President Obama News

Maya Angelou was among more than 120 authors and illustrators of children's books who urged President Obama to curb policies that promote excessive standardized testing and said they are “alarmed” about the impact “on children's love reading and literature.”

Country music superstar Garth Brooks will perform a rare live broadcast concert special, 'GARTH BROOKS, LIVE FROM LAS VEGAS,' from the Encore Theater at the Wynn Las Vegas, Friday, November 29

Jacob's Pillow Dance and MASS MoCA co-present inventive, contemporary ensemble Shen Wei Dance Arts this weekend, October 26 and 27 at MASS MoCA's Hunter Center for the Performing Arts.

EBONY Magazine, the curator of the African American experience, past, present and future, today announced that it will host a gala event in New York City at Jazz at Lincoln Center's Frederick P. Rose Hall on Monday evening, November 4, 2013 to celebrate the honorees on its annual EBONY Power 100 list. The event is presented by Nationwide Insurance, and this is the second year the company holds the presenting sponsor title.

The Chicago Humanities Festival (CHF) presents the 24th annual Fall Festival, with more than 60 events that will explore the theme of ANIMAL: What Makes Us Human, Nov. 1-10 at venues across Chicago. This year's presenters include political consultant and former Senior Advisor to President Obama David Axelrod, revolutionary chef, restaurateur and TV personality Rick Bayless, celebrated author of Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close and Eating Animals Jonathan Safran Foer, autism activist and author Temple Grandin, 59 Grand Slam title-winning tennis player Martina Navratilova, critically-acclaimed director of Boys Don't Cry and the recently released Carrie remake Kimberly Peirce, author of A Series of Unfortunate Events Lemony Snicket (Daniel Handler), author of The Secret History and the newly released novel The Goldfinch Donna Tartt, and many more.

Following their hugely successful US tour, Celtic Thunder will return to Australian shores in May 2014 for an extensive 21 date national tour, visiting both capital city and regional markets across Australia, some of which they'll be visiting for the first time. Their new and highly anticipated show, Mythology, vows to be even bigger and better than ever before.

The Princess Grace Foundation-USA (PGF-USA) is proud to announce that Cicely Tyson will accept the Prince Rainier III Award and filmmaker and New Arts Axis Director, Wendy Levy, and New York City Ballet Principal Dancer, Tiler Peck, will receive Princess Grace Statue Awards at the 2013 Princess Grace Awards Gala on October 30, 2013, at Cipriani 42(nd) Street in New York City.

The captivating, dreadlocked, Israeli-born Idan Raichel, who blends ancient Hebrew texts with pop, fusion and world music, returns to the Jorgensen stage Saturday, Oct. 26, at 8 p.m. in a rousing Dance Cabaret. The Idan Raichel Project first came to UConn last February, as guests of UConn Hillel, which will co-sponsor the return engagement. Known for a diverse combination of music, cultures and styles, Raichel is a household name in Israel and beyond, having sold half a million records worldwide.

New York Times and award-winning author Michael Gruber talks with Downpour.com about his stunning new thriller, 'The Return,' available in audiobook exclusively from Blackstone Audio. In this interview Gruber shares the development of the storyline and his main character, Richard Marder. He also discusses his interest in writing about Mexico and the cultures, gives insight into his preparation for writing about social issues and tells of how his life and science background influence his novels. The audiobook format of 'The Return,' narrated by Jonathan Davis, is published by Blackstone Audio, Inc., and available now on Downpour.com.

Jacob's Pillow Dance and MASS MoCA co-present inventive, contemporary ensemble Shen Wei Dance Arts on October 26 and 27 at MASS MoCA's Hunter Center for the Performing Arts. Led by Chinese-born American choreographer Shen Wei, the New York-based dance company blends his signature movement vocabulary with elements of film, theater, new media, and visual art. The program includes Shen Wei's interpretation of Rite of Spring (2003), in honor of the original production's 100th year, and striking new work Collective Measures (2013). The company's performances coincide with the final weekend of MASS MoCA's Xu Bing: Phoenix exhibit, an installation featuring two monumental birds fabricated wholly from materials reaped from construction sites in urban China.

Gump's San Francisco is pleased to announce Kristen Olson as a featured new artist. Kristen is known for her outstanding California landscape oil paintings. Kristen has created a distinct American Impressionist style. Full of vibrant yet sensitive colors and expressive brushstrokes, they invite the viewer in, sharing a warm and fresh perspective on beloved California scenes.

Teen actress/author Shanaya Fastje has been named official spokesperson for Our Fields of Hope Foundation, an organization that works on behalf of children in the foster care system.

UP Comedy Club is known for bringing the best stand-up comedy talent in the country to Chicago. The remainder of this fall's line-up features many of the best known names in comedy today, including Ian Bagg, Maz Jobrani, D.L. Hughley, Christopher Titus, Todd Barry, Kyle Kinane and Loni Love. Each show includes a feature stand-up comic and a local emcee that hosts the evening. In addition to this all-star line-up, UP Comedy Club also presents Porchlight Music Theatre's BEST MUSICAL! A Completely Improvised Musical Comedy, running October 2 - November 6, 2013.

UP Comedy Club is known for bringing the best stand-up comedy talent in the country to Chicago. The remainder of this fall's line-up features many of the best known names in comedy today, including Ian Bagg, Maz Jobrani, D.L. Hughley, Christopher Titus, Todd Barry Kyle Kinaneand Loni Love. Each show includes a feature stand-up comic and a local emcee that hosts the evening. In addition to this all-star line-up, UP Comedy Club also presents Porchlight Music Theatre's BEST MUSICAL! A Completely Improvised Musical Comedy, running October 2 - November 6, 2013.

President Barack Obama just proclaimed October as National Arts and Humanities Month, 2013. Check out the full proclamation below!

This past Saturday evening, the youngest living Medal of Honor recipient (Sergeant Dakota Meyer) attended SPIDER-MAN Turn Off The Dark. Bob Cuccioli, who plays Green Goblin, gave the following curtain call speech: