Arts and Culture

Bruce Ratner's Brooklyn Arena Awaits Judges' Ruling, Bond Sale: Commentary I’m standing on the roof of a building in the New York borough of Brooklyn that offers a panorama of rusting rail yards and several empty commercial buildings and row houses. This could become the $800 million Barclays Center arena.

Rhone Ranger's Vinthology, Winemakers' Profiles Make Great Holiday Books I like to think that wine lovers are also book readers, at least to feed their oenophilia. So, for holiday gifts I can guarantee that the following books will make your drinking buddies very happy.

Koons's $25 Million Dangling Train Derailed by Recession, Lacma Shortfall The recession has derailed a Jeff Koons sculpture involving a replica of a 1944 Baldwin locomotive with an estimated cost of $25 million, making it one of the most expensive public art projects ever undertaken.

`Mary Poppins' Writer Embraces Posh, Likes Hollywood Sucking Up: Interview Oscar-winning writer Julian Fellowes has found success late in life, and only after abandoning a modest acting career to chronicle the foibles of Britain’s upper class.

King Kong, James Bond's Sunglasses, Hepburn's Dress Go on Sale: Art Buzz The skeleton of Hollywood’s original King Kong, the giant ape that terrorized New York City in David O. Selznick’s 1933 movie, is expected to fetch as much as 150,000 pounds ($249,000) at an auction in London tomorrow.

Death Rites, Rain God Add Mystery to Paris Show on Mexican Culture: Review It’s one of the most mysterious places on earth.

Helsinki's $208 Million New Music Center Upstages Architect Aalto's Hall Osmo Vaenskae, the Finnish music director of the Minnesota Orchestra in Minneapolis, is looking forward to the opening of a new music center in Helsinki. He doesn’t have anything nice to say about the acoustics in Finlandia Hall, the city’s current main concert venue.

Osaka Dine & Deal: Michelin-Starred Cities Feature Hot Pot, Skewers, Eel Visitors to Japan who confine their stay to Tokyo are missing out on culinary treats in the western cities of Osaka, Kyoto and Kobe.

Apollo `Dreamgirls' Dazzles Supremely With Two Fresh Stars: Jeremy Gerard “Dreamgirls,” revived at the Apollo Theater in New York’s Harlem, introduces a hot new star named Moya Angela as the indomitable heartsick singer, Effie White.

Top Five Nonfiction Books, Marc Rich to Ayn Rand: The Bloomberg Muse List With so many books in the stores, we’re often asked for recommendations. Here’s a list of recent nonfiction books.