culture

Arts

'Wait Wait' for Feb. 12, 2022: With Not My Job guest Patti Smith

12:18pm February 12, 2022

Patti Smith is a cultural icon; a musician, writer and poet who helped shape the counterculture of the '70s. She does it all, but can she answer our questions about burger makers, AKA Patty Smiths?

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Books
Arts

'Maus' author Art Spiegelman shares the story behind his Pulitzer-winning work

11:20am February 12, 2022

by Terry Gross

Spiegelman's graphic novel, which was recently banned by a school district in Tennessee, tells the story of how his Jewish parents survived the Holocaust in Poland. Originally broadcast in 1987.

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Where Wonder Grows, written by Xelena González and illustrated by Adriana M. Garcia

Books
Arts

Grandma's garden of magical rocks is 'Where Wonder Grows'

8:13am February 12, 2022

by Samantha Balaban

A grandmother brings her granddaughters to her special garden, where they learn about their connection to nature and tell stories about magical rocks, seashells, crystals and meteorites.

The members of Brassville. From left, back row, standing: Jonathon Neal, MarVelous Brown, Derrick Greene, Adrian Pollard, Nate McDowell; seated on bench: Marcus Chandler and Rashad Sylvester; center, seated on ground: Larry Jenkins, Jr.

Brassville aims to reclaim the deep scope of Nashville music history, stage by stage

8:13am February 12, 2022

by Jewly Hight

A contemporary brass band that grew out of one of Nashville's historically Black universities is helping to expand the lost musical identity of the country capital.

Banners and signs are hung on a fence at Lafayette Square near the White House, during ongoing protests against police brutality and racism in June 2020. The Library of Congress has digitized some of the pieces of artwork, signs and photographs once displ

Arts

Artwork from the Black Lives Matter memorial has a new home: the Library of Congress

7:18am February 12, 2022

by Jonathan Franklin

The artwork that once served as a memorial to the movement is being displayed in a new online exhibit at the Library of Congress. So far, 33 pieces are posted.

A 1977 promotional image of the band Foreigner. One of the founding members, Ian McDonald, has died at 75.

Ian McDonald, founding member of King Crimson and Foreigner, has died

5:56pm February 11, 2022

by Anastasia Tsioulcas

The multi-instrumentalist initially came blazing onto the scene with his saxophone on the opening cut of King Crimson's first album, In the Court of the Crimson King. He died Wednesday at age 75.

In a pandemic that's deprived us all of the break-room watercooler, Abbott Elementary has enjoyed break-room-watercooler buzz, albeit virtually.

Arts

Network sitcoms are actually good again

4:09pm February 11, 2022

by Glen Weldon

Word-of-mouth, favorite actors and nerdy curiosity got me to check these shows out, but it's the writing that keeps me coming back. The familiar comedic rhythms are also strangely comforting.

Jacob Collier: A playful approach to creating music

3:59pm February 11, 2022

Grammy winner Jacob Collier has been called a musical phenomenon; his work is full of joy and spontaneity. He makes a case for why we should emphasize play, passion, and curiosity over practice.

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Books
Arts

Remembering activist Todd Gitlin, who helped lead the '60s antiwar movement

1:26pm February 11, 2022

by Terry Gross

Gitlin was part of the tumultuous student protest movement of the 1960s, and continued his commitment to social change through teaching and writing. He died on Feb. 5. Originally broadcast in 1987.

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Books
Arts

A reissue helps revive Joseph Hansen's series about a tough, gay detective

11:52am February 11, 2022

by John Powers

In 1970, Hansen began a 12-novel series about Dave Brandstetter, an insurance investigator who happens to be gay. Reading now, it's clear that Hansen was one of the great crime writers of his time.