Culture

New York is known for its street food vendors. NPR spent time with a recently arrived migrant who is hitting the streets to sell for the first time, but has to overcome his crippling shyness.

Renowned soul and gospel singer Cissy Houston has died. She was part of a extraordinary musical family that included Dionne Warwick and her superstar daughter, Whitney Houston.

Many film critics and comic book fans say they felt the sequel felt short of their expectations. Others argue that was the whole point all along.

Many music lovers consider Ives, who died in 1954, to be the first truly great American composer. A new recording by pianist Donald Berman is a major addition to the Ives discography.

Will Ferrell and his longtime friend and former SNL writing partner Harper Steele traveled from New York to California, talking along the way about Steele coming out as a trans woman.

As Halloween approaches, it's time to start thinking about costumes for the upcoming festivities. But first, NPR wants to hear about your favorite unique holiday traditions.

San Francisco software engineer Riley Walz's Bop Spotter runs the song identifier app Shazam to quietly listen in on what music passersby are listening to in the city's diverse Mission District.

NPR's Ayesha Rascoe plays the puzzle with Puzzlemaster Will Shortz and KUOW listener John Weaver of Tacoma, Wash.

Margaret Atwood knows that she scares people. She opens up about that perception and also reflects on the bad advice she's received in her career and how she takes vengeance.