Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Lace Up

There are spoilers ahead. You might want to solve today's puzzle before reading further! Lace Up

Constructor: Stella Zawistowski

Editor: Amanda Rafkin

Random Thoughts & Interesting Things

• CRAG (1A: Handhold on a free solo climb) A free solo climb is one done without ropes or other safety equipment, and is as dangerous as it sounds. Finding CRAGs to hold onto is definitely important.
• SCI-FI (9A: Octavia E. Butler's genre) Octavia Butler (1947-2006) received multiple Hugo and Nebula awards for her writing, both of which honor SCI-FI or fantasy works. Additionally, she was the first SCI-FI author to receive a MacArthur Fellowship. Octavia Butler's SCI-FI writing includes the Patternist series, the Xenogenesis series, and the Parable series, as well as the stand-alone novels Kindred and Fledgling. 
• CATTLE CALL (21A: Audition anyone can come to) A CATTLE CALL is another term for an "open CALL," which I wrote about earlier this month. A CATTLE CALL is open to anyone interested in trying out for a part. It earned its name because those auditioning are often kept together in one large room.
• NASA (39A: "Fly Me to the Moon" group) Fly Me to the Moon is a 2024 movie starring Scarlett Johansson and Channing Tatum. Set against the backdrop of NASA's Apollo 11 mission, the movie's premise is that an advertising company is tasked with creating a fake moon landing to be aired in case the actual moon landing failed.
• CHINESE CALENDAR (40A: The Dragon Boat Festival falls on the fifth day of its fifth month) The Dragon Boat Festival is – as the clue informs us – celebrated in China on the fifth day of the fifth month of the CHINESE CALENDAR. That date corresponds to late May or early June on the Gregorian calendar. In 2024, the Dragon Boat Festival was held on June 10. In 2025, the celebration will be on May 31. This traditional CHINESE holiday, a commemoration of the poet Qu Yuan, is celebrated with dragon boat races and by eating zongzi (sticky rice dumplings).
• AIN'T (43A: "___ 2 Proud 2 Beg" (TLC song)) "AIN'T 2 Proud 2 Beg" is a song from TLC's debut album, Ooooooohhh... On the TLC Tip (1992).
• ODIN (44A: Bigwig Norse god) In Norse mythology, ODIN is indeed a bigwig god. ODIN is associated with wisdom and healing. He is portrayed as one-eyed, long-bearded, wearing a cloak and broad hat, and wielding a spear named Gungnir. One of ODIN's name is Allfather, or Father of All. ODIN is married to the goddess Frigga. One of their sons is THOR, the god of lightning, thunder, and storms. 
• TESLA (48A: Cybertruck maker) The TESLA Cybertruck is an electric pickup truck. Its body consists of flat stainless steel panels, giving it a distinctive appearance.
• ATOM (64A: Ball-and-stick model) The ball-and-stick model is used in chemistry to illustrate the three-dimensional position of ATOMs in a chemical substance. ATOMs are represented by balls of different colors, and the sticks, or rods, represent the bonds between the ATOMs.
• HORA (6D: Dance at a Jewish wedding) The HORA is a circle dance that is performed at some Jewish weddings. During the HORA, the wedding couple is lifted into the air (while seated in chairs) while their family and friends dance circles around them. Often the couple holds opposite ends of a napkin to signify their union. The HORA is often danced to the Jewish folk song, "Hava Nagila."
• ANNE (24D: Green Gables gal) ANNE of Green Gables is the titular character in the book series by L. M. Montgomery. The stories have been adapted into movies, stage productions, and TV series. ANNE of Green Gables is set on Prince Edward Island in the fictional town of Avonlea.
• OHIO (34D: Lake Erie border state) OHIO is one of four U.S. states that border Lake Erie. The others are Michigan, Pennsylvania, and New York. Ontario is the sole Canadian province that borders Lake Erie.
• ELLIS (42D: Island in immigration history) ELLIS Island is located in New York Harbor. It is named for Samuel Ellis, a Welshman who previously owned the island. At one time, ELLIS Island was the busiest immigration processing facility in the United States. Nearly 12 million immigrants were processed on ELLIS Island between 1892 to 1954.
• EGAN (58D: "The Candy House" author Jennifer) Jennifer EGAN won the 2011 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction for A Visit from the Goon Squad. The book is a set of 13 stories, featuring a large set of characters whose lives are interrelated, and who all have a connection to record company executive Bennie Salazar, and his assistant, Sasha. Jennifer EGAN's 2022 book, The Candy House, is a sequel to A Visit from the Goon Squad. It features many of the same characters, and provides updates to their stories.
• CURD (59D: Cheese ___ (poutine topping)) Poutine – french fries topped with cheese CURDs and brown gravy – is a dish associated with Quebec cuisine.
• UTAH (60D: U.S. state where 2002 Olympics were held) The 2002 Olympics were Winter Games, and the host city was Salt Lake City, UTAH. The Winter Olympics will return to Salt Lake City, UTAH in 2034.

Crossword Puzzle Theme Synopsis

• CATTLE CALL (21A: Audition anyone can come to)
• CHINESE CALENDAR (40A: The Dragon Boat Festival falls on the fifth day of its fifth month)
• PRECALCULUS (56A: High school math class)

LACE UP: The word LACE is found backwards in each theme answer: CATTLE CALL, CHINESE CALENDAR, and PRECALCULUS.

The title today had me thinking we might see vertical theme answers. It just goes to show that my guesses are not always correct! Thank you, Stella, for this excellent puzzle.

For more on USA TODAY’s Crossword Puzzles

• USA TODAY’s Daily Crossword Puzzles
• Sudoku & Crossword Puzzle Answers