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Animated Christmas Evergreens

A selection of vintage animated Christmas cartoons, from the 1930s to the 1990s, including the rare 'A Snow Man in July,' produced by the Nazi regime and seized by the U.S. during WWII.
by David McGee
 

 
 
away out there featured

A Spasmodic Active Region on the Sun…

Ol' Sol has been putting on a show lately, with a dazzling variety of dozens of spurts and eruptions and an equally dazzling magnetic display known as coronal rain.
by David McGee
 

 

 
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Juaneco y su Combo and The Birth of Jungle Cumbia

Out of the Peruvian jungle in the late '60s came JUANECO y su COMBO with a new sound known as Jungle Cumbia. Two new releases highlight the band's incredible music and tragic-laden history. This is an event.
by David McGee
 

 
 
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Sevdah, From Mostar to the World

Sevdah, traditional folk music from Bosnia and Herzegovina given a modern spin by Mostar Sevdah Reunion and lead vocalist Antonija Batincv
by David McGee
 

 

 
kauffman featured

‘Tenor Hits From the Age of the Talkies’

Reigning tenor king JONAS KAUFFMAN assays a charming collection of songs from a special time in Germany's history, the era of Sally Bowles and the Kit Kat Club
by David McGee
 

 
 
guitar duos featured

Guitar Majesty

A set of delightfully evocative pieces for guitar duos composed by KEMAL BELEVI comprises a fine new album by DUO TANDEM, incisively reviewed by ROBERT HUGILL
by David McGee
 

 

 
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Surf in Verse

SURF IN VERSE: Our annual feature marking summer's arrival. This month we spotlight, exclusively, the poetry of BRYAN KNOWLES, who has posted a wealth of his original poetry at the website Surf Poetry.com. Also: some choice SUR...
by David McGee
 

 
 
fisk jubilee singers spotlight

The Fisk Jubilee Singers: Working On a Building

In 1871 the JUBILEE SINGERS of Nashville toured the northern states in hopes of raising funds to build a college. Bucking daunting odds against them, they succeeded and made Fisk University possible.
by David McGee
 

 

 
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A Visit with Author/Illustrator Kristi Valiant

JULES chats with author/illustrator KRISTI VALIANT, whose new book PENGUIN CHA-CHA is picking up rave reviews everywhere.
by David McGee
 

 
 
Survivor Tree featured

This Very Tree, The Survivor Tree & A Hundred Thousand Welcomes

On the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks on America, our acclaimed kids' lit blogger, JULES, finds fresh perspectives for young readers in three new books, two specifically addressing the World Trade Center attacks, another ...
by David McGee
 

 

 
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After 30 ‘Bizarro’ Years, Dan Piraro Is Going…Somewhere Else…Maybe…Who Knows?

After 30 years, DAN PIRARO is retiring his popular syndicated comic 'Bizarro,' which has often reflected his interest in animal rights. DUNCAN STRAUSS gets the lowdown on what's next--and when.
by David McGee
 

 
 
cheetos gmo

GMO Labeling: Just Give Us Some Truth

ON Nov. 6 California voters rejected Prop 37, an initiative that would have required food manufacturers to label most foods containing GMOs (Genetically Modified Organisms), but that has not deterred the pro-Prop 37 movement. A...
by David McGee