You can thank the Romans. They’re the ones who marked the summer solstice on June 24. Hence, the schism between the longest day (June 21) and Midsummer. But the Romans liked nothing if not a good party, so why not keep celebrating?

This morning on WPRB, on the second day of summer, we anticipate the Eve of St. John – Midsummer, tomorrow night – the night when the demon Chernobog emerges from the Bald Mountain, Puck pours love juice in everyone’s eyes, and inebriated folk leap naked over bonfires.

Join me for selections inspired by Swedish Midsummer revelry, Ukrainian folklore, and Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.” We’ll also hear music from Igmar Bergman’s “Smiles of a Summer Night,” Alfred Schnittke’s “(K)ein Sommernachtstraum” – “(Not) a Summer Night’s Dream” – and Gunnar de Frumerie’s ballet “St. John’s Eve.”

We’ll squeeze the juice of love-in-idleness onto sleeping eyelids, this Thursday morning from 6 to 11 EDT, on WPRB 103.3 FM and wprb.com. Don’t get between me and my bonfires, on Classic Ross Amico.