WRR101 Focus on the Arts: The Art of Brain Health

“Quite simply, the arts are an invaluable tool in brain health, and we want to demonstrate that actively through the activities at the Brain Health Week,” says Bonnie Pitman, Director of Art-Brain Innovations at the University of Texas at Dallas’ Center for BrainHealth. The center is presenting its 3rd Brain Health Week, full of art-centric... Read more »

Celebrating Sun Ra: The cosmic visionary who transformed jazz music

Every week for Black History Month, World Cafe correspondent John Morrison is highlighting a different maverick of Black music history.

A Stradivarius violin could sell for a record sum at auction. Is it worth the hype?

Stradivarius violins often sell for millions. There’s a long history behind them, and violinists who swear they sound better than modern ones.

Forgotten for 138 years, a Black composer’s magnum opus finds a stage

Morgiane, perhaps the oldest opera by a Black American, finally receives its full public performance, shedding light on the forgotten heyday of opera in New Orleans.

Sense of Place: For this Afghan pianist, music is an act of resistance

Arson Fahim remembers leaving for Boston to study music just days before the Taliban took over Afghanistan.

Sense of Place: This Berklee group shines a light on musicians with disabilities

Professor Adrian Anantawan co-founded the Music Inclusion Ensemble at the Boston college.

Pianist David Kadouch probes gay composers’ hidden loves, through music

In his album Amours Interdites (Forbidden Love) French pianist David Kadouch explores music by gay composers who concealed their sexuality in societies that wouldn’t otherwise accept them.

WRR101 Focus on the Arts: DSO Principal Oboe Erin Hannigan will play one of her favorites this weekend

“This is one of my favorite pieces – not only of the oboe repertoire, but in the classical music repertoire in general,” says Erin Hannigan, Principal Oboe with the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, referencing Strauss’ Oboe Concerto. She’ll be in the spotlight as soloist with the DSO to perform the work Jan. 23-26, 2025 and chats... Read more »

Can James McVinnie change your mind about the pipe organ?

On his new album, the British keyboardist offers both engaging and entertaining contemporary works for the misunderstood instrument.

WRR101 Focus on the Arts: A fond farewell from Dallas arts leader Terry Loftis

“I’m proud of the impact in the very short few years that I’ve been able to make in the arts, beginning with TACA right before the pandemic started,” says Terry Loftis, reflecting on his prolific work as a Dallas arts leader. The previous President and CEO of TACA was most recently Chief Advancement and Revenue... Read more »