Arts & Culture
The latest news about movies, theater, music and art.
On with the Show: Amid Pandemic, Broadway Prepares to Reopen
Broadway will welcome back musical lovers and playgoers this fall as theaters in New York City reopen at 100% capacity despite an ongoing threat of the spread of COVID-19. Tina Trinh reports.Camera: Tina Trinh, Janine Phakdeetham Produced by: Tina Trinh
Hobbyist Compiles Rare and Expensive Hot Wheels Collection
Turning collectibles into a museum is something few people get a chance to do. But for one 'Hot Wheels' collector near Washington, DC, he's turned a childhood passion into a grownup hobby he can share with others. VOA’s Ronan Zakaria has the details.Camera: Alam Burhanan, Irfan Ihsan, Ronan Zakaria
Digital Art And Cryptocurrency – What Are They And Why Are They Worth Millions?
Beeple, NFT, Ethereum – words familiar mostly in the worlds of cryptocurrency and digital art. but they have revolutionized the art world and are now worth millions of dollars. Maxim Avloshenko looked into what exactly they are and why they are worth so much in this story, narrated by Anna…
Tom McCarthy's Drama 'Stillwater' Causes Controversy
“Stillwater” is a drama involving an American father who travels to Marseilles, France, to help exonerate his daughter of murder. Amanda Knox, who faced the same fate in real life in Italy, has criticized filmmaker Tom McCarthy for tailoring the story of her wrongful murder conviction in Perugia, Italy, “too…
Army Veteran Uses Photography to Reframe the Black Experience
For World Photography Day, VOA’s Jesusemen Oni speaks with American photojournalist Vanessa Charlot, who is being honored for her iconic images of what it means to be Black during the pandemic and protests over racial injustice in the U.S. Here is her report.Producer: Rob Raffaele
Efforts Underway to Preserve, Revive Hawaiian-language Press
Hawaii had a thriving native-language press through the 19th and early 20th centuries. Now there is an effort underway to preserve and renew Hawaiian-language journalism, as VOA's Mike O'Sullivan reports from Honolulu. Camera: Mike O’Sullivan
Preserving, Reviving Hawaiian-Language Press
Hawaii had a thriving native-language press through the 19th and early 20th centuries. Now there is an effort underway to preserve and renew Hawaiian-language journalism, as VOA’s Mike O'Sullivan reports from Honolulu Camera: Mike O’Sullivan
Virtual Museum Highlights Paintings of Vincent Van Gogh
Known for his extraordinary, eye-catching colorful images, Vincent Van Gogh is one of the world’s most famous 19th-century painters. Now, large-scale copies of his artwork can be viewed through digital technology at two exhibits traveling around the world. VOA’s Deborah Block takes us to one of them in Washington. Camera:…
Virginia Festival Brings People Together Despite Delta Variant Surge
Despite rising infections from COVID-19's delta variant, Americans are gathering together at sporting events in large stadiums and summer festivals. Saqib Ul Islam takes us to the Around the World Cultural Food Festival in Alexandria, Virginia, where thousands celebrated the summer and international culture. Camera: Saqib Ul Islam Produced by: Saqib Ul Islam
New Yorker Turns Farm into Amusement Park Amid Pandemic
Marc Weiss, a farmer in Long Island, New York, was on the verge of bankruptcy because of the coronavirus pandemic. But instead of shutting his farm down, Weiss turned his land into something amazing. Maxim Avloshenko has the story, narrated by Anna Rice. Camera: Max Avloshenko
China’s Wolf Warrior Diplomacy Traces Its Aggressive Tone to Film Franchise
China’s “wolf warrior” diplomacy represents China as an aggressive, rising superpower. The name is inspired by the Chinese blockbuster Wolf Warrior film franchise, whose first film debuted in 2015. VOA’s Penelope Poulou spoke with experts on film and Chinese diplomacy about the franchise, its Hollywood influence and its phenomenal appeal…
Storytelling Celebrated at Virtual Summer Literary Festival
This year's 1455 Summer Literary Festival — an annual free 3-day virtual program sponsored by a group of universities in Virginia — featured over 200 authors, poets, and creative artists sharing their insights into the art of storytelling. Maxim Moskalkov has the story. Camera: Mike Maisuradze
Somali-American Designer Debuts Hijabs at Nordstrom
A Somali-American fashion designer is launching a line of headscarves with a major North American retailer to give Muslim women more options and to make hijabs more visible to U.S. shoppers. VOA Somali’s Maxamud Mascadde has our story from the Midwest state of Minnesota, narrated by Radhia Adam.
Teaching Others the Tradition of Making Babkas
Pastry chef Shimi Aaron fell in love with babkas — a dessert that originated in Eastern Europe in the 19th century. Aaron started making his own, and today he is teaching others how to make this unusual pastry. Genia Dulot met with the chef to hear his story.Camera: Genia Dulot
Maryland-Based Visual Artist Finds Inspiration in US Social Issues
Suzanne Firstenberg is a self-described social issues artist who finds inspiration in America — economic inequality, racism and climate change, among other issues. She doesn’t limit herself to any particular medium but instead uses whatever she thinks works best to draw attention to the most pressing issues of our time. Maxim…
US Modeling Agency Steps Toward Diversity in Fashion
Briana Mariah, founder of We Speak model agency, believes models should reflect the world, and her agency finds and promotes a unique and diverse group of people. Karina Bafradzhian reports from Washington D.C.Camera: David Gogokhia
Legendary Music Memorabilia Up for Auction In New York
Guernsey's Auction House in New York is auctioning off pieces of music history this week. Evgeny Maslov has the story, narrated by Anna Rice. Camera: Michael Eckels Producer: Barry Unger
New York City Boasts New 'Little Island,' a Park Like No Other
A new and unique park opened in New York City in late May and since then it has become a city gem and tourist magnet. For VOA, Evgeny Maslov reports from “Little Island” in New York City. Anna Rice narrates. Camera: Vladimir Badikov, Vladimir Tolkachev
It's Game On for Olympics Despite COVID Surge and Lockdown
Olympic officials have barred spectators from the games amid spiking coronavirus cases in Japan. Organizers have long said they will push forward with the Olympics, but experts say the highly transmissible delta variant should give them pause. VOA’s Arash Arabasadi has more.Produced by: Arash Arabasadi
71-Year-Old Ballroom Dancer Doesn't Believe in Aging
At the age of 55, Alisa Leht fell in love with ballroom dancing. Today – at 71 – she is on the dance floor every other day, training for hours and taking part in dancing competitions. Liliya Anisimova met with Leht to talk about her passion. Anna Rice narrates her story. Camera:…