Arts & Life

Arts

After four decades on 'Sesame Street," Sonia Manzano launches her own children's show

9:34am October 03, 2021

NPR's Lulu Garcia-Navarro speaks to Sonia Manzano, better known as Maria from Sesame Street, about her new animated children's television show, "Alma's Way."

The Last House on Needless Street, by Catriona Ward

Books
Arts

In this creepy house, no one's who you think they are — not even the cat

4:00am October 03, 2021

by Gabino Iglesias

As soon as you open Catriona Ward's new The Last House on Needless Street, you'll know something's very wrong — it's a great read for people who want a book to yank the rug right out from under them.

RZA of Wu-Tang Clan performs onstage during the 2013 Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival in Manchester, Tenn.

Arts

'Wait Wait' For Oct. 2, 2021: RZA Plays Not My Job

10:05am October 02, 2021

The RZA is one of the godfathers of hip-hop and leader of the Wu-Tang Clan. Naturally, we invited him on to ask him three questions about Tang, one of the godfathers of powdered orange drinks.

Arts

5 challenges 'Seinfeld' faces in connecting with viewers on Netflix

10:00am October 02, 2021

by Eric Deggans

All nine seasons of the classic sitcom Seinfeld debut on Netflix this week. But some aspects of the show might not work for modern audiences.

Arts

Circus clowns are the latest pandemic related shortage in Northern Ireland

8:02am October 02, 2021

Northern Ireland is experiencing a clown shortage. Circuses are reopening, but many clowns have moved on to other countries.

Nadine Seiler poses with a piece of artwork that was once displayed on the fence outside the White House. Seiler is working to find new homes for the 700+ signs/artifacts.

She guarded the Black Lives Matter memorial. Now, she's working to protect its art

7:00am October 02, 2021

by Jonathan Franklin

Nadine Seiler, one of those who watched over a fence at what became Black Lives Matter Plaza, is working to find homes for more than 700 artifacts that once covered the structure near the White House.

Michelle Zauner (L) of Japanese Breakfast performs with drummer Craig Hendrix at the Intersect music festival at the Las Vegas Festival Grounds on December 07, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

You Are What You Cook

6:00am October 02, 2021

by Alyssa Jeong Perry

In her memoir, Crying In H Mart, released earlier this year, author and musician Michelle Zauner explores how cooking helped her understand her identity as a Korean American after her mother's death.

Queue Listen Now

Cover composite: Chronicles from the Land of the Happiest People on Earth, by Wole Soyinka

Books
Arts

Wole Soyinka's long-awaited third novel isn't his best work

5:00am October 02, 2021

by Keishel Williams

The great writer and playwright hasn't published a novel since 1973 — but fans who've been waiting may be disappointed by this dense, florid tale of murder and corruption in an imaginary Nigeria.

Big Annie Makin' a Quilt for Baby Roy,1983. (Cloth painting, 42 x 37 ½ in.)

Arts

Buttons, beads and bravado: Celebrating the simple joy in Aminah Robinson's art

5:40pm October 01, 2021

by Susan Stamberg

The first retrospective to display Robinson's work after her 2015 death, Raggin' On at the Columbus Museum of Art celebrates the grandeur of simple objects and everyday tasks.

Arts

This just in — go to bed angry

5:09pm October 01, 2021

NPR's Ailsa Chang talks with reporter Rhaina Cohen about her new piece in The Atlantic, called "The Secret to a Fight-Free Relationship."