The Root

The St. Louis Salsa Bachata Congress is preparing to celebrate Afro-Latin culture through dance. Organizers say the event brings together dancers and instructors for salsa and bachata, highlighting the African roots of these Latin music traditions. Local coverage notes the congress as a cultural celebration as well as a social dance gathering for the St. Louis community.

A botanical garden is taking shape in Shelby, North Carolina, named in honor of Dotty Leatherwood. The Shelby Star reported on the garden's early development, presenting it as a community project that commemorates Leatherwood's legacy. Details about the garden's location, funding, and opening timeline were not included in the available coverage.

Indian baby names carrying meanings such as 'you are our miracle' are being highlighted in a Times of India feature aimed at parents welcoming a long-awaited child. The list offers names for boys and girls rooted in Indian languages that express gratitude and wonder, reflecting growing interest among parents seeking meaningful, emotionally significant names for children conceived after long waits or difficulty.

Myoga, a Japanese ginger eaten for its flower buds rather than its root, is being described as crisp, refreshing and mildly spicy, with a seasonal reputation as a taste of summer. Unlike common ginger, the plant is prized for the young buds harvested from beneath the soil, often served as a garnish or in salads.

Theater Junction has released a short Punjabi comedy film titled '57 Maade Paide Aala', dated 2026, and it is attracting a large audience online. The comic production, rooted in Punjabi theatre style, has drawn well over a hundred thousand likes, suggesting strong interest among Punjabi-speaking viewers in the group's comedy content.

Bobby Flay, the celebrity chef and restaurateur, has kept one signature recipe unchanged for more than three decades, even as his cooking style has evolved. Food media are highlighting the dish as a testament to his culinary roots, and fans are debating which classic it might be and why it still holds up today.

Cerqua Rivera Dance Theatre is presenting the second Chicago Latinx/e Contemporary Movement Festival at the Dance Center of Columbia College. The festival showcases contemporary movement work rooted in Latinx experiences, giving Chicago audiences access to choreographers and performers from the city's Latinx dance community at a prominent downtown venue.

Michael Mainwaring, a performer with roots in Potomac, Maryland, is preparing for a new Broadway show, and he says he is not taking his hometown background for granted as he makes the leap to the New York stage. The profile highlights his journey from the Washington-area suburbs to Broadway.

Ariadne Kritonos has built a successful business rooted in her passion for Greek folk art, according to a profile in The National Herald. The piece highlights how she transformed a traditional craft interest into a commercial venture, drawing attention to the enduring appeal of Greek folk traditions and the entrepreneurs keeping them alive in the modern marketplace.

Bestselling fantasy author Sarah J. Maas has opened up about the pop culture works that shaped her novels, naming 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer', 'Star Wars' and 'The Lord of the Rings' as key inspirations. She says these franchises influenced her storytelling, characters and world-building across her hugely popular book series, drawing fresh attention from her large readership.

Watch commentary is taking a fresh in-depth look at the Cartier Roadster, arguing that the barrel-shaped model deserves recognition as Cartier's genuine sports watch rather than a secondary design. The piece revisits the Roadster's design roots and place in the brand's lineup, prompting renewed discussion among collectors about its status compared with better-known rivals like the Santos.