Brian Jay

The new American Inspiration author series, presented by American Ancestors and New England Historic Genealogical Society (NEHGS) headquartered in Boston's Back Bay, moves into the second half of its fall season on Tuesday, November 12, with a presentation by the historian and producer Donald L. Miller about his acclaimed new work Vicksburg: Grant's Campaign That Broke the Confederacy. 

Today's top writers are coming to Boston for a new series of author talks called American Inspiration. The series is produced by American Ancestors, the country's oldest genealogical institution, headquartered in Boston's Back Bay. American Inspiration presents best-selling authors and their latest books exploring themes of personal identity, families and immigration, and social and cultural history. Tickets for the fall season are on sale now.

Summer at Lincoln Center is a time-honored New York tradition, bringing people from all walks of life together to experience a multitude of music, dance, and drama across the entire campus. Harnessing Mozart's innovative spirit as its inspiration, the Mostly Mozart Festival (July 10a?"August 10) continues this month with groundbreaking, international, and multidisciplinary productions; acclaimed artists of all genres; introductions to emerging creative voices; and the presentation of new works and ideas.

Renowned bluesman Cedric Burnside grandson of legendary R.L. Burnside is gearing up for the release of BENTON COUNTY RELIC, out September 14 on Single Lock Records.  The first single is the gritty track 'We Made It' a matter-of-fact recitation of his poverty-stricken childhood without running water, radio or TV ("I come from nothin'/I done been lower than low/I keep my head straight/No matter how low I go"). 

Maryland Ensemble Theatre (MET) will present a special episode of its free weekly comedy show The Last Hurrah, 'The Last Hurrah Celebrates Jim Henson', with special guest Brian Jay Jones on September 28. Mr. Jones is the president of the Biographers International Organization; most recently, he wrote the New York Times bestseller 'Jim Henson: The Biography'. He will be joined by host and Muppet fanatic Kevin Cole, as well as panelists Hannah Gutman and Andrew Michaels, to discuss the life of Jim Henson and the process of chronicling that life. All are invited to pay tribute to this creative and comedic legend.

Museum of the Moving Image and The Jim Henson Legacy will celebrate the publication of Jim Henson: The Biography (2013, Ballantine Books), by Brian Jay Jones, with a special event featuring a reception, screenings of rare clips, a panel discussion, and book signing tonight, October 1

The National Museum of American History received a new donation of more than 20 Jim Henson puppets and props on the anniversary of his birthday—Sept. 24, 1936—from the Henson family. Miss Piggy and the Swedish Chef from The Muppet Show, Bert and Elmo from Sesame Street, and Red Fraggle and Traveling Matt from Fraggle Rock are among the new additions. They will join the museum's current Jim Henson Collection, which includes Oscar the Grouch, Kermit the Frog and the cast of Sam and Friends.

Museum of the Moving Image and The Jim Henson Legacy will celebrate the publication of Jim Henson: The Biography (2013, Ballantine Books), by Brian Jay Jones, with a special event featuring a reception, screenings of rare clips, a panel discussion, and book signing on Tuesday, October 1. Jones's eagerly awaited biography, written with the cooperation of Jim Henson's family, covers the full arc of Henson's all-too-brief life, exploring the creation of the Muppets, Henson's contributions to Sesame Street and Saturday Night Live, his nearly ten-year campaign to bring The Muppet Show to television, and such non-Muppet projects as the richly imagined movies The Dark Crystal and Labyrinth.