| Happy
Holidays!
A
month of special programs on 91FM
The
holidays are here, and WHYY presents a mix of new specials and
vintage shows on 91FM that is sure to make your spirits bright!
Friday,
December 24
A
Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols 2004
Broadcast
each year from King's College Chapel in Cambridge, England,
this peaceful Christmas Eve service weaves together stories,
Scripture readings  and
songs, helping listeners settle down to the true meaning of
the holiday after weeks of hustle and bustle. The program starts
the same way it has since its inception in 1918 -- with the
voice of a lone boy soprano, singing the opening line to "Once
in Royal David's City." Listen also for the Chapel Choir
to perform a newly commissioned work, in addition to renditions
of traditional holiday anthems. 10 a.m.
Christmas
with the Philadelphia Singers 2004
WHYY-FM's
Ed Cunningham hosts this renowned choral group's annual holiday
concert from St. Clement's Church on Logan Square in Philadelphia,
which has  been
broadcast on 91FM for more than a decade. Led by artistic director
David Hayes, this year's program showcases cherished favorites
by American composers, including works by William Billings,
Curtis Institute of Music alumna Jennifer Higdon and Eric Whitacre.
Throughout the hour-long concert, Cunningham shares information
about this versatile ensemble and the featured musical selections.
8p.m. (R/Sat., 25th, 4 p.m.)
Handel's
Messiah from Disney Hall
Quebec
City conductor Bernard Labadie leads an international ensemble
in a three-hour performance of Handel's moving holiday masterpiece,
Messiah ,  live
from the new Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles. Joining
Labadie are the Los Angeles Philharmonic, singers from his hometown
of Chapelle de Quebec and four world-class soloists: soprano
Karina Gauvin; countertenor Andreas Scholl; John Tessier, tenor;
and Nathan Berg, bass-baritone. The program is hosted by Lisa
Simeone (NPR) and Mario Paquet (CBC/Radio Canada). 9
p.m.
Saturday,
December 25
Jonathan
Winters' A Christmas Carol
In
this public radio classic, legendary comedian Jonathan Winters
performs a distinctive reading of the Charles Dickens yuletide
classic that some credit with  transforming
Christmas into a major holiday celebration. Winters uses a special
performing edition of A Christmas Carol that Dickens
himself used for his own presentations to portray the parts
of Ebenezer Scrooge, Bob Cratchit, Tiny Tim, Jacob Marley's
spirit and the three Christmas ghosts: Past, Present and Future.
Actress Mimi Kennedy ( Dharma & Greg ) also lends
her voice to the production.10
a.m.
The
Christmas Stocking 2004
How
was Christmas celebrated in its earliest days? What are some
of the wackiest Christmas traditions? Yuletide authority Glenn
Mitchell (pictured  getting
in to the spirit) answers these questions and many more during
this eclectic holiday program. Using an audio library more than
30 years in the making, Mitchell delivers music, trivia and
interviews with musicologists, historians, writers, astronomers
and theologians to present a treasure chest of holiday goodies.
Christmas Stocking 2004 also promises the most varied
selection of holiday music, from folk and blues to country,
rock 'n' roll and soul! 11 a.m.
The
Downtown Messiah 2004
Listen
to Handel's holiday treasure like never before when today's
leading folk,  jazz,
rock, gospel and blues musicians put a contemporary spin on
the ageless classic. Rita Houston hosts this hip, genre-stretching
version of The Messiah , with performances from Dar
Williams, Marshall Crenshaw, trumpeter Randy Brecker, Jane Siberry
(pictured) and David Johansen. The performers share the stage
with a chamber orchestra and chorus, along with narrators Meg
Griffin and Vin Scelsa. 1 p.m.
Peter
Ostroushko: A Heartland Holiday Concert
R
enowned instrumentalist and A Prairie Home Companion
regular Peter  Ostroushko
performs the Ukrainian carols of his childhood during this special
concert from The Fitzgerald Theater in St. Paul, Minnesota.
Ostroushko, who grew up amid these mandolin and balalaika tunes
in the Ukrainian community where his family lived in northeast
Minnesota, is joined by friends to perform these special songs,
as well as such international favorites as "Little Drummer
Boy," "The Holly and the Ivy" and "The Christmas
Bells of Belfast." 3 p.m.
Sunday,
December 26
A
Season's Griot 2004:The Trickster
Storyteller
and musician Madafo Lloyd Wilson returns to host this annual
Kwanzaa special, which this year explores the many forms and
faces of the  Trickster,
a clever character in African folklore who is beloved for his
various pranks and adventures. In the tradition of a West African
griot -- individuals responsible for keeping the history,
traditions, principles, and values of the people alive and vibrant
-- Wilson presents fun-filled stories and songs that celebrate
the wit and wisdom of the Trickster, who according to legend
"urges the foolhardy to keep their eyes open and the watchful
to stay alert." 4 p.m.
Friday,
December 31
Toast
of the Nation 2004
Ring
in the New Year in swinging style with 10 hours of jumpin' jazz
and cool blues during the 25th anniversary edition of this musical
extravaganza! 91FM starts the party at 8 p.m. and helps
you keep it going until the wee hours of  the
morning, with festivities from across America and around the
world airing until 6 a.m. This year's celebration is
bigger than ever, with a special Apollo Theatre Tribute to Ray
Charles, 10 p.m.; live jazz music from New York City's
new House of Swing at Lincoln Center, 11 p.m.; the sizzling
sounds of the Latin Giants of Jazz, 1:15 a.m.; and the
cool rhythms of saxiphonist Joshua Redman (pictured) and his
Elastic Trio, 2:15 a.m.
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