Feeling a little shut in this winter?   Photo courtesy of Thrillist Consider a change of scenery and check out some of the best U.S.-based winter destinations you can enjoy to get away from home but still have that snowy winter experience. I rounded up 7 awesome options across America

Lavish. Painterly. Sumptuous. Elegant. Winsome.   T Charles Erickson These are just a few of the words that floated through my mind while watching the Guthrie’s delicious new show Cyrano de Bergerac (Cyrano) last night. T Charles Erickson The tale of the monster and the damsel falling in love has

What can I say about a show that’s been touring the country steadily for over 25 years? Photo by Matthew Murphy Probably simply that things haven’t changed all that much in the 150+ years since Les Miserables was first published. Photo by Matthew Murphy Anyone who isn’t familiar with Les

Whenever someone not from Minnesota comes to visit, I hear the pity in their voice when they talk about living here through the winter. Photo courtesy of Thrillist Inevitably something along the lines of “bUt HOW dO yoU sUrvIvE iT?!?” comes out of their mouths, and all I can do

How can you find a new way to indulge your love for Jane Austen?   Photo by Rich Ryan You took all the Buzzfeed quizzes about “Which Bennet are you?” and watched every Austen remake to be found thousands of times (here’s looking at you, Clueless). What’s left at this

Anyone who knows me even a little knows that one of my great passions is discovering, sharing, and enjoying stories that lie outside of our popular understanding of the world.   Photos by Petronella J. Ytsma This is especially true of historical stories, which often tend to center middle aged

Sometimes things are even better the second time around.   Photo by Dan Norman Anyone who knows me even mildly well knows that I am not a re-visitor of pretty much anything. Movies, books, plays – I am almost always a one and done. There are so many new-to-me pieces

For one of my favorite annual roundups (books, duh), look no further. This #shelfie of goodies from my time interning at Graywolf Press is a regular fave. If you’ve never read any of their books, what are you waiting for?!  Devoted Compendium readers may remember my post halfway through last

This late in the season, I generally think it unlikely to find something so fresh and powerful and amazing that it blows my socks off.   Photos by Petronella J. Ytsma But I can happily testify that that is the case after seeing Dot, a new work at Park Square

‘Tis the season for festivities and debaucheries of all stripes…   Red Cow’s drink menu is considerate and thoroughly on point. If you’re looking for some hot new places (and reliable favorites) to grab a cocktail or delish small snack this holiday season and beyond, look no further than my