Shadow // Yaddo

As an antidote to Orwellian doublespeak, we're highlighting Yaddo artists whose work radiates authenticity: Bestselling novelist Terry McMillan on kicking booze to the curb, finding joy in a library, and writing clean prose with a clear head. PLUS: Theater superstar and songwriter extraordinaire Shaina Taub shares new music. Apocalypse party, anyone? Contributing artists: Joseph Keckler, Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit.

Shaina Taub's new album, Songs of the Great Hill, comes out April 1.

Celebrating the return of live performance, with Pulitzer Prize-winning theater artists James Lapine—Sondheim-collaborator, director and screenwriter—and acclaimed playwright Doug Wright, whose Goodnight Oscar opens soon. PLUS: Mega-talented singer/songwriter Carol Lipnik shares music from her new album, Goddess of Imperfection. Contributing artists: Joseph Keckler, Blossom Dearie, David Cale.

Conceptual artist, producer and activist John Sims on shredding confederate iconography, the power of Pi, quilting with the Amish, being handcuffed in his pajamas, the square root of love, and more. PLUS: Steve Buscemi reminds us why making art matters. Contributing artists: Joseph Keckler, John Sims Projects, Vi Hart; AfroDixie: The Rain Mix musicians, including Johnnie Barker, Thomas Bentley, Patrick Bettison, Tom Carabasi, Ally Couch, Scott Curts, Ann Declercq, Kenny Drew Jr., Richard Drexler, Al Fuller, Geno and Skunk Boogie, Steady Joseph, Nigel Lewis, Michael Mendez, Henry Porter Jr./The Assembly of the Young and Gifted, Michal Rizman, Sal Sax, Eddie Tobin, James Verano, Twinkle Yochim.

Special thanks to The Frances Young Tang Teaching Museum and Art Gallery at Skidmore College, Director Ian Berry and Associate Curator Rebecca McNamara: "Radical Fiber: Threads Connecting Art and Science" featuring John Sims' "The Hanging of Knots Up to 8 Crossing" is on view through June 12.

It's that time of year when many of us give some thought to our roots, our sense of home, where we belong. Travel is fraught, and the strain of the holiday season is real. Come share in a little insight and a few good laughs, with two of our favorite writers: poet and essayist Marianne Boruch, author of several collections including her latest, Bestiary Dark, inspired by wildlife in Australia, and novelist Lynn Freed (Home Ground, The Last Laugh, House of Women), brilliant expat and the Queen of the One-Liner. Contributing artists: Joseph Keckler, Randy Crenshaw, Isabelle Boulay, Rufus Wainwright.

Success. Fallacy of the one who escaped. The roots of racism and more, with Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter Andrea Elliott on her new book, Invisible Child: Poverty, Survival & Hope in an American City, which offers an astonishing account of a homeless family in super-stratified New York City, where those grappling with extreme poverty live side by side with the very wealthy. PLUS: New music from mega-talented singer-songwriter and composer Gabriel Kahane. Contributing artist: Joseph Keckler.

Yaddo luminaries Brad Kessler and Uwem Akpan on empathy across boundaries, essential storytelling, the paradox of sanctuary, and the decade it takes to get it right. Kessler, "a consistently impressive writer," (PW) is the prize-winning author of the memoir Goat Song and three novels—Birds in Fall, Lick Creek and his latest, North. Akpan, whose powerful bestseller Say You're One of Them covered human-trafficking, prostitution and genocide through the eyes of children, returns with New York, My Village, an exuberant, LOL-funny novel that follows a Nigerian editor to NYC's heart of darkness. Contributing artists: Joseph Keckler, Damu the Fudgemunk.

Halloween, yes! Sweater-weather, dog costumes, candy discounts and more. Gather 'round for a good old-fashioned ghost story: Acclaimed actor Rufus Collins brings to life selections from "The Ghosts of Yaddo" by Allan Gurganus, author of several books of fiction, including Oldest Living Confederate Widow and his latest, The Uncollected Stories of Allan Gurganus. Contributing artists: Joseph Keckler, Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit, Regina DeLuise.

When artists get together, conversation flows! Antics, disco, cocktails and more in this week's celebration of our upcoming Yaddo Artist Reunion. Three fantastic writers who met at Yaddo discuss how peers influence each other: Lauren Groff, the bestselling author of six books of fiction, including Fates and Furies, Florida and her latest, Matrix; the ever-brilliant Sheila Heti, author of the novels Motherhood, How Should a Person Be and her forthcoming book, Pure Colour; and Sarah Manguso, the luminous author of eight books, including her upcoming novel, Very Cold People. Contributing artists: Joseph Keckler, Destiny's Child ("Independent Women," the Charles J Remix). Special thanks to Glenfiddich for sponsoring our Yaddo Artist Reunion.

Celebrating the launch of Season 2 with Moby! We'll take you back to the beginning of Yaddo, with a live performance by director and Tony Award-winning actress Blair Brown and legendary artist John Kelly. PLUS the mega-talented photographer and activist Dona Ann McAdams offers a preview of "Hardboots & Legends," her ongoing project on the behind-the-scenes backstretch workers at the oldest horse racing track in America—Saratoga Racecourse. Contributing artists: Hot Club of Saratoga, Patricia Highsmith, Sylvia Plath, Lionel Trilling on James Baldwin, Leonard Bernstein, Carson McCullers, John Cheever, Katherine Anne Porter, Leo Lerman, Saul Bellow, Flannery O'Connor, Langston Hughes, Dorothy Parker, Michael Cunningham, Amy Tan.