Like a congregation of lapsed Catholics suddenly faithful in the face of distressing times, literary lost sheep packed into the Skirball Cultural Center on April 10 to listen to writer Alice Walker read selections from her first collection of poetry in over a decade. Read more...

Michael Chabon, serving as the guest editor of Dave Eggers’ literary journal “McSweeney’s,” transformed the journal throughout. Abandoning the familiar shape, font and overall style of previous issues, the 10th installment of the journal is Chabon’s personal brainchild. Read more...

“A Mighty Wind” Directed by Christopher Guest “A Mighty Wind” and no fart jokes? That’s right, mockumentaries have to work harder than that to get laughs, but seeing how few belly laughs there were in this blasé comedy, a well-placed fart joke couldn’t have hurt. Read more...

It won’t be respected music department chair Jon Robertson standing in front of the orchestra Tuesday night ““ it will be three of his graduate students instead. Read more...

FILM & TV: “Catch Me if You Can” and “Malibu’s Most Wanted” Ackerman Grand Ballroom April 17-18 Steven Spielberg’s romp through a con artist’s life, featuring Leonardo DiCaprio as the con and Christopher Walken in a critically acclaimed turn as his father, comes to UCLA tonight at 9:30 p.m., and Friday 7 p.m. Read more...

It seems to come all too easily for Ben Lee. Since the age of 13, singer/guitarist Lee has marched down the road to widespread fame with a grace that almost resembles nonchalance. Read more...

One of the top priorities of Carla Werner, an up-and-coming singer and musician from New Zealand, is comfort. “I don’t wear shoes on stage. You have to feel comfortable when you’re performing, and I can’t stand wearing shoes when I sing,” Werner said. Read more...