November 21, 2020

Title: SAY IT WITH YOUR CHEST

Constructor: Erik Agard

Editor: Erik Agard

Theme Answers:

TREASURE HUNTING (16A: "X marks the spot" activity)

TEA CEREMONY (37A: Rite also known as chado)

COMMUNITY FRIDGE (60A: Mutual aid installation)

Theme synopsis: The first word of each theme answer can be SAID with the word CHEST, giving us TREASURE CHEST, TEA CHEST, and COMMUNITY CHEST.

Things I learned:

• SUN RA (12A: Leader of the Arkestra) SUN RA was a jazz composer and bandleader known for his experimental and avant-garde music and theatrical performances. SUN RA led the Arkestra, an ensemble with an ever-changing line-up, which gave performances sometimes featuring dancers and musicians in elaborate, futuristic costumes. Since the death of SUN RA in 1995, the Arkestra has continued to tour and perform, known as SUN RA Arkestra.
• PERM (26A: Eyelash treatment) Even when it became obvious that PERM was the answer, I continued to doubt myself because I could not imagine what an eyelash PERM might be. An eyelash PERM is pretty much what it sounds like - a treatment of the eyelashes to cause them to curl. The process involves having your lashes attached to a PERM rod or silicone pad, followed by the application of PERM solution and then neutralizer. The procedure, which takes 30-45 minutes, must be done by a licensed and certified cosmetologist (thank goodness!) and lasts for two to three months. Now I know this is a thing, but I will not be having my eyelashes permed.
• LUPITA (35A: With 40-Across, "Sulwe" author) and NYONG'O (40A: See 35-Acorss) Sulwe is a children's book written by Kenyan-Mexican actress LUPITA NYONG'O. Sulwe, which became a New York Times bestseller, tells the story of a young girl who wishes her dark skin was lighter. It is a book about learning to love yourself, whatever color your skin is - a worthy lesson indeed. 
• COMMUNITY FRIDGE (60A: Mutual aid installation) I was not familiar with this term, though its meaning and purpose are inferable. A COMMUNITY FRIDGE is a refrigerator set up in a public space with the aim of reducing food insecurity. The refrigerators are often decorated with murals and labels saying "Free Food," and "Comida Gratis." During the COVID-19 pandemic, COMMUNITY FRIDGEs have popped up in several U.S. cities, including New York City and Los Angeles.

Random thoughts and interesting things:

• LOU (21A: Jazz great Mary ___ Williams) Mary LOU Williams was a jazz pianist, arranger, and composer. She wrote and arranged songs for many jazz artists, including Duke Ellington and Benny Goodman.
• TEA CEREMONY (37A: Rite also known as chado) A TEA CEREMONY is, as the name implies, a ritual for the preparation and presentation of TEA. Chado refers to a Japanese TEA CEREMONY, though similar rituals exist in other countries, including China and Korea.
• OUR (2D: "Where Did ___ Love Go") "Where Did OUR Love Go," released in 1964, was the first song by the Supremes to reach number one on Billboard's Hot 100 pop singles chart.
• ACHE (7D: NSAID target) and DRUG (8D: The "D" in NSAID) An NSAID is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory DRUG, such as aspirin or ibuprofen. I will refrain from giving you a pharmacology lecture on how NSAIDs work, although I do have such a lecture prepared. (It would be a bit rusty, I'm sure; it's been a few years since I've lectured on such topics!)
• PIANO (26D: Dorothy Donegan instrument) Dorothy Donegan was a jazz pianist and vocalist. In 1943, she was the first Black performer to play at Chicago's Orchestra Hall.
• PEONY (36D: Flower that attracts ants) Ants are attracted by the nectar that forms on the outside of a PEONY flower bud. Although not required for the flower's pollination, ants do not harm the plant, and may provide the PEONY with protection from other insects.
• HUGOS (45D: Awards for N.K. Jemisin) HUGOS are annual literary awards for science fiction and fantasy. N.K. Jemisin has won four HUGOS: Best Novel 2016 for The Fifth Season, Best Novel 2017 for The Obelisk Gate, Best Novel 2018 for The Stone Sky, and Best Novelette 2020 for "Emergency Skin."
• DEAF (48D: ___ President Now (1988 Gallaudet University protest)) Gallaudet University, located in Washington D.C., is a school for DEAF and hard of hearing students. In 1988, students held strikes to protest the selection of another hearing president, as a DEAF person had never been selected for the position. Following the protests, I. King Jordan became Gallaudet's first DEAF president.

Geography review:

• ASIA (13D: Largest continent) If you were to rank the continents by area, the order would be: ASIA, Africa, North America, South America, Antarctica, Europe, and Australia. This is the fourth November appearance of ASIA in the puzzle. We saw ASIA in the puzzle six times in July, so we'd need to see it a few more times this month to break that record.

I think it is well-established by now that I am far from hip or cool, or whatever the current synonym of those terms is! It will probably not come as a surprise, therefore, that I was not familiar with the phrase SAY IT WITH YOUR CHEST. When I saw the puzzle's title I thought, "Is that something people say?" It is. It means to say something confidently. It looks like the phrase originated from a comedy sketch by Kevin Hart. Even if you are uncool like me, the title works as a fine revealer for the set of CHESTS in the theme answers. I really enjoyed the pairs of repeated clues in this puzzle - AARP and AAA [Org. with member discounts], SNORE and YAWN ["So boring!"] and USSR and USA [Cold war country]. I like repeated clues, as they often result in a sense of déjà vu. The multiple repeated clues today compounded that feeling; a fun touch. WOO! This puzzle was not a SNORE or a YAWN. Rather, it SPARKLED and was an enjoyable start to my Saturday morning.