In the lobby of the arctic air-conditioned Melnitz Hall are posters of films on which UCLA alums worked. Francis Ford Coppola’s “Dracula” sits black-framed on one side of the hall; on the opposite wall is Alexander Payne’s “Election.” Both of Brad Silberling’s efforts (“City of Angels,” “Casper”) are framed as well, making him giddy. Read more...

By now, the rap star cliche has passed the point of no return. However, despite the blinding glare of the so-called Bling Dynasty, alternative rap acts like Blackalicious have begun lighting up audiences with their back-to-basics brand of hip-hop. Read more...

In the 1960s our parents listened to The Beatles and their parents could not understand how the music was deemed listenable. Strangely, it was easy to feel like one of those stodgy middle-aged parents circa 1965 at Clinic’s performance at the Palace on Friday night. Read more...

During the Cultural Revolution in China, Liu Shi Kun was placed in prison for playing piano (a Western instrument). After seven years without touching a piano, Liu Shi Kun still played like a master, because he practiced in his head if not with his fingers. Read more...

Sometimes it’s good to live in Los Angeles. Forget the traffic on the 405 Freeway, forget the air perpetually brown with smog, and follow the music. Read more...

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Joy Harjo’s right hand is more than just a body part. It’s the instrument she’s used to write volumes of poetry, the tool she uses to play the saxophone, and the canvas she’s used for exotic tattoo art. Read more...