Australia: Beyond the Fatal Shore
Riding the current wave of Olympics-induced curiosity about the continent "down under," this intelligent PBS exploration of Australia is hosted by art critic, author, and native-son Robert Hughes. A collection of illuminating multimedia interviews lie at the heart of the web site -- recaps of Hughes' insightful conversations with Aboriginal activists and entrepreneurs, ranchers and painters, politicians and drag queens. The flashy, de rigueur scrolling timeline, and an Aussie slang glossary complete the offering.
The Shubert Archive is located in the heart of Manhattan's theater district, but now this fascinating historical collection also has a stylish home on the Web. The story of the Shubert brothers, theatrical entrepreneurs and production impresarios, who ruled Broadway through much of the 20th century, is the story of modern American musical theatre. Browse through photo collections that feature Eddie Cantor and Al Jolson, posters and window cards for the New York World's Fair of 1939 or the enduring stage show Cats, as well as fabulous costume and set designs. A scan through past issues of the Passing Show, a print newsletter, will entice you to visit the archive's physical home in New York's Lyceum Theater.
Named after the famous memorial in Westminster Abbey, Poets' Corner offers an extensive archive of English poetry written prior to 1923. If it's canonical, and in the public record, you'll find it here: Edna St. Vincent Millay, William Black, Oscar Wilde, Wilfred Owen, Rudyard Kipling, Emily Bronte, and more. Did we mention the Romantics? Shakespeare's sonnets? You'll even find a small poem from Abraham Lincoln entitled "Memory" written after the Civil War: "I range the fields with pensive tread, / And pace the hollow rooms, / And feel (companion of the dead) / I'm living in the tombs."
This impressive online shrine to the women of tackle football features a lengthy tribute to the National Women's Football League, an ill-fated semi-pro football conference that burned brightly but quickly during the '70s. Be sure to investigate the team names: Oklahoma City Dolls, Detroit Demons, Dallas-Fort Worth Shamrocks (?), Los Angeles Dandelions, Tulsa Babes. You'll also find detailed descriptions of uniforms, biographies of key players, and a list of the current women's tackle football teams in Japan. While pros are scarce these days, little league teams are thriving.
Montreal-born photographer Marcus Leatherdale has been spending half his time in India for the past 20 years, traveling extensively, and taking luminous portraits. His beautiful online exhibit features photographs of "princesses, movie stars, boatmen, circus performers, Adivasi tribal people, street beggars, bishops, and mothers and children in traditional garb." Leatherdale made his reputation capturing New York's underground culture during the '80s, and he also offers some of his work from that era. What's the difference between a drag queen and a holy man? See for yourself.
"The Arctic remains one of the least explored, studied and understood places on earth." Not to mention inhospitable. Now, in a gesture of northern hospitality, NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) has created a useful, comprehensive, and easy-to-navigate resource for Arctic exploration. Divided into broad categories -- scientific, general interest, gallery, and essays -- this is a perfect portal to the North Pole. You'll find links to maps and stats, great photographs of the Northern Lights and noctilucent clouds, icebergs, icebreakers, and Arctic foxes from all over the Net.
Climbing the Cliff of Depression
"Finding footholds for peers" is the subtitle of this teenager's guide to depression. The question-and-answer format addresses core concerns about depressive behavior in a straightforward, compassionate manner illustrated with clever cartoon graphics. Pages discuss how to define and recognize depression, steer a friend or family member in the direction of help, and intervene to prevent suicide. The online brochure closes with a quick quiz and links to other resources. Now, if only we knew a little more about the authors, their aims, and affiliations.
If the names Manic Panic, Punky Colors, Directions, Special Effects, Fudge or N'Rage mean anything to you, then you've just found a funky new resource for Technicolor hair. All of these semi-permanent, unnatural hair dyes get the royal treatment from your friendly riot grrl host: what to buy, how to dye, and how to avoid letting your hair fry. Learn how to bleach your hair properly, dye your hair without trashing your bathroom, and properly care for your new Day-Glo do. Check the picture gallery for new ideas.
