Entertainment

Bluegrass festival in Stanly County evolves, maintains tradition

April 21, 2026 Dan Reeves

OAKBORO — Rooted in authenticity, much like the genre itself, the Big Lick Bluegrass Festival — as large and respected as it has become — carries the feel of an earlier era, shaped by the […]

PEN America launches a US safety program for authors facing harassment

April 18, 2026 Hillel Italie

NEW YORK— A coalition of publishers and literary agencies are teaming with PEN America on an initiative meant to counter a growing trend of harassment against members of the literary community. PEN America, the century-old […]

The stream: ‘Beef,’ ‘Love Island: Beyond the Villa,’ Glen Powel, Elle Fanning

April 17, 2026 The Associated Press

Sadie Sandler starring in the Netflix comedy “Roommates” and fresh tunes from Zayn Malik are some of the new television, films, music and games headed to a device near you. Also, among the streaming offerings […]

This week in history: April 16 to April 22

April 16, 2026 Dan Reeves

April 16 1917: Vladimir Lenin returned to Russia from exile in Europe by train, taking command of the Russian Revolution that would overthrow the provisional government and pave the way for the Soviet Union. 1945: […]

Famous birthdays this week: April 16 to April 22

April 16, 2026 Dan Reeves

These celebrities have birthdays this week: April 16 Singer Bobby Vinton is 91. Basketball Hall of Famer Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is 79. Football coach Bill Belichick is 74. Actor Ellen Barkin is 72. Singer Jimmy Osmond […]

JD Vance has new book about his religious faith, ‘Communion,’ out late spring

April 11, 2026 Hillel Italie

Vice President JD Vance has a new book coming out that will explore his religious faith and his conversion to Catholicism as an adult. “Communion: Finding My Way Back to Faith” comes out June 16, […]

The stream: Sydney Sweeney, ‘Malcolm in the Middle,’ Jonah Hill, ‘Hacks’ finale, Ella Langley

April 10, 2026 The Associated Press

Sydney Sweeney starring as real-life boxing legend Christy Martin in the movie “Christy” and “Hacks” launching its fifth and final season on HBO are some of the new television, films, music and games headed to […]

This week in history: April 9 to April 15

April 9, 2026 The Associated Press

April 9 1865: Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee surrendered the Army of Northern Virginia to Union Lt. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant at Appomattox Court House in Virginia, effectively ending the Civil War. Remaining Confederate forces […]

Famous birthdays this week: April 9 to April 15

April 9, 2026 The Associated Press

These celebrities have birthdays this week: April 9 Satirist-musician Tom Lehrer is 98. Actor Michael Learned is 87. Drummer Steve Gadd is 81. Actor Dennis Quaid is 72. Fashion designer Marc Jacobs is 63. Model-actor […]

Pyrle hits 1-month mark, The Connells set for Saturday show

April 7, 2026 Dan Reeves

GREENSBORO — My wife asked me not to become a “Pyrle rat” after the doors to downtown’s newest venue officially swung open to the public Feb. 27. That’s a tall order given the impressive list […]