culture

Cellist Yo-Yo Ma, left, with composer John Williams, right. The pair recently released a collaborative recording, A Gathering of Friends, with the New York Philharmonic.

Composer John Williams and cellist Yo-Yo Ma bring together 'A Gathering of Friends'

4:27pm May 24, 2022

On a new album, the classical stars revisit the concerto Williams composed specifically for Ma, as well as some of Williams' most affecting film scores.

Artis Stevens, president and CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, says MacKenzie's Scott's gift to the mentoring organization will be "transformative."

Arts

Big Brothers Big Sisters receives a $122.6 million donation to mentor kids

10:25am May 24, 2022

by Elizabeth Blair

Billionaire philanthropist MacKenzie Scott continues her charity drive with a $122.6 million donation to Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, the group's largest gift ever from an individual.

Stills from Made for Love, Under the Banner of Heaven, The Man Who Fell To Earth, and I Love That For You.

Arts

Overwhelmed with TV options? Here's a few series you may have overlooked

5:00am May 24, 2022

by Eric Deggans

Candy, Under the Banner of Heaven, I Love That For You and Made for Love are all on our TV critic's list.

A burn-proof edition of 'The Handmaid's Tale' goes up for auction

12:51am May 24, 2022

by The Associated Press

Organizers say proceeds from the auction will be donated to PEN, which advocates for free expression around the world.

Colin Cantwell, who worked on 2001: A Space Odyssey and helped design ships for Star Wars, is pictured here in a 2017 photo in Boulder, Colorado.

Arts

The designer of the X-wing and other iconic 'Star Wars' ships has died

5:48pm May 23, 2022

by Joe Hernandez

Colin Cantwell worked on other films including 2001: A Space Odyssey and WarGames. He was 90.

Activision Blizzard has been hit with multiple lawsuits alleging a sexist and discriminatory workplace culture.

Arts

In major video game company first, Activision Blizzard employees are joining a union

5:38pm May 23, 2022

by Andrew Limbong

A subset of staff at the massive video game company Activision Blizzard voted to join the Communication Workers of America. The vote comes as Activision Blizzard is being purchased by Microsoft.

Books
Arts

Novelist Emma Straub asks life's big questions in 'This Time Tomorrow'

1:59pm May 23, 2022

by Tonya Mosley

Straub's new novel is a time-travel fantasy about a 40-year-old woman who's tending to her ailing father — until, that is, the day she's transported to her childhood home on her 16th birthday.

Queue Listen Now

Actor Johnny Depp waves to the gallery as he leaves for a break Monday during his defamation trial in Fairfax, Va. against his ex-wife, Amber Heard.

On social media, Johnny Depp is winning public sympathy over Amber Heard

12:07pm May 23, 2022

by Ayesha Rascoe

On TikTok, #IStandWithAmberHeard has garnered about 8.2 million views, while #JusticeForJohnnyDepp has earned about 15 billion views. A sociologist offers her views on the reasons why.

Tom Cruise is back as Pete "Maverick" Mitchell in Top Gun: Maverick.

Arts

'Top Gun: Maverick' is ridiculous. It's also ridiculously entertaining

5:00am May 23, 2022

by Justin Chang

Tom Cruise was in his early 20s when he first played the cocky young Navy pilot with the need for speed. Now, 36 years later, he's back — and Pete "Maverick" Mitchell is as insubordinate as ever.

Arts

'SNL' sends off longtime cast members

7:00pm May 22, 2022

by Emma Bowman

Kate McKinnon, Pete Davidson, Aidy Bryant and Kyle Mooney are departing from Saturday Night Live, leaving the sketch comedy staple without some of its most famous names.