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SPECIALS

Politics Takes a Holiday with the Capitol Steps
Thursday, July 3, 4:30 p.m.

Kick off your holiday with the Independence Day edition of the Capitol Steps’ quarterly revue of political satire. In this election year, they have plenty of material to work with.

Declaration of Independents from World Café
Friday, July 4, 3:00 p.m.

Two hours of music from a variety of independent American artists as recorded live by public radio show World Café. Performing artists include Sea Wolf, Carbon Silicon, She & Him, Aimee Mann, Langhorne Slim, What Made Milwaukee Famous, Dengue Fever, Basia Bulat, Ezra Furman and the Harpoons, New Pornographers, Vampire Weekend, The Weakerthans, Stars, and others. David Dye hosts.

A Capitol Fourth
Friday, July 4, 8:00 p.m.

An all-new musical and fireworks extravaganza live from the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol, hosted by actor Jimmy Smits. This year’s A Capitol Fourth features Grammy-winning musicians Huey Lewis and the News, American Idol winner Taylor Hicks, rock legend Jerry Lee Lewis, and Broadway star Brian Stokes Mitchell. Classical superstar Hayley Westenra and soprano Harolyn Blackwell perform a selection of patriotic and celebratory music with the National Symphony Orchestra under the direction of conductor Erich Kunzel. Capping the program is a rousing rendition of Tchaikovsky’s “1812 Overture” accompanied by live cannon fire provided by the United States Army Presidential Salute Battery.satire. In this election year, they have plenty of material to work with.

Pete Seeger: How Can I Keep from Singing?
Saturdays, July 5-19, 8:00 p.m.

Pete Seeger is perhaps America’s best-known folk musician, the songwriter/adapter of such hits as “Where Have All the Flowers Gone?” and “Guantanamera,” and 1994 recipient of the National Endowment for the Art’s Medal of Arts. The host and producer is Seeger biographer David Dunaway, who explores the legendary singer’s life and music in three hour-long documentaries.

Each program features selections from some of Seeger’s 124 albums, as well as Dunaway’s interviews with Seeger (conducted over a period of thirty years) and his family and associates.

Athens Press Club Republican Primary Debate
Wednesday, July 9, 2:00 p.m.

As of press time, this debate is scheduled to take place on Monday, June 30. Tenth District Congressman Paul Broun of Athens and challenger Barry Fleming answer questions from members of the Athens Press Club. In addition, state senator Bill Cowsert faces his primary opponent, Tommy Malcom.

Discoveries at Disney presents Los Lobos
Friday, July 11, 3:00 p.m.

The East L.A. band Los Lobos presents songs from their latest album, The Town and The City – with its poignant stories of recent immigrant arrivals – along with tunes spanning their entire career, going back to the mid-seventies, ranging from traditional Mexican and Spanish music, to rock, folk, jazz and even experimental, sonic psychedelics.

America Abroad: Integrating Islam
Wednesday, July 16, 11:00 a.m.

Violent protests and homegrown terrorist attacks in Europe have prompted societal soul searching about how Muslim immigrants fit into European society. But across the pond in America things seem to be going more smoothly. In “Integrating Islam,” anchors Ray Suarez and Deb Amos examine the U.S. model of immigration and integration along with the European model of multiculturalism to consider what these approaches have meant for their respective Islamic communities.

A Classic Performance at Ashford Manor
Friday, July 18, 3:00 p.m.

Program Highlights

eTown

Performances from many of today’s top musical artists, as well as conversations and information about the world around us, recorded in front of a live audience.

Fridays, 11:00 a.m.

• July 4: Neko Case / Charlie Louvin
  
• July 11: The Frames / Nellie Mckay
  
• July 18: Joe Jackson / Paddy Casey
  
• July 25: Tim O’brien / Amelia White

It's Friday!

Live performance and conversation with local and visiting musicians.

Fridays, 4:00 p.m.

• July 4: preempted
  
• July 11: High Cotton, Animal Electric (acoustic)
  
• July 18: Rose of Athens Theatre
  
• July 25: Carl Lindberg

Marian McPartland’s Piano Jazz

Fridays, 8:00 p.m.

July 4: Bill Evans

Pianist Bill Evans was a giant of jazz piano and one of McPartland’s first Piano Jazz guests in 1979. On this program, the usually quiet and reserved musical genius opens up about his approach and philosophy. Evans solos on one of his most famous tunes, “Waltz for Debbie,” and joins McPartland for a piano duet of “In Your Own Sweet Way.”

July 11: Ray Charles

Ray Charles was one of those rare musicians whose music transcended genre and category. His unique approach integrated the various strains of American popular music, from jazz and blues to western swing and rock and roll. On this encore program, Charles demonstrates his trademark style, performing a rollicking version of “Oh What a Beautiful Morning” before joining McPartland for “The Man I Love.”

July 18: Sarah Vaughan

The Divine One, Sarah Vaughan, possessed one of the legendary voices in jazz. With a multi-octave range and a luscious, supple sound, she was celebrated by critics, fans, and fellow musicians alike. In this encore program, Vaughan’s lively and sassy personality is on display along with her amazing vocals. She accompanies herself on “East of the Sun” and McPartland joins in on “My Funny Valentine.”

July 25: Dizzy Gillespie

The name Dizzy perfectly described the playful personality and adventurous musical style of John Birks Gillespie -- one of the most celebrated jazz musicians of the 20th century. In this encore presentation, Gillespie talks about the origin of the term bebop and how he came to love Cuban music. McPartland performs an impromptu musical “Portrait of Diz” and the two get together for Gillespie’s composition “A Night In Tunisia.”

Jazzset with Dee Dee Bridgewater

Fridays, 9:00 p.m.

July 4: Jazz in Our Time at the Kennedy Center Concert Hall

This week features a blue-ribbon concert with Dave Brubeck, Regina Carter, the Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra, Jon Faddis, Wynton Marsalis, the Morgan State University Choir, Dr. Billy Taylor, and Nancy Wilson. James Earl Jones emcees the event.

July 11: SFJAZZ Collective at the Chicago Symphony Center

The SF JAZZ Collective celebrates John Coltrane. Tenor Joshua Redman leads this stellar octet that features players such as Nicholas Payton, trumpet; Miguel Zenon, alto; and Renee Rosnes, piano.

July 18: Jon Faddis at Jazz Standard in New York

A Dizzy Gillespie protégé, Jon Faddis showcases a trumpet voice with incredible range -- melodic, powerful, conversational, high-velocity, stratospheric, sweet.

July 25: Karrin Allyson at the Kansas City Repertory Theater

Karrin Allyson sang and played piano at cozy Kansas City clubs while paying her dues as a performer. Now, she tours globally with almost the same band. This week’s program features Allyson in performance in a homecoming concert.