Conductor Marin Alsop talks about Japanese composer Toru Takemitsu.
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Thursday, August 31st • Comments (1)
A 700-2000 year old skeleton was found on the shores of Lake Travis, near Austin, Texas. The discovery was made by a keen-eyed gentleman who noticed part of a jawbone protruding from the ground while he was landing his personal watercraft. Due to recent drought, the level of the lake has decreased significantly, leaving the bones exposed. Because arrowheads, and other primitive tools were also found nearby, archaeologists believe the area was used as either a camp or burial site. The bones and artifacts have been donated to the University of Texas for further study.
Sunday, August 27th • Comments (0)
Chumby is an electronic device that uses a wi-fi connection to monitor internet content like news, weather, your flickr photos, or any other RSS feed. Chumby also displays instant messages and plays mp3s. Using widgets, the user can choose what information they would like thier Chumby to display. Instead of a keyboard and mouse, the device uses a tactile interface. Chumby reacts to squeezing, tapping and other similar types of input. (more…)
Saturday, August 26th • Comments (0)
During a recent excavation of the ruins at Tecuaque, (Calpulalpan, Tlaxcala Mexico) scientists discovered the remains of over 500 colonists who were captured and sacrificed at the site. The prisoners were ritualistically killed and eaten by Aztecs at Tecuaque over the course of several months. Researchers have collected over ten thousand pieces from Tecuaque, including collars, masks, ear plugs, figurines and drinking vessels. (more…)
Saturday, August 19th • Comments (0)
This Summer, The Ditty Bops headed east out of Los Angeles to tour the U.S. by bicycle. The group’s pianist trailed along in their bio-diesel powered tour van carrying their instruments and equipment. They faced record breaking high temperatures along the way in Kansas, and rode 113 miles through the desert. Listen to some stories from their adventure at npr.org.
Monday, August 14th • Comments (0)
FlickrStorm is a web application that returns photos from flickr.com for any tag you specify, along with further search suggestions for related tags. There is a “save to tray” option that allows you make a new set of public photos found in your search. You can then view your newly grouped photos at a unique, permanent URL provided by FlickrStorm or save the photos to disk.
Sunday, August 13th • Comments (0)
In 1999, radio station CKUA in Alberta, Canada made twenty-four one-hour radio programs to share some of the best music recorded by Folkways Records. Now, Smithsonian Folkways records and CKUA are releasing the programs in podcast/mp3 format. Subscribe to the podcast via RSS or download the individual episodes from Smithsonian Folkways.
Thursday, August 10th • Comments (0)
I had a great time in Austin last week. I thank everyone for the hospitality. During the brief visit, I was able to see friends and family, eat some great bbq, pose for a portrait, go to a stock car race, and spend lots of time with my favorite nephew. If I missed you, I apologize - I’ll see y’all next time.
Sunday, August 6th • Comments (0)
A violin that once belonged to composer Ludwig van Beethoven has been loaned to German violinist Daniel Sepec to record an album of the composer’s violin and piano sonatas. The violin belongs to the Beethoven Foundation and this is the first time the instrument has been used to make a commercial recording. The CD will contain a 30 page booklet that includes the history of the instrument.
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Download and enjoy 4 free MP3s of Erick Friedman accompanied by the Stockholm Philharmonic. The selections include the 2nd and 3rd movements of the Bruch Violin Concerto, the Tchaikovsky Waltz Scherzo, and the 1st movement of the Walton Violin Concerto.
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