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Arts

‘Traverse Talks’ Episode 8: Stella Williams On Diversity In Literature And Art’s Impact On Community

By Mia Hunt December 8, 2020

Photo of author Stella Williams from a recording of Traverse Talks with Sueann Ramella.

In this episode of "Traverse Talks with Sueann Ramella," author Stella Williams shares how her love for reading at a young age drove her to write about stories that showcased characters that looked like her.Read More

Roald Dahl Family Apologizes For Children’s Author’s Anti-Semitism

By NPR News December 7, 2020

British children's book author Roald Dahl, as pictured in 1971. Thirty years after his death, Dahl's family has apologized for the author's anti-Semitism. CREDIT: Ronald Dumont/Getty Images

The apology, which appeared as a note on the official Roald Dahl website, comes 30 years after the author's death.Read More

New Documentary ‘Billie’ Explores Mysteries Of Billie Holiday And Her Biographer

By NPR News December 6, 2020

The film continues writer Linda Kuehl's unfinished investigation into Holiday's life through never-before-heard interviews with jazz luminaries, and explores her experiences with institutional racism.Read More

BOOK REVIEW: Finding A Voice And Coming To Terms With A Stutter In ‘I Talk Like A River’

By NPR News December 4, 2020

I Talk Like a River, by Jordan Scott and Sydney Smith

Jordan Scott is a poet, a master of words, and a stutterer. His new kids' book, gorgeously illustrated by Sydney Smith, chronicles his childhood journey towards coming to terms with his stutter.Read More

‘Traverse Talks’ Episode 7: Ross Gay On Tenderness And Finding Delight

By Mia Hunt December 1, 2020

Photo of Ross Gay from a recording of Traverse Talks with Sueann Ramella

In this episode of 'Traverse Talks with Sueann Ramella,' poet and professor Ross Gay discusses ways to recognize and incorporate tenderness into your life. Ramella and Gay cover everything from the benefits of gardening to why he doesn't often give advice.Read More

Elizabeth Acevedo’s Poetry Extends A Helping Hand In Our Lonely Time

By PBS Newshour November 30, 2020

The way loneliness skulks in one of Elizabeth Acevedo’s poems probably would have felt familiar even before the pandemic forced us into more isolating situations.Read More

TV REVIEW: ‘A Teacher’ Tells A Lesson In Predatory Behavior

By NPR News November 28, 2020

Nick Robinson as Eric Walker in A Teacher on Hulu on FX. CREDIT: Pamela Littky/FX

In the Hulu on FX limited series "A Teacher," a high school English teacher (Kate Mara) lures a student (Nick Robinson) into a sexual relationship. It doesn't turn out well.Read More

In The Poppy War Book Series, R.F. Kuang Asks: ‘What If Mao Was A Teenage Girl?’

By NPR News November 26, 2020

Author R.F. Kuang grounded her Poppy War books in her own interpretations of history, and her family's history. CREDIT: Kobi C. Felton

The third volume in Kuang's Poppy War series is out now. She grounded the story in history, both her own and China's; it follows a passionate, ruthless young woman who becomes a military leader.Read More

‘Traverse Talks’ Episode 6: Dior Vargas On Intersectionality And Mental Health

By Mia Hunt November 24, 2020

Photo of Dior Vargas during a recording of Traverse Talks with Sueann Ramella.

In this episode of "Traverse Talks with Sueann Ramella," Latinx feminist and mental health activist Dior Vargas shares her history with mental health and why discussing the topic through an intersectional lens is so important.Read More

‘Oak Flat’ Tells The Story Of An Apache Tribe Fighting To Save Its Land From Mining

By NPR News November 21, 2020

"The Apache believe that Mount Graham is the dwelling place of mountain spirits and a source of supernatural power." — The Oak Flat Lauren Redniss/Random House

Artist and writer Lauren Redniss mixes art, design, and rigorous research with a prose style that is at once assertive, journalistic and poetic to create a book like no other.Read More

2020’s National Book Awards Strive For Inclusivity

By NPR News November 20, 2020

This year's National Book Awards — announced in a first-ever virtual streaming ceremony — went mostly to writers of color, as the foundation that gives the prizes vowed to be more inclusive.Read More

‘Traverse Talks’ Episode 5: Pulitzer Winner Jericho Brown On The Importance Of Name And Truth

By McKayla Fox November 17, 2020

Photo of Jericho Brown from a recording of Traverse Talks with Sueann Ramella

Pulitzer-winning poet Jericho Brown shares how growing up in a Black church exposed him to the art of performative poetry at a young age and how that propelled him to dedicate his life to poetry starting in his early twenties.Read More

Kate Winslet’s ‘Ammonite’ Takes On Paleontology, Patriarchy And Passion

By NPR News November 17, 2020

"I feel proud of myself now, as a 45-year-old woman, to have just played a role in which ... my age really shows on my face," says Kate Winslet. She plays British paleontologist Mary Anning in the new film Ammonite. Courtesy of Neon

Kate Winslet and Saoirse Ronan star in the new film, which imagines a romantic relationship between British paleontologist Mary Anning and Charlotte Murchison, the young wife of a geologist.Read More

Lights, Camera, Action: How Vancouver (AKA ‘Hollywood North’) Revved Up Despite COVID

By Tom Banse November 15, 2020

The film and TV industry in British Columbia is busier than ever in spite of COVID and partly because of COVID. The place sometimes called Hollywood North is benefiting from high demand for new content from networks and streaming services. The much smaller film industries in next door Washington state and Oregon are rebounding more slowly from the region wide shutdown Read More

Illusionist Scott Silven Can Turn A Video Call Into A Magical ‘Journey’

By NPR News November 15, 2020

The Journey is an ingenious use of a virtual performance space. Silven invites 30 audience members to travel to his childhood home in Scotland where they interact in amazing feats of magic.Read More

BOOK REVIEW: Barack Obama Tells His Story His Way — And Makes His Case For History

By NPR News November 14, 2020

Book cover - A Promised Land by Barack Obama

Obama's ascent thrilled millions but also stirred a countermovement that is still on the march. His new memoir, A Promised Land, covers his rise through the second year of his presidency.Read More

Struck With Memory Loss, A Dancer Remembers ‘Swan Lake.’ But Who Is She?

By NPR News November 13, 2020

A former ballerina named Marta C. González, dancing to the music of Swan Lake in a video still from YouTube.

Viewers worldwide are responding to a moving video of Marta C. González, a former dancer afflicted with dementia. But critics are questioning whether González is who the clip makers claim she is. Read More

BOOK REVIEW: ‘Wintering,’ Encourages ‘The Active Acceptance Of Sadness’

By NPR News November 12, 2020

Wintering: The Power of Rest and Retreat in Difficult Times, by Katherine May

The British author writes beautifully of her own recent bout with a personal winter, a period when she felt low and overwhelmed — and aims to help others to embrace their winters.Read More

Behold The ‘Potato Head’ Of Palencia, Another Botched Art Restoration In Spain

By NPR News November 11, 2020

Before and after the recent "restoration" of a statue in the northern Spanish city of Palencia. Courtesy of Antonio Guzmán Capel

The statue was once of a smiling woman in a pastoral scene. Now, it looks more like a melted candle with some gouged holes. Professional art restorers in Spain are calling for stricter oversight.Read More

‘Traverse Talks’ Episode 4: Carlos Gil On Mexican-American Assimilation, Identity And Immigration

By Grace Arnis November 10, 2020

Carlos Gil, guest number four on the podcast Traverse Talks with Sueann Ramella.

In this episode of "Traverse Talks with Sueann Ramella," author and University of Washington professor of Chicano studies Carlos Gil discusses his views of assimilation as a descendant of Mexican immigrants growing up in CaliforniaRead More

FILM REVIEW: An Action-Packed Doc About Local Government? It’s All In Wiseman’s ‘City Hall’

By Scott Leadingham November 10, 2020

City Hall tags along as Boston mayor Marty Walsh attends various appointments and public appearances — including this meeting about violent crime. Courtesy of Zipporah Films

Filmmaker Frederick Wiseman, now 90, has a gift for making riveting cinema from the minutiae of the everyday. His latest is a four-and-a-half hour documentary starring Boston City Hall, pre-COVID-19.Read More

What Is The End Of An Era? ‘Jeopardy!’ Host Alex Trebek Dies At 80

By NPR News November 8, 2020

Trebek said he hated to see contestants lose for forgetting to phrase their answers as questions. "I'm there to see that the contestants do as well as they can within the context of the rules," he told Fresh Air's Terry Gross in 1987. Above, Trebek poses on the set in April 2010. CREDIT: Amanda Edwards/Getty Images

"I love spending time with bright people," said the longtime game show host. Trebek began hosting the trivia show in 1984 and continued for nearly four decades, even through bouts of chemotherapy.Read More

60 Years Later, Ruby Bridges Tells Her Story In ‘This Is Your Time’

By NPR News November 7, 2020

Bridges was the little girl depicted in that famous Norman Rockwell painting — the first Black student at her New Orleans elementary school. Now, she's written a book to tell kids her story.Read More

In ‘Chicago 7,’ Aaron Sorkin Sees Chilling Parallels Between ’68 Summer And Today

By NPR News November 5, 2020

Aaron Sorkin revisits an infamous 1969 trial in The Trial of the Chicago 7 on Netflix. "We thought the film was plenty relevant last winter when we were making it," Sorkin says. "We didn't need it to get more relevant, but it did." Niko Tavernise/Netflix

In 1968, several prominent anti-war activists were accused of conspiring to start a riot at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago. Sorkin's new film captures their infamous trial.Read More

‘Traverse Talks’ Episode 3: Dawn Shaw On The Power Of Choice And Resilience

By McKayla Fox November 3, 2020

Public speaker Dawn Shaw shares how resilience, perspective and the power of choice, help people find inner beauty. The removal of a tumor at birth left Shaw with facial paralysis. She is an author of three books, including her memoir "Facing Up to It" and more recently an inspirational guide: "Facial Shift, Adjusting to an Altered Appearance."Read More

Echoes Of Today’s Unrest Run Through ‘The Cold Millions,’ Set In Spokane’s Rough Past

By NPR News November 1, 2020

Jess Walter's new novel an adventure tale based on actual events in the early days of the last century's labor movement — which was much wilder and bloodier than most people remember.Read More

‘Traverse Talks’ Episode 2: Poet Jordan Chaney On Acknowledging, Learning From And Healing Racism

By Mia Hunt October 27, 2020

Photo of Poet Jordan, second guest on Traverse Talks with Sueann Ramella

Poet Jordan Chaney, from Pasco, Washington, joins this episode of "Traverse Talks" and gives advice on how to be a true ally and setting and respecting boundaries when talking about race.Read More

FILM REVIEW: Unimaginative ‘Witches’ Retread Lacks The Magic Of Roald Dahl’s Classic

By NPR News October 27, 2020

Anne Hathaway is the Grand High Witch in the film adaptation of Roald Dahl's The Witches. CREDIT: Daniel Smith/Warner Bros.

Though Anne Hathaway throws herself into the role of the Grand High Witch with obvious relish, she often seems to be straining for effect — which leaves The Witches feeling flat. Read More

‘The Writing On The Wall’ Finds Poetry Behind Bars, Projects It Onto Buildings

By NPR News October 25, 2020

"The Writing On The Wall" art installation projects writings by incarcerated people onto the sides of buildings, such as The New York State Supreme Court Building, above. Chemistry Creative

"Look at all the wisdom, look at all the heart that is imprisoned in our society," says Hank Willis Thomas, cofounder of the art installation project.Read More

BOOK REVIEW: ‘Flamer’ Offers Real Hope — Not Just Rainbows — To Queer Kids

By NPR News October 24, 2020

Flamer by Mike Curato. CREDIT: Holt Books for Young Readers

Mike Curato's new young adult graphic novel Flamer follows a teenager struggling with self-hate and all the different parts of his identity — being a Catholic, a Boy Scout, and being gay.Read More

85 Years After The Irving Berlin Classic, Isn’t This A Lovely Day For A ‘Top Hat’ Tribute?

By NPR News October 19, 2020

Irving Berlin's classic musical turns 85 this year, and a group of artists are paying tribute with a brand-new video version of one of its songs, "Isn't This A Lovely Day (To Be Caught In The Rain)?"Read More

BOOK REVIEW: ‘The National Road’ Takes Readers On A Trip Through Americana

By NPR News October 18, 2020

book cover- the national road - by Tom Zoellner

Teacher and writer Tom Zoellner has logged tens of thousands of miles zigzagging the continent with, a small tent and backpack, investigating American places and themes — metaphors for our country.Read More

Disney Warns Viewers Of Racism In Some Classic Movies With Strengthened Label

By NPR News October 16, 2020

Disney added a warning on its streaming service to some of its titles with racist depictions, including Dumbo. The crows' appearance and musical number in the movie "pay homage to racist minstrel shows," Disney said. LMPC via Getty Images

Disney strengthened language used to denounce racist depictions in some of its classic properties on the company's streaming service.Read More

FILM REVIEW: David Byrne And Spike Lee Conjure Up A Joyous Vision Of ‘American Utopia’

By NPR News October 15, 2020

HBO's David Byrne's American Utopia captures a live performance of Byrne's acclaimed Broadway show. CREDIT: David Lee/HBO

Lee's new film for HBO captures a live performance of Byrne's acclaimed Broadway show. David Byrne's American Utopia is a rousing blend of song, dance and revival meeting. Read More

‘Traverse Talks’ Episode 1: Dr. Lawrence Pintak On The Muslim World And American Exceptionalism

By Mia Hunt October 13, 2020

Dr. Lawrence Pintak joins this episode of "Traverse Talks with Sueann Ramella" to discuss what you can do to understand the Muslim world, how to check your news sources and give a history lesson on American exceptionalism. Pintak is a former CBS News Middle East correspondent, founding dean of the WSU Edward R. Murrow College of Communication, and author of "American & Read More

Ballet Hispánico Celebrates 50 Years As Ambassadors Of Latinx Dance

By NPR News October 12, 2020

Ballet Hispánico celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. It was founded in 1970 by Tina Ramirez. CREDIT: Paula Lobo/Ballet Hispánico

The dance company features work of Latinx choreographers, as well as a robust educational outreach program. It was just awarded a $4 million grant from the Ford Foundation.Read More

New Children’s Book Exploring Native Identities Launches For Indigenous Peoples Day

By NWPB News October 12, 2020

An image from "Journey of the Freckled Indian" by Alyssa London, with illustrations by Monica Rickert-Bolter and formline drawings by Preston Singletary.

The book is called “Journey of the Freckled Indian.” It tells the story of a young girl called Freckles who gets bullied by her classmates after sharing that she’s Native American. Author Alyssa London says it’s loosely based on her experience growing up in Bothell and sharing her Tlingit heritage in a show and tell.Read More

With ‘Deaf U,’ Nyle DiMarco Strives To Show ‘There Is No One Right Way To Be Deaf’

By NPR News October 12, 2020

Nyle DiMarco attends the premiere of "A Quiet Place Part II" at Lincoln Center on March 8, 2020 in New York. In his new Netflix series Deaf U, DiMarco turns the camera on students at Gallaudet University. CREDIT: Angela Weiss /AFP via Getty Images

The model and activist, who himself is deaf, says his new Netflix reality show offers "an entrance into our world, which is so rich in culture and so layered and diverse."Read More

What It’s Like As A Black Woman Playing Shakespeare’s Othello In America Today

By PBS Newshour October 11, 2020

Jessika D. Williams, 35, plays the title role in William Shakespeare’s “Othello” at the American Shakespeare Center. CREDIT: Lauren Parker/ASC

When Jessika D. Williams takes the stage as Othello, she sometimes doesn’t know if she’s reacting as the character or herself. Williams, 35, has never felt this way in a role. But playing Othello as a Black woman amid nationwide protests against systemic racism, she sees parallels between racism in the play and in real life.Read More