Elizabeth Blair http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=2100238&ft=1&f=2100238 Elizabeth Blair is a Senior Producer on the Arts Desk of NPR News. en Copyright 2013 NPR - For Personal Use Only NPR API RSS Generator 0.94 Mon, 20 May 2013 04:00:00 -0400 http://media.npr.org/images/npr_news_123x20.gif Elizabeth Blair http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=2100238&ft=1&f=2100238 Despite Digital Platforms, TV Still Relies On Word Of Mouth TV is still a huge topic of conversation on and offline, according to recent research. In fact, conversation about TV is growing in the last few years. And face-to-face word of mouth still has tremendous power when it comes to attracting new viewers to a show. TV still seems to be the most influential medium when it comes to shaping American culture. Mon, 20 May 2013 04:00:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/20/185458147/tv-shows-still-rely-on-word-of-mouth?ft=1&f=2100238 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/20/185458147/tv-shows-still-rely-on-word-of-mouth?ft=1&f=2100238 TV is still a huge topic of conversation on and offline, according to recent research. In fact, conversation about TV is growing in the last few years. And face-to-face word of mouth still has tremendous power when it comes to attracting new viewers to a show. TV still seems to be the most influential medium when it comes to shaping American culture.

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]]> 'Venus And Serena': An Extraordinary Story, Told On Film The amazing tale of two sisters from a poor neighborhood — who play tennis unlike anyone before them and each reach No. 1 in the world — is one we're not likely to see again. Fri, 17 May 2013 17:29:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/blogs/codeswitch/2013/05/17/184834786/venus-and-serena-an-extraordinary-story-told-on-film?ft=1&f=2100238 http://www.npr.org/blogs/codeswitch/2013/05/17/184834786/venus-and-serena-an-extraordinary-story-told-on-film?ft=1&f=2100238 The amazing tale of two sisters from a poor neighborhood — who play tennis unlike anyone before them and each reach No. 1 in the world — is one we're not likely to see again.

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]]> In D.C., Art Program Turns Boys' Lives Into 'Masterpieces' In Washington's Ward 7, where only 33 percent of students graduate from high school, a program called Life Pieces to Masterpieces is sending nearly 100 percent of its graduates to college or post-secondary education. Thu, 18 Apr 2013 14:41:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/04/18/177608823/in-d-c-art-program-turns-boys-lives-into-masterpieces?ft=1&f=2100238 http://www.npr.org/2013/04/18/177608823/in-d-c-art-program-turns-boys-lives-into-masterpieces?ft=1&f=2100238 In Washington's Ward 7, where only 33 percent of students graduate from high school, a program called Life Pieces to Masterpieces is sending nearly 100 percent of its graduates to college or post-secondary education.

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]]> More Than 50 Years Of Putting Kids' Creativity To The Test A bit like an IQ test measures intelligence, the Torrance Test and others like it measure creative ability. They help figure out when investments pay off, and they can draw attention to hidden problems, like why elementary kids are scoring better than high school students. Wed, 17 Apr 2013 17:07:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/04/17/177040995/more-than-50-years-of-putting-kids-creativity-to-the-test?ft=1&f=2100238 http://www.npr.org/2013/04/17/177040995/more-than-50-years-of-putting-kids-creativity-to-the-test?ft=1&f=2100238 A bit like an IQ test measures intelligence, the Torrance Test and others like it measure creative ability. They help figure out when investments pay off, and they can draw attention to hidden problems, like why elementary kids are scoring better than high school students.

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]]> Creative Classes: An Artful Approach To Improving Performance The Turnaround Arts Initiative is using an ambitious arts curriculum to try and turn eight low-performing schools around. Celebrities like Kerry Washington and Yo-Yo Ma have signed on to help encourage kids, but the program's success will ultimately be measured in test scores. Tue, 16 Apr 2013 16:00:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/04/16/176671432/creative-classes-an-artful-approach-to-improving-performance?ft=1&f=2100238 http://www.npr.org/2013/04/16/176671432/creative-classes-an-artful-approach-to-improving-performance?ft=1&f=2100238 The Turnaround Arts Initiative is using an ambitious arts curriculum to try and turn eight low-performing schools around. Celebrities like Kerry Washington and Yo-Yo Ma have signed on to help encourage kids, but the program's success will ultimately be measured in test scores.

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]]> Lianne La Havas: 'The Golden Girl Of British Music' The 23-year-old singer-songwriter and guitarist, who has been compared to Adele, swept critics after her TV debut. One said her voice seemed to make time stand still. This story aired originally on <em>Morning Edition</em> on Nov. 5, 2012. Sun, 07 Apr 2013 08:00:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/04/07/176482790/lianne-la-havas-the-golden-girl-of-british-music?ft=1&f=2100238 http://www.npr.org/2013/04/07/176482790/lianne-la-havas-the-golden-girl-of-british-music?ft=1&f=2100238 The 23-year-old singer-songwriter and guitarist, who has been compared to Adele, swept critics after her TV debut. One said her voice seemed to make time stand still. This story aired originally on Morning Edition on Nov. 5, 2012.

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]]> Familiar Folks Make Up A Play's 'Good People' The most frequently produced play in America these days is a semiautobiographical look at class divides in the modern U.S. David Lindsay-Abaire's <em>Good People</em> explores what can happen when two kids from the same neighborhood grow up to become two very different adults. Mon, 18 Mar 2013 00:45:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/03/18/174308962/familiar-folks-make-up-a-plays-good-people?ft=1&f=2100238 http://www.npr.org/2013/03/18/174308962/familiar-folks-make-up-a-plays-good-people?ft=1&f=2100238 The most frequently produced play in America these days is a semiautobiographical look at class divides in the modern U.S. David Lindsay-Abaire's Good People explores what can happen when two kids from the same neighborhood grow up to become two very different adults.

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]]> In Moscow, Scandals Shake A Storied Ballet The Bolshoi Ballet is deeply beloved in Russia. But a series of recent scandals — capped by a nasty acid attack on the company's artistic director in mid-January — has sent shock waves through artistic circles. Mon, 04 Feb 2013 17:46:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/2013/02/05/171059403/in-moscow-scandals-shake-a-storied-ballet?ft=1&f=2100238 http://www.npr.org/2013/02/05/171059403/in-moscow-scandals-shake-a-storied-ballet?ft=1&f=2100238 The Bolshoi Ballet is deeply beloved in Russia. But a series of recent scandals — capped by a nasty acid attack on the company's artistic director in mid-January — has sent shock waves through artistic circles.

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]]> For Super Bowl Ads, More Social-Media Savvy For years, Super Bowl ads have gone viral after they've aired. But these days brands like Doritos and Volkswagen are turning to social media to crowdsource ad creation — and to boost the buzz long before the big Sunday kickoff. Fri, 01 Feb 2013 16:10:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/2013/02/01/170753460/for-super-bowl-ads-more-social-media-savvy?ft=1&f=2100238 http://www.npr.org/2013/02/01/170753460/for-super-bowl-ads-more-social-media-savvy?ft=1&f=2100238 For years, Super Bowl ads have gone viral after they've aired. But these days brands like Doritos and Volkswagen are turning to social media to crowdsource ad creation — and to boost the buzz long before the big Sunday kickoff.

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]]> For Would-Be Sundancers, Kickstarter Can Fuel Films Financing a movie can be tough — but more and more filmmakers are crowdsourcing their creative cash. Nearly 10 percent of the films at this year's Sundance Film Festival found backers through the online fundraiser Kickstarter. Fri, 25 Jan 2013 02:46:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/2013/01/25/170191605/for-would-be-sundancers-kickstarter-can-fuel-films?ft=1&f=2100238 http://www.npr.org/2013/01/25/170191605/for-would-be-sundancers-kickstarter-can-fuel-films?ft=1&f=2100238 Financing a movie can be tough — but more and more filmmakers are crowdsourcing their creative cash. Nearly 10 percent of the films at this year's Sundance Film Festival found backers through the online fundraiser Kickstarter.

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]]> Rand Paul Calls Out Hillary Clinton Over Indian Comedy Tour Sen. Rand Paul asked Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Wednesday if she knew that the State Department sent three comedians on a tour of India. We talk to one of the comedians about what it's like to be a political football. Wed, 23 Jan 2013 15:00:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/2013/01/23/170101069/rand-paul-calls-out-hillary-clinton-over-indian-comedy-tour?ft=1&f=2100238 http://www.npr.org/2013/01/23/170101069/rand-paul-calls-out-hillary-clinton-over-indian-comedy-tour?ft=1&f=2100238 Sen. Rand Paul asked Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Wednesday if she knew that the State Department sent three comedians on a tour of India. We talk to one of the comedians about what it's like to be a political football.

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]]> Hold On To Your Tighty Whities, Captain Underpants Is Back! Dav Pilkey has just released his 10th <em>Captain Underpants</em> book. The series, packed with potty humor and goofy illustrations, delights reluctant readers and horrifies many grown-ups. Pilkey says he wanted to create books that would appeal even to readers who struggle, the way he did as a child. Tue, 15 Jan 2013 03:20:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/2013/01/15/169326364/hold-on-to-your-tighty-whities-captain-underpants-is-back?ft=1&f=2100238 http://www.npr.org/2013/01/15/169326364/hold-on-to-your-tighty-whities-captain-underpants-is-back?ft=1&f=2100238 Dav Pilkey has just released his 10th Captain Underpants book. The series, packed with potty humor and goofy illustrations, delights reluctant readers and horrifies many grown-ups. Pilkey says he wanted to create books that would appeal even to readers who struggle, the way he did as a child.

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]]> World War II Exhibit Asks Visitors, 'What Would You Do?' The National WWII Museum in New Orleans presents a range of real-life scenarios that give visitors a sense of the ethical — and often dangerous — decisions soldiers and civilians were forced to make during the war.<em></em> Sat, 12 Jan 2013 05:34:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/2013/01/12/169081431/world-war-ii-exhibit-asks-visitors-what-would-you-do?ft=1&f=2100238 http://www.npr.org/2013/01/12/169081431/world-war-ii-exhibit-asks-visitors-what-would-you-do?ft=1&f=2100238 The National WWII Museum in New Orleans presents a range of real-life scenarios that give visitors a sense of the ethical — and often dangerous — decisions soldiers and civilians were forced to make during the war.

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]]> The Strange Story Of The Man Behind 'Strange Fruit' NPR's Elizabeth Blair has the story of Abel Meeropol, a man with two extraordinary life stories. He wrote the song "Strange Fruit" about lynching that became one of the most important songs of the 20th century AND he and his wife adopted the two boys who were orphaned when their parents, Julius and Ethel Rosenberg, were executed in 1953. (This story initially aired on Sept. 5, 2012, on <em>Morning Edition</em>. Sun, 30 Dec 2012 08:00:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/2012/12/30/168292529/the-strange-story-of-the-man-behind-strange-fruit?ft=1&f=2100238 http://www.npr.org/2012/12/30/168292529/the-strange-story-of-the-man-behind-strange-fruit?ft=1&f=2100238 NPR's Elizabeth Blair has the story of Abel Meeropol, a man with two extraordinary life stories. He wrote the song "Strange Fruit" about lynching that became one of the most important songs of the 20th century AND he and his wife adopted the two boys who were orphaned when their parents, Julius and Ethel Rosenberg, were executed in 1953. (This story initially aired on Sept. 5, 2012, on Morning Edition.

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]]> Remembering Fontella Bass, Voice Of A Soul Classic R&B singer Fontella Bass has died at a hospice in St. Louis. She was 72. Bass is best known for the soul classic "Rescue Me." Fri, 28 Dec 2012 16:18:01 -0500 http://www.npr.org/2012/12/28/168220942/remembering-fontella-bass-voice-of-a-soul-classic?ft=1&f=2100238 http://www.npr.org/2012/12/28/168220942/remembering-fontella-bass-voice-of-a-soul-classic?ft=1&f=2100238 R&B singer Fontella Bass has died at a hospice in St. Louis. She was 72. Bass is best known for the soul classic "Rescue Me."

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