Better Than Monkeys

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 · 8pm
Sun, Oct 22, 2023 · 3pm
Warner Theatre

Daniel Meyer conductor
Stewart 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.

This episode of Better Than Monkeys is part one 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.

He published his first article in 1969, he’s an author of, or contributor to dozens of books. He’s been a consultant to programs such as NBC’s Unsolved Mysteries, A & E’s Ancient Mysteries, the History Channel’s In Search of History, the Discovery Channel’s In the Unknown and more.

He also curates and operates the International Cryptozoology Museum located at Thompson’s Point in Portland, Maine. Today’s guest on Better than Monkeys, world re-known Cryptozoologist, Loren Coleman

On this episode of Better Than Monkeys, Brian pulls back the fascinating, sometimes sad, often funny, but until now, MYSTERIOUS veil surrounding the funeral business!

Join Brian and special guests, Nancy Dusckas and Barbara Terrizzi of DUSCKAS FUNERAL HOMES, Inc. as they put the FUN back in FUNeral on this episode of BTM.

Fresh on the heels of her SECOND Grammy Award nomination, this time in  the best classical instrumental solo category, Yolanda Kondonassis finds time to chat with our Better Than Monkeys audience about her passion for the harp, her newest recording of the Jennifer Higdon Harp Concerto with Ward Stare and the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, her passion for the environment, her skills as an author and educator, her not so secret love for her husband and her fixation with coffee and funky  music! 

On this episode of BETTER THAN MONKEYS, we get to spend a few minutes talking with a true legend in the music world. A platinum album selling songstress with more than 55 albums created over the course of her illustrious career, her recording of Joni Mitchell's BOTH SIDES NOW is in the GRAMMY HALL OF FAME and her recording of Stephen Sondheim's SEND  IN THE CLOWNS won song of the year at the 1975 Grammy Awards. She is author, mentor, social activist and singer/songwriter, JUDY COLLINS.

When Washington politicians see him coming, they run for the hills! or more specifically, FROM the Hill! Capitol Hill, that is! For over 30  years, Mark Russell brought his signature bow tie, star-spangled piano and sharp political humor to America via regular PBS specials. Mark is  "mostly" retired now, but still has strong opinions and wit as stinging as ever! On this episode of Better than Monkeys, we sit down with Mark and chat about ruining family holidays, Marines doing target practice in Hawaii, why political humor is so important in our society and OOOOH so much more! I hope you enjoy listening to this podcast as much as I enjoyed recording it!

Multiple Grammy Awards, 20 years as music director of the Buffalo  Philharmonic, the FIRST WOMAN to be appointed to lead a major American  music ensemble, a discography of over 115 titles and guest appearances  on FRESH AIR WITH TERRY GROSS, PBS' Live from Lincoln Center, CBS Sunday  Morning and more...our guest on this episode of BETTER THAN MONKEYS is  none other than the dynamic barrier-breaking, music-making Maestro  herself, JoAnn Falletta!

The creator and conductor of "BUGS BUNNY AT THE  SYMPHONY," George Daugherty, joins WQLN Radio's Brian Hannah for a fun  an lighthearted look at the genius behind the iconic Bugs Bunny cartoons  featured in the 30th anniversary production of "BUGS BUNNY AT THE  SYMPHONY!"

Shonn talks about life on the road, creating a hit musical from scratch,  juggling a career on the road and family life as well as UNDER THE  STREETLAMP’s July 12, 2019, performance at the legendary CHAUTAUQUA  INSTITUTION!

American treasure Wynton Marsalis, aka The Best Jazz Trumpeter Ever,  (and also killer classical trumpeter) schools fellow trumpeter Brian  Hannah on a thing or two, in this preview of Marsalis's summer 2019  visit to nearby Chautauqua Institution.

From Balanchine's School of American Ballet to countless iconic roles on Broadway, the legendary Chita Rivera's career has never ceased to  scintillate!

So, totally normal question: how many close encounters of the third kind  have YOU had? And have you ever peered up at the night sky and seen  something that looked, well, . . . a little odd? Author, TV & radio  personality, and researcher Stan Gordon shares his extraterrestrial  insights in this out-of-this-world episode.

If there's one field in which we humans have hands-down beat those  precocious monkeys, it's SPACE TRAVEL - even if that means stargazing  from a comfy terrestrial chair. Jim Gavio, director of the Yahn  planetarium at Penn State Erie: The Behrend College joins us for a chat  about the stars and beyond in this starry-eyed spaced-out episode.

How can Johnny Cash change your life today? More important, what's your  favorite song - and doesn't it make you feel... simply great? Board  certified neurologic music therapist Brittany Barko tells us all about  her very specialized field and how it integrates into patient care as  non-pharmacological pain management, psychological treatment, physical therapy and more.

The conversation continues with master magician Bobby Borgia! We delve again into the mysterious, the mystical, and the magical behind the  science, art, business, and craft of modern magic.

Modern magic predates ancient Egypt. Don't believe your eyes? Get your  bewildered bearings as master magician Bobby Borgia delves into the  mysterious, the mystical, and the magical in an enchanting chat about  the science, art, business, and craft of his boundary-pushing and  intriguing form of entertainment.

". . . [He] is so charismatic he may change your mind about an ultimate destination in the afterlife." (London Financial Times)

Grammy  Award winning bass-baritone Mark S. Doss takes us on a deep dive into  the world of opera - a world in which his silky smooth, luscious voice  and keen interpretation can not only reorient your metaphysic, but is in  our humble opinion THE reason to listen to opera today. Have a listen.  And when you find yourself addicted, we'll happily take the blame.

Back for part 2, award winning poet Anna Rose Welch, Erieite and  author of the new collection “We, the Almighty Fires”, gives a  mini-reading from the sexy reliquary that will whisper in your ear for  the rest of the day. She talks with host Brian Hannah about finding her  voice, juggling her day job with her creative pursuits, and her best  advice for aspiring writers (Hint: The infinite monkey theorem won’t  hack it.).

This episode was produced in support of PBS’s The Great American Read.

A poet to make you swoon, make you dream, and make you reconsider the  benefit of imposing creative limitations – it’s Erie’s own Anna Rose  Welch, Alice James Award winning poet, sharing the magic behind her new  collection "We, the Almighty Fires". Anna Rose discusses the symbiosis  of wordplay and our humanity including.

DISCLAIMER!!! – some saucy language that may not be appropriate for young’uns. (It’s near the end  of this episode – between the 28 and 29 minute mark.)

Our slightly loosey-goosey math tells us that only one out of every  600,000 Americans is an orchestra conductor! As a wee one, Bradley  Thachuk dreamed of growing into this rare art profession, and the dream  realized took him around the globe. Could a monkey have done it? No,  OBV. In this episode, hear Thachuk’s reflections on this  dream-come-true.

We humans are rock stars among our mammalian class-mates. But what's it  like to be a REAL rock star? From gigs with Sinatra to rubbing elbow  with The Beatles, local music legend, composer . . . and ROCK STAR Walt Slivinski has covered it all in his quest for more meaningful humanity.

Who better to delve into that BIG question "What makes us HUMAN?" than a  HUMAN-ologist? Mercyhurst University professor and pretty-cool human Ed Jolie focuses on the archaeology of the Americas and the perishable  technologies found therein. Grab your favorite perishable treat (banana sandwich, anyone?) and cozy up to episode 2!

Welcome to Better than Monkeys! Here we take a monthly deep-dive into  the arts and sciences to discover answers to that BIG question, What  makes us human?

In this premier episode, electrifying Erie Playhouse talent Richard Davis, Christine Daugherty, Jim Griffey, and Shawn Clerkin share their Playhouse experiences, including how much current it takes to make a star of the stage proclaim "Owie"!