Join us for Bring the Sing on the Solstice at 5 p.m. today
December 21, 2020
To honor the longest night of the year, join us in a celebration of light. First, watch a video showing how you, our listeners, let their lights shine. And then at 5 p.m. today, sing along as we play "This Little Light of Mine." Find out more!
Behind the scenes, a flurry of activity as hospitals prep first COVID-19 vaccine
December 17, 2020
In Minnesota hospitals around the state, there's a last-minute flurry of activity as front-line health care workers prepare to get their first shots of the COVID-19 vaccine.
- The COVID-19 vaccine is arriving in MinnesotaWhat you need to know
- 'I'm going to be able to hug my mom again'Vaccine arrives first for Native nations in Minn.
Event: MPR President Duchesne Drew on Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder's FOREFRONT
December 17, 2020
Don't miss MPR President Duchesne Drew on Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder's FOREFRONT. Drew will discuss MPR’s role in supporting Black media and future reporting reflecting the interests of the African American community.
Watch the livestream today, Dec. 17 at 6 p.m. CT
Don't Ask Tig: Live!
December 17, 2020
Join Comedian Tig Notaro Thursday, December 17th at 6:30 CT for Don’t Ask Tig: Live with Judd Apatow!
You know Judd as the creator of funny things like Freaks and Geeks and The 40-Year-Old Virgin. Tig and Judd will be answering your questions on the live stream and making a few jokes along the way. Join listeners of the Don’t Ask Tig podcast from American Public Media as we say goodbye to 2020, and get some questionable yet heartfelt advice for the future.
Classical MPR Celebrate Ludwig van Beethoven's 250th birthday with a Beethoven Birthday Bash
December 16, 2020
Join Classical MPR in celebrating Ludwig van Beethoven's 250th birthday with a Beethoven Birthday Bash!
On Dec. 16 Classical MPR will be playing Beethoven works all day long. Listen on-air or online, and follow the Twitter account to hear personal accounts from our hosts about what Beethoven's music means to them.
APM Research Lab: 6 Good News Trends from 2020
December 15, 2020
Between a global pandemic, racial unrest, natural disasters and a contested election, 2020 has, in many ways, been a dismal year.
However, some good things did come out of this year. During this season of thankfulness and gratitude, the APM Research Lab highlighted some bright spots of 2020.
Enjoy the 2020 St. Olaf Christmas Festival
December 15, 2020
The St. Olaf Christmas Festival has become one of the nation's most cherished holiday celebrations. Due to the pandemic, this year's presentation draws from archival performances, featuring more than 500 student musicians, for a special hourlong radio program. Listen Tuesday, December 15 at 7 p.m. CT!
Thank you to our partners, donors, members, and supporters for making programming like this possible.
- 2020 Classical Holiday Programming Schedule
- Month of Gratitude: December 2020
Wesley Morris on culture, movies and being a critic
December 14, 2020
Wesley Morris wrote about growing a quarantine mustache in The New York Times Magazine this fall. His personal essay explored how his facial hair experiment led to a deep consideration of his own Blackness.
The cultural meaning of a mustache is the kind of thing you can write about when you’re critic-at-large for The New York Times.
Morris spoke with MPR News host Angela Davis for the MPR Journalist Series about his work, the future of movies, his picks for the top performances of 2020 and what he’s cooking and reading during the pandemic.
Classical MPR: Candles Burning Brightly®
December 12, 2020
Mindy Ratner is host of the holiday favorite Candles Burning Brightly®, in celebration of Hanukkah.
This year's program — new for 2020 — brings back Theodore Bikel's beautiful reading of Howard Schwartz's "The Lost Menorah," and there's plenty of charming music to highlight the history and traditions associated with the Jewish Festival of Lights.
Tune in or stream Classical MPR Saturday, December 12 at 6 p.m. CT!
More Classical Holiday Programming
The Current On-Air Fest
December 11, 2020
Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 12 and 13, The Current has your all-access pass to On Air Fest! As part of our Month of Gratitude, we'll rock your radio with some of the best live-music experiences you've helped us create over the years. It's no surprise that the lineup is stacked!
Listen Saturday, Dec. 12, from noon to 7 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 13, from noon to 6 p.m. (Central) for half-hour sets from artists like Adele, Bon Iver, Lizzo, The Avett Brothers, Sharon Jones, Billy Idol and more. See the full schedule below.
The Current's On Air Fest is supported by the Members of Minnesota Public Radio.
Find more Month of Gratitude programming