Arts
Arts

MacArthur 'genius' makes magical art that conjures up her Afro-Cuban roots

Maria Magdalena Campos-Pons is a 2021 MacArthur fellow and received the Genius Grant.

Her artwork draws from her upbringing in La Vega, Cuba and explores themes of African diaspora. [ more ]

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Detective Pikachu Returns, Assassin's Creed Mirage, and more Fall games reviewed

Nintendo and Ubisoft are releasing new games, Detective Pikachu Returns and Assassin's Creed Mirage, respectively.

Detective Pikachu Returns features the gumshoe duo of Tim Goodman and his Pikachu who solve mysteries in Ryme city. [ more ]

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Michael Connelly, Nikki Grimes, Judy Blume and other authors unite against book bans

Books on race and LGBTQ+ topics are frequently targeted for bans in public schools and libraries.

Florida implemented the most book bans last school year, accounting for over 40% of all bans in the US. [ more ]

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Looking for innovative climate solutions? Check out these 8 podcasts

The NPR Network is dedicating an entire week to stories and conversations about the search for climate solutions.

Podcast episodes on climate solutions are available on the NPR app and NPR One. [ more ]

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Patrick Stewart says his time on 'Star Trek' felt like a ministry

Playing Jean Luc Picard helped Sir Patrick Stewart become a better person.

Star Trek: The Next Generation has had an extraordinary impact on many people's lives. [ more ]

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The speed of fame almost made Dan + Shay split up. This is how they made it through

Country duo Dan + Shay almost didn't release their new album due to personal conflicts.

The pandemic and constant social media presence contributed to burnout for the duo.

The duo is grateful for their fans and the connection they feel during live performances. [ more ]

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'Eve' author says medicine often ignores female bodies. 'We've been guinea pigs'

Women's bodies have been historically overlooked in biological and medical research due to a male norm in science.

Many clinical drug trials have omitted female patients of child-bearing age, leaving a knowledge gap for the majority of women's lives. [ more ]

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Late night TV is back! We rank their first episodes

Late night hosts return after writers' strike with enthusiasm

Satire helps process the absurdities of modern life and politics [ more ]

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The Hollywood writers strike is over. What's next for the writers?

The Writers Guild of America strike is finally over after 148 days.

The strike had a significant impact on the personal lives and emotional state of the writers. [ more ]

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In 'Our Strangers,' life's less exciting aspects are deemed fascinating

Lydia Davis has released a new story collection exclusively through independent bookstores.

Her writing is lauded for its personal reflection, flash fiction, and poetic concision. [ more ]

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There's now a Stevie Nicks-themed Barbie. And wouldn't you love to love her?

Stevie Nicks joins other legendary musicians in having a Barbie doll made in her likeness.

The doll is inspired by Nicks' iconic outfit on the cover of her 1977 album 'Rumours'.

Nicks expressed her excitement about the doll, hoping that it would capture her essence and spirit. [ more ]

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A guide to the accusations against Abercrombie & Fitch ex-CEO Mike Jeffries

Abercrombie & Fitch is investigating claims that its former CEO sexually exploited men at parties.

Accusations against Mike Jeffries include engaging in sex acts with party participants and using his influence to recruit models. [ more ]

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Howard University receives a replacement for Hattie McDaniel's missing Oscar

Hattie McDaniel's missing Oscar has been replaced by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and returned to Howard University

The university held a ceremony titled 'Hattie's Come Home' to honor McDaniel's legacy [ more ]

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'Carterland' puts a positive spin on an oft-disparaged presidency

Carterland presents a reappraisal of Jimmy Carter's presidency, depicting it as an expansive and largely successful exercise in problem-solving.

The documentary highlights Carter's successes and explains his less successful moments, aiming to correct the common narrative of his presidency as a failure.

The film showcases Carter's leadership on energy conservation, including the installation of solar panels on the White House roof, which were later removed by the Reagan administration. [ more ]

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Brain surgery left TOKiMONSTA unable to understand music. Now every song is precious

TOKiMONSTA, a DJ and electronic music producer, overcame severe aphasia caused by brain surgery to continue making music.

She created a personal album during her recovery, which earned her a Grammy nomination. [ more ]

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A woman was bracing for her boyfriend's anger. Then a stranger stepped in

A stranger's act of kindness helped Renee in an emotionally abusive relationship

The stranger's intervention defused a tense situation and made Renee feel validated and relieved. [ more ]

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After revealing her family secret, Kerry Washington reflects on what was gained

Kerry Washington discusses the impact of a shocking discovery about her identity on her relationship with her parents.

Her career in film and television has influenced her personal life. [ more ]

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The Hollywood writers strike is over, but the actors strike could drag on. Here's why

Overall, movie and television writers are satisfied with the recent contract negotiations with the studios.

The actors union is hoping for a favorable deal similar to the one the writers union secured.

Entertainment industry experts are optimistic that the strikes will be resolved quickly. [ more ]

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Taylor Swift's stadium stop hikes up ticket prices for Chiefs-Jets game

Ticket prices for the Chiefs vs. Jets game increased after reports of Taylor Swift attending.

Swift's support for Travis Kelce has brought an economic boost to the NFL franchise and driven sales of Kelce's jersey. [ more ]

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In France, workers build a castle from scratch the 13th century way

A group in France is building a medieval castle using tools and methods from the late 13th century.

The project aims to highlight nature, history, archaeology, and heritage skills through experimental archaeology. [ more ]

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North Carolina radio station plans to reject broadcasts of 'inappropriate' Met operas

A radio station in North Carolina is planning to withhold the broadcast of six contemporary operas from the Metropolitan Opera due to objections to the operas' content.

Three of the rejected operas were written by Black or Mexican composers.

WCPE's objections relate to depictions of violence, LGBTQ subject material, and a composer's non-biblical meditation on the birth of Jesus. [ more ]

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What's Making Us Happy: A guide to your weekend viewing, listening and reading

Taylor Swift got into football

NPR crew recommends John Grisham novels and podcast 'Do We Get to Win This Time?' [ more ]

KQED

Arrest Made in Tupac Shakur's 1996 Killing; Man Tied to Suspected Shooter, Sources Say | KQED

Davis broke his silence on Tupac's killing in 2010 during a meeting with authorities.

Davis implicated his nephew, Orlando Anderson, in the shooting.

Tupac Shakur's death occurred during a feud with rapper Biggie Smalls. [ more ]

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Remembering 'NCIS' actor David McCallum

David McCallum, known for his roles in NCIS and The Man From U.N.C.L.E, has passed away at the age of 90.

McCallum was trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London and had a background in music. [ more ]

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Desde los taqueros veganos hasta un escandalo politico, escucha estos podcasts

El mes nacional de la herencia hispana celebra los logros latinos y NPR One ha seleccionado programas nuevos y notables creados por latinos de todos los medios públicos.

Tacos of Texas de KUT explora opciones de tacos veganos descolonizados basados en plantas.

Radio Ambulante de NPR cuenta la historia de Brigido Lara, un artesano mexicano que tuvo que elegir cómo usar su talento para bien o para mal. [ more ]

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Brian Jordan Alvarez' internet ear worm says 'you deserve to sit'

The singer and songwriter TJ Mack is actually a character portrayed by actor Brian Jordan Alvarez.

TJ Mack's song about sitting has become popular on social media. [ more ]

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The Academy is replacing Hattie McDaniel's Oscar that has been missing for 50 years

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is sending Howard University a replacement Oscar for Hattie McDaniel, the first Black person to win an Oscar.

McDaniel's original Academy Award plaque has been missing for at least 50 years.

The plaque, given to supporting winners from 1936 to 1942, disappeared from Howard University in the late 1960s or early 1970s. [ more ]

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Michael Gambon, who played Dumbledore in 'Harry Potter,' dies at 82

Actor Michael Gambon, known for playing Albus Dumbledore in the Harry Potter series, has died at the age of 82.

Gambon took over the role of Dumbledore in The Prisoner of Azkaban following the death of Richard Harris. [ more ]

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Did AI write this film? 'The Creator' offers a muddled plea for human-robot harmony

The use of AI in Hollywood is a contentious issue.

AI is central to the new science-fiction drama The Creator. [ more ]

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From vegan taqueros to a political scandal, check out these podcasts by Latinos

Celebrate Latino achievements beyond Hispanic Heritage Month

NPR One has curated new shows by Latinos worth checking out

Podcasts featured cover a range of topics from plant-based cuisine to political scandals [ more ]

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Hollywood actors to resume negotiations with studios next week as writers strike ends

Actors will resume negotiations with studios and streaming services following the end of the Hollywood writers strike.

Late-night hosts are also returning to the air, with shows like 'Real Time with Bill Maher' and 'The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon' resuming by Monday. [ more ]

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A Jim Crow satire returns to Broadway after 62 years and it's a romp, not a relic

Revival of Ossie Davis' Purlie Victorious opens on Broadway after 62 years

The play's pointed humor speaks to our current world [ more ]

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What happens when your secret fiancee becomes your boss? Find out in 'Fair Play'

The film Fair Play explores the power dynamics in a heterosexual power couple.

The movie delves into the insecurities and struggles of straight cis men in a changing world. [ more ]

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Barry Manilow just broke Elvis's Las Vegas record

Barry Manilow breaks Elvis Presley's record for most shows at Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino.

Manilow's career spans decades and he is one of the most popular American artists of the 20th century. [ more ]

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Writers will return to work on Wednesday, after union leadership votes to end strike

The 148-day Hollywood writers strike is set to end due to a new three-year deal made by the Writers Guild of America and major Hollywood studios.

The deal includes increased pay and script fees, improved healthcare and pensions, and minimum staffing rules for TV shows. [ more ]

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8 loving ways to honor a pet's memory: Write an obit, grow a garden, dedicate a day

Honoring the memory of a beloved pet can help cope with the grief of losing them.

Writing an obituary or creating a day in their honor are creative ways to celebrate a pet's life. [ more ]

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Taylor Swift enters her football era and breaks the internet

Taylor Swift was spotted cheering on Travis Kelce at a football game.

Sales for Kelce's football jersey reportedly skyrocketed since the game. [ more ]

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Iconic female artist's lost painting is found, hundreds of years after it was created

The painting Susanna and the Elders by Artemisia Gentileschi, once thought lost, has been rediscovered and restored.

Artemisia Gentileschi was a strong and talented artist who defied expectations in the male-dominated art world of the 17th century. [ more ]

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Three things to know about the Hollywood Writers' tentative agreement

The Writers Guild of America and major Hollywood studios have reached a new three-year contract.

Details of the deal are not yet known but negotiators are celebrating and calling it a win for writers. [ more ]

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Hollywood writers and studios strike a deal. What's next?

Hollywood writers have reached a tentative deal with major studios, potentially ending the strike

The deal includes minimum staffing guarantees, compensation for streaming services, and protection against AI-generated scripts [ more ]

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Laurel Halo's 'Atlas' describes the feeling of being everywhere and nowhere

Laurel Halo's new album, 'Atlas', is a tapestry of slowly-evolving textures.

The album was inspired by the nighttime imagery of cities she visited while on the road. [ more ]

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What the Hollywood writers union deal means for TV

Writers are set to vote on a new contract to end the strike.

Details of the agreement and the timeline for resuming production are still unknown. [ more ]

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Horseless carriages were once a lot like driverless cars. What can history teach us?

Driverless taxicabs have unsettled passengers in cities like San Francisco, Phoenix, and Austin.

Driverless cars were more threatening and unfamiliar to people a century ago than they are now.

Cars in the early 20th century offered freedom, independence, and new opportunities for marginalized groups. [ more ]

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Hollywood writers reach a tentative deal with studios, agree to end strike

Screenwriters and studios have reached a tentative deal, ending one of the strikes that have disrupted Hollywood.

The strike caused delays in the premiere of films and series and raised issues of pay and residuals for screenwriters. [ more ]

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'Here I am, closer to the gutter than ever': John Waters gets his Hollywood star

John Waters received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Waters is known for his irreverent and subversive films. [ more ]

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'The Super Models,' in their own words

The Apple TV+ docuseries The Super Models focuses on four iconic supermodels: Cindy Crawford, Christy Turlington, Linda Evangelista, and Naomi Campbell.

The series allows the models to control the narrative of their own stories through interviews with themselves and people who know them.

Self-produced or self-directed projects by celebrities have become increasingly common, allowing for a more authentic telling of their stories. [ more ]

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A concert audience of houseplants? A new kids' book tells the surprisingly true tale

A string quartet played for a Barcelona opera house full of houseplants during the early days of the COVID pandemic.

The event inspired a children's book called The Enchanted Symphony. [ more ]

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Free babysitting on Broadway? This nonprofit helps parents get to the theater

Nonprofit PAAL is working to bring free babysitting to every arts institution in the country.

Parents with tickets to Broadway shows can drop their kids off at a staffed rehearsal studio for childcare. [ more ]

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The big twist in 'A Haunting in Venice'? It's actually a great film

A Haunting in Venice is a surprising and terrific movie that has smartly overhauled Agatha Christie's thinner source material.

The film takes the cozy conventions of a detective story and pushes them in the direction of a full-blown haunted-house thriller. [ more ]

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'Cassandro' honors the gay wrestler who revolutionized lucha libre

Cassandro is a biopic directed by Roger Ross Williams about Mexican-American wrestler Saul Armendariz

The film explores Armendariz's fight to create space for queer men in the male-dominated world of lucha libre [ more ]

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From 'Almost Famous' to definitely famous, Billy Crudup is enjoying his new TV roles

Billy Crudup is an actor known for his work in TV shows like "The Morning Show" and films like "Almost Famous."

Crudup also stars in the futuristic series "Hello Tomorrow!" on Apple TV+. [ more ]

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What's Making Us Happy: A guide to your weekend viewing and reading

Little Fires Everywhere is a must-watch on Hulu

The People Who Report More Stress is a great post-summer read

For the Culture celebrates Black women in the food industry [ more ]

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The best '90s thrillers according to NPR's Pop Culture Happy Hour

'90s thrillers were known for their frantic car chases, wild twists, and courtroom drama.

Denzel Washington and Julia Roberts were prominent actors in '90s thrillers. [ more ]

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'El Juicio (The Trial)' details the 1976-'83 Argentine dictatorship's reign of terror

ESMA, a former detention center in Buenos Aires, is now the site of a video exhibition of a trial in which leaders of the military regime were convicted of crimes against humanity.

The video footage of the trial was captured by Argentina's public television using state-of-the-art cameras, and the tapes were secretly stored in Oslo for over two decades.

The videos have never been publicly broadcast and are now being shown for the first time in the United States at Film Forum in New York. [ more ]

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Amazon Prime Video will start running commercials starting in early 2024

Amazon Prime Video plans to introduce advertisements during shows and movies starting in 2024.

The streaming service will offer two tiers of subscriptions, with an additional fee for ad-free content. [ more ]

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A Taylor Swift Instagram post helped drive a surge in voter registration

Taylor Swift encouraged her fans to register to vote, leading to over 35,000 registrations on Vote.org.

The number of 18-year-olds registered was more than double the previous year. [ more ]

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'Euphoria' star Angus Cloud accidentally overdosed on meth, cocaine and fentanyl

Actor Angus Cloud died of an accidental overdose of cocaine, fentanyl, and other substances.

Cloud's cause of death was acute intoxication due to the combined effects of methamphetamine, cocaine, fentanyl, and benzodiazepines. [ more ]

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Remembering Olympic gold medalist Florence 'Flo-Jo' Griffith Joyner

Florence Griffith Joyner, also known as 'Flo-Jo', was a celebrated Olympic gold medalist and the fastest woman to run the 100m and 200m sprints.

In 1988, she broke the world records for both the 100m and 200m sprints, and won three gold medals at the Seoul Olympics. [ more ]

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Lauren Groff's survivalist novel 'The Vaster Wilds' will test your endurance, too

Robinson Crusoe is considered the first novel in English and the granddaddy of survivor sagas.

The Vaster Wilds is a historical novel set in the Jamestown colony during the 'starving time' of 1609-1610. [ more ]

KQED

For 82-Year-Old Jazz Saxophonist Gary Bartz, 'Music Is My Religion'

Gary Bartz, a jazz musician over 80, continues to shape the Bay Area music scene with his spontaneous compositions.

Bartz's music from the 1970s blended blues, funk, avant-garde jazz, and African influences, covering topics like war and being Black in America. [ more ]

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You've likely seen this ranch on-screen burned by wildfire, it awaits its next act

Paramount Ranch, a famous movie set in California, was destroyed by a wildfire in 2018.

The ranch is now being rebuilt to be functional and resilient against future climate change-driven disasters. [ more ]

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A federal agency wants to give safety tips to young adults. So it's dropping an album

The Consumer Product Safety Commission has released an album called 'We're Safety Now Haven't We' featuring safety-focused songs.

The album is targeted at teenagers and young adults to promote product safety awareness.

The songs address common sources of injury among young adults, such as distracted phone usage. [ more ]

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This rare Bob Ross painting could be yours for close to $10 million

A painting from the first episode of Bob Ross's 'The Joy of Painting' is being sold for $9.85 million.

The painting depicts a stone path, pond, and trees that Ross painted in under 30 minutes on the premiere episode.

The painting is signed by Ross and the buyer will receive a statement from the original owner who bought it for under $100. [ more ]

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Wonder where Hollywood's strikes are headed? Movies might offer a clue

Hollywood has a history of demonizing unions both on- and off-screen.

Audiences in the 1970s found solidarity in worker activism, as portrayed in films like 'Norma Rae'.

A Gallup poll found public support for writers and actors in their struggles with studios. [ more ]

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What happened to 'The Gold'? This crime saga is focused on the aftermath of a heist

The Gold is a new series on Paramount+ based on a real-life gold heist in 1983.

The series focuses on the aftermath of the heist and the colorful characters involved.

The show has a strong cast and offers a slyly pungent vision of the go-go '80s. [ more ]

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Hitmaker Edgar Barrera leads the 2023 Latin Grammy nominations

Edgar Barrera earned the most nominations with 13 nods at the Latin Grammy Awards.

Collaborators Camilo, Karol G, and Shakira each received 7 nominations. [ more ]

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Here are the movies we can't wait to watch this fall

Nia Vardalos has written and directed My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3, the third installment in the franchise.

Invisible Beauty is a documentary film directed by Bethann Hardison that chronicles the rise and influence of a pioneering Black model in the fashion industry.

Cassandro is a film about a real-life gay luchador (wrestler) dreaming of success, directed by Roger Ross Williams. [ more ]

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A Northern California tribe works to protect traditions in a warming world

The Oak Fire, which burned near Yosemite National Park, devastated the Indigenous tribes in the area.

Climate change has worsened the frequency and intensity of wildfires, destroying culturally significant sites and treasures.

Traditional plants and physical structures, including ancient milling stations, were destroyed by the fire, causing significant loss for the Southern Sierra Miwuk tribe. [ more ]

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Drew Barrymore's Hollywood labor scuffle isn't the first for her family

Daytime talk show hosts faced backlash after announcing they would return to air without their writers.

Drew Barrymore initially resumed her show but later apologized and reversed her decision due to intense criticism.

The backlash and reversal by Barrymore sparked a domino effect, with other hosts also canceling their season premieres. [ more ]

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How a stranger's words helped a grieving mother with her pain

Acknowledging someone else's pain is important.

Unsung heroes can teach important life lessons. [ more ]

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Love, identity and ambition take center stage in 'Roaming'

Roaming is the first adult graphic novel from the Caldecott-winning cousins Jillian Tamaki and Mariko Tamaki.

The story explores themes of friendship, love, and identity, with a focus on young Asian American and LGBTQ+ characters.

The illustrations capture both the beauty and magic of New York City. [ more ]

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The Plain Bagel Rule: How naked bread is the ultimate test of a bakery

People feel a strong emotional connection to the food they eat.

The plain bagel can serve as a litmus test for the quality of a bakery. [ more ]

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Rolling Stone founder Jann Wenner under fire for comments on female, Black rockers

Jann Wenner, founder of Rolling Stone magazine, faced criticism for excluding Black and female musicians from his new book.

Wenner apologized for his remarks, acknowledging the inflammatory nature of his words. [ more ]

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Maybe think twice before making an innocent stranger go viral?

Be mindful of the etiquette when it comes to posting pictures and videos of strangers on social media.

Don't make people into social media content without their consent.

It is okay to document harmful or dangerous situations without permission, but be aware of the context. [ more ]

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British media report rape and emotional abuse allegations against Russell Brand

Russell Brand has been accused of rape, sexual assault, and emotional abuse, which he denies. Four women allege assaults between 2006 and 2013.

Accusations also include Brand's controlling, abusive, and predatory behavior.

The investigation included interviews with hundreds of sources and the review of private emails and text messages. [ more ]

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'Wait Wait' for September 16, 2023: With Not My Job guest Hillary Rodham Clinton

Hillary Rodham Clinton was a guest on the show and participated in the 'Not My Job' segment.

The panelists discussed the good sides of famous villains. [ more ]

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A new kids' space at an art museum is actually about science

The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York has created a science play space to help children understand the materials used in art.

The museum believes that science is important for understanding and conserving art.

The 81st Street Studio is currently focused on wood as the main material for exploration. [ more ]

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Oops! I called my boss 'dude.' Career coaches weigh in on tricky workplace dilemmas

Consider other factors before stepping back from your job to pursue education.

Evaluate your mental health and seek support before making a decision about job resignation. [ more ]

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Fernando Botero, Colombian artist famous for rotund and oversize figures, dies at 91

Fernando Botero, the renowned Colombian artist known for his whimsical and corpulent figures, has died at the age of 91.

Botero's works often depicted rotund characters poking fun at the upper class of Colombia.

His artwork was known for its distinctive style, termed 'Boterismo,' which featured voluptuous and slightly absurd figures. [ more ]

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What makes the family kitchen so special? Michele Norris digs into the details

The kitchen is the heart of the home for families of all kinds.

Michele Norris explores the significance of the family kitchen in her new podcast, Your Mama's Kitchen. [ more ]

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Gael Garcia Bernal crushes it (and others) as 'Cassandro,' lucha libre's queer pioneer

Cassandro offers a crash course on the theatrical style of lucha libre wrestling.

The film explores the intersection of queer-coded performance and rampant homophobia in lucha libre culture.

Cassandro uses his speed, physique, and charm to win over the crowd and challenge stereotypes. [ more ]

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