While violin virtuoso Dr. Lakshiminarayana Subramaniam is known for his experimental fusion of music from cultures across the globe, his roots are in south Indian classical music. Read more...

Exactly a week ago, I saw Alexander Payne’s “Sideways,” which opened with exceptionally rave reviews ““ mostly because it’s a great film, and partly because movie critics are old people who identify all too painfully with its themes of mid-life insecurities. Read more...

Unfortunately, Hermeto Pascoal, the father figure of Brazilian jazz, doesn’t speak any English. Could a translator’s words accurately convey his personality? They didn’t have to. The 68-year-old songwriter and multi-instrumentalist who Miles Davis once called “the world’s most impressive musician” can communicate better with music instead. Read more...

Sofia Coppola’s “Lost in Translation” might not have been the ultimate victor in last year’s Oscar race for Best Picture, but it still managed to stand out for one unique reason: Both written and directed by Coppola, the film’s screenplay was the only one of its five fellow Best Picture nominees that was not based on a book. Read more...

I could not be more glad that Nov. 2, Election Day, is behind us. Sure, I’m all about voting and maintaining my commitment to democracy, but we all know the reason I was really keeping such a close eye on the 2004 race for the White House: I love drama. Read more...

After the ceremony for the 49th annual Samuel Goldwyn Writing Awards Competition on Nov. 1, UCLA has good reason to boast. Once more, one of its own won first place, as well as this year’s monetary prize of $15,000. Read more...

FILM&TV: “The Incredibles” Be one of the first people to see this colorful, animated film about a family of crime fighters. It may not be free, but in addition to seeing the movie you’ll get a chance to hit up the free coffee and pastry table. Read more...