The author of the Harry Potter series threw herself a birthday party that featured a “lost manuscript” displayed in an unexpected way.
Tag Archives: Arts & Entertainment
Peer-pressure fears make teens dance to same tune
Why do you love the songs you love? In some cases, the cause might be concern about whether your friends like the same songs.
How to write a horror story: 6 terrific tips
Have you ever wanted to write your own horror story? Get some practical tips to jump-start your ideas.
Kate Tempest: a winning wielder of words
In this summary of Kate Tempest’s career as a rapper and poet, critic Michael Hogan praises her work.
Laughter in the Dark: A History of Dark Rides
Early amusement parks may not have had high-tech thrill rides, but they managed to frighten people in simpler ways. Find out about the horror potential of a dangling string and other tricks of “dark rides.”
The Importance of Scaring Children
Most of the stories we remember hearing as young children avoid content that is gruesome or unsettling. But some writers feel that it’s healthier to share stories with a more frightening side.
Art + Technology = New Art Forms, Not Just New Art
Maybe you’ve always wanted to express yourself through art but didn’t feel talented enough. No problem! Technology isn’t just a shortcut to creating art; it’s the basis of whole new forms of art that you can explore.
What makes a hero? – Matthew Winkler
What do you have in common with heroes in literature, movies, and television? It may be more than you think. Watch this short video to learn about the the hero’s journey myth.
This Is Your Brain on Shakespeare
Shakespeare’s writing style can be challenging to read. Not only did he write four centuries ago, but he also played with language, coining new words, rearranging syntax, and using words as different parts of speech. Now, researchers have discovered that this last feature—using a noun like child as a verb instead, for example—excites the human brain because it is so unexpected.
Holocaust Survivor: Without Music, “I Wouldn’t Be Alive”
In this video clip from the nightly news, a 90-year-old Holocaust survivor takes the stage to share the music he played for fellow concentration camp prisoners.
Welcome to the Matrix: Are Humans Just a Computer Simulation?
Stories, novels, and movies allow us to consider possibilities beyond our everyday experiences. Some philosophers and nuclear physicists have begun to question whether the science-fiction movie The Matrix might have touched on a scientific reality.
With Utah’s concerns about youth suicide, should students study ‘Romeo and Juliet’?
Mental health advocates argue that Shakepeare’s play could help start important conversations with teenagers.
Pharrell Williams on How Taking Risks Can Lead to the Biggest Successes of Your Career
Hip hop artist and producer Pharrell talks about creating his biggest hit song, “Happy.”
Classic protest film ‘The War at Home’ back in theaters
Inspired by current political protestors, documentary filmmaker Glenn Silber restored and redistributed his 1976 film about Vietnam War protests at the University of Wisconsin.
Freedom Writer
This article profiles poet Jimmy Santiago Baca, author of “Cloudy Day,” and describes a documentary film about his discovery of poetry while he was imprisoned as a young man.
Artists Who Lose Their Vision, Then See Clearly
Read this article to learn about several visual artists who continue to create works of art after suffering vision loss.
Who Gets to Claim Kafka?
The national archives of both Germany and Israel have laid claim to the writings of Franz Kafka, author of The Metamorphosis. Read to learn more about the influential author and the legal battle over his manuscripts.
Why ‘The Monkey’s Paw’ Is Still the Scariest Story of All Time
On the occasion of a new film adaptation of W.W. Jacobs’s classic tale, a reviewer digs into what makes this “be careful what you wish for” lesson so memorable.
How Jhumpa Lahiri Learned to Write Again
Pulitzer-prize winning author Jhumpa Lahiri, know for writing about themes of nationality and belonging, discusses how learning the Italian language helped her re-discover herself.
Retelling Romeo and Juliet at Anne Hathaway’s Cottage
Visitors to the historical site in England contribute their thoughts and feelings about the well-known play to re-create the story.