Jun 6th, 2005 · British musician Bob Geldof wants to raise awareness about poverty in Africa -- again. He has announced plans for Live 8 concerts to be held July 2 in London, Philadelphia, Berlin, Paris and Rome, ahead of the G8 meeting in Scotland, 20 years after he launched "Live Aid."
May 26th, 2005 · The musical Grease is a perennial favorite at high schools and community theaters. But an alternative production won't be performed in Philadelphia because the musical's licensing agent has threatened to sue. The agency says the producers violated their contract by casting women in all the roles. Member station WHYY's Joel Rose reports.
May 19th, 2005 · Melissa Block talks with Jeffrey Hyson, an assistant professor of history at St. Joseph's University in Philadelphia. Hyson is writing a book on the cultural history of zoos. We ask him about the modern interest and opposition to zoos. He says there is a tension between the desire to see the animals one would never get to see naturally in the wild, and the feeling of pity for them as they are held in captivity.
May 16th, 2005 · For a closer look at corporate bankruptcy and the effect it can have on average employees, Ed Gordon is joined by Rania Sedhom, a labor attorney and pensions expert at the New York City firm of Meyer, Suozzi, English & Klein, and Michael Reed, a bankruptcy specialist and partner at the Philadelphia firm of Pepper Hamilton. He is also the first African-American president of the Pennsylvania Bar Association.
May 13th, 2005 · Ed Gordon looks back at the day 20 years ago when a 12-hour standoff between Philadelphia police and members of the radical group MOVE -- armed separatists who preached a back-to-nature philosophy -- came to a fiery end. Eleven people died when police dropped a bomb on the MOVE building's roof, and the fire spread through the whole city block, destroying 61 homes. A judge recently ordered the city to pay $12.8 million those who lost their homes that day.
May 13th, 2005 · Essayist Clark DeLeon remembers the events of 20 years ago in Philadelphia, when city police dropped a bomb on the headquarters of MOVE -- a radical, armed revolutionary group. Eleven people died in the house, and the resulting fire destroyed 61 neighborhood homes. DeLeon shares his thoughts on how the MOVE confrontation changed his city forever.
May 10th, 2005 · The Philadelphia producer and DJ known as Diplo has built his reputation by combining wildly different styles of music. He recently released an underground mix of rapper M.I.A.'s critically acclaimed Arular to generate buzz before the CD's official release date. Joel Rose of member station WHYY has a profile.
May 9th, 2005 · NPR's Puzzlemaster Will Shortz quizzes one of our listeners, and has a challenge for everyone at home. This week's winner is Rabbi Joshua Waxman from Fort Washington, PA. He listens to Weekend Edition on member station WHYY in Philadelphia.