All Arts & Culture
Richard Blanco turned from civil engineer to poet. Now he builds with words.For National Poetry Month, we talk with Richard Blanco, whose 鈥淥ne Today鈥� poem was read at Barack Obama鈥檚 second inauguration.
Valerie June鈥檚 new music embraces joy and the healing power of soulful musicWith the arrival of Valerie June鈥檚 latest album comes a chance for the singer to reflect on her artistic journey 鈥� and how music fuels her, and the world.
Matera was once 鈥榯he shame of Italy.鈥� Now, nothing holds a candle to its caves.Have you slept in a cave? Recommended. A rare enchantment.
This Colorado sanctuary gives animals a second chance 鈥� and a callback to the wildThe Wild Animal Sanctuary spans over 1,200 acres and rehabilitates exotic and endangered animals.聽
鈥楾he Friend鈥� gives Naomi Watts a terrific co-star. Yes, he鈥檚 a Great Dane.鈥淭he Friend鈥� is about animals, and humans, and grief, and understanding. The Monitor鈥檚 critic says the film, based on an award-winning book, is 鈥渇or dog lovers, and for people who love intelligent movies about dog lovers.鈥�
Egypt鈥檚 pyramids are amazing. But so is present-day Besaw Island.Socially responsible tourism can take many forms. The cultural exchange offered by a trip to a rural island offers a window into another way of living for our reporter.聽
Can US figure skating end its Olympic medal drought? Ask the Quadgod.Olympic hope has reverberated through Boston鈥檚 TD Garden as the U.S. shows it 鈥� finally 鈥� could have what it takes to medal in figure skating after a decades-long dry spell. Friday night, America鈥檚 Alysa Liu was named the female world champion.
How Jackie Robinson鈥檚 legacy survived attempts to erase itOn opening day for Major League Baseball, our columnist looks at another side of Jackie Robinson鈥檚 legacy: statesman and writer.
Domestic workers in Lebanon try to escape an exploitative systemUnder the kafala聽system, in place since the 1970s Persian Gulf oil boom, workers arrive on visas that offer fewer protections than other visa categories do.
Missing Grandma鈥檚 cooking? Nonnas of the World can help.Comfort food prepared by grandmothers from around the world? Our food writer is in. She visited Staten Island to experience the ambience and cuisine at Enoteca Maria for herself.
Wit and wonder fuel 5-star 鈥楾he Ballad of Wallis Island鈥�The Monitor鈥檚 film critic offers his highest rating to 鈥淭he Ballad of Wallis Island,鈥� which pulses with humor as it explores the landscape of nostalgia 鈥� and love.
Senior sea creatures get extra TLC at the New England AquariumLong-lived sea turtles, penguins, and seals are among the aquarium鈥檚 oldest residents. In addition to their regular care, they receive perks.
Monhegan Island is a portrait of resilience. Artists have captured it for 2 centuries.Maine鈥檚聽Monhegan Island is a scant square mile in size. But don鈥檛 underestimate it. The island has a thing or two to teach the world about mistletoe 鈥� and resilience.
Idina Menzel鈥檚 new Broadway show has a towering co-star: Stella the treeWhen Idina Menzel is in a musical, she is one of the most talked-about stars onstage. In her latest, 鈥淩edwood,鈥� Stella, a massive tree, is vying for top billing.
The 鈥榃imbledon of shuffleboard鈥� has reigned for a century in St. Petersburg, FloridaA coastal Florida city hosts the world鈥檚 oldest and biggest institution dedicated to shuffleboard.
A civil rights activist on what 鈥楨yes on the Prize III鈥� means at this moment鈥淓yes on the Prize鈥� was a landmark documentary about the Civil Rights Movement. Dream Defenders鈥� Phillip Agnew, who is part of a new six-part series, talks about what the documentary means at this time of political upheaval.
Rebels with a robot: 鈥楻ule Breakers鈥� celebrates Afghan girls who dared to dreamA celebration of the bravery and ingenuity of the Afghan girls robotics team contrasts with the reality of Afghanistan鈥檚 women under Taliban repression.
The ExplainerWhy does the US have daylight saving time? A look at efforts to 鈥榣ock the clock.鈥�Could time be up for the twice-yearly clock switches?
Lia Block Q&A: Can F1 Academy pave the road for women in motorsports?Season 7 of 鈥淔ormula 1: Drive To Survive鈥� debuts March 7 on Netflix. The Monitor reached out to rising star Lia Block to ask about the direction she, and racing, are headed.
The Bay of Fundy has the world鈥檚 highest tides. Just roll with it.At its head, a tide here can rise about as tall as a four-story building, making a visual splash.
