Arts

Nat King Cole mural in Montgomery, Ala.: We were on our way to the National Memorial for Peace and Justice when Quinn's cousin spotted this mural dedicated to Montgomery-born jazz artist Nat King Cole. It was starting to drizzle, but we pulled over anyway

Redefining The Bakhu—And The Great American Road Trip—Through Self-Portraiture

11:00am October 15, 2018

by Tsering Bista

A photographer confronts the childhood discomfort she felt wearing traditional Mustangi clothing in public by traveling across the country and posing for portraits in them.

More like "AB Times at the El Royale," am I right?: Chris Hemsworth stars in writer/director Drew Goddard's Bad Times at the El Royale.

Arts

'Bad Times At The El Royale' Is A Twisty, Neon-Lit Neo-Noir

5:00am October 15, 2018

by Simon Abrams

In writer/director Drew Goddard's film, several strangers converge at a casino-motel filled with dark passageways and two-way mirrors — a lot like the film's satisfyingly pulpy, B-movie plot.

U.K. Sets 'Tartuffe' In Birmingham's Pakistani Muslim Community

6:09pm October 14, 2018

by Vicki Barker

In a new take on Moliere's Tartuffe, the original production's "dangerous priest" villain is now portrayed as a manipulative Imam who preys on a Muslim family.

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MacArthur 'Genius' Poet Natalie Diaz Tackles Issues Facing Native Americans

6:09pm October 14, 2018

Poet Natalie Diaz speaks with NPR's Shereen Marisol Meraji about being selected for a MacArthur "Genius" Grant. Her work focuses on social justice issues and her Mojave and Latina heritage.

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Firearms are exhibited at the annual NRA convention in Dallas this past May. RJ Young's book Let It Bang examines the NRA's relationship with race through his personal, unexpected interest in guns.

The 'Young Black Man' Who Reluctantly Became An NRA-Certified Instructor

6:09pm October 14, 2018

by Shereen Marisol Meraji

RJ Young developed an interest in guns in order to bond with his white father-in-law. The experience is chronicled is his new book, Let It Bang.

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Since targeting the current administration in his art, 74-year-old Robbie Conal has never been more prolific. He's completed almost 40 paintings of President Trump and the people in his orbit — "more than I've ever done in any year, in the last 20 years

'Visionary, Not Reactionary': Artists Take Political Commentary To Streets And Skies

2:42pm October 14, 2018

by Mandalit del Barco

Between street art and a new initiative bringing artist-designed billboards to all 50 states, more people are breaking out of the bubble to express their views on today's divisive political climate.

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Books
Arts

In 'Scribe,' A World Haunted By Absences

10:00am October 14, 2018

by Jason Sheehan

Alyson Hagy's new dystopian novel paints an America torn apart by war and plague, leaving little of the past intact. It's a lean, hungry book that draws on Appalachian folk myths, mercilessly told.

Watch out for Merlina — she'll steal your lunch with no regrets.

'The Ravenmaster' Is Definitely (There) For The Birds

8:00am October 14, 2018

by Petra Mayer

Legend says that if the ravens ever leave the Tower of London, England will fall. Luckily, ravenmaster Chris Skaife is there to care for them, and he's got a new book about these extraordinary birds.

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Books
Arts

'The Witch Elm' Starts Slow, Then Sucks You In

7:00am October 14, 2018

by Bethanne Patrick

Tana French's new standalone novel packs a lot of character and background information into the first few chapters, but the atmosphere and dialogue will keep you turning pages as the mystery unfolds.

Chris Rock's 1996 HBO special helped him become a major star.

Arts

How 'Bring The Pain' Brought Chris Rock Superstar Fame

6:00am October 14, 2018

by Eric Deggans

A new A&E documentary highlights the stand-up comedian's breakout HBO special.