Arts
The Arts

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

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

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

Disney Warns Viewers Of Racism In Some Classic Movies With Strengthened Label
Disney strengthened language used to denounce racist depictions in some of its classic properties on the company’s streaming service. Continue Reading Disney Warns Viewers Of Racism In Some Classic Movies With Strengthened Label

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

‘Traverse Talks’ Episode 1: Dr. Lawrence Pintak On The Muslim World And American Exceptionalism
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 & Islam: Soundbites, Suicide Bombs and the Road to Donald Trump” and “The New Arab Journalist.” Continue Reading ‘Traverse Talks’ Episode 1: Dr. Lawrence Pintak On The Muslim World And American Exceptionalism

Ballet Hispánico Celebrates 50 Years As Ambassadors Of Latinx Dance
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. Continue Reading Ballet Hispánico Celebrates 50 Years As Ambassadors Of Latinx Dance

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

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

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

BOOK REVIEW: In ‘Jack,’ Marilynne Robinson Shows Grace Is For Everyone
Robinson’s latest Gilead novel centers on prodigal son Jack, newly released from prison and in love with a Black woman — a crime in 1950s Missouri. But it’s not a pat tale of love overcoming racism. Continue Reading BOOK REVIEW: In ‘Jack,’ Marilynne Robinson Shows Grace Is For Everyone

Nobel Prize In Literature Awarded To U.S. Poet Louise Glück
The 2020 Nobel Prize in literature was awarded to U.S. poet Louise Glück “for her unmistakable poetic voice that with austere beauty makes individual existence universal.” Continue Reading Nobel Prize In Literature Awarded To U.S. Poet Louise Glück