All Arts & Culture
First LookRockin' in the Spotify world: Inside Neil Young鈥檚 boycottNeil Young pulled his music off the popular streaming service Spotify last week over podcaster Joe Rogan鈥檚 controversial discussions of COVID-19. Other artists followed suit. Could the squabble put a dent in Spotify鈥檚 rise to the top of the music industry?
In a WordSpelling games, from Wordle to 鈥榃heel of Fortune鈥�Hangman inspired "Wheel of Fortune." And now, our language columnist writes, we have Wordle, perfectly built for the Twitter age.
First LookIn marvel of persistence, Nadal wins record 21st tennis major title鈥淎n amazing champion.鈥� After losing two sets, Rafael Nadal fought back to win the Australian Open, drawing strength from adversity he had faced before.
On Broadway: This musician is in the pits, but far from blueGuitarist Jeffrey Lee Campbell toured with Sting but then had to play weddings.聽Now a Broadway veteran, he discusses perseverance and wrangling ego.
Kevin Day: Music transformed him. Now he aims to help others.The works of 20-something composer Kevin Day are infused with his experience with perseverance, and a desire to pass that strength along to listeners.
鈥楳arch鈥�: Energetic series showcases band culture 鈥� and community鈥淢arch,鈥� a new docuseries on the CW, explores how being a band member at a historically Black university challenges and uplifts students.
In a WordCan 鈥榙one鈥� be an emotion like joy and sadness?Since around 2000, and especially since the pandemic, people have increasingly been declaring themselves 鈥渄one鈥� or 鈥渟o done.鈥澛�
In a Word'Pareidolia' and other fancy Greek words for common happeningsPareidolia is an old phenomenon, but the word itself is fairly recent,聽coined in the 19th century from para-聽(鈥渂eyond鈥�) and聽eidolon聽(鈥渋mage鈥�).
Tackling climate change is art, not just scienceArtists often help people make sense of the world. As climate change impacts daily life, art is more often raising awareness and offering support.
First LookThe New York Philharmonic seeks a new director. Will it be a woman?For nearly two centuries, the New York Philharmonic music directors have been men, but that could soon change. Susanna聽M盲lkki, who made her New York Philharmonic debut in 2015, is a competitive contender for the spot.聽
First Look鈥楤e true to yourselves鈥�: Sidney Poitier kept his values on screenSidney Poitier, who launched his on-screen acting career in the 1950s, transformed how Black people were portrayed in films. In addition to his Academy Award- and Oscar-winning performances, Mr.聽Poitier is remembered for his grace and dignity. He died on Friday at 94.
Oscar contender 鈥楢 Hero鈥� explores the complexities of doing the right thingShould people be praised for simply doing the right thing? This year鈥檚 Oscar contender from Iran, 鈥淎 Hero,鈥� asks viewers to consider societal labels.
鈥楾he sky doesn鈥檛 collapse.鈥� A filmmaker explores gay life in Kenya.A documentary about a gay couple in Kenya explores universal themes of love and commitment in a repressive society.聽
In a WordWords of the Year evoke the preoccupations of 2021Words of the year from various dictionaries included: "vax," "perseverance," "allyship," "non-fungible token."
First LookBetty White: A legacy of saucy joy that never grew oldFor decades, comedian Betty White was the hippest TV star around and a role model for how to grow old joyously. She was also a dedicated activist for animal rights.
In a WordWhat do you call leftovers and byproducts?Maple syrup bottles often have tiny, basically useless handles 鈥� holdovers from聽the days when syrup was stored in earthenware jugs.
Hollywood is taking steps to diversify behind the camera. How is it going?For the TV and film industries, one area of progress is an increase in initiatives that help underrepresented groups train and network.- Hollywood is taking steps to diversify behind the camera. How is it going?For the TV and film industries, one area of progress is an increase in initiatives that help underrepresented groups train and network.
Sun-Man revived: Meet a pioneer of multicultural superheroesFounded by Yla Eason in 1985, Olmec Toys produced Sun-Man, which is being revived by Mattel Toys. Hear from Ms. Eason, now at Rutgers Business School.
What our wishes for 2022 tell us: A letter from Times SquareNew Year鈥檚 wishes and goals are a window to society at large. Our reporter finds love high on people鈥檚 lists, along with ending the pandemic.
