All Culture
What my adopted sons from Russia and Ukraine taught me about trustIn journeying with a stranger to a new life in a new land, my boys showed immense trust 鈥� and taught me that it flows both ways.
Welcome to Luna Luna, the carnival that time forgotLuna Luna, on display in Los Angeles, resurrects whimsical works by the likes of Salvador Dal铆 and Keith Haring. Just don鈥檛 climb on the rides.
Where the ribbit meets the road: My adventures in frog shuttlingHelping others 鈥� even amphibians 鈥� helps us. Our writer learns, it鈥檚 impossible to fixate on your own concerns while focusing on alleviating those of others.
First LookSeven Oscars for 鈥極ppenheimer,鈥� a fittingly foreboding film for the timesChristopher Nolan鈥檚 鈥淥ppenheimer鈥� swept the Academy Awards show with seven wins, including the Oscar for best picture. The awards show was shadowed by the backdrop of wars in Gaza and Ukraine, with pro-Palestinian protests outside the Dolby Theatre.
鈥楾he Lily Gladstone effect鈥�: Will Native actors get boost at Oscars?If Lily Gladstone wins an Academy Award for her performance in 鈥淜illers of the Flower Moon,鈥� she would be the first Native woman to receive an Oscar. Before her, there was a century of work that tended to go unrecognized.
A cult classic album gains new life, and new meaning, onstageA new stage adaptation of 鈥淚llinoise鈥� opens March 7 at New York鈥檚 Park Avenue Armory.聽It is not quite a musical, not quite a ballet, not quite a concert 鈥� but an experience all its own.
First LookHat trick: How Oppenheimer鈥檚 iconic topper made it to the screenTo fans of the film, nothing quite says 鈥淥ppenheimer鈥� like the porkpie crown on Cillian Murphy鈥檚 head. That piece of Hollywood history came courtesy of the hat whisperer Mark Mejia, who has been working with costume designers for more than 30 years.
Stars and strife: Who gets to decide what appears on state flags?The recent wave of flag redesigns reflects awareness that a strong visual identity can bring residents together. The challenge states face, though, is how to agree on symbols that represent everyone.
Zen and the art of automotive maintenanceWhat do you get when four of five children reach driving age? A collision course in car chaos.聽
Back of the box recipes from Great-Grandma? Family treasure.I longed for sentimental family heirlooms 鈥� until I learned that pragmatism is inheritance, too.聽
In a year of meaningful roles, who deserves an Oscar?These actors fully embodied their roles, from an Osage survivor to a grieving mother to ... Ken.
鈥楢merican Fiction,鈥� Black culture, and the nature of joyWhether it鈥檚 Blaxploitation, blackface, or navigating the arts space in a country and world not truly honest about their racial past, the duality of being funny and sad 鈥� think the iconic comedy and tragedy masks 鈥� means something different in the Black experience.
鈥楧une: Part Two鈥�: Sandworms, slick villains, and a would-be savior鈥淒une: Part Two鈥� arrives almost 2 1/2 years after the first installment. With the possible exception of 鈥淟awrence of Arabia,鈥� our film critic writes, he鈥檚 never seen so much sand in one movie.
The unexpected bounty of winter gardeningIn nature and in life, some seasons, like winter, are less celebrated. Under the surface, however, lies growth.聽
Preserving culture, one textile at a timeFocus is often put on preserving disappearing languages, but what of other traditions? For some, vitality rests with maintaining a culture鈥檚 visual representations, too.
An indie publisher finds its future 鈥� with a public libraryAngel City Press in Los Angeles has long published local authors. In a bold move, its founders are now giving the press to the city鈥檚 public library.聽
The actor and the ironing board: An unlikely lesson in improvisationIn our middle school musical, an eighth grade star averted disaster 鈥� and imparted valuable lessons in improvisation.聽
Robert Smalls lived an action-hero life. Why isn鈥檛 he a household name?The founder of the first free public schools in America was born enslaved and won freedom not only for himself, but also his family, by commandeering a Confederate gunship. How is Robert Smalls not a household name?
Hygge season: Learning to winter like the DanesIn exploring hygge, the Danish art of coziness,聽I learned to rest and savor the season. It鈥檚 a counterintuitive lesson in slowing down.聽
Lyrical, harrowing 鈥業o Capitano鈥� offers epic immigration taleHow far would someone go to have a better life? Italy鈥檚 Oscar nominee offers an immigration story that features searing realism 鈥� and resilience.聽聽