Better Than Monkeys WQLN

He has been a question on Jeopardy and an answer in
the New York Times crossword puzzle.  As a
journalist he has covered stories from the Arctic circle to the cabin of Air Force One.  He’s covered conflicts in
Iraq, Ukraine and Israel.

As a vital part of NPR’s journalistic team, he
has served as NPR’s International Correspondent based in London, he served as
NPR’s Justice Correspondent for five years during the George W. Bush administration, and he spent 4 years as NPR’s Whitehouse Correspondent during the first and second terms of President Barak Obama. 
 

Since 2015 this award-winning journalist has taken
up the microphone as one of the hosts of NPR’s flagship afternoon news Magazine,
All Things Considered.

But he is so much more than just a journalist.
He’s the author of a New York Times Best-seller, a singer with some serious skill, skill which has landed him on stages from Carnegie Hall to the Hollywood Bowl. And
an entertainer who along with Tony and Emmy award winner, actor Alan Cumming, will find his way to Erie, Pennsylvania and the stage of the Mary D’Angelo Performing
Arts Center at Mercyhurst University for a one night only tour de force show featuring song, dance, maybe even a few baudy
jokes and definitely some memorable stories.

This Renaissance man
is of course the legendary Ari Shapiro and he's our guest for this episode of Better Than Monkeys!

I hope you enjoy the interview!

Brian

Sat, Oct 21, 2023 · 8pmSun, Oct 22, 2023 · 3pmWarner Theatre

Daniel Meyer conductorStewart Copeland special guest

Prepare for an unforgettable evening with The Police Deranged for the Orchestra, featuring legendary drummer from The Police himself, Stewart Copeland.

This concert pays homage to the work of rock icon and composer Copeland through orchestral renditions of The Police's most beloved songs. From Roxanne to Don't Stand So Close To Me, and Message in a Bottle to Every Breath You Take, this performance reinterprets these timeless tracks through a symphonic lens, breathing new life into them. Four versatile singers, backed by the rich sounds of the full orchestra, will transform the hall into a sonic landscape brimming with the energy and spirit of The Police's most significant hits.

Be part of this unique fusion of rock and symphony that takes the musical genius of Stewart Copeland to a whole new level. Whether you're a rock fan, a symphony lover, or both, this performance promises to be an engaging musical journey you won't want to miss.

Here's a brief interview with Stewart. He's funny, self deprecating, and a rock legend.

I hope you enjoy this interview!

Brian

In an award-winning career that has encompassed TV, film, stage and concert work around the globe, Betty Buckley is probably best known as the quintessential musical theatre actress. In this episode of Better Than Monkeys, Brian Hannah interviews Betty Buckley.

In 2012 Buckley was inducted into the Theater Hall of Fame, where her name — engraved on the walls of the Gershwin Theatre — is forever linked with the greatest stars Broadway has ever produced, from its inception to present day.

This episode of Better Than Monkeys is part two of a two part series featuring MICHAEL SACHS, principal trumpet of THE CLEVELAND ORCHESTRA. Since 1988, Michael Sachs has held one of the premier positions in one of the world's premier orchestras, and on this episode of BTM, he shares his stories, his love of music, his love of sports and so much more. I'd love for you to join me, Brian Hannah, and Michael Sachs for this episode of BTM.

This episode of BETTER THAN MONKEYS is a follow up to WQLN NPR's Harry T. Burleigh week celebration in December. Burleigh, born in Erie, Pa in 1866 was instrumental in bringing the African-American spiritual into the mainstream of classical music thru his art songs and for bringing these spirituals to the attention of composer ANTONIN DVORAK who looked to them for inspiration in composing his SYMPHONY NO. 9, "From the New World."

Burleigh's legacy lives on thru today's young African-American composers including todays special guest, Dr. Evan Williams. Evan brings us a performance of his composition "DEAD WHITE MAN MUSIC" featuring Thomas Cunningham and the Urban Playground Chamber Orchestra. Join us as we unpack his music, talk about the process of composing, discuss bringing new music to life and so much more on this episode of BETTER THAN MONKEYS!

My guest on this Halloween edition of BTM is author, journalist, consultant and EXORCIST, the PARANORMAL PASTOR, ROBIN SWOPE!

Rev. Robin Swope is a Writer and has been a Christian Minister for more than 27 years in both Mainline and Evangelical Denominations. He holds a B.A. in Biblical Literature and finishing an M.Div. In Pastoral Ministry with an emphasis on Marital and Family Counseling. He has served as a Missionary to Burkina Faso, and has Ministered to the homeless in New York City's Hell's Kitchen. He is the founder and chief officiant of Open Gate Ministerial Services and former Pastor of St.Paul's United Church of Christ in Erie, Pennsylvania. Presently, he is the pastor of Bountiful Community Church, Bountiful, UT. He is also an author of 7 books, a freelance journalist for Examiner.com, has a column in the Tri-State Senior News and has also written for Fate Magazine.