Voice of America Arts & Culture

Arts & Culture

The latest news about movies, theater, music and art.
Weekly English United States Society & Culture · Performing Arts
292 Episodes
1 – 20

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   
13 Sep 2021 2 min

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
27 Aug 2021 2 min

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…
19 Aug 2021 3 min

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  
19 Aug 2021 2 min

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   
18 Aug 2021 2 min

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 
16 Aug 2021 2 min

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:…
12 Aug 2021 3 min

 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  
12 Aug 2021 2 min

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       
6 Aug 2021 2 min

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…
6 Aug 2021 3 min

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     
30 Jul 2021 2 min

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.
23 Jul 2021 1 min

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  
19 Jul 2021 3 min

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…
16 Jul 2021 3 min

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
15 Jul 2021 3 min

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 
13 Jul 2021 2 min

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  
11 Jul 2021 2 min

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:…
9 Jul 2021 3 min
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