Hammer Museum receives $30 million donation to begin expansion project

The Hammer Museum announced in a press release Thursday morning that it is taking steps toward a major renovation project, beginning with a $180 million capital campaign. The Hammer received $30 million from philanthropists Lynda and Stewart Resnick – the largest donation in the museum’s history. The donation will help fund a two-year expansion and […]

Shelf to stage: Vintage Hollywood costumes come alive in alumnus’ musical

Almost 500 vintage Hollywood costumes decorate Greg Schreiner’s house. The UCLA alumnus will showcase his collection for his musical, “Hollywood Revisited: A Glamorous Musical Theater Extravaganza,” in Palm Springs on Thursday as part of the city’s annual Modernism Week. He serves as the producer, narrator and pianist of the 30-year-old show, which will feature musical […]

Playing the Villain: Villains with familial ties to heroes are complex, compelling characters

A movie is only as good as its villain, and a good villain is much more than a monster with maniacal laughter or a sinister-looking entity surrounded by henchmen. From the anarchist Joker to the cunning and brutal Annie Wilkes, countless successful films have earned their iconic status thanks to their antagonists. Each week, columnist […]

West African festival aims to bring culture to LA through music and dance

Willy Souly’s first Djanjoba dance circle in Burkina Faso did not involve a lot of dancing. “Everyone was expecting me to move and, growing up shy, I froze for almost an entire minute,” Souly said. “I couldn’t move, so someone had to pick me up and take me out.” But now, the UCLA dance professor […]

Students cook creative dishes, host affordable brunches in apartment

Conor Cusack and Margaret LaGaly fervently discussed eggs for an hour while cleaning up after their pop-up brunch in November. Cusack, LaGaly and their friend Jack Vorster – collectively known as JACOMA – plan and host brunches in their apartment. The three prepare and serve in their apartment and backyard savory and sweet dishes all built […]

Concert aims to challenge traditional, restrictive female roles in opera

Mozart’s character Dorabella has temper tantrums and fits of lovesick swooning, but Joanna Lynn-Jacobs wants to dignify her sorrow. Alumna and mezzo-soprano Lynn-Jacobs will perform in “HIDDEN TREASURES: The Innas, Ettas, Annas & Donnas of Mozart’s Operas,” a concert by Performances à la Carte, a Southern California-based arts organization, at the Neighborhood Unitarian Universalist Church […]

Gamer’s Guidebook: Open-world games allow for more exploration, but can be inhibited by repetition

Games have always been a huge part of the entertainment industry, but what makes them entertaining? Game makers expend significant effort making design decisions people often don’t think about when they’re playing each game. Each week, columnist Evan Charfauros will examine the pros and cons of different game mechanics as seen in the modern gaming […]