The Kid (1921)

Marking the 125th anniversary of CHARLIE CHAPLIN's birth, Deep Roots Theater presents his 1921 masterpiece, THE KID, starring Chaplin as the Tramp and 7-year-old JACKIE COOGAN as the Child.
by David McGee
 

 
 

Sustainable Agriculture News: Urban Farming Taking Hold

BALTIMORE, CHICAGO and NASHVILLE are embracing urban farming in a big way, and out in California, the UC Riverside 'Grow Riverside' Conference is trying to encourage the movement in the Golden State.
by David McGee
 

 

 

A Most Happy Fella Indeed

From TheBluegrassSpecial.com archives: an exclusive profile of JERRY KELLER, whose 1959 smash, 'HERE COMES SUMMER,' is a seasonal classic. That's not all he did.
by David McGee
 

 
 

‘It Must Have Been the Mistletoe’: Mandrell Knew It Was Cool Before It Was Cool

"It Must Have Been the Mistletoe,' written by JUSTIN WILDE and DOUG KONECKY, has become a contemporary seasonal standard, but it wasn't an easy sell. The story behind the song follows.
by David McGee
 

 

 

‘O Holy Night’

Attacked for his opposition to inequality, slavery, injustice and other kinds of oppression, French poet PLACIDE CAPPEAU insinuated his unpopular thoughts into an 1847 poem that became 'O Holy Night'
by David McGee
 

 
 

The Soft, The Warm, The Syncopated Yule

A trifecta of outstanding stocking stuffers for this--and every--Yuletide season: AMBER WEEKES's THE GATHERING; ROBERT PRESTA & ADRIANA SAMARGIA's FIRST SNOW; and RALLY 'ROUND THE CHRISTMAS TREE, PARAGON RAGTIME ORCHESTRA
by David McGee
 

 

 

Dear Santa Claus

From 1901, a collection of charming holiday stories for boys and girls. They don't write 'em like they used to
by David McGee
 

 
 

Stranger On the Shore

In 1962 British jazz clarinetist ACKER BILK penned a haunting instrumental for his daughter Jenny, changed its title and saw it sell a million copies. Here's how YouTube commenters remember it.
by David McGee
 

 

 

NASA’s Chandra Sees Eclipsing Planet in X-rays for First Time

For the first time since exoplanets, or planets around stars other than the sun, were discovered almost 20 years ago, X-ray observations have detected an exoplanet passing in front of its parent star.
by David McGee
 

 
 

Down and Dirty Strings

On his Stringtet's new album, In the Gallery, composer/guitarist JASON SEED, unites classical players, jazz freedom and imaginary folk music. Jason explains it all in our interview.
by David McGee
 

 

 

Let Us Now Speak of, and to, Turbulent Times

Speak we now of, and to, turbulent times: two World Music gems address the world as it is: ANOURA, from Mali's Anansy Cissé, and SUCH TIMES by master U.K. singer-songwriter STEVE TILSTON.
by David McGee
 

 
 

A Dazzling French Connection

After dazzling the opera world on stage last year, Belgium's SONYA YONCHEVA is doing it on record, with her debut album, PARIS, MON AMOUR--a different sort of French connection. Also: TRIO MEDIAEVAL.
by David McGee