David Lynch was a painter before he brought his art to film
David Lynch lived and worked beyond all definition. He was best known as a filmmaker — using his lens to unearth the tawdry, decayed and…
Union rallies behind fire chief, denounces attack on her performance
The union that represents more than 3,000 Los Angeles city firefighters renewed its support for Fire Chief Kristin Crowley on Friday, denouncing an anonymous letter…
Artists are mobilizing for fire victims and first responders
As thousands of firefighters continue to battle the Palisades and Eaton fires and the unfathomable damage is assessed, the arts communities are mobilizing. Actors, musicians…
Alex Turcotte’s three-point performance lifts Kings over Canucks
VANCOUVER, Canada — Alex Turcotte scored twice and added an assist as the Kings thumped the struggling Vancouver Canucks 5-1 on Thursday night.Adrian Kempe and Kevin…
Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh requires two medical procedures
Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh will have a cardiac ablation this offseason as well as hip replacement surgery.“Soon,” Harbaugh said.During the Chargers’ road game in Week…
Cultural gems threatened, and the race to save Getty Villa
As fires spread throughout areas of Los Angeles this week, my colleague Jessica Gelt has diligently kept track of the region’s treasured cultural institutions and…
Fernanda Torres upsets Kidman, Jolie at 2025 Golden Globes
In the only real upset of the night, Fernanda Torres won for lead actress in a motion picture drama for her role in “I’m Still…
Match of the Day 2: Tuchel will be looking at Delap’s performance
Match of the Day 2 pundit Alan Shearer analyses Liam Delap's performance in Ipswich Town's 2-2 Premier League draw with Fulham and says England manager…
Los Angeles’ best classical music, art and theater in 2025
Happy New Year, Essential Arts readers! 2025 is already shaping up to be a feast of a year in terms of arts and culture in…
Neil Young reverses decision on canceled Glastonbury performance
Neil Young is back on the bill at Glastonbury.Three days after announcing that he’d pulled out of a planned performance at this year’s edition of…
‘Truths’ about Marianne Jean-Baptiste’s Oscar chances
Marianne Jean-Baptiste has gained serious momentum toward a lead actress Oscar nomination with her performance as a depressed, caustic Londoner in “Hard Truths,” her second…
Sophie Ellis-Bextor’s New Year’s Eve show viewers call performance ‘breathless and awkward’ as they urge her to lip sync
THERE was a double dose of Sophie Ellis-Bextor on the box last night - but some Brit viewers branded her BBC performance as "awkward and…
L.A. County’s annual holiday celebration and a Velázquez masterpiece
Dear Essential Arts Readers,This has been a tough year for many of us. I don’t need to list the challenges we have faced as a…
20 essential music documentaries to stream right now
Over the last decade, the streaming revolution has triggered a documentary gold rush. Whatever your nonfiction area of interest happens to be — serial killers,…
Los Angeles welcomes New Year’s Eve at Disney Hall and Grand Park
If you’re reading this, thank you. Taking over the Essential Arts newsletter from our wonderful former colleague Carolina A. Miranda remains a daunting task, and…
Los Angeles arts events this weekend are Wabanaki basketry, flamenco
Sure, many of us have had Christmas covers on repeat lately, but I’ve also been playing the soundtrack and score of the still-brilliant 1994 movie…
Lorraine O’Grady, groundbreaking conceptual artist, dies at 90
Lorraine O’Grady, a one-of-a-kind conceptual artist who examined racism and sexism through a multitude of mediums, has died at age 90. The artist’s groundbreaking works…
Making theater fans for life starts with great shows for kids
I have an admission to make: I recently cried during a matinee of “Cat Kid Comic Club: The Musical” at Kirk Douglas Theatre in Culver…
Stephen Mulhern honours late father with emotional tribute after Royal Variety performance
Stephen Mulhern dedicated his emotional Royal Variety Performance act to his late father, following a tough few weeks after his passing earlier this year. The…
Royal Variety Performance halted as ITV show pays 'emotional' tribute to late stars
The Royal Variety Performance took place on Sunday night as His Majesty King Charles III was in the audience, but the show also paid tribute…