Arts

For decades, the Vizcaya Museum and Gardens in Miami has been a favorite spot for South Floridians to get engaged, get married, and have their quinceañera photos taken. But the meticulously landscaped 50 acres were seriously damaged by Hurricane Irma, an

After Irma, South Florida's Fairy Tale Estate Looks Stricken By An Evil Spell

7:00am September 25, 2017

by Neda Ulaby

Before the hurricane wreaked "cataclysmic destruction," the Vizcaya Museum and Gardens in Miami hosted decades of quinceañeras and weddings. Now, hundreds of volunteers are helping clean up.

Lucille Simpson, far right, and her daughter Gwendolyn Norman, both from Detroit, Mich., wait in line to enter the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Cultural on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., on May 1.

National Museum Of African American History And Culture Celebrates 1 Year

6:37pm September 24, 2017

by Windsor Johnston

Thousands of people flock to the museum each day, making it one of the most popular Smithsonian destinations in the nation's capital.

Arts

Katharine Hepburn's Brownies: A Recipe For Home-Wrecking?

5:04pm September 24, 2017

by Maquita Peters

Two years ago in The New York Times' food section, Sydne Newberry commented on this recipe — and the bittersweet end to her marriage. The comment went on to become Internet legend.

Books
Arts

'Unforgivable Love' Resets Steamy 'Dangerous Liaisons' In 1940s Harlem

8:02am September 24, 2017

by Lulu Garcia-Navarro

The retelling of the 1782 French novel has just as much betrayal and bed-hopping as the original, but in a new locale. Author Sophfronia Scott explains why Harlem — and how she writes good sex scenes.

Books
Arts

Leveling Up In The Video Game Industry, Without Checkpoints: 'Significant Zero'

7:00am September 24, 2017

by Jason Sheehan

Videogame writer Walt Williams describes his Red-Bull-and-Adderal-fueled advancement in a competitive and secretive industry. Critic Jason Sheehan says the book "plays out ... like a videogame."

Goodbye, For Now, To A Vital Source For Native American News

6:01am September 24, 2017

by Leah Donnella

Indian Country Today Media Network announced it would "cease active operations." That leaves a big hole in news coverage by, and about, Native Americans.

Bob Garfield's one-man show, Ruggedly Jewish, debuted in Philadelphia earlier this month.

'We Believe Deeply In Lox And Bagels': What It Means To Be A Secular Jew

7:01pm September 23, 2017

by Michel Martin

In his new one-man show, On the Media host Bob Garfield grapples with questions of identity and belonging. "I've been running from the religious part of my religion for my entire adult life," he says.

Clubgoers amid the light towers on the dance floor at Studio 54 in 1978.

Books
Arts

'Inside Studio 54' Takes You Behind The Velvet Rope, And Into Some Dark Corners

10:00am September 23, 2017

by Glen Weldon

Owner Mark Fleischman's memoir drops plenty of celebrity names while detailing the day-to-day logistics (and the drugs) that kept the nightspot running.

New York City Ballet Director of Costumes Marc Happel and Draper Kellie Sheehan conduct a costume fitting with soloist Indiana Woodward for Justin Peck's Pulcinella Variations, with costumes designed by Tsumori Chisato.

Arts

Above The Ballet, Where The Tutus Are Made

8:11am September 23, 2017

by Jeff Lunden

Every year, the New York City Ballet asks top fashion designers to outfit its dancers for its Fall Gala. Good thing the capacity of its 18-person costume department is "the highest you can get."

Arts

Not My Job: 'Empire' Creator Lee Daniels Gets Quizzed On Cookies

7:33am September 23, 2017

On the hit TV show, Daniels created one of the great characters of our time — the ambitious record company matriarch Cookie Lyon. So we'll see what he knows about actual cookies.