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Performing Arts

Wednesday

The dance that made its way from Harlem to Sweden

LaTasha Barnes is a tradition-bearer of Black social dances, including the Lindy Hop. Cassidy Araiza for NPR hide caption

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Cassidy Araiza for NPR

Code Switch

The dance that made its way from Harlem to Sweden

Lindy Hop is a dance that was born in Harlem in the 1920s and 1930s — created and performed by African Americans in segregated clubs and dance halls. But today, one of the world's most vibrant Lindy Hop communities is in Sweden. So what happens when a Black American wants to learn the art form that she first encountered at the hands of her great-grandmother?

The dance that made its way from Harlem to Sweden

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Tuesday

Wednesday

Critics want to shutter a new opera about Emmett Till. Here's what its creators say

Composer, Mary D. Watkins, left, and librettist, Clare Coss, right, pose for a portrait at Ripley-Grier Rehearsals in New York, NY on March 17, 2022. Nate Palmer hide caption

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Nate Palmer

Deceptive Cadence

Critics want to shutter a new opera about Emmett Till. Here's what its creators say

WBUR

While the creators of a a new opera about Emmett Till hope it will inspire white people to confront racism, others worry it depicts Black trauma for white entertainment while masquerading as activism.

Critics want to shutter a new opera about Emmett Till. Here's what its creators say

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Saturday

At the Broadway Makers Marketplace, theater fans find both crafts and community

Some of the vendors at the Broadway Makers Marketplace, which carries their handmade goods Michael T. Clarkston/Broadway Makers Marketplace hide caption

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Michael T. Clarkston/Broadway Makers Marketplace

Theater

At the Broadway Makers Marketplace, theater fans find both crafts and community

A pop-up shop in a New York subway station is home to all things Broadway: memorabilia, live performances and handmade goods created by fans. Now, the shop's owners hope to find a permanent home.

At the Broadway Makers Marketplace, theater fans find both crafts and community

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Dancing Grannies pay tribute to those killed in the Waukesha Christmas parade attack

Members of the Dancing Grannies pose for a picture before attending the Milwaukee St. Patrick's Day Parade on March 12, 2022. This performance marked the first since the Waukesha Christmas tragedy where four members of the troupe were killed. Dawn Rowland Wester hide caption

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Dawn Rowland Wester

National

Dancing Grannies pay tribute to those killed in the Waukesha Christmas parade attack

Formed in 1984, the Dancing Grannies first started off as a jazz exercise group. The group has now expanded to perform in parades across Wisconsin each year.

Thursday

Dolly Parton will stay on this year's Rock & Roll Hall of Fame nominee list

The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame has declined Dolly Parton's request to pull her nomination from this year's nominee list. Here, Parton presents an award at the Academy of Country Music Awards on March 7. John Locher/AP hide caption

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John Locher/AP

Music News

Dolly Parton will stay on this year's Rock & Roll Hall of Fame nominee list

Earlier this week, the county music legend posted on her social media accounts that she didn't think she'd necessarily earned the right to be nominated.

Monday

Schools across Europe give shelter and fresh opportunities to Ukraine's young dancers

Martin Korol is one of more than 60 young dancers who are finding safe haven at dance schools around the world. Valeriia Velmozhko hide caption

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Valeriia Velmozhko

Culture

Schools across Europe give shelter and fresh opportunities to Ukraine's young dancers

Young Ukrainian dancers are finding safe haven at ballet schools in Europe and the U.S. Many of them planned to compete in the Youth America Grand Prix competition in Kyiv which was canceled.

Schools across Europe give shelter and fresh opportunities to Ukraine's young dancers

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Norwegian opera singer Lise Davidsen is on the verge of superstardom

Lise Davidsen, performing in the title role of Richard Strauss' Ariadne auf Naxos at the Metropolitan Opera in Feb. 2022. Marty Sohl/The Metropolitan Opera hide caption

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Marty Sohl/The Metropolitan Opera

Music Features

Norwegian opera singer Lise Davidsen is on the verge of superstardom

The big-voiced soprano is in her mid-thirties, and she didn't even hear an opera live until she was in her twenties. Now, she's a sought-after opera singer.

Norwegian opera singer Lise Davidsen is on the verge of superstardom

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Sunday

Tuesday

Yo-Yo Ma performs a musical protest outside the Russian Embassy

Yo-Yo Ma played Ukraine's national anthem and brought the audience to its feet at the Kennedy Center on Monday. Larry French/Getty Images for SiriusXM hide caption

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Larry French/Getty Images for SiriusXM

Ukraine invasion — explained

Yo-Yo Ma performs a musical protest outside the Russian Embassy

The world-famous cellist made a personal stand with Ukraine on Monday, setting up his instrument on the sidewalk in Washington, D.C., next to an improvised street sign reading, "Zelensky Way."

Thursday

As performing artists denounce or stay allied with Putin, history offers some lessons

Semyon Bychkov, conducting the Vienna Philharmonic in Vienna, Austria in 2017. Joe Klamar/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

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Joe Klamar/AFP via Getty Images

Deceptive Cadence

As performing artists denounce or stay allied with Putin, history offers some lessons

While Russian artists and institutions grapple with how they are viewed internationally, American cultural organizations make what amounts to foreign policy decisions.

As performing artists denounce or stay allied with Putin, history offers some lessons

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New opera teaches a classical music class in the ongoing fight for civil rights

A still from "We Hold These Truths." Music for the new opera was composed by Tamar-kali, and director dream hampton put that music to film, for the LA Opera's Digital Shorts series. Erik Paul Howard hide caption

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Erik Paul Howard

Deceptive Cadence

New opera teaches a classical music class in the ongoing fight for civil rights

Tamar-kali, who composed the music for Mudbound and Shirley, has a new project: an opera that you can watch online.

New opera teaches a classical music class in the ongoing fight for civil rights

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Wednesday

Ice Breaker
Alaina Murphy/Blind Landing

Code Switch

Ice Breaker

Figure skating has always been about flair and drama. But what happens on the ice is nothing compared to what goes on behind the scenes. This week, with the help of our friends at the Blind Landing podcast, we're telling the story of Mabel Fairbanks. Fairbanks was a Black and Seminole figure skater who spent her career training figure skaters of color — while navigating the complicated racial and social dynamics that characterized the sport.

Ice Breaker

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Tuesday

With the return of Mardi Gras marching bands, New Orleans' streets are full of magic

Warren Easton Charter High School's marching band members line up in formation. Their instruments, among many, include sousaphones, cymbals, and a drum section with snare, tenor and bass drums. Aubri Juhasz/WWNO hide caption

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Aubri Juhasz/WWNO

Music Features

With the return of Mardi Gras marching bands, New Orleans' streets are full of magic

WWNO

The bands may be smaller this year, but students say they're prepared to keep the culture alive and entertain hundreds of thousands of revelers.

With the return of Mardi Gras marching bands, New Orleans' streets are full of magic

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