From Black Power to Barack Obama

Express

Barack Obama’s meteoric rise from charismatic senator to national phenomenon to presidential contender reveals the complex evolution of black politics since the civil rights and Black Power era.

AWAAM Under Fire

Local

When playwright John Guare penned Six Degrees of Separation in 1990, he demonstrated the tenuous trail separating Person A from Person B. Now, “six degrees of separation” has been extended beyond the individual to encompass community organizations working in Arab and Muslim communities.

Not Much Middle Ground

Film

2007 offered arty seriousness or genre kicks and little in between. Deep or stupid, the best films vested passionately in formal concerns (well, except for Superbad).

Chris Martin with Craig Olson

Art

In the midst of preparations for his current exhibition at Mitchell-Innes & Nash Gallery in Chelsea ( January 26th–March 1, 2008) Chris Martin welcomed painter and Rail contributing writer Craig Olson to his Williamsburg studio to discuss his life and work.

Seton Smith with Eve Aschheim

Art

On the occasion of the artist’s current exhibit at Winston Wächter Fine Art (January 31–March 4, 2008), Seton Smith welcomed painter Eve Aschheim to her Lower East Side studio to talk about her life and work.

The Joy of Being Wrong

As recently as a few months ago, a prediction of a Rudy vs. Hillary showdown seemed likely to come through. Now, I must borrow a favorite phrase from McCain and say: My friends, I can't tell you how glad I am that I was wrong.

Outtakes

Music

The main problem with authorized biographies is that, well, they’re authorized. This means certain vital facts may be left out due to jealousies, estate disputes, etc. Such is the case with the long-awaited Moondog by Robert Scotto. But if you’re a fan like I am, you will overlook this very readable bio’s one major historical gap, namely Moondog’s many years living in Germany, some of which were spent with two now-dear friends of mine. After prying him away from them, his last companion, Ilona Goebel (who helped Moondog set up the primary holding company for his artistic endeavors, and now controls his estate), has for some reason decided to obliterate Norbert Nowotsch and Tom Glott from the Moondog history, a hard thing to do when there’s enough proof to sink a ship.

The Joy of Being Wrong

Editor's Message

As recently as a few months ago, a prediction of a Rudy vs. Hillary showdown seemed likely to come through. Now, I must borrow a favorite phrase from McCain and say: My friends, I can't tell you how glad I am that I was wrong.