Performing Arts

Vegas showman Fred Travalena dies Vegas showman Fred Travalena dies

SAN DIEGO — Fred Travalena, a Las Vegas showman and impressionist, died after... 

A glance at practice for Diaghilev’s Ballets Russes A glance at practice for Diaghilev’s Ballets Russes

On the fourth floor of 19 Clarendon, in a large open room with light streaming in... 

Huntington Theatre Company’s Miracle at Naples Huntington Theatre Company’s Miracle at Naples

The Miracle at Naples is certainly a play to be enjoyed by all. This old, Italian-influenced... 

More Theater, Ballet, Shows, Etc

Visual Arts

Helping through art Helping through art

MEDFORD — Else Eaton’s office is guarded by the Incredible Hulk — or... 

Power Behind Closed Doors: Lasers in Havana Power Behind Closed Doors: Lasers in Havana

This article was written and reported by Lauren McCombs, Jessica Elford and Pasquale... 

Shepard Fairey gets probation Shepard Fairey gets probation

Graffiti artist or malicious property destroyer? Boston authorities simply say “criminal,”... 

More paintings, drawings, museums and galleries

Books and Book Reviews

“Boardwalk Empire” to be on HBO next season “Boardwalk Empire” to be on HBO next season

Gambling, booze, prostitution, gangsters and political machines; these are the elements that helped Atlantic City boom during the 1920s. In “Boardwalk Empire: The Birth, High Times, and Corruption of Atlantic City,” author Nelson Johnson gives us all the dirty secrets of this seaside New Jersey resort. The gritty true story has been adapted... [Read more]

Halloween fact from fiction Halloween fact from fiction

Blast caught some insight on Halloween’s history by local expert, Lesley Bannatyne, who helped us separate some fact from fiction on everything from witches, vampires, and the holiday itself. Bannatyne, of Somerville, is the author of several books about the October holiday. Blast: You were voted one of the most interesting women in Boston... [Read more]

Not your typical coloring book Not your typical coloring book

When Casey Cohen and Matt Stotland had little money and even fewer industry connections when they started their musical charity, The Yellow Bird Project. The friends, who met as high school students in Montreal, essentially began cold-calling musicians they admired and asking them to participate by creating designs for T-shirts, the proceeds of which... [Read more]

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Overthinking It Blog

Even the most diligent can get sucked in by marketing Even the most diligent can get sucked in by marketing

It was an innocent errand, a friend and I were wandering the grocery store looking... 

Denmark is a pack of dogs Denmark is a pack of dogs

If you have never heard of The Story of Edgar Sawtelle, and you love a good long... 

We need more of these We need more of these

Foreign policy would make more sense to such a large group of people if we could... 

More from the closest we get to intellectualism

The Literary

A Blast tale: Let A Blast tale: Let

An original story by Blast writer Roger Gude It was hot and sunny as Henry Splinter... 

A Blast tale: Wood and Metal and Plaster A Blast tale: Wood and Metal and Plaster

An original story by Blast writer Roger Gude I was eating hot air when mom told... 

The Raven — and some help from The Simpsons The Raven — and some help from The Simpsons

We’re sure you’ve heard of “The Raven” by Edgar Allen Poe.... 

More original literature -- ours and classics