Permission to play

I notice as I get older that the weekend just ain't what it used to be. I'm more inclined to stooge around the house doing nothing much. Or I'm more likely to let work flow over into the once-sacrosanct space of recreation. I find I need a little encouragement to leave the week behind, to disengage from the opinion machine driven by downbeat talking heads. I need permission to relax, kick back, and do something fun.

Which has me a little excited about our new Friday night music line-up. A good weekend needs a good warm-up act and a high-energy soundtrack. If you've had a chance to hear Jonathan Brown sitting in for other music hosts, you should enjoy his new rootsy smorgasbord, Cutaway. Then two hours of the program that has been telling you the news is done for the day--it's time to come out and play--World Café. Then an hour of The Latin Alternative, to remind you that even though you may be bundled up in your parka, you could still be doing the rumba. And then taking you up to midnight, some of the most joyful noise anywhere, Afropop Worldwide with Georges Collinet.

After midnight? Well--I'll probably be in bed. But I won't be grinding my teeth in my sleep, and I expect to get up Saturday ready for a proper weekend.