KUER's Holiday Programming For 2020

This holiday season, KUER is giving you the gift of … special programming! Tune in for hourlong specials from Selected Shorts, To The Best of Our Knowledge and The Kitchen Sisters with a special guest, Oscar winner Frances McDormand. Plus, our own RadioWest will explore Handel’s Messiah, and Doug Fabrizio will unbox some festive stories, including a Salt Lake City holiday favorite: "The H Street Sledding Record." Details and airtimes are below. You can alsoview our program schedule:

“Classic Christmas Stories,” from RadioWest

On this 2020 Christmas, we know the holiday looks different than it has in years past, distanced as many of us are from family and loved ones. RadioWest’s gift to you is something familiar – two of our favorite holiday stories. This Friday at 11 a.m., we’ll rebroadcast Ron Carlson’s “H Street Sledding Record” and "A Christmas Memory,” by Truman Capote, two stories we’ve loved and shared over the years.

Airs Dec. 25 from 11 a.m. to noon and 7-8 p.m.

“Handel’s Messiah,” from RadioWest

Handel’s Messiah is likely the world’s most famous oratorio – it’s certainly the most performed. But what is the story behind it? On Christmas Day at noon, we’ll revisit our conversation with playwright Tim Slover about the true story of how a then-depressed Handel wrote one of the world's most enduring pieces of music in just 24 days. It’s an amazing story with fascinating characters and of course, beautiful music.

And make sure you watch our RadioWest Film, That One Moment in Handel’s Messiah, about the aria “He Was Despised” and the scandal-plagued actress Susannah Cibber who premiered Handel’s masterpiece.

Airs Dec. 25 from noon to 1 p.m. and Dec. 26 from 11 a.m. to noon

“Rethinking the Holidays” from To The Best of Our Knowledge

The holidays are looking different this year. But maybe there's an opportunity in there, too.

Airs Dec. 24 from 9-10 a.m. [preempts final hour of Morning Edition] and Dec. 25 from 3-4 p.m. [preempts Marketplace & The Daily]

“The Keepers: Archiving the Now” from The Kitchen Sisters

As the world we all knew unravels and communities begin to re-shape themselves, The Kitchen Sisters have been gleaning, looking for those who have something to offer during these uncharted times. Hosted by Academy Award winner Frances McDormand.

Airs Dec. 24 from 3-4 p.m. [preempts Marketplace & The Daily) and Dec. 25 from 10-11 a.m. [preempts 1A]

“Christmas Spirits High and Low” from Selected Shorts

We want Christmas to be merry and bright, but sometimes the season can be challenging. Our two stories, presented by guest host Cynthia Nixon, do deliver good cheer in the end (and Nixon shares a few of her own holiday traditions).

Airs Dec. 24 from 2-3 p.m. [preempts The World] and Dec. 25 from 9-10 a.m. [preempts 1A]

Ford’s Theatre Presents: A Christmas Carol

In time for the holiday season, WAMU and Ford's Theatre in Washington, D.C. present a new radio play adaptation of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol, featuring acclaimed Washington actor Craig Wallace as Ebenezer Scrooge and public radio broadcaster Murray Horwitz as the narrator.

Airs Dec. 24 from 7-8 p.m. [preempts Marketplace & The Daily]