Arts & Entertainment

When the Ancient Past Reaches Out and Touches Us

PBS NewsHour

In his new book, "The Swerve: How the World Became Modern," author Stephen Greenblatt unearths the tale of a book collector whose discovery of poet Lucretius' "On the Nature of Things" helped change the direction of human thought. Jeffrey Brown and Greenblatt discuss the book and its many cross-generational messages. Continue

Stephen Greenblatt Reads an Excerpt From 'The...

PBS NewsHour

Pulitzer prize-winning author Stephen Greenblatt reads an excerpt of "The Swerve." Continue

The Daily Frame

PBS NewsHour

The sails of the Sydney Opera House are illuminated as part of the Vivid Sydney festival of lights on Friday. Continue

Summer 2012 Reading List

Washington Week

Looking for some good summer reading? Check out the books Gwen and the Washington Week panelists recommend for the beach, the car, the plane or the pool. From fiction to politics, history to biography, there is something for everybody. The smartest reporters in Washington, D.C. bring you their suggestions for the summer's best reads. Continue

The Daily Frame

PBS NewsHour

President Obama receives a painting of Air Force One during the U.S. Air Force Academy's graduation ceremony in Colorado Springs on Wednesday. Continue

'Dear World, From Joplin With Love'

PBS NewsHour

Marking the one year anniversary of the devastating tornado that hit Joplin, Mo., a new exhibit, "Dear World, From Joplin With Love," opened Saturday at the Spiva Center for the Arts. The collection of portraits by Robert X. Fogarty focuses on storm-affected residents, first responders, volunteers and city officials. Continue

The Daily Frame

PBS NewsHour

A family picnics next to a sculpture of a crashed flying saucer. "Vex" by artist Dinu Li is part of the Tatton Park Biennial in Knutsford, England. This year's exhibition, which runs until September, explores "Flights of Fancy" and includes the work of more than 20 artists. Continue

Actor-writer Billy Bob Thornton

Tavis Smiley

The Academy Award winner-turned-author shares what finally convinced him to write his memoir, The Billy Bob Tapes: A Cave Full of Ghosts, and talks about life-changing events and his driving force. Continue

The Daily Frame

PBS NewsHour

A model walks the runway in K8 Hardy's "Untitled Runway Show" on Sunday at the 2012 Whitney Biennial in New York City. Hardy "re-create[d] many of the trappings of a runway show by a top fashion designer, using an experienced production team, lighting, sound, hair, and makeup technicians, as well as professional models." Continue

Remembering Opera Singer Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau

PBS NewsHour

German opera singer Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, who died Friday at age 86, was a master of the Lieder, a form of German song that he helped make popular in the 20th century. Jeffrey Brown speaks with Anne Midgette, a classical music critic for The Washington Post, about Fischer-Dieskau's legacy. Continue

May 25, 2012

To The Contrary

epublican women in the House of Representatives start a new caucus to highlight female lawmakers and court women voters; so-called "pink collar" jobs like nursing and primary education are recruiting more men than ever before; A new organization lobbies for better working conditions of models in the United States. Continue

Conversation: Chris Thile and the Goat Rodeo Sessions...

PBS NewsHour

"The Goat Rodeo Sessions" is the name of a recording released in October of last year. It's also the name of a performance that airs on PBS this Friday. It's an all-star and eclectic group made up of cellist Yo-Yo Ma, fiddler Stuart Duncan, bassist Edgar Meyer and mandolinist Chris Thile. Continue

Actor-filmmaker Kevin Costner, Part 1

Tavis Smiley

In part one of this two-night conversation, the two-time Oscar winner reflects on his body of work and the moment he fully committed to becoming a thespian and discloses the one thing he feels people would envy of him. Continue

Culture Canvas

PBS NewsHour

A weekly roundup of arts and culture headlines. Continue

Musician Greg Allman

Tavis Smiley

The singer-songwriter reflects on the life experiences that inspired his text My Cross to Bear and the Allman Brothers’ contribution to music. Continue

Q&A;: 'Dear World, From Joplin With Love'

PBS NewsHour

Marking the one year anniversary of the tornado, a new exhibit, "Dear World, From Joplin With Love," opened Saturday at the Spiva Center for the Arts. Art Beat talked to executive director Jo Mueller and public relations coordinator Lori Marble about the exhibit. Continue

TTC Extra - Are LEGOS for Girls Offensive?

To The Contrary

LEGO releases a new line of toys designed just for girls. Continue

Around the Nation

PBS NewsHour

Here are four arts and culture videos from public broadcasting partners around the nation. Continue

Donna Summer Tribute

Tavis Smiley

In a tribute to the “Queen of Disco,” Tavis looks at the legacy of the five-time Grammy winner and one of the most popular artists of the disco era. Continue

Remembering Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau