Julius Rodriguez, a young pianist fusing (all) the music from inside-out
Marcus J. Moore reflects on the studio debut of pianist Julius Rodriguez, an artist seamlessly commingling jazz with more pop forms.
Arts
Banned Books: Author Ashley Hope Pérez on finding humanity in the 'darkness'
Ashley Hope Pérez published Out of Darkness in 2015 to critical acclaim. The novel re-contextualized contemporary issues of race providing a historical framework in a not-so-post-racial America.
'Iron Man,' 'Super Fly' and 'Carrie' are inducted into the National Film Registry
Every year, the Library of Congress adds 25 films to the National Film Registry to be preserved for posterity. This year's selections include Hairspray and When Harry Met Sally.
Former music students accuse two Juilliard teachers of sexual misconduct
Three people have accused two teachers at the world-renowned music school — composers Robert Beaser and the late Christopher Rouse — of sexual misconduct dating back to the 1990s and 2000s.
Woodrow Wilson led the U.S. into WWI. He also waged war on democracy at home
Author Adam Hochschild says Wilson used the first World War as an excuse to spy on Americans, censor the press and plan for the mass deportation of immigrants. His new book is American Midnight.
Adam Sandler wins the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor
The Kennedy Center has announced Adam Sandler as the winner of this year's Mark Twain Prize for American Humor. Sandler's credits include SNL, Happy Gilmore, Grown Ups, The Wedding Singer and Hustle.
Literature ambassador Jason Reynolds knows young people have a story of their own
NPR's A Martínez talks to writer Jason Reynolds, who is ending his term as the national ambassador for young people's literature. The Library of Congress appointed him to the post three years ago.
Potted Christmas trees are a rentable alternative to their fake and fresh-cut cousins
For Christmas tree shoppers who want a real live tree that's reusable like an artificial one, there may be another option: rentable potted trees that are planted in the ground when they grow too big.
Looking for a twist on the whodunit? Two mysteries veer into uncharted territory
A Dangerous Business, by Jane Smiley, is mash-up of a Western, a serial killer mystery and a feminist erotic romp. Remarkably Bright Creatures, by Shelby Van Pelt, is a noir story about an octopus.
How I discovered a love for ballet as an adult
Sometimes you can find new interests in old places. For me, it was taking ballet classes alongside a group of around 20 Chinese ladies, all of them starting ballet as adults.