Burlesque returns to our region, and it’s about more than just entertaining audiences. It empowers the performers, too. Paducah’s growing community of burlesque entertainers and how they plan to grow their audience, today on Front Page Sunday from WKMS News.
(1.) OPIATE BABIES -- A recent study published by the Journal of the American Medical Association found that the number of babies born in the U.S. going through opiate withdrawal has tripled over the past ten years. It follows a trend of skyrocketing prescription drug abuse. Kentucky Public Radio’s Brenna Angel reports on how the epidemic is affecting infant healthcare in Kentucky, and the options available to pregnant mothers suffering from addiction.
(2.) COMMENTARY: CHANGING THE CONSTITUTION? -- A Kentucky Congressman wants to change the Constitution to, as some believe, effectively overturn the Supreme Court on political speech. But is that a good idea? Commentator and researcher Caleb Brown of the Bluegrass Institute says if you care about freedom of the press, everyone’s speech should get equal protection.
(3.) ROMP - 23 STRING BAND BASSIST -- Louisville’s 23 String Band describes their music as a “bluegrass attack fueled by high-octane rock-n-roll energy and triple-distilled old timey roots.” They’re one of the bands performing later this month at Owensboro’s ROMP Festival. Rose Krzton-Presson spoke with 23’s bass player T. Martin Stam about his group’s efforts to teach others about old-time music.
(4.) MAUREEN MOREHEAD 2-WAY -- This past week, the McCracken County Public Library hosted Kentucky Poet Laureate Maureen Morehead for its Evening Upstairs series. Morehead talked about the role of place in poetry, and how her experience of Kentucky informs her writing. Before her presentation, I sat down to speak with her about southern writers and their sense of place, and why people turn to poetry in tough times.
(5.) FATHER’S DAY COMMENTARY -- Today is Father’s Day, and to mark the occasion, commentator Celia Brewer commemorates her father, born on June 30th, 112 years ago.
(6.) URSULA SCHNEIDER -- Artist Ursula Schneider has an extensive resume with showings and exhibitions in major cities across the U.S. She’s also a recipient of a major National Endowment for the Arts grant. She has an exhibit opening at the Ruth Baggett Gallery in Paducah this weekend. Schneider grew up in Switzerland and attended college there, she then traveled to the U.S. to earn an MFA from the San Francisco Art Institute. To learn more listen above to Chad Lampe's interview with Schneider.
(7.) BURLESQUE RETURNS TO PADUCAH -- Burlesque is one of the last art forms you might expect to take root in western Kentucky’s conservative culture. But a Metropolis healthcare worker who doubles as a burlesque performer believes otherwise. On May 11th, she produced a burlesque show at Shandie’s Restaurant in Paducah, reviving a bit of American history as numerous dancers shimmied in corsets. As Casey Northcutt reports, the show’s dancers moved with passion and dramatic flare to entertain their audience, and empower themselves.
(8.) 8TH GRADE BOOK REVIEW -- Whether you’re young at heart, or just young, summertime is a great time to pick up some good reads. So, this week, we’re launching a new series of Good Reads for Kids with a popular adventure series and a reviewer with a unique perspective on what young people read.
(9.) WOLFMAN CRIDER -- Bob “Wolfman” Crider was a singer and guitarist who performed throughout our region for around half a century. Wolfman’s fans watched him play and sing in any number of styles and venues over the years, but he was best known for his prowess as a classic rocker. Wolfman battled cancer toward the end of his life, and passed away last month at the age of 67. Gary Pitts has this remembrance of a local rock icon.
