December 5, 2021

Title: AGE GROUP

Constructor: Zhouqin Burnikel

Editor: Erik Agard

Theme Answers:

KAIA GERBER (17A: Model whose mother is Cindy Crawford)

GRETA GERWIG (36A: Director of "Little Women")

LISA GENOVA (59A: "Still Alice" author)

Theme synopsis: Today we have a GROUP of people, each of whom has the word AGE hidden in their name.

Things I learned:

• ACTS (1A: Kabuki's structure contains five of them) Kabuki is a classical form of Japanese theater, known for the elaborate costumes and make-up used by some of the performers. Kabuki dates back to the Edo period (1600-1800s). Kabuki was traditionally a full-day performance, with the first of five ACTS introducing the characters. The third ACT contained a moment of great drama or tragedy, with battles often portrayed in the second and fourth ACTS. A quick and satisfying conclusion is the purpose of the fifth ACT. In 2008, UNESCO added Kabuki to its list of Intangible Cultural Heritage.
• KAIA GERBER (17A: Model whose mother is Cindy Crawford) In 2017, KAIA GERBER won Model of the Year at the British Fashion Awards. She has been in advertising campaigns for Louis Vuitton, Yves Saint Laurent, Jimmy Choo, and Fendi, and has appeared on the covers of various fashion magazines. She has appeared with her mother on three covers of Vogue. 
• SON (41A: T'Challa, to T'Chaka) T'Challa is the name of the Marvel superhero, Black Panther, the king and protector of Wakanda. I knew of T'Challa as the Black Panther, but am not up on my Marvel comics to get this answer without the help of crossing answers.
• LISA GENOVA (59A: "Still Alice" author) LISA GENOVA is a neuroscientist and author. Though she writes fiction, her books are inspired by her neuroscience background. Still Alice is the story of a woman who develops early-onset Alzheimer's disease. The book has been adapted into a play and a movie. LISA GENOVA has also given two widely-viewed TED Talks, "What you can do to prevent Alzheimer's," and "How your memory works - and why forgetting is totally OK." LISA GENOVA is one of those names I'm sure I've heard before. I am familiar with the book Still Alice. However, I did not know the name well enough to fill in the answer without many crossing answers.
• SEA (4D: Habitat for dugongs) A dugong is a marine mammal found in coastal habitats where SEAgrass is found. Related to the manatee, a dugong is commonly referred to as a SEA cow. 
• WOBBLE (38D: Wedding dance) The WOBBLE is a line dance done to the V.I.C. song "WOBBLE." Here's a tutorial if you want to learn how to dance the WOBBLE. Apparently I haven't been to enough weddings lately. When I asked my daughter, she knew of the WOBBLE. 

Random thoughts and interesting things:

• GRETA GERWIG (36A: Director of "Little Women") In addition to Little Women in 2019, GRETA GERWIG also directed the 2017 movie, Lady Bird.

Geography review:

• LHASA (15A: Capital City where tsampa is eaten daily) Tsampa is made from roasted flour mixed with liquid. Barley flour is usually used to make tsampa, but wheat flour can also be used. Tsampa is usually made using Yak butter tea (which I wrote about previously) is traditionally used as the liquid to make tsampa, but water or beer can also be used. Since the flour is already roasted, making tsampa does not require cooking. Tsampa is a staple food in Tibet. Tibet is an autonomous region of China; LHASA is its capital.
• TURTLE (25A: ___ Island) TURTLE Island is the name used by some indigenous people to refer to  North America. (Some indigenous people use the term to refer to the whole world.) The nomenclature arose out of creation stories in indigenous folklore. There is also an explanation that the shape of North America resembles a TURTLE. There are several islands around the world named TURTLE Island, including an uninhabited one in Lake Erie that is divided by the Michigan-Ohio border.
• ARABIC (49A: Egypt's official language) The official name of Egypt is the Arab Republic of Egypt. The country spans two continents, as it is located in the northeastern corner of Africa, and the southwest corner of Asia. The Sinai Peninsula forms a land bridge connecting the two continents. As the clue informs us, the official language of Egypt is ARABIC. Its capital is Cairo.

I don't know whether it was intentional, but the AGE of the individual women in this GROUP of theme answers increases as you make your way down the grid, from 20 to 38 to 51. Of the three theme answers, GRETA GERWIG was the only one I was able to fill in without lost of help from crossing answers. I enjoyed the answers HIT IT BIG and GET A GRIP. This puzzle, featuring an asymmetric grid, was a good way to begin my Sunday.