Nov 20th, 2008 · Children's author Jon Scieszka has written two dozen fantastical books, including The Stinky Cheese Man and the Time Warp Trio series, but his most recent work is an autobiography geared toward children.
Nov 13th, 2008 · A familiar story — about cranky senior citizens running roughshod over an inexperienced rest-home manager at the holidays— is redeemed by a crop of thoroughbred actors who burnish the material to a warm glow.
Oct 27th, 2008 · Federal authorities say they broke up a plot by two neo-Nazis to assassinate presidential nominee Barack Obama. Authorities say the plan was fantastic in its scope and that Obama was never in any danger.
Sep 26th, 2008 · When it comes to odd time signatures, classics like "Take Five" and the theme to Mission Impossible are excellent places to start. But a small bit of digging turns up many other fantastic, and often lesser known works. Here are a five more songs that successfully employ the 5/4 time signature with great diversity and show how playing in 5 can be used in a variety of approaches and styles.
Aug 24th, 2008 · The New York rock group Ra Ra Riot returns from an emotional roller coaster with a fantastic new CD. Hear a cut from The Rhumb Line. Singer Jenny Lewis of Rilo Kiley mixes it up on her latest solo CD, Acid Tongue. Argentinian singer Juana Molina has a mesmerizing new album out in October. We've got a sneak preview. Also on the show: Brooklyn duo High Places, the "Dreamend" songs of Ryan Graveface, "Failure" from singer Laura Marling, and PCP, also known as the Portland Cello Project.
Jul 16th, 2008 · Camp cooking doesn't have to mean dehydrated, over-salted soups and powdered potatoes. With a little experimentation and forethought, most cooks can turn out fantastic meals from scratch — even outside of a kitchen.
Jul 13th, 2008 · The Smithsonian Institution is opening a new exhibit this weekend in honor of the wondrous world of Jim Henson. Henson elevated the simple craft of puppetry to new levels of complexity and importance, and this exhibition gives a glimpse into Henson's creative process. Curator Karen Falk takes host Andrea Seabrook on a tour of "Jim Henson's Fantastic World."
Apr 30th, 2008 · The music of Asbury plays like a soundtrack to a haunted circus. It jangles and rattles with dirge-like rhythms and scratchy, distant voices. The instrumentation — glockenspiel, synths, piano — is drenched in reverb, with the wispy voice of frontman David Franklin tiptoeing delicately through the haze. Asbury's debut CD, Under the Asbury is a calming, if fantastical world, with rich character studies, sometimes haunting narratives and a touch of humor.