The Debut of the Dinner Party Download; A Tribute to Theme Songs; The Art of Theme Songs; Song for Night; Song for Night; On the Righteous Path; The Watson Twins; Hollywood's Hungarian Rhapsody; Hooked on... Jane Austen?; Olive Oil in California; Music: Anat Cohen
During the week, you're consumed by work, friends and paying the bills. Is it any wonder that when the weekend comes around all you can talk about is work, friends and paying the bills? Enter the Dinner Party Download: a bimonthly show that gives you enough cutting-edge info to dazzle friends at this weekend's party. On this week's episode we provide some unconventional wisdom about Obama, McCain, Budweiser and The Dark Knight. Then we sip Old Fashioneds to the memory of John Dillinger and our guests of honor - indie-folk duo The Watson Twins - share their secret fantasy. Send comments, questions and cash gratutuities to dinnerparty@kpcc.org
TV composer Ben Vaughn - who worked on That Seventies Show and Third Rock from the Sun - talks about his new album, which is a tribute to the great instrumental music of the past, like Moon River and Theme From a Summer Place.
John Rabe continues his conversation TV composer Ben Vaughn, who tells him the secret job TV theme songs must do.
L.A. writer Chris Abani reads from and talks about his new novella, Song for Night. It's about a 15-year-old child soldier who's mute. Off-Ramp producer Queena Kim says it reads like a walking meditation.
Off-Ramp producer Queena Kim continues her discussion with writer Chris Abani, who takes on the subject of redemption and reads from his new book "Song For Night."
On Tuesday, local band The Watson Twins take the stage at the Echo to support their debut album Fire Songs. Dinner Party Download's Brendan Newnam caught up with them on the road.
Showbiz historian Alex Ben Block continues his tour of the obscure stars of the Hollywood Walk of Fame with an intimate look at Vilma Banky. Samuel Goldwyn dubbed her "The Hungarian Rhapsody" and taught her four words of English: "lamb chops and pineapple."
Off-Ramp commentator Hank Rosenfeld asks fourth graders at Roosevelt Elementary School: What are you reading this summer?
Olive oil production in California is expected to increase 500 percent in the next five years. But olive oil producers say they still face a slippery slope when it comes to competing with low-cost, low-grade imports. Caitlan Carroll gets all of the details from a "Master Taster" in Temecula.
You can hear the award-winning clarinetist at the Hollywood & Highland Plaza this Tuesday night, July 29.