“I still get absolutely shocked,” says Spektor (in London in February 2006) of her rising popularity, “and that a very particularly amazing feeling.” Her virtuosity and singular style are attracting legions of fans, both mature and teen.

Russian Idol

Moscow-born Regina Spektor draws on classical music roots to create and perform pop songs of rare originality

With his own record label, Sufjan Stevens is “one of the indie world’s most eccentric and personal songwriters,” says Rolling Stone.

One Man Band

The next Bob Dylan? Maybe. Sufjan Stevens’ honest sound and stark lyrics speak volumes to a new generation. And he plays all the instruments

“I always knew strongly who I was and what I was supposed to do,” says Wiki (here at the mouth of the Klamath River on the Yurok Indian reservation in Northern California).

Making the Grade

Yurok Indian Geneva Wiki is helping other young Native Americans “develop their best selves”

Errol Morris

Between the Idea and the Reality … Falls the Shadow

A fungus from a group that ravages trees around the world is now infesting New Zealand's ancient, symbolic kauris.

A Pox Upon the Kauri

New Zealanders rally to save their much-loved, 2,000-year-old national symbol

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In the Name of the Law

How to win arguments without really trying

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Memories…

…Of a lost father, an abandoned airplane and a composer’s dilemma

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Letters

Readers respond to the August issue

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What’s Up

Dogs, masks and Mexican festivals

"Robert [c. 1986] was a real gentleman," recalls blues guitarist Ted Estersohn.

Art and Soul

Bluesman Robert Young wasn’t just fooling around

Jukebox

Ode to a Federal Entitlement

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Tuareg Chic

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Cheech Marin

The Smithsonian Latino Center recently honored Cheech Marin with a Legacy Award for his commitment to Chicano artists

Creativity Manhattan style, from left: Le Clercq, Windham, Johnson, Williams and author Vidal, with Virginia Reed (rear).

Salad Days

Karl Bissinger’s 1949 photograph of the author and a few friends at lunch in a Manhattan restaurant garden invokes the optimism of youth

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Back to the Figure

Recognizable forms are showing up in the works of a new wave of contemporary painters

The Curiosity of Cats

When the musical opened on Broadway, 25 years ago, few predicted its amazing success—or what it would mean for composer Andrew Lloyd Webber

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Meet the Innovators

Tane Mahuta in the Waipoua Kauri Forest

Champs

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From the Castle

Sci-High

"Bad Boy", oil on linen, 66 inches x 96 inches by Eric Fischl

Always Something There to Remind Me

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