Arts
Erin Gruwell, the Teacher Behind the Freedom Writers, to Speak at Salem College
Erin Gruwell is the educator and mentor behind the group known as the Freedom Writers. The personal stories, classroom adventures, and educational triumphs of Erin and her students are recorded in their moving collaboration and New York Times Bestseller, The Freedom Writers Diary: How a Teacher and 150 Teens Used Writing to Change Themselves and the World Around Them. Their story was made into a feature film in 2007 starring Hilary Swank as Gruwell.
Roald Dahl Wanted His Magical 'Matilda' To Keep Books Alive
For many young readers, Dahl is a beloved author. But to Lucy Dahl, he's also Dad. "Matilda was one of the most difficult books for him to write," she says. "I think that there was a deep genuine fear within his heart that books were going to go away and he wanted to write about it."
What's The Most Important Thing Food Labels Should Tell Us?
Food labels have become battlegrounds. Government regulators, companies and food movement activists have been fighting over what belongs on the label. (GMOs? Trans fats? Claims that bran prevents heart disease?) We asked four big thinkers for their dream food label.
Actor Bruce Dern Gets Up Close And Personal In 'Nebraska'
Dern's new film follows a man named Woody who is starting to show signs of dementia. When Woody falls for one of those junk-mail sweepstakes come-ons, he becomes convinced that he's won $1 million and sets out on foot to collect the cash. Dern tells Fresh Air's Terry Gross, "[Nebraska] is the most personal movie I've ever done in my career."
The Future of North Carolina Shakespeare Festival
On August 1st the North Carolina Shakespeare Festival announced that it was suspending operations, effective immediately. Extreme financial challenges in a difficult fundraising climate were sighted as the root causes for the decision. In their announcement, the NCShakes Board of Trustees vowed to re-evaluate their programming and adjust their mission to alleviate the potential $300,000 budget shortfall. Artistic and Managing Director Pedro Silva joined the organization at its inception in 1977, becoming managing director six years later.
Chasing Money, And Meaning, In 'Nebraska'
A road-trip movie from director Alexander Payne (Sideways) follows a man en route to collect a million-dollar prize that probably never was. NPR's Bob Mondello says the black-and-white film is just the latest achievement from a talented filmmaker. (Recommended)
Christmas Lights Make Slippers In Global 'Junkyard' Economy
The Chinese town of Shijiao is known for recycling discarded Christmas tree lights for their copper and wire insulation, which are then used to support growing economies and make slipper soles, respectively. In Junkyard Planet, Adam Minter explores the business of recycling what developed nations throw away.
A 'Marriage', A Divorce, A Dying Dog And Essays Done Right
Essay collections are underrated and often ignored in favor of short stories or novels. But in the hands of a writer as practiced as Ann Patchett, critic Maureen Corrigan says the essay becomes an expansive storytelling vessel. Patchett's new book is This Is The Story Of A Happy Marriage.
Men's Vocal Ensemble Group Cantus to Perform for Secrest Series
All is Calm: The Christmas Truce of 1914 by Peter Rothstein, with musical arrangements by Erick Lichte and Timothy Takach, is based on a true story that took place during the first winter of World War I. Next week, Minneapolis-based Theatre Latte Da brings All is Calm to the Triad. They'll be joined in performance by the internationally acclaimed men's vocal ensemble Cantus with patriotic tunes, trench songs, medieval Scottish ballads, and holiday carols from England, Wales, France and Germany.