Rites of Spring

The season not only brings all those blossoms, but an abundance of music - on the radio and onstage - and our Spring membership drive, so we have lots to report on this month.

You Won’t Want to Miss...

City Folk's featured artists include The Kinks (May 4), Stevie Wonder on his 55th (May 13), and a new artist day (May 17). We've also got plenty of live music for you this month. Guests on Words & Music from Studio A (Monday nights at 8) include Moby, Mary Gauthier, Kathleen Edwards and the North Mississippi All-Stars. Hear Randy Newman in live performance on NPR's Creators at Carnegie (May 11).

Rita Houston welcomes Aimee Mann live from the Museum of TV and Radio on May 25 at 8pm, in an exclusive City Folk Live broadcast. And we'll bring you a trio of live specials this month, with Bruce Springsteen (May 10 at 9pm), Jack Johnson (May 17 at 9pm), and Elvis Costello (May 24 at 9pm). Keep up with the whole schedule on our Coming Up on WFUV page.

Going for the Goal

We want to thank everyone who cast their votes in WFUV's musical match-up between Bruce Springsteen and Bob Dylan during our Spring membership drive. Passions ran high for both contenders, but in the end Bob came out ahead with the most votes: 64% vs. 36 %. Congratulations to our two contest winners: The Bruce Grand Prize package went to John in Stamford, Connecticut, and the Bob Grand Prize package went to Brian in East Setauket, New York.

Thanks especially to everyone who participated in the drive. Although it was a lot of fun, we're still trying to raise $31,000 to make our goal of $601,000. You can help by becoming a member, renewing your membership, or even making an additional gift to WFUV. Thanks for helping to ensure that this irreplaceable radio station stays alive and well!

Tangled Up in Bob

“In a month where I went out to see Beck, Moby, Gomez, Josh Rouse and more, my three nights with Bob Dylan at the Beacon Theatre were the highlights. Simply, he's just the coolest old guy ever!” So Rita Houston reports from Broadway at 74th St.

Bruce's Solo Adventure

As we wrap up Bruce and Bob, Vin Scelsa had the chance to see Bruce Springsteen kick off the solo tour he's on to introduce folks to his new album and revisit some classics in a quieter setting. Vin says Bruce is "very relaxed, very touching, very funny, very talkative" - and you can read the rest of his first impressions.

Memoirs of the Mayor of MacDougal Street

“Last fall, Bob Dylan set a new standard for a musician’s memoirs with Chronicles, Volume One. Now comes The Mayor of MacDougal Street, a memoir from the late Dave Van Ronk with Elijah Wald. It covers a lot of the same turf—specifically early 60’s Greenwich Village—as Dylan’s book, yet from a decidedly different perspective.” Read John Platt’s review.

The Scott Muni School of Rock

Dennis Elsas, who is a graduate of that college of musical knowledge, will host a tribute to Scott Muni later this month at the Museum of Television and Radio. Here he recalls some of the lessons he learned from “The Professor.”

Music in the Great Outdoors, at a Discount

Saturday, June 4 is the day for the Appel Farm Art and Music Festival in Elmer, Salem County, NJ. Enjoy performances by Rufus Wainwright, Aimee Mann, Mavis Staples, Lucy Kalansky, John Gorka and more - plus crafts, children's performers, tasty food and fresh air. Appel Farm is offering a special WFUV Membership discount rate of $25/ticket (limit 2 tickets; before June 3 at 2pm only). Order before May 20 for mail delivery; afterward for box office pickup with your MemberCard. Call 1-800-394-1211 and give your WFUV MemberCard number or order online at http://www.appelfarm.org/ - just write your card number under 'comments.'

Friends Of The Arts in Long Island kicks off their Long Island Summer Festival season June 18 at Planting Fields Arboretum in Oyster Bay. This year's lineup includes: Bo Diddley with Nellie McKay, Little Feat, Nanci Griffith, John Hiatt, North Mississippi Allstars and more. For the schedule and tickets, visit http://www.fotapresents.org/ or call 516-922-0061. WFUV Members get $5 off each ticket ($10 off each pair) for Summer Festival and Jazz Festival shows. Just show your WFUV MemberCard when purchasing reserved Pavillion seats.

Bring your WFUV festival blanket or festival chair! Don't have one? Check our Membership levels and gifts here with no obligation, or call 718-365-8111 for more information.

For exact discounts offered by each Member Card partner, please visit the MemberCard page on wfuv.org.

Are there spiders in your house too?

- Your friends at WFUV