It's a Lawn Darts Christmas! Jacob, Benny Mac, and our neighbor of the week Mike Cooper talk all things Christmas and play the best selection of Christmas music in the creekside studio of Little Raleigh Radio.

This is Raleigh

Lawn Darts Christmas

A look at the acts that have graced Raleigh Memorial Auditorium during Hopscotch Music Festival, and an appreciation for Greg Lowenhagen for his vision and work. Music "Younger Days" by Mount Moriah "1922" by Phil Cook "Mr. Met" by Lambchop "The Longest Day" by Megafaun "Got to Go" by Boulevards "Carolina" by Eric Bachmann, performed at The Pinhook, Durham, NC "Existential Mothersnakes" by Grandma Sparrow "My Baby Don't Understand Me" by Natalie Prass "Roller" By Quiet

The Quiet Side of Hopscotch

The Civil War ended 150 years ago, and yet, we are still fascinated by the great American tragedy. We talk with Ernie Dollar, director of the City of Raleigh Museum, about how the Oak City survived the war, and the lingering legacy we still feel today. The City of Raleigh Museum has exhibits commemorating the end of the Civil War and Raleigh in the Civil Rights Movement. Find out more at cityofraleighmuseum.org. Image: State Capitol, circa 1861, State Archives of North Carolina

The Civil War in Raleigh

It’s Craft Beer Month here in North Carolina, and I’m talking with Sean McKinney. He’s a recently-certified craft beer expert, and bartender at State of Beer, Trophy Brewing Company, and the Busy Bee Cafe. Sean tells the history of beer and we take a take a look at the craft beer scene here in Raleigh.

Sean McKinney

We talk with Hugh Hollowell, a Mennonite minister and founder of Love Wins Ministries -- a group that creates relationships with those who are experiencing homelessness and actively work to help them feel whole. Hugh and Love Wins fight against what they call "hobophobia," literally, the fear of poor people. Find out more at http://www.lovewinsministries.org/.

Hugh Hollowell

Richie Reno and I remember Leonard Nimoy, who passed away on Feb. 27, 2015. We also look back at the influence of Star Trek on our live. It's probably the nerdiest broadcast either of us has ever done.

Remembering Leonard Nimoy

I take a look back at my favorite moments of 2014. It was a good year, and we met a lot of really interesting people. We hear from Cecilia Illesiu of Carolina Ballet, Leo Suarez of The Raleigh Connoisseur, Hopscotch festival co-founder Greg Lowenhagen and design guru Matt Munoz, former Raleigh design officer Mitchell Silver, poet Dorianne Laux, novelist Kim Church, Oakwood Cemetery exec. director Robin Simonton, my friend and colleague Josh Kleinstreuer, filmmaker Neal Hutcheson, and my radio buddy Richie Reno.

2014 Year in Review

It’s our Christmas program — an audio service of lessons and carols of sorts — it’s a little quirky, but full of heart. Music "Watching NASA Channel At Your Apartment At Christmastime" by Bob Fields "All Out of Darkness" by Uncle Owen Aunt Beru "December 26th" by Foxchase Excerpts from "A Christmas Carol" by 20th Century Fox "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" by The Canadian Brass "Fairytale of New York" by Paleface "Mele Kalikimaka" by Albert Adams Excerpts from "Seinfeld" by Sony Home Entertainment "The Christmas Guest" by Johnny Cash "Christmas Time Is Here" by Vince Guaraldi "I'll Be Home For Christmas (But Only In My Dreams)" by Bing Crosby "Because the Night Is Long" from Music From The Gathering Church "Hark The Herald Angels Sing" by Vince Guaraldi "Beautiful Star of Bethlehem" from Music From The Gathering Church "Sweet Little Jesus Boy" by Gladys Knight and the Mormon Tabernacle Choir "Apollo 8 Christmas Message" courtesy of NASA "To Build a Home" by the Cinematic Orchestra "Happy Christmas (War Is Over)" by John Lennon

2014 Christmas Program

Neal Hutcheson is a documentary filmmaker with an ear for language and a knack for letting his subjects tell their own story. His day job is making films for the North Carolina Language and Life Project at N.C. State University. Neal has made films documenting the strange and wonderful dialects in North Carolina — from the rugged mountaineers to the Hoi Toiders on Okracoke Island and fishermen down east in Carteret County. For the past decade, though, Neal had an interesting friendship with Marvin “Popcorn” Sutton — the famous, or infamous — moonshiner from Maggie Valley, North Carolina. Neal’s latest documentary — “A Hell Of A Life” — shows a true and unvarnished picture of Popcorn Sutton, outside the glossy, popular myth that Popcorn — and popular culture — created about him in the last years of his life. Learn more about the film at Neal's website: http://www.suckerpunchpictures.com Audio excerpts from "A Hell Of A Life" and "An Unclouded Day" both produced by Neal Hutcheson.

Neal Hutcheson and Popcorn Sutton

We explore tintype photography with photographers Jeff Howlett and Chris Morgan. They set up a makeshift studio at the Raleigh Convention Center during Hopscotch Music Festival. Chris and Jeff talk about how tintype photography is more about creating an experience than just pressing a button to make an image. Music from Zack Mexico, T0W3RS, and Moog Synthesizers.

Tintype Photography

Mitchell Silver, parks commissioner for New York City, returns to Raleigh to present at Hopscotch Design Festival. He was planning director and chief planning officer for 9 years. He talks about how Raleigh is growing in a smart way, and about his new role in the Big Apple. Music - "Esse Quam Videri" by The Rosebuds - "Calm Down" by The Love Language - "eee!" by T0W3RS - "Japanese Vacation" by Spider Bags - "Real Slow" by Megafaun

Mitchell Silver

It's part two of my conversation with Hopscotch Design Festival co-founders Greg Lowenhagen and Matt Munoz. We talk about the origins of Hopscotch and its future as a music and design festival in downtown Raleigh. Music "I Am" By Bombadil "In These Woven Streets Your Face Became The Fabric Of This City" By Jenny Besetzt

Hopscotch Festivals, Part Two

Part one of my conversation with Hopscotch Design Festival co-founders Greg Lowenhagen and Matt Munoz. We talk about how Design Festival fits in with the Hopscotch model and what to expect from the inaugural event. Learn more at http://hopscotchdesignfest.com/ Music "You Got Yr. Cherry Bomb [Alternate Version]" by Spoon "Moonshine" from 'The Grand Budapest Hotel' soundtrack

Hopscotch Design Festival, Part 1

A program about arts, culture, and life in the City of Oaks. Broadcasted from Little Raleigh Radio in downtown Raleigh, NC. We feature residents of Raleigh who are artists, musicians, designers, chefs, photographers, anyone who can tell a good story, anyone who is compelling and interesting, has an impact on the community, and more. Hosted by Ben McNeely. Listen online at littleraleighradio.org

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