Musical 'Mexodus' Loops in the Journey of Enslaved Freedom Seekers Below the Border
"Mexodus," a hip‑hop/bolero musical created by Brian Quijada and Nygel D. Robinson, dramatizes the little‑known southbound Underground Railroad that led enslaved people from Texas to freedom in Mexico. After an off‑Broadway run, the show will play Pasadena Playhouse from July 8 to Aug. 2 and debuted on Audible on April 16. The production uses live‑looping technology to link 1851 and 2026, highlighting enduring racial and border tensions. Recent historic recognitions of Texas sites underscore the factual basis behind the artistic narrative.
All 27 of Justin Bieber's Top 10 Hits, Ranked From Worst to Best
Justin Bieber’s recent Coachella set highlighted his extensive catalog, prompting a ranking of all 27 of his Billboard Hot 100 Top‑10 singles. The list, ordered from worst to best, spans early teen‑pop hits like “Baby” to recent collaborations such as “Stay”...
Why Theater Owners Are Balking at Hollywood's Latest Mega Deal
At CinemaCon, Cinema United announced it will actively oppose the proposed Paramount‑Skydance and Warner Bros. Discovery merger, warning that the consolidation could harm exhibitors and consumers. The combined entity would inherit roughly $79 billion in debt and pledge to produce 30...
Commentary: Am I the only One Who Hates Delivery Robots?
Glendale, California has imposed a temporary moratorium on autonomous delivery robots while city officials draft safety regulations. The pause follows similar bans in Chicago, Toronto and San Francisco and reflects growing public frustration with sidewalk congestion and accessibility hazards. Companies...
Meet L.A.'s Mariachi Reyna, the All-Woman Band that Joined Karol G at Coachella
Karol G made history as the first Latina to headline Coachella, and she invited the all‑woman Mariachi Reyna de Los Angeles to join her on stage. The ensemble backed her on the ranchera‑styled rendition of “Ese Hombre Es Malo” and performed...
How Streaming Platforms Reignited the YA Boom
Streaming giants are reviving the young‑adult (YA) boom by adapting popular books into series and films, with Netflix’s "Heartstopper" leading the charge. The genre’s resurgence follows a shift from traditional cable networks to on‑demand platforms, where short‑season formats align well...
Call It the Bad Bunny Effect: Why Telemundo No Longer Is an Underdog
Telemundo, the NBCUniversal‑owned Spanish‑language network, has shed its underdog status, posting double‑digit audience growth and overtaking rivals in key markets. Nielsen data show an 11% rise in its national evening news viewership last year, while its Los Angeles station KVEA now...
A New Take on Camus' 'The Stranger' By a Veteran French Stylist Digs Unto the Unspoken
French director François Ozon has released a black‑and‑white film adaptation of Albert Camus’s 1942 novel The Stranger, starring Benjamin Voisin as the detached Meursault. The movie interweaves archival footage of 1930s French‑colonial Algeria, giving visual weight to the novel’s colonial backdrop. Ozon adds...
Pay $4,000 for Your Coachella Ticket? This California Bill May Curb Scalping
California Assemblymember Matt Haney introduced AB 1720, the California Fans First Act, to ban ticket resales above 10% of face value after Coachella GA passes fetched $4,000‑$5,000 on secondary markets. The bill targets scalpers and aims to protect fans from exorbitant...
Why This Octavia Butler Page-Turner Is the Ultimate Book Club Pick
Octavia E. Butler’s 1993 novel *Parable of the Sower* topped the latest 101 Best Book Club List, earning the most votes for 2026 selections. Founder Nikki High of Octavia’s Bookshelf in Pasadena explains the novel’s renewed appeal, citing its themes...
K-Pop Conquered Coachella. Now It's Bini's Turn to Show Off the Philippines
Filipina girl group Bini will become the first act from the Philippines to perform at Coachella, taking the Mojave stage on Friday at 4:15 p.m. The eight‑member ensemble, already a pan‑Asian pop sensation, is leveraging the festival’s global platform to showcase...
There's a Thomas Pynchon Book for Everyone. Here's Which One to Read Next
The LA Times Festival of Books article pairs each of Thomas Pynchon's novels with a specific book‑club theme, from travel to romance, showing his work can serve any niche discussion. It lists titles such as *Gravity’s Rainbow* for travel, *Slow...
Essay: Book Club Skeptic? So Was Roxane Gay. Here's What Converted Her
Roxane Gay entered the book‑club world as a skeptic but a 2018 Midwest brunch turned her into a vocal advocate. The intimate setting let her discuss her debut novel, receive enthusiastic questions, and receive a quirky Michigan‑themed gift basket, illustrating...
Puppeteer James Ortiz on Becoming Rocky, the Adorable Alien in 'Project Hail Mary'
James Ortiz, a veteran puppeteer with over 15 years of Broadway experience, served as the principal puppeteer and voice of Rocky, the stone‑like alien in the film adaptation of Andy Weir’s "Project Hail Mary." He coordinated a team of three...
Popcorn Saved Movie Theaters a Century Ago. Now the Industry Is Betting on Collectible Popcorn Buckets
Movie theaters are turning novelty popcorn buckets into a revenue engine, rolling out pricey collectibles such as a $50 Yoshi bucket and a $45 light‑up Luma bucket for the upcoming Super Mario Galaxy film. AMC reported $54 million in merchandise sales...
