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Neda Ulaby Neda Ulaby reports on arts, entertainment, and cultural trends for NPR's Arts Desk.
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Neda Ulaby

Thursday

Monday

Attorney Todd Blanche listens as his client former U.S. President Trump speaks as he arrives for his hush money trial at Manhattan Criminal Court on May 30, 2024, in New York City.

Todd Blanche in May 2024 at the Manhattan Criminal Court during the hush money trial of President Donald Trump. Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images hide caption

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Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images

Culture

The President has named a new Acting Librarian of Congress. It's his former defense lawyer.

Todd Blanche, a former personal lawyer for President Trump, is now acting Librarian of Congress. According to his public profile, Blanche has no experience working in libraries or archives.

The Angel Oak tree on Johns Island near Charleston, S.C., pictured in September 2013.

The Angel Oak tree on Johns Island near Charleston, S.C., pictured in September 2013. Bruce Smith/AP hide caption

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Bruce Smith/AP

Culture

Oaklee, Oakley, Oakleigh: Parents branch out to oak-based names, especially in red states

Olivia and Liam are the most popular baby names now, but Social Security Administration data shows oak-based names are gaining popularity, particularly in conservative parts of the country.

Oaklee, Oakley, Oakleigh: Parents love oak-based names, especially in red states

Listen · 2:56
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Saturday

Justin Hopkins, left, Nathan Granner, David Morgans, Markel Reed and Chaz’men Williams-Ali rehearse a scene for Detroit Opera’s performances of Anthony Davis’ opera The Central Park Five on May 10, 16 and 18.

Justin Hopkins (from left), Nathan Granner, David Morgans, Markel Reed and Chaz'men Williams-Ali rehearse a scene for the Detroit Opera's performances of Anthony Davis' opera The Central Park Five on May 10, 16 and 18. Austin T. Richey/Detroit Opera hide caption

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Austin T. Richey/Detroit Opera

Performing Arts

This opera tells the story of 'The Central Park Five,' Donald Trump's role included

In 1989, Trump took out full-page newspaper ads demanding the death penalty "for roving bands of wild criminals." The Detroit Opera decided to program this work long before the presidential election.

This opera tells the story of 'The Central Park Five,' Donald Trump's role included

Listen · 5:34
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Wednesday

The Wellington, Pine Hill, N.Y.
Shandaken Historical Museum; Shelley Smith/National Trust for Historic Preservation

Culture

Here's the 2025 list of most endangered historic places in the U.S.

This year, the annual list from the National Trust for Historic Preservation includes a mysterious castle, flooded communities in Florida and North Carolina, historic hotels and a gigantic turtle.

Most Endangered Historic Places 2025

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Saturday

Mokhtar Alkhanshali, in a promotional picture from his company, Port of Mokha

"I get really emotional when I walk into these cafes and I see Yemen coffee becoming a thing," says coffee entrepreneur Mokhtar Alkhanshali. Port of Mokha hide caption

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Port of Mokha

Culture

Built on a rich coffee history, Yemeni cafes find U.S. success and new challenges, too

Yemen is an ancient birthplace of the coffee trade, and immigrants fleeing its civil war have brought their culture here in the form of cafes. Hundreds of Yemeni coffee shops have opened in the U.S.

The Rise of Yemeni Coffeeshops

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Monday

'Warfare' aims for accuracy

Will Poulter in Warfare. A24 hide caption

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A24

Review

Pop Culture Happy Hour

'Warfare' aims for accuracy

The new film Warfare dispenses with a lot of things you've come to expect from Hollywood war movies. It's based on the memories of a platoon of Navy SEALS, and attempts to capture the chaos of one specific Iraq War conflict as accurately as possible. The only thing Hollywood about it is its cast of young actors, including Joseph Quinn, Will Poulter, Kit Connor and D'Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai.

'Warfare' aims for accuracy

Listen · 15:35
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Wednesday

Tracy Chapman onstage during the 66th Grammy Awards on February 04, 2024 in Los Angeles, California.

Tracy Chapman performs during the 66th Grammy Awards on Feb. 4, 2024 in Los Angeles. Amy Sussman/Getty Images hide caption

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Amy Sussman/Getty Images

Culture

National Recording Registry adds Tracy Chapman, Hamilton and the Minecraft game soundtrack

There are 25 new additions to the Library of Congress collection. They include albums by Elton John, Miles Davis, Amy Winehouse, and the original cast recording of Hamilton.

National Recording Registry adds Tracy Chapman, Hamilton and the Minecraft soundtrack

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Wednesday

Obituaries

Remembering Val Kilmer, whose roles helped define the 1980s and '90s on screen

Actor Val Kilmer has died at 65. Kilmer played Jim Morrison, Batman, and dozens of other characters in movies that helped define the 1980s and 1990s.

Remembering Val Kilmer, whose roles helped define the 1980s and '90s on screen

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Wednesday

Grace Wertanen, the "seedling intern" at Growing Hope Urban Farm in Ypsilanti, Mich. carries a tray of soil blocked plants

Grace Wertanen, the "seedling intern" at Growing Hope Urban Farm in Ypsilanti, Mich. carries a tray of soil blocked plants Neda Ulaby/NPR hide caption

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Neda Ulaby/NPR

Gardening

What's soil blocking? This seeding method helps gardeners use less plastic and peat

Soil blocking is an environmentally friendly method to prep seedlings. The technique has captured the attention of serious gardeners who'd like to make their growing more sustainable.

What's soil blocking? This seeding method helps gardeners use less plastic and peat

Listen · 2:42
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Wednesday

Monday

Culture

How one influential Irish musician in America celebrates St. Patrick's Day

Joanie Madden founded the Celtic supergroup Cherish The Ladies. She tells us about what she calls "March Madness" for Irish musicians and the song that's most meaningful for her to play this year.

How one influential Irish musician in America celebrates St. Patrick's Day

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Culture

How one influential Irish musician in America celebrates St. Patrick's Day

Joanie Madden founded the Celtic supergroup Cherish The Ladies. She tells us about what she calls "March Madness" for Irish musicians and the song that's most meaningful for her to play this year.

How one influential Irish musician in America celebrates St. Patrick's Day

Listen · 2:39
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