Arts & Life

Herbie Hancock's new memoir is titled Possibilities.

Herbie Hancock: 'On A Path To Find My Own Answer'

10:26am October 23, 2014

by NPR Staff

In a candid interview, the ever-innovative pianist traces the lines between Buddhist chants, Sly Stone and Miles Davis, while shedding new light on some hard facts about his past.

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Joan Didion on Sept. 24, 2012, in New York City.

Books
Arts

Book News: Joan Didion's Life, As Seen On Kickstarter

9:48am October 23, 2014

by Colin Dwyer

The nephew of the iconic essayist and novelist hopes to produce a documentary on her life, and he's turned to crowd-funding to make it happen. Also: There's been much ado about the dictionary lately.

Arts

#ColorFacts: A Weird Little Lesson, In Rainbow Order

7:03am October 23, 2014

by Nicole Cohen

Where'd the term "red tape" come from? Why are the Simpsons yellow? And is there a rhyme for orange? We answer these pressing questions — and more — in a new look at your old friend Roy G. Biv.

Books
Arts

'Republic Of Imagination' Sings The Praises Of Literature

7:03am October 23, 2014

by Heller McAlpin

The author of Reading Lolita in Tehran returns, this time with a paean to the importance of literature in a democratic society. Reviewer Heller McAlpin says Azar Nafisi may be preaching to the choir.

Glowing tapioca pearls accompanied by spiders (made of chocolate drizzle), just in time for Halloween, by Luma Bites

Arts

Glow-In-The-Dark Treats To Light Up Your Halloween

6:35pm October 22, 2014

by Alison Bruzek

Two entrepreneurs have developed new tricks to make food that's literally illuminating, using ingredients that are as natural and unprocessed as possible. It's just basic food chemistry, folks.

Joe Ambrose of Favourite Ice holds one of his crystal-clear artisanal cubes.

Arts

Can Hand-Cut, Artisanal Ice Make Your Cocktail That Much Better?

4:41pm October 22, 2014

by Eliza Barclay

If you're sipping craft cocktails, your fancy $15 drink might now come with fancy ice. It's bigger, clearer and allegedly better tasting than the regular stuff made with tap water.

In Birdman, Ed Norton (right) plays a talented but pretentious actor in a Broadway play being directed by an actor he disrespects (Michael Keaton, left) for having starred in a series of Birdman superhero films.

Arts

Ed Norton On 'Birdman,' Wes Anderson And Why $40 Makes Him Proud

3:00pm October 22, 2014

Making Birdman "was one of the most creatively satisfying experiences I've had," Norton says. He also talks about why Anderson's films are deep and getting royalties for the music in Death to Smoochy.

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Books
Arts

Book News: Just Months In, A Publisher That Promised Innovation Ends Its Run

2:11pm October 22, 2014

by Colin Dwyer

Atavist Books launched with aims of upending the print-first publishing model. Now it's announcing its plans to close. Meanwhile, partnerships between public libraries and airports are taking off.

Books
Arts

Disappearing Religions Charted In 'Heirs To Forgotten Kingdoms'

2:02pm October 22, 2014

When Gerard Russell was a diplomat in the Middle East, he met followers of ancient religions facing extinction. His new book includes the origins of the Yazidis, who are fleeing the Islamic State.

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Look, Mom, I Finally Made It To Broadway!

12:56pm October 22, 2014

by Michel Martin

NPR's Michel Martin will sit down with a panel of award-winning playwrights to ask about diversity in theater. Follow here or join us on Twitter on Friday at 7 p.m. ET, using #NPRMichel.