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...

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...

“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...

When Edward Monaghan was 11 years old, he wanted what most adolescent boys want more than anything: to kick some serious butt. “I began (martial arts) when I was a little guy,” said the UCLA theater professor of “Directing for Film & TV: Combat for Camera,” a new course open to all students. Read more...

It is undeniable that Web sites like MySpace have served as catalysts for the growing popularity of smaller musicians over the past few years, providing them with a free method by which to spread word of their music. Read more...