Plus the dazzling sculptures of Paola Grizi, our fond memories of eating at one of the world's best restaurants, and the perfect book to kick off Pride Month!

Wildstar’s Wednesday Libation: Ameztoi Txakoli (Getariako Txakolina, Spain)

Reading: So Many Stars: An Oral History of Trans, Nonbinary, Genderqueer, and Two-Spirit People of Colorby Caro de Robertis

Listening: The Painful Truthby Skunk Anansie

Looking: The Art of Paola Grizi

Viewing: Pee-wee as Himself — docuseries about Paul Reubens (best known for portraying Pee-wee Herman), directed by Matt Wolf (HBO & HBO Max)

Tasting: Eva Longoria: Searching for Spain (Plus our memories of eating at Arzak Restaurant in San Sebastian and meeting iconic Chefs Elena Arzak & Juan Mari Arzak!)

This Week’s Words of Wisdom: Allen Ginsberg (June 3, 1926 - April 5, 1997): “The only thing that can save the world is the reclaiming of the awareness of the world. That's what poetry does. By poetry I mean the imagining of what has been lost and what can be found — the imagining of who we are and the slow realization of it.” — Allen Ginsberg [Source: Azquotes]

Plus a stunning debut album from our new favorite opera singer — Masabane Cecilia Rangwanasha, and the vibrant portraits of Fujishima Takeji!

Wildstar’s Wednesday Libation: Ryan Wildstar’s Signature Lemon Drop!

Reading: An Unofficial Rose by Iris Murdoch

Listening: Masabane Cecilia by Masabane Cecilia Rangwanasha (with Aron Goldin)

Looking: The Art of Fujishima Takeji (1867 - 1943)

Viewing: Any Other Way: The Jackie Shane Story (2024) — a documentary portrait of the pioneering transgender R&B singer Jackie Shane (1940 - 2019), directed by Michael Mabbott & Lucah Rosenberg-Lee

Tasting: Budget-Friendly Epicurean Delights from Our Neighborhood Farmers Market (Platia Attikis on Alkamenous Street) in Athens, Greece!

This Week’s Words of Wisdom: Iris Murdoch (1919 - 1999): “One of the secrets of a happy life is continuous small treats, and if some of these can be inexpensive and quickly procured so much the better.” — Iris Murdoch [Source: Azquotes]

Plus the sensational mixed media collage art of Lavett Ballard & the "Father of French Gastronomy” — Antonin Carême!

Wildstar’s Wednesday Libation: Domaine Vincent Carême Vouvray Sec (Loire, France)

Reading: The Book of Salt by Monique Truong

Listening: Silver Shade by Peter Murphy

Looking: The Art of Lavett Ballard — including her current exhibition, Lavett Ballard: The People Who Could Fly

Viewing #1: A Nice Indian Boy (2024) — directed by Roshan Sethi (based on Madhuri Shekar's play of the same name), starring Karan Soni & Jonathan Groff

Viewing #2: Carême— TV series created & written by Ian Kelly & Davide Serino, directed by Martin Bourboulon, starring Benjamin Voisin, Lyna Khoudri & Jérémie Renier (Apple TV+)

Tasting: The Life & Recipes of “The Father of French Gastronomy” aka Antonin Carême

This Week’s Words of Wisdom: Armistead Maupin (born May 13, 1944): “The world changes in direct proportion to the number of people willing to be honest about their lives.” — Armistead Maupin [Source: Azquotes]

Plus two fantastic new albums from Mexican songstress Natalia Lafourcade & Malian-French supergroup Lamomali!

Wildstar’s Wednesday Libation: The Perfect Horchata! (recipe from Cooking Con Claudia)

Reading: Holy the Firm by Annie Dillard

Listening #1: Cancionera by Natalia Lafourcade

Listening #2: Lamomali Totem by Lamomali (-M-, Fatoumata Diawara, Toumani Diabaté, Balla Diabaté) feat. Angélique Kidjo, Amadou & Mariam, Seu Jorge, Philippe Jaroussky, Yamê & more!

Looking: The Art of of Mary Cassatt (1844 - 1926)

Viewing: Narcissus (1983) — directed by Norman McLaren, starring Jean-Louis Morin as Narcissus

Tasting: Greek Old-Fashioned Honey Donuts - Loukoumades (recipe from Chef Akis Petretzikis)

This Week’s Words of Wisdom: Truman Capote (1924 - 1984): “If you weren't here, if you could be anywhere you wanted to be, doing anything you wanted to do, where would you be and what would you be doing?” — Truman Capote (via Azquotes)

Plus Ryan Wildstar's recipe for the perfect Bloody Mary, trailblazing saxophonist Vi Redd, & our dinner at Rozalia - a hidden gem in the heart of Athens!

Wildstar’s Wednesday Libation: The Bloody Mary “Chaser”

Reading: Love Is A Dangerous Word: The Selected Poems of Essex Hemphill by Essex Hemphill

Listening: In Honor of Jazz Appreciation Month: The Music of Vi Redd (1928 – 2022)

Looking: The Art of Vorja Sánchez

Viewing: Ernest Cole: Lost and Found— documentary about Ernest Cole, directed by Raoul Peck (coming to Hulu on 4/29/25!)

Tasting: Dinner at Rozalia in Athens, Greece

This Week’s Words of Wisdom: Essex Hemphill (April 16, 1957 – November 4, 1995): “I love myself enough to be who I am.” — Essex Hemphill [Source: Quotefancy]

Aesthetic Arrest: Essex Hemphill's Love Is A Dangerous Word, Ernest Cole: Lost and Found, & Vorja Sánchez - Organic Harmony!

Plus mouthwatering recipes from Andy Baraghani, eye-opening Renaissance art, and The Return — an arresting cinematic masterpiece starring Ralph Fiennes & Juliette Binoche!

Wildstar’s Wednesday Libation: Portofino Spritz with Andy Baraghani

Reading: The Lies of the Artists: Essays on Italian Art, 1450-1750 by Ingrid D. Rowland

Listening: Audience With the Queen by Galactic and Irma Thomas

Looking: Renaissance, Baroque & Rococo Art featured in Ingrid D. Rowland’s The Lies of the Artists: Essays on Italian Art, 1450-1750

Viewing: The Return directed by Uberto Pasolini, starring Ralph Fiennes and Juliette Binoche

Viewing: The Return directed by Uberto Pasolini, starring Ralph Fiennes and Juliette Binoche

This Week’s Words of Wisdom: Charlie Chaplin (April 16, 1889 – December 25, 1977): “We think too much and feel too little. More than machinery, we need humanity. More than cleverness, we need kindness and gentleness. Without these qualities, life will be violent and all will be lost.” — Charlie Chaplin [Source: Azquotes]

Plus Women and the Piano: A History in 50 Lives, the art of Dominique Fung & our favorite bakery in Greece!

Wildstar’s Wednesday Libation: Mai Tais & Manhattans at Tiki Bar in Athens, Greece!

Reading: Women and the Piano: A History in 50 Lives by Susan Tomes

Listening: Golden Mirrors - The Uncovered Sessions Vol. 1 by Mick Harvey & Amanda Acevedo

Looking: The Art of Dominique Fung

Viewing #1: Liza: A Truly Terrific Absolutely True Story — directed by Bruce David Klein (PBS American Masters)

Viewing #2: Becoming Led Zeppelin — directed by Bernard MacMahon

Tasting: ΒΕΝΕΤΗ (aka Veneti Bakery) & Venetis Food Hall in Omonoia — our favorite bakery in Greece!

This Week’s Words of Wisdom: Happy Birthday to Paul Robeson! (April 9, 1898 – January 23, 1976): “Artists are the gate keepers of truth. We are civilization’s radical voice.” — Paul Robeson [Source: Azquotes]

Plus our favorite Thai restaurant in Europe, enchanting art from Henri Rousseau, & a brand new R&R playlist for Women's History Month!

Wildstar’s Wednesday Libation: Domaines Landron (Jo Landron) Amphibolite, Muscadet Sèvre et Maine (Loire, France)

Reading: Madame Sosostris and the Festival for the Brokenhearted by Ben Okri

Listening: R&R’s Newest Playlist! Fierce Favorites for Women’s History Month! Better Be Good To Me

Looking: The Art of Henri Rousseau (May 21, 1844 – September 2, 1910)

Viewing #1: Big Boys (Season 3) — created & written by Jack Rooke, starring Dylan Llewellyn & Jon Pointing (Channel 4 & Hulu)

Viewing #2: Invisible Boys — created & directed by Nicholas Verso, adapted from the novel by Holden Sheppard (Stan)

Tasting: Our Favorite Thai Food in Europe! Thai Zab Restaurant in Athens, Greece

This Week’s Words of Wisdom: Ben Okri: “Maybe there are only three kinds of stories: those we live, those we tell, and those that help our souls fly upwards to a greater life.” — Ben Okri [Source: Quotefancy]