Graduate student explores relationship between medium, artistic merit

Kit Kirby faced a dilemma while opening her own solo exhibition: She is uncomfortable with gallery spaces. The graduate student in design media arts said she thinks some people see art galleries as a way to sell artwork, which is a misconception since most pieces are already owned by a museum or art collector. Exhibitions […]

Theater review: ‘Love Never Dies’

The Phantom of the Opera returns to haunt Christine Daaé one last time in “Love Never Dies.” Andrew Lloyd Webber’s sequel to “The Phantom of the Opera” is playing at the Hollywood Pantages Theatre until April 22 and is a dazzling spectacle of love and loss. The show builds upon the story of its predecessor […]

Movie review: ‘Blockers’

“Blockers” is an embrace of female sexuality cleverly woven into a comedic film. Emphasizing social messages and laugh-out-loud jokes alike, the movie revolves around three high school girls who plan to lose their virginity on the night of their senior prom. When their parents find out, they attempt to stop the children for various reasons, […]

Bookmarked: Mystic Journey Bookstore, a trip into the spiritual

Los Angeles is home to a multitude of specialized bookstores, from those oriented towards horror and mystery to others with more practical focuses – like cookbooks. Follow columnist Clea Wurster as she explores the many niche literary interests the city accommodates. I didn’t quite know what to expect when I heard about a bookstore that […]

Restaurant review: Grilliant

Grilliant takes the brilliance out of Mediterranean food. The new Westwood location opened Feb. 12 on Lindbrook Drive and serves salads, wraps, kabobs and organic smoothies. But despite the bright-green pepper and tomato slices laid out on some of their plates, the overall flavor of dishes proved rather colorless. The interior comes across sterile and […]

Theater review: ‘Swan Lake’

The Los Angeles Ballet’s “Swan Lake” found its wings after a rocky start. The ballet performance Thursday at Royce Hall featured elegant costuming and special effects that transported the audience into Odette’s world. Though the dancers occasionally struggled with timing, the production delivered the story with just enough pageantry as to not distract from the […]

Romantic play explores class and gender roles, Latin American culture

A single onstage bed becomes the center of multiple different settings through the use of lighting effects in UCLA’s rendition of “Mala Hierba.” The play, which features an all-Latinx cast and focuses on Latin American culture, opens Thursday at Macgowan Hall. It uses visual and auditory design elements, including props and lighting, to further explore […]