L.A. Opera defies elitist label with ‘La Traviata,’ ‘Noah’s Flood’
The label of elitism sticks to opera like superglue. The label is a fake, but one for which no cultural chemical capable of removing it…
Best things to do in L.A.: ‘Chocolate Room,’ Maurice Sendak
Ed Ruscha, “Chocolate Room,” 1970, chocolate on paper (Christopher Knight / Los Angeles Times) It’s been asked before, and we’ll ask it again: If music…
What to do in L.A.: ‘Fat Ham,’ Coachella, Virginia Woolf dance
Welcome to another edition of Essential Arts, where the question of the week just might be: How have 99 Cents Only Stores shaped L.A.’s cultural…
Essential Arts: Easter music, Butterfly Pavilion, the Broad
It’s a new Essential Arts! Based on feedback from readers, we’re rethinking this newsletter and adding recommendations from our prize-winning writers on the very best…
Carolina Miranda on chronicling L.A.’s rich artistic communities
It’s the weekend and my main goal is to get over to Café Tropical for a Cuban sandwich. I’m Carolina A. Miranda, art and design…
Yuval Sharon brings John Cage’s ‘Europeras 3 & 4’ to Detroit
Detroit — Ten years after founding the Industry, America’s most mind-changing opera company, Yuval Sharon in 2020 improbably accepted the role of artistic director of Michigan…
‘Frida’ doc on Amazon Prime Video captures painter’s voice
It’s the weekend and I’m dreaming about sushi from Waka Sakura in Gardena. I’m Carolina A. Miranda, art and design columnist at the Los Angeles…
James Conlon to exit as L.A. Opera music director in 2026
James Conlon, the second music director in Los Angeles Opera’s almost 40-year history, will step down from his role after the 2025-26 season, the company…
How 2024 Oscar noms ‘Barbie’ and ‘Poor Things’ use design
It’s that time again! The blocks around the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood have been transformed into a security zone worthy of Baghdad in wartime in…
L.A. design is focus of New York Review of Architecture edition
In these trying, rainy times, I’ve been eating all the comfort foods, but I have developed special reverence for the oyster and mushroom porridge at…
‘Big Data’ downloads humor and humanity in a play about tech
Full disclosure: I used numerous technological devices to build this newsletter spotlighting a new play about our use of technological devices. I’m entertainment reporter Ashley…
Four people hit by lightning near Australia’s Sydney Opera House | Weather News
More than 10,000 households and businesses left without power due to intense thunderstorms. Four people in Australia have been taken to hospital after being struck…
Ed Templeton captures skating life at Long Beach Museum of Art
I’ve been thinking a lot about noodles. And how the Fantastic World of the Portuguese Sardine has limited-edition sardines in honor of the film “Poor…
With Oceanwide Plaza, L.A. joins cities with dead high-rises
There’s nothing like a week that includes both a monster California storm and Supreme Court arguments on Trump’s ability to run for dictator, I mean…
How Netflix’s ‘Griselda’ captures ’70s cocaine excess
It’s been a week! When I’m not obsessing over the Nicki Minaj-Megan Thee Stallion feud (I’m Team Megan), I’m knee-deep in narco novelas. I’m Carolina…
How Gustavo Dudamel, L.A. Phil and Frank Gehry do Wagner’s ‘Ring’
Los Angeles has little history with Wagner’s four-opera “Ring” cycle, his epic on how to save the world from conniving gods, power mongers and hoarders…
Movies ‘Settlers,’ ‘White on White’ tackle art and colonialism
It’s been a devastating week at the Los Angeles Times, with the layoffs of countless colleagues. That is going to mean some changes around here.…
‘Dwell Time’ and the Getty reveal the art of preserving art
I’ve had Nancy Sinatra’s “These Boots Are Made for Walkin’” on repeat for no good reason. I’m Carolina A. Miranda, art and design columnist at…
Art reportedly used to train Midjourney, causing stir among artists
It is chilly in California, so I warm myself with the remaining embers of civilization. I’m Carolina A. Miranda, art and design columnist at the…
Exhibitions inspired by the Andes and European collector’s cabinets
Aaaaaaand we’re back to our regularly scheduled programming. I’m Carolina A. Miranda, art and design columnist for the Los Angeles Times, and I’ve got your…