBX studio to chat about their upcoming Christmas Revue "I Remember Christmas," with her sister Ellen Travolta, Jack Bannon, and Katherine Stromaier. Performances at the Cd'A Resort begin the day after Thanksgiving.

The cast of the upcoming play The Glass Menagerie stopped by the KPBX Studio to share moments from the classic play. The show is the first at the rebranded "Modern Theater Spokane."

performs in the Spokane Public Radio performance studio as part of their northwest performances. The group joins children of the St. Aloysius Gonzaga elementary school choir in concert Wednesday night at the church on Gonzaga's campus.

Audio from the in-studio performance and interview coming soon.

Tim Campbell and Linda Siverts of Northwest Opera speak with Verne about the upcoming show, Barn Aid 2014

  Chris Kopzynski talks with Verne Windham about mountaineering and his documentary film, "Wisdom Earned."

It’s a bird! It’s a plane! It’s a dripping faucet!
Fred Newman is best known to the KPBX audience as Garrison Keillor’s go-to man for every sound effect humanly possible. But he also travels the country with his own One-Mouth Show.

Fred shared his uncanny ability to recreate sounds at the Bing Crosby Theater Wednesday, June 18 at 7:30 p.m. He also told stories of his past -- how a fly impersonation kept him in a college class, and growing up in Georgia hearing stories from the best.