Performing Arts
Sneak Peek of “Seizing Justice: The Greensboro 4″
Airing February 11, the Smithsonian Channel documentary tells the story of the lunch counter sit-in that helped to change the country
February 11, 2013 |
By Leah Binkovitz
The History of the Flapper, Part 2: Makeup Makes a Bold Entrance
It's the birth of the modern cosmetics business as young women look for beauty enhancers in a tube or jar
February 07, 2013 |
By Emily Spivack
The History of the Flapper, Part 1: A Call for Freedom
The young, fashionable women of the 1920s define the dress and style of their peers in their own words
February 05, 2013 |
By Emily Spivack
Are Punch and Judy Shows Finally Outdated?
For a wife-beating, baby-squashing scofflaw, Mr. Punch has done pretty well for himself
February 04, 2013 |
By Linda Rodriguez McRobbie
The Psychology Behind Superhero Origin Stories
How does following the adventures of Spider-Man and Batman inspire us to cope with adversity?
February 2013 |
By Robin Rosenberg
Listen to Doc Watson Picking Away at his Banjo
A new release from Smithsonian Folkways highlights the talent of a bluegrass master
February 2013 |
By Leah Binkovitz
Louis Armstrong’s New Orleans
Jazz is synonymous with the Big Easy, and there’s no bigger name in the history of the genre than Satchmo
January 31, 2013 |
By Nina Fedrizzi
3D-TV, Automated Cooking and Robot Housemaids: Walter Cronkite Tours the Home of 2001
In 1967, the most trusted man in America investigated the home of the 21st century
January 29, 2013 |
By Matt Novak
American Myths: Benjamin Franklin’s Turkey and the Presidential Seal
How the New Yorker and the West Wing botched the history of the icon
January 25, 2013 |
By Jimmy Stamp
The Tolkien Nerd’s Guide to The Hobbit
Peter Jackson’s blockbuster movie draws upon stories behind stories behind stories, just as J.R.R. Tolkien’s original works did
January 03, 2013 |
By Rachel Nuwer
LISTEN: Stephen Wade’s Banjo Diary
The roots music expert’s latest album is finger-picking good
January 2013 |
By Leah Binkovitz
A 24-Hour Movie That May Be the Biggest (and Best) Supercut Ever
Christian Marclay’s The Clock, now on view at MoMA, puts YouTube mashup artists to shame
December 28, 2012 |
By Joseph Stromberg
Our 10 Most Popular Videos of 2012
Giant snakes, lost footage, secret histories and more in this wrapup of our most watched videos of the year
December 18, 2012 |
By Caroline Lacey
If Peter Jackson’s The Hobbit Looks Weird to You, Blame the Guy Who Created Oakley Sunglasses
The Hobbit was shot on a RED camera developed by sunglass mogle Jim Jannard
December 17, 2012 |
By Rose Eveleth
Sit Back and Plug In: Entertainment in the Year 2000
Was our future to be delightful or depraved? Sort of depends on your perspective
December 13, 2012 |
By Matt Novak
What Do Alicia Keys, the Boss and Wagner Have in Common?
From the classical era to modern music, flames have lent a spark to some of the greatest tunes of all time
December 2012 |
By Zachary Woolfe
Penn Jillette Reveals the Secrets of Fire-Eating
The more talkative half of the famed magic duo says that even for professionals, this magic act is a tough act to swallow
December 2012 |
By Penn Jillette
Esperanza Spalding Took on Bieber, Now Takes on Jazz
The innovative bassist and winner of the Smithsonian American Ingenuity Award for performing arts is taking jazz to a whole new place
December 2012 |
By dream hampton
How Benh Zeitlin Made Beasts of the Southern Wild
The Oscar nominee for Best Director transformed filmmaking as he assembled a new myth out of Hurricane Katrina
December 2012 |
By Franz Lidz
In the 1920s, Shoppers Got Punk’d By Fake Televisions
Don't touch that dial....really, don't
November 30, 2012 |
By Matt Novak
