Construction murals, new tUnEyArDs, FiDi European beer halls

If the rain makes you want to stay indoors this weekend, there's lots to read and hear in this issue of artRecs.

I've shared fewer poems than I meant to do for National Poetry Month, but I've read plenty, thanks in part to the Festival of Faith and Writing. This year I actually bought more poetry books than any other kind, including a wonderful biography-in-poems of George Washington Carver by Marilyn Nelson. What notable poems have you read this month?

Stay warm and dry out there! And don't forget to send your latest publication or upcoming show.

:: events ::

• May 3: Dave's group MFA show! Stop by between 6 and 8 p.m. to view his work.
• May 25-June 1: Bike to Worship week
• June 12: Project Peace Speaker Series: Race and Faith, featuring Fruitvale Station writer/director Ryan Coogler, Mark Labberton, Michael McBride and others

:: our stuff ::

• Dave had a painting featured in a Wall Street Journal article on Bitcoin.
• Feel like a virtual vacation? Watch the Mazzarellos' European travel videos from their trip last fall (each about 5 minutes). They hit the Netherlands, France, Italy and Denmark.
• My new pieces: The New Sex Education Focuses on Preventing Violence (TheAtlantic.com) and We Wish You a Busy Easter (Her.meneutics), on why I make such a fuss about Easter dinner.

:: tunes ::

• NPR has a whole slew of First Listens this week:
• tUnEyArDs: Nikki Nack
• Pixies: Indie Cindy
• Brian Blade and the Fellowship Band: Landmarks. The talented drummer's band includes Jon Cowherd, a member of Redeemer's west-side worship team (at least when I was there, 2002-2006)
• Rodrigo y Gabriela: 9 Dead Alive. The duo play The Fox May 9.
• Wye Oak: Shriek
• Thanks to a Delta Airlines playlist on my recent flight, I've been listening to Taj Mahal this week.

:: visual art ::

• Artist adorns Chinatown construction site with mural (SFGate).
• Photographer documents artists along the US-Mexico border
• A New York Times critic calls the 'secularized' Noah's ark exhibit at a Jewish museum in LA "the most extraordinary children’s exhibition I have seen."
• So far artist Todd Spence has only done a few of these True Detective-Hardy Boys cover mash-ups, but they're pretty fun. I actually started reading The Sinister Signpost at a friend's house recently, which brought back memories of childhood library trips and the hours I used to spend devouring series like that.
• A stolen Gauguin painting was found in a retired automaker's kitchen (LA Times). I don't know why this makes me dream of the short-story possibilities for this ....
• Irish teen wins art prize for "hyperrealistic" pencil drawing. View a close-up of the drawing here.
  

:: reading/food for thought ::

• Technically you can't read these, but this video of a Lourine Clark session from Redeemer's "Humanizing Work" conference looks really good. My prayer life was significantly changed after I heard Lourine speak about learning to pray about her work. The Center for Faith and Work has several more videos on their Youtube account.
• Has conversation suffered from our smartphone use? Two years ago, a New York Times piece explored that question, which a writer for the Atlantic took up again recently, vis-a-vis his experience teaching high school students. Some of this may be alarmist, but I don't doubt that our technology habits exert a more powerful impact on our routines and expectations than we realize. One striking quote used in both pieces: “Face-to-face conversation unfolds slowly. It teaches patience. When we communicate on our digital devices, we learn different habits … we start to expect faster answers. To get these, we ask one another simpler questions. We dumb down our communications, even on the most important matters.”
• I did not know Tolkien wrote and illustrated a children's book for his own kids, but Mr. Bliss (as highlighted on the Brainpickings site) sounds lovely. And, yes, Tolkien nerds, you can buy a reproduction.
• Science proves crafting is good for you! Or something like this. CNN reports on the benefits of creative activities that help you zone out.
• I haven't watched Jimmie Fallon since he took over Tonight from Jay Leno, but I hope his practice of thank-you notes spurs more handwritten cards, as this NYT piece muses.

:: food ::

• Downtown German beer spots: Since I've forgotten the name in several recent conversations, I finally looked up the Financial District's sprawling, if folding bike-cold, beer hall: It's Schroeder's, on Front between Sacramento and California. Apparently they've closed for major revamping, but plan to re-open in May. In the meantime, Cafe Prague at Merchant and Battery (tucked into an alley, next to a wine bar) looks very promising.
• If you're headed to Chicago in the near future, take a look at Paste's craft beer guide to the city.
• Ever since Luis Villavelazquez stopped making his amazing maple-bacon beignets for the Cafe Arlequin stand at the Ferry Building farmer's market, I've been craving his donuts (and I'm not usually a donut person). However, the re-opening of unrelated restaurant Bacon Bacon gives me hope I may yet eat another maple-bacon donut.
• Need a hot beverage to sip at home instead? My family used to rely on the unfortunately named "floor wax" when we got colds. Add boiling water to 1 tablespoon each of lemon juice and honey (more, depending on the size of your mug). For extra warmth, add a few cloves and a shot of whisky, bourbon or brandy (I don't recommend a peat-y Scotch for this; Irish whiskey works well enough).