Chris Klimek

Nick Lowe tries to do the impossible: make a cool Christmas album.

Allison Stewart

We use this year’s top holiday albums to illustrate the do’s and don’ts.

Lloyd Sachs

The collaborative musician spent three decades making a disc to capture the Cuban scene in the U.S.

Lonnae O’Neal Parker

In an art form that draws from European court traditions, dancers of color have a hard time.

Rebecca Ritzel

A lovely time was had by all at the Joffrey’s show at the Kennedy Center.

Gelareh Asayesh

REVIEW | Taraghi’s short stories offer rare insight on life in Iran.

Peter Marks

"The Apple Family Plays" invite audiences into an American home for good eats and better drama.

Hank Stuever

TV REVIEW | Once more to The Big Easy for a five-episode conclusion — but there’s nothing to conclude.

Chris Richards

Tre, leader of D.C. icons UCB, is Wale’s sideman and collaborator, and he’s got plenty of options.

— Rachel Lubitz

Shows by Barbra Streisand and Garth Brooks go head to head.

Michael Dirda

Before Daphne du Maurier’s story, before Hitchcock’s movie, there was Baker’s terrifying novel.

— Rachel Lubitz

Plus, “Glee” — also with puppets — and airborne pumpkins in “Punkin Chunkin 2013.”

Mark Jenkins

Shows include works by Natalie Cheung, Catherine Day, Leslie Parke, Jean Noel L’Hameroult, Ben Skinner.

Mark Jenkins

The Niger-bred singer-guitarist’s new album summons listeners to dance and to think with equal authority.