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Pianist and Singer Hadda Brooks, known as "Queen of the Boogie," died last week at the age of 86. Brooks rose to fame in 1945 with the song, "Swingin' the Boogie." The song also helped launch the top West Coast rhythm and blues label, Modern Records. NPR's Bob Edwards has a remembrance.

Marcie Sillman of member station KUOW in Seattle about the rock group Pearl Jam and the end of its suit against "Ticketmaster." Pearl Jam last year announced a boycott of venues run by Ticketmaster. This past week the group said it was giving up its suit.

Martin Sheen is not the president of the United States, even though he plays one on television. In an interview with NPR's Bob Edwards, the West Wing actor discusses his role can serve the nation in trying times. Hear an extended version of the Morning Edition interview at npr.org.

A converted barn in northern Indiana is the happening place for acoustic music fans. It's known as LVD's, and it's run by Elva Miller. LVD's has become a haven for acoustic musicians, and it draws dedicated fans and world-class musicians. Jeffrey Pepper Rodgers reports.

The Madrigal Singers of the National Cathedral School for girls and St. Alban's School for boys perform at NPR. They sing three Christmas carols, including "Silent Night" in Japanese. The 22 performers were picked from a 90-member choir directed by Ben Hutto. NPR's Robert Siegel listens in.

Paul Zaloom's zany one-man shows of political satire earned him a cult following in New York's downtown performance art scene in the 1980's. After success wit the anti-nuke/anti-war troupe Bread and Puppet Theater, Zaloom starred in a children's TV show, Beakman's World. He's returned to puppetry with a solo show focused on the brave new post-Sept. 11 world. Jon Kalish reports.

Giuseppe Verdi's opera Il Trovatore, which premiered 150 years ago this weekend in Rome. It remains one of the most romantic and popular operas of all time. NPR's Scott Simon talks to Philadelphia Inquirer music critic David Patrick Stearns.

In the new film About Schmidt, Kathy Bates plays Roberta Hertzel -- an aging hippie and free spirit. Jack Nicholson plays the repressed insurance salesman Warren Schmidt. In one scene Bates strips nude in front of Nicholson. It's the scene everyone is talking about. NPR's Michele Norris talks with Kathy Bates about the scene and about her career in film.

From comedy to adventure to romance, NPR film critic Bob Mondello delivers a primer on the holiday movie season. Many of the year's biggest blockbusters and Oscar nominees will hit the theaters between now and New Year's Day. (8:00)

Biographer Robert Coram calls John Boyd "one of the most important unknown men of our time."