Politicians: they're not like us. But some folks sure like to eat photo-op corn dogs | Ana Marie Cox

 Posted on April 3, 2024  |  4 minutes  |  812 words  |  Valentine Belue

Ana Marie Cox columnUS politics This article is more than 9 years oldPoliticians: they're not like us. But some folks sure like to eat photo-op corn dogsThis article is more than 9 years oldAna Marie CoxRick Perry’s ‘awesome’ adventure. Rand Paul’s Hamptons weekend. Which classist lie will you believe this summer? It’s folksy season again in politics. Obama’s on the Vineyard, showing off his mom jeans on a regular basis. Members of Congress – and 2016 hopefuls – are out on recess, racing from fair to fair to eat various foods on sticks. [Read More]

Shake things up this Christmas: your guide to the best culture for the festive season

 Posted on April 3, 2024  |  10 minutes  |  2099 words  |  Valentine Belue

Snow business … what will be your pick of this Christmas’s culture? Illustration: Giacomo Gambineri/The GuardianSnow business … what will be your pick of this Christmas’s culture? Illustration: Giacomo Gambineri/The GuardianCultureThinking of treating yourself to some Christmas entertainment? Our critics unwrap the best film, music, art, dance and theatre events of the season TheatreArabian Nights Bristol Old Vic, to 6 January This production exploring the power of storytelling has a cracking team, with writer Sonali Bhattacharyya (Chasing Hares, Young Vic), director Blanche McIntyre (All’s Well That Ends Well, RSC) and puppetry designer Samuel Wilde (I Want My Hat Back, Little Angel). [Read More]

Houses set alight as lava from volcano eruption reaches Icelandic town | Iceland

 Posted on April 2, 2024  |  4 minutes  |  846 words  |  Kary Bruening

IcelandHouses set alight as lava from volcano eruption reaches Icelandic townSeismic activity intensified overnight near Grindavík, the fifth eruption on the Reykjanes peninsula in two years Houses have caught fire in the fishing town of Grindavík in south-west Iceland after a volcano erupted for the second time in less than a month. Two fissures formed near the town on Sunday after an increase in seismic activity that prompted authorities to evacuate the community the day before. [Read More]

Influencer faces charges of inciting riot after New York giveaway causes chaos | New York

 Posted on April 2, 2024  |  2 minutes  |  316 words  |  Aldo Pusey

New York This article is more than 5 months oldInfluencer faces charges of inciting riot after New York giveaway causes chaosThis article is more than 5 months oldKai Cenat drew thousands to Union Square with promises of giving away new PlayStation, leading to dozens of arrests Social media influencer Kai Cenat is facing charges of inciting a riot and promoting an unlawful gathering in New York City after the online streamer drew thousands of his followers – many of them teenagers – with promises of giving away electronics, including a new PlayStation. [Read More]

Jordan Wolfson: 'This is real abuse not a simulation' | Installation

 Posted on April 2, 2024  |  8 minutes  |  1689 words  |  Valentine Belue

Ready for a thrashing … Jordan Wolfson with Colored Sculpture at Tate Modern. Photograph: Martin Godwin/The GuardianReady for a thrashing … Jordan Wolfson with Colored Sculpture at Tate Modern. Photograph: Martin Godwin/The GuardianInstallationInterviewJordan Wolfson: 'This is real abuse – not a simulation'Stuart JeffriesCreepy and vengeful, Wolfson’s puppet boy is violently smashed to the floor at Tate Modern – then threatens to fight back. But is the controversial US artist just yanking our chain? [Read More]

Leonard Cohen: Popular Problems review brief, satisfying, full of surprises

 Posted on April 2, 2024  |  3 minutes  |  622 words  |  Kary Bruening

He’s always taken his time… Leonard Cohen. Photograph: Sony MusicHe’s always taken his time… Leonard Cohen. Photograph: Sony MusicThe ObserverLeonard CohenReview(Columbia)Popular Problems is principally concerned with conflict, disaster and the almighty, but the second great gag on Leonard Cohen’s 13th album is to start it with Slow, a fabulously sleazy blues about making the moment last. Ahem. “Let me catch my breath,” Cohen rumbles, his voice an underground train several feet beneath the soil, “I thought we had all night. [Read More]

Ronald Bell obituary | Pop and rock

 Posted on April 2, 2024  |  5 minutes  |  1016 words  |  Chauncey Koziol

Pop and rockObituaryRonald Bell obituaryFounder member of Kool & the Gang and co-writer of hits including Celebration and Ladies’ Night Kool & the Gang were one of the first fully fledged funk ensembles – taking the influence of Sly Stone and James Brown’s pioneering recordings and blending it with strong jazz leanings, their distinctive sound emphasised by bright horns, percussive congas and cowbells. Where Stone and Brown were highly charismatic band leaders, Kool & the Gang were an anonymous ensemble, with few fans even being able to identify which of the 10 musicians was “Kool”. [Read More]

Snow Patrol on how they made Run

 Posted on April 2, 2024  |  4 minutes  |  815 words  |  Aldo Pusey

How we madeSnow Patrol‘I went on a three-day bender in Glasgow and woke up blind in one eye with teeth missing. After I recovered, songs started pouring out of me’ Gary Lightbody, singer-songwriterI grew up in Bangor in Northern Ireland and didn’t understand the Troubles when I was younger. I just wanted to get away. Then I saw Nirvana live and my brain exploded. I couldn’t think of anything else. I went to Dundee University with one goal: to start a band. [Read More]

The Nativity (scientifically accurate version) | Science

 Posted on April 2, 2024  |  5 minutes  |  1050 words  |  Chauncey Koziol

Brain flappingScienceThe Nativity (scientifically accurate version)The nativity is the classic Christmas story still told and performed in schools all over the UK. However, to reflect that we live in a modern, secular society, a new and more scientifically accurate update of the story is neededThe nativity is the traditional Christmas story of the birth of Jesus Christ. It is still regularly performed by schoolchildren in the UK, despite the apparent war on Christmas. [Read More]

Unsaid Stories review a beginner's guide to racial inequality

 Posted on April 2, 2024  |  4 minutes  |  687 words  |  Kary Bruening

TV reviewTelevisionReviewWhile ITV’s bite-sized takes on being black and British promise much, the opening episode tells a story many viewers will have heard time and again Inspired by the Black Lives Matter movement, Unsaid Stories (ITV) is a collection of four timely short films told from the perspective of black Britons, which are – according to its makers – “unique, fresh and engaging, about real people in completely real situations, confronting and exploring racism and prejudice”. [Read More]