Jedd Beaudoin

Robert Boswell's latest novel, Tumbledown, is his first in a decade. In writing it, Boswell says he discovered a new point-of-view in fiction and a way to make the novel form new. 

Boswell says Tumbledown, which is about a counselor at a mental health facility, is not strictly autobiographical. However, he says it is very much based on his experiences as a mental health counselor in Southern California during the late 1970s and early 1980s.

Monday, December 16: We celebrate the 70th birthday of Keith Richards on December 18 but we’ll hear some of his notable turns as a sideman on this evening’s show as well as some selections by the Rolling Stones. We’ll also hear selections from Painful, the 1993 release by New Jersey’s Yo La Tengo.

Hawley Shoffner is a Wichita-based songwriter who claims comic books and Thin Lizzy as influences. She says that it’s easiest to write songs from the perspective of someone else. “They’re best,” she says, “when written from the perspective of Gena Rowlands or a vampire in sunglasses.” With a full length album behind her she has a new EP, called Tiger, that she’s eager to release.

My name is Hawley Shoffner. I am a songwriter. I play the ukulele, and the guitar and the piano and a 12-button accordion.

Now through December 22 you can catch Irving Berlin’s White Christmas at the Crown Uptown. This musical tells the story of two showbiz friends putting on a show in a picturesque Vermont inn, and finding their perfect mates in the bargain. The show features memorable songs such as “Count Your Blessings Instead of Sheep,” “Happy Holiday,” “Sisters,” “Blue Skies,” and the title tune.

Barbara Stewart’s debut novel, The In-Between, tells the story of fourteen-year-old Elanor “Ellie” Moss, an outcast seeking a new life in a new town. But her dreams of a new beginning are cut short by a family tragedy. After this, Elanor’s encounters Madeline Torus—a confident, attractive, and brave counterpart.

Dustin Lentz performs in a variety of Wichita-area musical projects, including Suns Over Blazmo and The Kind. He performs as Ray Manzarek in the Doors tribute band, Moonlight Drive.

My name is Dustin Lentz. I am a fulltime father, husband, musician.

This weekend marks the release of the latest CD by Spirit of the Stairs, Tronan Vs. The Spidernauts.

Whereas past releases from the all-instrumental group have clocked in around the hour mark, Tronan consists of only four songs—all recorded since the release of the group’s 2012 effort, Lambo Doors.

Now through December 22 you can catch Irving Berlin’s White Christmas at the Crown Uptown. This musical tells the story of two showbiz friends putting on a show in a picturesque Vermont inn, and finding their perfect mates in the bargain. The show features memorable songs such as “Count Your Blessings Instead of Sheep,” “Happy Holiday,” “Sisters,” “Blue Skies,” and the title tune.

NPR media correspondent David Folkenflik has just published Murdoch’s World: The Last of the Old Media Empires, a volume that examines media mogul Rupert Murdoch’s reach across three continents—touching on Australia, North America and Europe, with a brief—and late—visit to Asia.

The book covers  many issues, including Murdoch’s youth in Australia, his expansion into television and his seeming inability to penetrate the Chinese media market.

Billie Preston-Fredholm has been playing guitar since she was seven. Taught by her older sister, she quickly became a devotee of folk music. Later, she became interested in choral music and before long the two merged in a style that she practices to this day. Since 2008 she has performed as one half of a duo with Robin Roberts. In 2010 the pair released a CD called Pay-Day Motors. Preston (the name under which she performs) teaches voice and piano at Senseney Music in Wichita and is also a cantor and choir member at St. Mary’s Cathedral.