Arts and Culture
West Virginia Cook-off Celebrates Unusual Foods
Would you like to try turtle soup? How about a thicker, richer-tasting gumbo made with alligator meat? Or perhaps you would like a helping of chili made with bear meat…
Originally published for the Voice of America Learning English, October 2018
Appalachian Music Celebrates Modern Culture, Immigrant Past
“To me the difference between a violin, and a fiddle, is that a violin never had a beer spilled on it... That is the difference.” Will Fanning laughs at his joke...
Originally published for the Voice of America Learning English, August 2018
Supporting National Parks Through the Arts
Rosalie Haizlett starts every day by opening a map of the Great Smokey Mountains National Park. Over breakfast, she plans her walk for the day. She packs...
Originally published for the Voice of America Learning English, July 2018
Community Connection, Personal Growth During Ramadan
Muslims around the world are preparing for Eid al-Fitr, a religious holiday that marks the end of Ramadan. Many Muslims have been fasting for...
Originally published for the Voice of America Learning English, June 2018
Berlin Museum Returns Native American Artifacts to Tribe in Alaska
For years, European and American researchers dug up land where Native Americans buried their dead. They recovered countless bones and cultural...
Originally published for the Voice of America Learning English, June 2018
Americans Go Crazy for Ramps in the Spring
The spring season brings warm weather, flowers and other changes for people to enjoy. For some restaurant chefs, the most exciting spring arrival is ramps...
Originally published for the Voice of America Learning English, May 2018
Everyone Gets to be Irish on Saint Patrick’s Day
On March 17, people around the world celebrate the Irish holiday of Saint Patrick’s Day. It is a major holiday in Ireland, but the rest of the world has influenced its celebration...
Originally published for the Voice of America Learning English, March 2018
Helvetia Fasnacht: Small West Virginia Community Keeps its Swiss Culture Alive
High up a long, winding road in the Appalachian Mountains, a small village is hidden among the hills and forest. Red Swiss flags hang from the tops of Swiss-style...
Originally published for the Voice of America Learning English, February 2018
Groundhog Predicts Six More Weeks of Winter in US
North America will have six more weeks of winter, says “Punxsutawney Phil,” the most famous groundhog in the United States. Phil’s keepers reported his weather...
Originally published for the Voice of America Learning English, February 2018
Image of Clowns Changing Over the Years
Clowns are almost everywhere these days in popular culture. They can be seen in movies, on television shows, at musical performances, and sometimes just walking in the streets...
Originally published for the Voice of America Learning English, September 2017
Delta Blues: The Birth of American Music
“I look at blues as the way of life… it’s a story, a story told with music.” That voice belongs to Jimmy “Duck” Holmes, a blues musician. He is sitting on an old chair...
Originally published for the Voice of America Learning English, September 2017
Portuguese Food: Influencing Americans, People around the World
When you ask Americans about European foods, many people talk about their favorite meals from Italy, France, or even Germany. But food and drink from another...
Originally published for the Voice of America Learning English, September 2017
Preserving Street Art in Washington, DC
Washington, D.C. has a complex relationship with graffiti and street art. Local street artist Gobi knows this well. Not long ago...
Originally published for the Voice of America Learning English, June 2017
First Chuck Berry Album in 38 Years Released
The first album of music from Chuck Berry in thirty-eight years is released this week, three months after his death. The album, called Chuck, has 10 songs, including...
Originally published for the Voice of America Learning English, June 2017
Musicians Aim to Keep DC's Go-go Music Going
Several American cities are identified with a kind of music. For example, New Orleans is known for jazz. Nashville claims country music, and Memphis calls itself the home...
Originally published for the Voice of America Learning English, May 2017
Groundhog Day 2017: Punxsutawney Phil Predicts 6 More Weeks of Winter
Here's What's Trending Today. Pennsylvania’s world famous groundhog, Punxsutawney Phil, predicted six more weeks of winter on Thursday after seeing his shadow. This...
Originally published for the Voice of America Learning English, May 2017