November 11, 2022

Title: LEFT SHARK

Constructor: Enrique Henestroza Anguiano

Editor: Erik Agard

Theme Answers:

POOL NOODLE (21A: Foam accessory for aquatic exercises)

LOAN FORGIVENESS (38A: Relief for borrowers)

BABY SHOWER (55A: Event that might have a diaper raffle)

Theme synopsis: The LEFT word of each theme answer can precede the word SHARK. Today we have a POOL SHARK, a LOAN SHARK, and BABY SHARK (doo-doo-doo-doo). 

Things I learned:

• AAA (48A: "Travel With Someone You Trust" org.) "Travel With Someone You Trust" is the slogan of the travel branch of AAA (American Automobile Association). I guess I haven't been paying enough attention to all of the things AAA sends me, because I needed a nudge from NO WAY (39D: "I don't believe it!") to fill this one in.
• PAL (67A: Good Judy, for example) A good Judy is a PAL you can count on, someone who is a safe space and accepts you for who you are. The term is often used in the gay community, and is a nod to gay icon, Judy Garland. Good Judy is similar to friend of Dorothy, which I have previously written about when it appeared as a theme answer in another Enrique Henestroza Anguiano puzzle. 
• ICE DANCER (11D: Skater such as Gabriella Papadakis or Guillaume Cizeron) Gabriella Papadakis and Guillaume Cizeron are skating partners. The ICE DANCERs, who represent France, won a gold medal at the 2022 Winter Olympics. They are five-time World Champions in ICE dancing. Earlier this year, the pair announced they are taking a year off from competition, but haven't ruled out a return. Although I didn't recognize the names, the hint of "skater" made this answer gettable. I am impressed by ICE DANCERs, as I can't ICE skate or DANCE well, so the thought of combining the two is overwhelming!
• OLGA (58D: "Flights" novelist Tokarczuk) OLGA Tokarczuk's novel, Flights, was originally published in Polish in 2007 as Bieguni. It was translated into English in 2017. Flights won the Man Booker International Prize, making OLGA Tokarczuk the first Polish author to win the honor. The novel is a series of 116 vignettes (some only one sentence long) narrated by a nameless female traveller. 

Random thoughts and interesting things:

• INCA (29A Quechua speaker of old) Quechua is a family of indigenous languages, and was the main language family of the INCA Empire.
• ARIANA (62A: Stage and screen star DeBose) ARIANA DeBose played the role of Anita in the 2021 movie adaptation of West Side Story, a role for which she won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. Her Broadway debut was in 2011 when she played the role of Nautica in Bring It On: The Musical.
• EEL (64A: Nonkosher fish) Food deemed kosher follows a set of Jewish dietary laws. In order for a fish to be kosher, it must have fins and easily detached scales. An EEL - with scales embedded in its skin - fails the kosher test. 
• COEL (8D: "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever" actress Michaela) In the 2022 Marvel comics movie, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, Michaela COEL plays the role of Wakandan warrior Aneka / Midnight Angel.
• VETERANS (41D: Seasoned pros) Although it's clued differently, you might choose to see this answer as a nod to VETERANS Day, which is today in the U.S. Each year on VETERANS Day, I'm thankful for VETERANS and their families, while also fervently hoping that someday the world will live in peace.
• PANEL (53D: DragCon event with a moderator) DragCon is an expo celebrating the art of drag, queer culture, and self-expression. Drag artists sometimes take part in discussion PANELs on a variety of topics such as clothing, fashion, the history of drag, etc.

Geography review:

• DALLAS (4D: Texas city home to Deep Ellum) Deep Ellum is a DALLAS neighborhood known for its arts and entertainment venues. Established in 1873 as a residential and commercial neighborhood, it was settled as a "freedmen's town" by formerly enslaved persons after the Civil War. The area was originally called Deep Elm as Elm Street was a hub of activity in the area. Pronunciation of the name by residents of the area led to the adoption of Deep Ellum as its official name. 
• SAO PAULO (6D: Brazilian city home to Vila Madalena) Vila Madalena is a SÃO PAULO neighborhood known for its nightlife and for being a center of culture and art. 
• ALPS (32D: Swiss mountains) Switzerland is one of seven countries containing part of the ALPS. The mountain range also extends into parts of France, Italy, Liechtenstein, Austria, Germany, and Slovenia.

If, like me, you do not watch the Super Bowl, let me start by explaining this puzzle's title. At the 2015 Super Bowl, Katy Perry performed the halftime show. During her song, "Teenage Dream," she was accompanied by two dancers in SHARK costumes. The LEFT SHARK seemed to not be following the dance choreography, and ended up becoming a viral sensation. Of course, that background isn't necessary to appreciate today's theme, but I think it's fun. I enjoyed this theme, and appreciated that we have three quite different types of SHARK represented. When I opened the puzzle, I was struck by those two blocks of black squares in the middle of the puzzle. Maybe they represent two SHARKs swimming toward us! Other great answers that I haven't mentioned yet: HAVE A BALL, PIVOT, and ENYA. Thank you, Enrique, for this puzzle that was a fantastic way to start my Friday.