Arts at Michigan

Sacha Baron Cohen in "The Dictator."

Michael Kang of the band String Cheese Incident, which is challenging ticket vendors.

The Museum for African Art was planning to open in its new location at 1280 Fifth Avenue in late 2009.

When Cannes turns its spotlight on underappreciated talent, the impact can be enormous. Last year's stars included Michael Hazanavicius's crowdpleasing ''The Artist,'' with Jean Dujardin and Bérénice Bejo.

Carlos Fuentes at home in Mexico City in 2001.

After a museum conservator's lover dies, she becomes consumed with reanimating a 19th-century silver swan automaton. Critic Heller McAlpin says that Peter Carey's new novel is part historical, part fanciful and completely wonderful.

If you're like most Americans, you love chips, particularly potato chips. But that gloriously crunchy, fried snack isn't that good for you. These baked veggie chips are a health food in comparison. By making your own, you control what goes into them, and what stays out.

Carlos Fuentes, one of the most influential Latin American writers, died Tuesday at a hospital in Mexico City at the age of 83. He was instrumental in bringing Latin American literature to an international audience, and he used his fiction to address what he saw as real world injustices.

Robert Siegel talks to literary critic Alan Cheuse, a writing teacher at George Mason University, about the legacy of Carlos Fuentes. The Mexican writer died Tuesday at the age of 83.

Bob Mondello recommends the Criterion Collection's Blu-ray release of Being John Malkovich, directed by Spike Jonze and starring Malkovich, John Cusack, Cameron Diaz, and Catherine Keener.

Boiling down the last of the season maple sap and brewing a strong dark beer to share in the summer was a common tradition on Vermont farms a couple of generations ago. The practice had all but died out but is being revived now, thanks to a handful of local brewers.

The 65th Cannes Film Festival is to open in France later, amid criticism that no female directors will be in competition.

One of the two male masseurs who have accused actor John Travolta of sexual assault withdraws his legal action.

Screenwriter Aaron Sorkin is to write the script for Sony Pictures' upcoming biopic of Apple co-founder Steve Jobs.

Scottish artist George Wyllie, best known for giant public works like The Paper Boat, has died aged 90.

Superhero movie The Avengers tops the UK box office for the third week in a row, taking over £40m to date.

Carlos Fuentes, one of the most famous Latin American authors, known for fiction and political essays, dies in Mexico at the age of 83.

In his memoir "Twin," Allen Shawn ponders the life of his twin autistic sister, Mary.

In "The Memory Palace," Mira Bartok recalls her anguished life with her schizophrenic mother.

Hank Stuever reviews Style network's "Ruby" and "Too Fat for 15: Fighting Back," two reality shows that patiently portray the lives of the obese, without the emphasis on fast results.

An exhibit of Alexander Calder's wire sculptures at the National Portrait Gallery presents evidence of how the sculptor continued to create new art forms.

Nicholas and Sheila Pye's divorce doesn't end their artistic collaboration.

"A Fire in My Belly," the David Wojnarowicz video seen briefly at the Smithsonian's National Portrait Gallery, recently reappeared in its natural habitat, hanging beside his uncensored works in the artist's longtime New York gallery, PPOW.

The challenges of performing in the National Gallery of Art Rotunda were turned into advantages in a Wednesday midday concert by the New Music Ensemble.

"Waste Land," a film about the Brooklyn-based, Brazilian-born artist Vik Muniz, recounts a celebrated artist using his work as an instrument to promote social justice.

NEW YORK - If you're going to spend $65 million and not end up with the best musical of all time, I suppose there's a perverse distinction in being one of the worst.

What do you get when cross the sunshine-and-singalongs premise of "Glee" with the murderous '90s teen angst of "Scream"? Or the jazzy choreography of Bob Fosse with the jitters of "Jaws" attacks and kitsch of "Beach Blanket Bingo"?

For a show that ostensibly beats the drum for poetry, "American Scrapbook: A Celebration of Verse" doesn't place much faith in words. Sure, the performers in this world premiere deliver lively interpretations of Edgar Allan Poe's "Annabel Lee," Robert Frost's "The Road Not Taken" and other poems ...

What makes people happy? Playwright Jennifer L. Nelson asks the cosmic question in her new comedy, "24, 7, 365," which will run Feb. 10-27 at the Atlas Performing Arts Center.

Bernardine Mitchell is playing the early 20th-century jazz and blues singer Ethel Waters in "His Eye Is on the Sparrow," and both women deserve better treatment than they get in the show. Playwright Larry Parr's historical revue is a bland biography-by-numbers: facts, then a song, more facts, ano...

Mitchell Guist, a star of the reality TV show "Swamp People," died Monday in Louisiana.

In this edition of "Only in America," Piers Morgan gives the viewer a rare look at some of Michael Jackson's artwork.

Whitney Houston's family is planning a reality show. A.J. Hammer asks the hosts of "The Talk" if it's too soon?

This weekend "The Avengers" became the fastest movie to hit the $1 billion mark, shattering a few records along the way.  CNN talks to Stan Lee, who originally created the characters, about the film, which of his characters he'd like to see next on the big screen, some of his current projects, and why we shouldn't assume he is now a billionaire.

"Dancing With the Stars" will launch its first-ever all-star edition this fall.

When beloved "Swamp People" family member Mitchell Guist died Monday, tributes began pouring in for the Louisiana alligator hunter.

A strong Canadian contingent is heading to La Croisette for the 2012 Cannes Film Festival, which will screen new movies from both established names like David Cronenberg and budding directors invited to the French fest for the first time.

Prolific Mexican novelist and essayist Carlos Fuentes has died in a hospital in Mexico City, according to Mexico's cultural agency. He was 83.

Ellen DeGeneres, the popular comedian and talk show host who also portrayed the first prime-time TV character to come out as gay, has been named winner of the prestigious Mark Twain Prize.

Quebec theatre producer Normand Latourelle is back with Odysseo, the newest production of his equestrian and performing arts troupe Cavalia.

People from the Saskatchewan filmmaking community, including Sons of Anarchy actor Kim Coates, converged on the legislature Monday to protest against the end of a film and video tax credit.

Bret Michaels and organizers of the Tony Awards have settled a lawsuit filed by the rocker after a 2009 incident in which he was hit in the head with a set piece.

The author of 'Friday Night Lights' examines the author's relationship with his disabled son

The widow of Randy Pausch is out with a memoir, four years after the best-selling author of The Last Lecture died of cancer.

Let's compare the new novels form Tinsley Mortimer and Bethenny Frankel.

Mexican novelist and essayist Carlos Fuentes, one of the leading writers of the Spanish-speaking world during the past 50 years, has died at ...

USA TODAY's Jocelyn McClurg scopes out the hottest books on sale the week of May 13.

The TV personality chats with USA TODAY about his new book, 'Most Talkative.'

The only real parallel in 'Idol' history is Season 5's final three. And that's a good omen for Phillip Phillips.

The Eagles co-founder has a new collection of covers, his first solo album in 20 years.

"Trespassing" is the album Adam Lambert's fans have been waiting for, more cohesive and more personal than 2010's "For Your Entertainment."

Some Islamic groups are protesting Lady Gaga and threatening her June 3 her sold-out show in Jakarta, Indonesia.

The singer, who moved to Montana, reflects on the last two years.

The band's fifth release preserves the impeccable Brit-poppiness that helped Keane conquer the U.K. charts.

As 'Moonrise Kingdom' looks to open in Cannes, the big question looms -- will the always colorful, never predictable actor show up at the pr ...

They star as husband and wife in 'What to Expect When You're Expecting,' out Friday.

The tastelessness is rampant and the humor is uneven, but the Sacha Baron Cohen film has its moments of slyly clever satire.

The 65th Cannes Film Festival is upon us (May 16-27). Bring the madness.

And "it's great to see," says Lee Daniels, director of 'The Paperboy,' which is among a number of U.S. films competing for the top prize.

Jones is a commanding star as Gen. Douglas MacArthur in the historical drama set in Japan.

As Memorial Day draws closer, the unofficial first day of summer is almost here. Consequently, you’ll notice a bit of a lag in Washtenaw County theater offerings this week as the “winter” theaters close out their seasons and before the...

For more than 15 years, San Fu has quietly and steadfastly been serving up some of the best Chinese food in Ann Arbor. Maybe the best. What? You’ve not been to San Fu? We almost hate to spread the word...

Pat yourselves on the back, Ann Arbor. You're the fourth "Most Well-Read" city in America. Or at least online sales numbers suggest you are....

Dan Rather is coming to the Michigan Theater on Monday--not to break a story, but to tell his own.

After 50 years and still going strong, the tradition of Picnic Pops returns to the lawn of Pioneer High School this Saturday. The citywide "ice cream social" is a chance to eat, socialize, and most of all experience the talent...

The Community High School Jazz Bands played two full-length shows Monday night at The Ark in downtown Ann Arbor. AnnArbor.com photographer Jeffrey Smith captured these photos....