Featured

Author+Headshot2_Web+Size_Bowring

Book Reviews: “In a Distant Valley” and “A Chance Meeting” — Distinctively American Characters

Coming Attractions

Coming Attractions: December 7 through 22 — What Will Light Your Fire

Our expert critics supply a guide to film, visual art, theater, author readings, television, and music. More offerings will be added as they come in.

Read More

The Arts Fuse Currents

Music

Heavy Metal Preview: Converge Puts Together the Saddest Day 2025 Festival

By Scott McLennan | December 8, 2025

Converge bassist Nate Newton joked that, if it were left to him, he would have called this event “The Night of Seven Savage Weirdos”. Though when everything finally came together, even more weirdos were added to the mix.

Visual Arts

Visual Arts Review: The Spirit and the Street — Allan Rohan Crite’s Portrait of Community

By Lauren Kaufmann | November 16, 2025

As an artist, Allan Crite was always observing, drawing, and thinking about his Boston—the buildings, streets, parks, and playgrounds of Lower Roxbury and the South End.

Film

Film Review: “Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie” – Matt and Jay’s Excellent Adventure

By Nicole Veneto | December 7, 2025

True to its name, “Nirvanna the Band The Movie” is bigger and crazier than anything Matt Johnson and Jay McCarrol have ever conceived of, a feat of gonzo filmmaking that would make Werner Herzog sweat.

Books

Book Reviews: “In a Distant Valley” and “A Chance Meeting” — Distinctively American Characters

By Roberta Silman | December 8, 2025

Two uniquely American books that will give you unexpected pleasures just when you need them most.

Poetry at The Arts Fuse

Weekly Feature: Poetry at The Arts Fuse

December 4, 2025

This week’s poem: Uche Nduka’s “The Cantaloupe”

Dance

Dance Preview: “Urban Nutcracker” Turns 25

By Debra Cash | November 28, 2025

The elements of “Urban Nutcracker” have remained the same over the decades: a mix of classical, street, and global dance genres, buoyed by a medley featuring Tchaikovsky and Duke Ellington’s take on Tchaikovsky’s classic score.

Theater

Arts Remembrance: In Memoriam — Tom Stoppard

By Tim Jackson | December 2, 2025

One of the great playwrights of the 20th century, Tom Stoppard wrote to entertain, but with intellectual rigor.

Television

Television Review: “Stumble” Finds Its Footing in the Cheer Comedy Arena

By Sarah Osman | November 20, 2025

“Stumble” is a welcome addition to the increasingly tired mockumentary genre.

Podcasts

Short Fuse Podcast #81: Dr. Shuvendu Sen on “Broadway, Bars & Fortune”

By Elizabeth Howard | November 20, 2025

Elizabeth Howard speaks with Dr. Shuvendu Sen—the director and producer of “Broadway, Bars & Fortune,” a documentary that explores how theater and the arts fosters healing and redemption among formerly incarcerated individuals.

Short Fuses

December Short Fuses — Materia Critica

By Arts Fuse Editor | December 1, 2025

Each month, our arts critics — music, book, theater, dance, television, film, and visual arts — fire off a few brief reviews.

Spotlight

Winter 2025 Appeal — Keep the Fuse Lit!

By Arts Fuse Editor | December 1, 2025

This year we received the largest single donation in our history — $25,000. That gift inspired us to raise another $25,000 this holiday season to invest in our future.

About the Arts Fuse

The Arts Fuse was established in June, 2007 as a curated, independent online arts magazine dedicated to publishing in-depth criticism, along with high quality previews, interviews, and commentaries. The publication's over 70 freelance critics (many of them with decades of experience) cover dance, film, food, literature, music, television, theater, video games, and visual arts. Support arts coverage that believes that culture matters.

Recent Posts

Popular Posts

Categories

Archives