As antiquated as it sounds, New York City shuts down on Mondays. Museums are closed; theaters are dark; and small restaurants ““ the ones you discover only by walking by them ““ take the night off presumably so their chefs can get Chinese takeout. Read more...

Period plays can be a challenge both to direct and perform, much less sit through and try to decipher. The costumes of a play set in the roaring 1920s may be glamorous to look at, but the underlying social attitudes may be harder to discern. Read more...

“Intuition” By Allegra Goodman The Dial Press Anyone who has ever worked in a research laboratory will instantly identify with the post-doctoral researchers portrayed in Allegra Goodman’s new novel, “Intuition.” Goodman captures the world of research with astonishing accuracy and detail, from the subtle jabs at mainstream science publications such as “Scientific American” to the notes posted on lab equipment (“Do NOT use my NaOH!! Read more...

Last week a Bruin saved my life.I went to go see The National, one of my favorite bands, at the Troubadour over spring break. Unfortunately, I only had one ticket, so I made all the arrangements for a lonely trip back into Los Angeles. Read more...

In addition to dressing fox in socks and cats in hats, Dr. Seuss’ list of achievements includes writing for an Academy Award-winning film. “Design for Death,” which won Best Documentary in 1947, will be screened along with Kamei Fumio’s “Fighting Soldiers” at the UCLA Hammer Museum’s Propaganda Film Night on Thursday. Read more...

Guillemots “From The Cliffs” Fantastic Plastic Records Maybe this time Britpop’s really dead. Blur’s broken up, Coldplay continues to coast on claims of neurosis and rehashes of old singles, and the Arctic Monkeys have more in common with The Clash than they do with Oasis. Read more...

Ghostface Killah “Fishscale” Def Jam Records It’s bizarre and inscrutable, but certainly overstuffed with more meticulously crafted rhymes and beats than many rap artists lay their hands on in a career. Read more...