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Culture

Thursday

Africa Rising Brings Its Runway To D.C.

Nigeria moves to center stage, as the Africa Rising Music and Fashion Festival prepares for its Washington debut. The festival was started as a way to reflect Africa's social, political and economical culture. Journalist Nduka Obaigbena, founder of the festival, and Nigerian fashion icon Fati Mohammed Asibelua discuss Africa Rising.

Africa Rising Brings Its Runway To D.C.

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Movies

Are Special Effects Becoming Less Special?

While the special effects in movies like The Matrix and Transformers caused more than a few jaws to drop, Peter Hartlaub, a film reviewer for The San Francisco Chronicle, wonders whether studios have gone too far. He says movies have become an "all-you-can-eat buffet" and action scenes now "feel like an assault."

Are Special Effects Becoming Less Special?

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Wednesday

Movies

Seth Rogen, Looking Less Geeky These Days

Fresh Air

The Pineapple Express star often portrays less successful members of society — but he's hardly one of them. The actor and screenwriter has four Hollywood projects out this summer.

Seth Rogen, Looking Less Geeky These Days

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Art & Design

For Artists, Craigslist Is Both Medium And Message

Los Angeles-based collaborators went to the online bulletin board for inspiration — then took to the streets to ask Angelenos what Craigslist has done for them.

For Artists, Craigslist Is Both Medium And Message

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In Character

Auntie Mame's Secret: The 'Loco' In Her Parentis

An eccentric, a free spirit and an unflaggingly open-minded heroine, Mame Dennis taught more than one protege — including NPR's Bob Mondello — how to open new windows without worrying about the view.

Auntie Mame's Secret: The 'Loco' In Her Parentis

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Technology

All-Digital TV To Make Its Debut In N.C. Town

The switch from analog to all-digital television signals will begin in Wilmington, N.C., in September. The FCC is on the ground at farmers markets and baseball games to get the word out and help iron out any kinks. The rest of the nation will make the switch in 2009.

All-Digital TV To Make Its Debut In N.C. Town

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Movies

Rainn Wilson, From 'Office' Drone To 'Rocker' Star

Fresh Air

Twitchy undertaker, cubicle fiend, sassy convenience-store clerk — Rainn Wilson has long gravitated toward eccentric characters. But is The Office actor attempting the leap to sex symbol through his titular role in The Rocker? Given the hair-metal coif and the still-goofy humor, probably not.

Rainn Wilson, From 'Office' Drone To 'Rocker' Star

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Art & Design

French Architect Has Designs On Vegas Desert

One of France's most famous architects is making his mark in Paris and other cities, despite his talent for designing buildings that disappear into the landscape. Earlier this year, Jean Nouvel won the Pritzker Prize, architecture's top honor. His next project could take him to Las Vegas.

French Architect Has Designs On Vegas Desert

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Tuesday

Comics Crusader: Remembering Jackie Ormes

Though largely forgotten, cartoonist Jackie Ormes lent a strong voice to black women in the decades leading up to the civil rights movement. She was a pioneer in her day, creating smart and independent heroines that challenged the period's stereotypes.

Comics Crusader: Remembering Jackie Ormes

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National

A Family's Truth Traced Back to the Slave Trade

In the new PBS documentary, "Traces of the Trade: A Story from the Deep North," producer Katrina Browne follows her family's journey as they learn their ancestors were among the nation's biggest slave traders. Browne and her co-producer Juanita Brown talk about the film and how it changed a New England family's perception of their past.

A Family's Truth Traced Back to the Slave Trade

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Diversions

Cooking Up Characters From Old Grocery Lists

Performance artist Hillary Carlip collects discarded shopping lists. She imagines their authors, transforms herself into them, and goes shopping. In one case, she even created an online dating profile for her character.

Cooking Up Characters From Old Grocery Lists

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Monday

Pop Culture

The 'Mad Men' Of Madison Avenue

The second season of AMC's Mad Men kicked off on Sunday. The award-winning drama dives into the hard-drinking, chain-smoking, cut-throat advertising world of Madison Avenue during the 1960s. TV critic Mary McNamara discusses the show, which recently received 16 Emmy nominations.

The 'Mad Men' Of Madison Avenue

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Pop Culture

Librarians Harvest New Manga Titles At Comic-Con

Are the shelves at your local library looking more colorful these days? Chalk it up to all the comic books — and the librarians who love them. Over the weekend, librarians mingled with comic enthusiasts at Comic-Con, a massive popular arts convention in San Diego.

Librarians Harvest New Manga Titles At Comic-Con

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