NPR Topics: Arts & Life http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=1008&ft=1&f=1008 Art and entertainment commentary plus interviews, book reviews, movie reviews, music reviews, comedy, and visual art. Subscribe to podcasts and follow trends in music, painting, art, architecture, photography, and design. Copyright 2009 NPR - For Personal Use Only NPR API RSS Generator 0.93 Thu, 26 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0500 http://media.npr.org/images/npr_news_123x20.gif Arts & Life http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=1008&ft=1&f=1008 Chef's Global Foods Make Thanksgiving American Marcus Samuelsson was born in Ethiopia, raised in Sweden and now is a world-renowned chef in New York City. His Thanksgiving food traditions are as international as his life story. He sat down with NPR's Steve Inskeep to discuss what he's eating this year. Thu, 26 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120695872&ft=1&f=1008 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120695872&ft=1&f=1008 Marcus Samuelsson was born in Ethiopia, raised in Sweden and now is a world-renowned chef in New York City. His Thanksgiving food traditions are as international as his life story. He sat down with NPR's Steve Inskeep to discuss what he's eating this year.

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]]> Cuba Was A Canvas For Artist Belkis Ayon When Ayon committed suicide in 1999, she was just 32 years old — and already a star in the Cuban art world. A major exhibit of her work now under way in Havana has revived an enduring mystery in Cuba — about art, African myths and the shadowy, all-male secret society known as Abakua. Wed, 25 Nov 2009 01:00:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=113846410&ft=1&f=1008 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=113846410&ft=1&f=1008 When Ayon committed suicide in 1999, she was just 32 years old — and already a star in the Cuban art world. A major exhibit of her work now under way in Havana has revived an enduring mystery in Cuba — about art, African myths and the shadowy, all-male secret society known as Abakua.

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]]> The 11 Best Cookbooks Of 2009 If you're the kind of person who's always believed that a book can teach you to do anything, this year's crop of cookbooks will prove you right. Cooks lacking confidence will find comfort in detailed instructions and comprehensive how-tos. Wed, 25 Nov 2009 12:41:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120683356&ft=1&f=1008 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120683356&ft=1&f=1008 If you're the kind of person who's always believed that a book can teach you to do anything, this year's crop of cookbooks will prove you right. Cooks lacking confidence will find comfort in detailed instructions and comprehensive how-tos.

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]]> Chef Cooks Up Soulful Thanksgiving ... Vegan Style The turkey is the unofficial symbol of Thanksgiving, but don't tell that to eco-chef Bryant Terry. He's the author of <em>The Vegan Soul Kitchen</em>. Terry shares tried and true holiday recipes with a vegetarian twist. Wed, 25 Nov 2009 12:00:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120816487&ft=1&f=1008 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120816487&ft=1&f=1008 The turkey is the unofficial symbol of Thanksgiving, but don't tell that to eco-chef Bryant Terry. He's the author of The Vegan Soul Kitchen. Terry shares tried and true holiday recipes with a vegetarian twist.

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]]> 'Pippa Lee': Escaping The Past, Unsure Of The Future Without any clear sense of herself, Pippa Lee (Robin Wright Penn) has been shaped by others &mdash; first her peers, then her husband and children, always living solidly in the present. But with her older husband's health failing, Pippa is forced to confront and ultimately define her identity in a film that gives her a chance to do just that. Wed, 25 Nov 2009 11:33:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120609933&ft=1&f=1008 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120609933&ft=1&f=1008 Without any clear sense of herself, Pippa Lee (Robin Wright Penn) has been shaped by others — first her peers, then her husband and children, always living solidly in the present. But with her older husband's health failing, Pippa is forced to confront and ultimately define her identity in a film that gives her a chance to do just that.

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]]> At The End Of The World, Another 'Road' To Trudge In an apocalyptic-movie age, <em>The Road</em> is the doomiest. A close translation of Cormac McCarthy's novel, the film tracks a father and son as they fight to survive in an ash-gray world haunted by death and global destruction. Critic David Edelstein says that in its depiction of unbearable extremity, John Hillcoat's film achieves a kind of sublimity. <strong><em>(Recommended)</em></strong> Wed, 25 Nov 2009 12:35:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120612276&ft=1&f=1008 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120612276&ft=1&f=1008 In an apocalyptic-movie age, The Road is the doomiest. A close translation of Cormac McCarthy's novel, the film tracks a father and son as they fight to survive in an ash-gray world haunted by death and global destruction. Critic David Edelstein says that in its depiction of unbearable extremity, John Hillcoat's film achieves a kind of sublimity. (Recommended)

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]]> The Uighurs' Unknown Struggle The Tibetan struggle for sovereignty is a story often sung. But there is another struggle for survival in China: that of the Uygur people, a Turkic ethnic group in Central Asia. Photographs by Carolyn Drake bring this previously marginalized story into the fold. Wed, 25 Nov 2009 10:55:04 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=114413776&ft=1&f=1008 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=114413776&ft=1&f=1008 The Tibetan struggle for sovereignty is a story often sung. But there is another struggle for survival in China: that of the Uygur people, a Turkic ethnic group in Central Asia. Photographs by Carolyn Drake bring this previously marginalized story into the fold.

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]]> Calif. Band Prepares To March In Macy's Parade The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City is in its 83rd year. Only five marching bands are scheduled to perform in this year's parade. One group selected is the Pittsburg High School marching band from California. Wed, 25 Nov 2009 06:00:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120809065&ft=1&f=1008 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120809065&ft=1&f=1008 The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City is in its 83rd year. Only five marching bands are scheduled to perform in this year's parade. One group selected is the Pittsburg High School marching band from California.

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]]> French Chef Puts Spin On Thanksgiving Dinner Dominique Crenn was raised in Versailles, France. She now makes an incredible Thanksgiving dinner, but when she first came to the U.S., the entire holiday threw her off. In France, turkey is eaten at Christmas. So the American phenomenon of Thanksgiving turkey and dressing mystified her. Wed, 25 Nov 2009 05:00:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120631197&ft=1&f=1008 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120631197&ft=1&f=1008 Dominique Crenn was raised in Versailles, France. She now makes an incredible Thanksgiving dinner, but when she first came to the U.S., the entire holiday threw her off. In France, turkey is eaten at Christmas. So the American phenomenon of Thanksgiving turkey and dressing mystified her.

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]]> In Japan, 'Herbivore' Boys Subvert Ideas Of Manhood The sensitive New Age man has finally arrived in the land of the salaryman. Known as "herbivores," these Japanese men are drawn to a quieter, less competitive life. But their lack of interest in sex is a worry in Japan, where the declining birthrate is causing alarm. Wed, 25 Nov 2009 04:11:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120696816&ft=1&f=1008 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120696816&ft=1&f=1008 The sensitive New Age man has finally arrived in the land of the salaryman. Known as "herbivores," these Japanese men are drawn to a quieter, less competitive life. But their lack of interest in sex is a worry in Japan, where the declining birthrate is causing alarm.

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]]> A 'Ninja Assassin,' Out For Blood (And Revenge) Splattered blood and severed limbs abound, but James McTeigue's new martial-arts extravaganza is more video game than convincingly violent action flick. Hardly realistic, but still a hoot for martial-arts fans, <em>Ninja Assassin</em> makes an entertainingly edgy option among more saccharine seasonal fare. Tue, 24 Nov 2009 17:00:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120609604&ft=1&f=1008 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120609604&ft=1&f=1008 Splattered blood and severed limbs abound, but James McTeigue's new martial-arts extravaganza is more video game than convincingly violent action flick. Hardly realistic, but still a hoot for martial-arts fans, Ninja Assassin makes an entertainingly edgy option among more saccharine seasonal fare.

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]]> Exploring The Politics Of 'Defamation' Israeli filmmaker Yoav Shamir's documentary is a bracing inquiry into arguments about the prevalence of anti-Semitism today. If the filmmaker displays an anthropologist's openness to complicated truths, he also has a contrarian's impish appetite for the opposing view &mdash; the more intemperately expressed the better, it would seem. Tue, 24 Nov 2009 17:00:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120452232&ft=1&f=1008 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120452232&ft=1&f=1008 Israeli filmmaker Yoav Shamir's documentary is a bracing inquiry into arguments about the prevalence of anti-Semitism today. If the filmmaker displays an anthropologist's openness to complicated truths, he also has a contrarian's impish appetite for the opposing view — the more intemperately expressed the better, it would seem.

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]]> In 'Me And Orson,' Welles Is Quite A Character Zac Efron is the nominal draw in <em>Me and Orson Welles</em>, a backstage drama set during the iconic director's 1937 production of <em>Julius Caesar.</em> But while Efron might bring the audiences, it's Christian McKay's turn as Orson Welles that's the real crowd-pleaser. Tue, 24 Nov 2009 17:00:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120611819&ft=1&f=1008 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120611819&ft=1&f=1008 Zac Efron is the nominal draw in Me and Orson Welles, a backstage drama set during the iconic director's 1937 production of Julius Caesar. But while Efron might bring the audiences, it's Christian McKay's turn as Orson Welles that's the real crowd-pleaser.

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]]> In China, Creating A Menagerie Through Mimicry Professional mimics in China used to imitate sounds as a form of entertainment. Not many practitioners are left, but one family is trying to preserve the art. Cheng Jiaqiang, who learned his skills from his grandfather, has a barnyard repertoire but specializes in bird songs. Tue, 24 Nov 2009 14:50:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120760741&ft=1&f=1008 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120760741&ft=1&f=1008 Professional mimics in China used to imitate sounds as a form of entertainment. Not many practitioners are left, but one family is trying to preserve the art. Cheng Jiaqiang, who learned his skills from his grandfather, has a barnyard repertoire but specializes in bird songs.

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]]> For First Lady, Protocol Critical For State Dinner The Obamas host Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Tuesday night at the most formal of all dinners. First lady Michelle Obama said she and the president will be like swans, gliding with poise and serenity &mdash; while paddling furiously to get things right. Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:39:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120777805&ft=1&f=1008 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120777805&ft=1&f=1008 The Obamas host Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Tuesday night at the most formal of all dinners. First lady Michelle Obama said she and the president will be like swans, gliding with poise and serenity — while paddling furiously to get things right.

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