Jan 16 Watch Author Offers Insights on Slavery, the Capitol, and Obama's Inauguration Jesse J. Holland, author of "Black Men Built the Capitol: Discovering African American History in and around Washington, D.C." reflects on the poignancy of Barack Obama's inauguration in a city that was built partially by slaves. Continue watching
Jan 16 Watch Foundation Invites Disadvantaged to Attend Inauguration 'The People's Inaugural Project,' a faith-based charity program founded by Earl Stafford, will bring 400 disadvantaged people to Washington D.C. for Inauguration Day to stay in a hotel and participate in meals, balls, and parties. Mr. Stafford discusses the $1.5… Continue watching
Jan 16 Painter Andrew Wyeth Dies at Age 91 Andrew Wyeth, one of the most famous figures in American art, died early Friday in his sleep at his home in the small town of Chadds Ford, Pa. He was 91. Continue reading
Jan 16 Dodge Foundation Cancels Poetry Festival The largest poetry festival in North America has just become the latest victim of the financial crisis. The Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation announced Friday in a letter to supporters that it will cancel the next Dodge Poetry Festival. Continue reading
Jan 16 Filming in Cairo? Your Papers, Please By Arts Desk I have been to Cairo before, but not like this. Before, I walked anonymously; today, I'm part of a small group carrying a magnet for endless attention -- a TV camera. Continue reading
Jan 15 The Drawing Power of Presidential Image By Arts Desk Perhaps never in American history has a politician inspired so many artists as President-elect Barack Obama. His face, seen in magazines, in murals and in posters, helped to propel a once unlikely campaign into the fundraising and publicity stratosphere. Continue reading
Jan 14 Something for Everyone Inauguration Week By Arts Desk In the lead-up to the passing of the keys to the White House, Washington, D.C., is giving entirely new meaning to the "party system." Most hotels have been sold out for months; Craigslist is overstocked with temporary rentals. Continue reading
Jan 13 Watch Poet Elizabeth Alexander Reflects on Inaugural Reading Only a few poets have participated in the swearing-in ceremony for our nation's highest office, and on Jan. 20, Elizabeth Alexander will become just the fourth to hold that honor when she will recite an original poem at President-elect Barack… Continue watching
Jan 13 Marcel Khalife...Don't Call Him Bob Dylan By Arts Desk Marcel Khalife is often described in articles as the "Bob Dylan of the Middle East." (In my preparation for this trip, by the way, I discovered two different women described as the "Oprah of the Middle East"). Continue reading
Jan 13 Prado Museum, Google Earth Partner Up To get a real close look at some of the best paintings housed in Spain's Prado Museum, you no longer have to trek to Madrid. Google and one of the world's most famous galleries announced Tuesday they have teamed up… Continue reading