COVER STORY
Gambling
Kurt Andersen and novelist James McManus talk about the art of gambling.

LeRoy Neiman
The flashy colors and energetic brushstrokes of LeRoy Neiman’s paintings depict the glitzy worlds of Vegas and Monte Carlo. Early in his career, Neiman shared a gallery with Andy Warhol and later worked as the house artists for Playboy Magazine, traveling the world to capture the jet-set lifestyle of the 1960s. Produced by Flo Rogers of KNPR.
Go to LeRoy Neiman’s official Website

52-Card Pickup
Pick a card, any card… What you might not know is that all cards are not created equal. Steve Nelson reports the design of playing cards has undergone a good number of changes since their invention over seven centuries ago.
Go to the Eagle Magic Store website.
Go to a website devoted to antique playing cards

The Gamester
A play about a dissolute gambler by a 17th century writer, Jean-Francois Regnard, is currently making the rounds at regional theaters. It was adapted by playwright Freyda Thomas who is not a gambler herself, but who knows first hand the ruin it can bring. Jonathan Mitchell spoke with her about the play.
Go to The Gamester on the American Conservatory Theater’s website
Go to a bio of Freyda Thomas

A Man in a Room, Gambling
Who knew that a beautiful, evocative series of short musical pieces could be written about how to cheat at cards? Gavin Bryars and Spanish artist Juan Munoz collaborated on ten pieces of music they called “A Man in a Room, Gambling.” Lush strings accompany Munoz as he describes the manipulation of playing cards - dealing from the bottom of the pack, how to palm a card and more. Bryars explains why his music is like three-card monte. Produced by Ave Carrillo and Kerrie Hillman.
Go to Gavin Bryars' website
Go to Bryars' notes on "A Man in a Room, Gambling"
Go to an interview with Gavin Bryars

SPECIAL GUEST
James McManus
James McManus is a novelist and poet. He teaches at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Four years ago, Harpers Magazine assigned him to cover the 2000 World Series of Poker in Las Vegas. He decided to risk the $4,000 the magazine gave him to enter the tournament. The result was the best-selling, Positively Fifth Street which is now out in paperback.
Read about Positively Fifth Street on the Farrar, Straus and Giroux website
Go to Postively Fifth Street on Amazon.com

Audio Help
To listen to audio from this site, you will need RealPlayer.
Go to instructions for downloading

Artist Pension Trust
Being an artist is a gamble in itself. The chances of making it big are slim. But a group of professionals have gotten together to reduce the risks. Founders of the Artist Pension Trust hope to provide financial security and retirement funds by holding works created by member artists and selling when the price is right. Produced by Dave Johns.
Go to the Artist Pension Trust website
Go to Anthony Goicolea's website

Download this show from