A-Town Magazine
How a 3,400-year-old ballgame survives in Mexico against all odds
LOS LLANITOS, México | On a dirt field on Mexico’s Pacific coast, five cousins between the ages of 8 and 13 strip down and kick off their shoes. Nearby, adults help them fasten the pre-Hispanic-style “fajado,” securing loincloths and leather belts that wrap around their hips. The Osuna children grab the rubber ball, all 3.2 […]
From Taylor Swift to the Oscars, 400-year-old ‘Hamlet’ flourishes in the age of TikTok
NEW YORK | He’s on screen, onstage, on tour, online and in song. “Hamlet” — William Shakespeare’s masterpiece about a moody Danish prince — seems to be having a moment. A National Theatre production has landed at the Brooklyn Academy of Music starring Hiran Abeysekera. There’s a movie version set in London’s South Asian community […]
Movie Review: Sally Field, Lewis Pullman and an octopus in ‘Remarkably Bright Creatures’
It was only a matter of time before “that octopus book” became “that octopus movie” (or, at least, “that other octopus movie” ). Shelby Van Pelt’s “Remarkably Bright Creatures” was a kind of slow-burn, word-of-mouth literary sensation in the years since it was first published in 2022. With its octopus narrator, sentimental story and quirky […]
Tech is turning increasingly to religion in a quest to create ethical AI
LOS ANGELES | As concerns mount over artificial intelligence and its rapid integration into society, tech companies are increasingly turning to faith leaders for guidance on how to shape the technology — a surprising about-face on Silicon Valley’s longstanding skepticism of organized religion. Leaders from various religious groups met last week with representatives from companies […]
Daniel Dae Kim explores booming South Korean pop, film, cosmetics and food influences for CNN series
NEW YORK | Not too long ago, Daniel Dae Kim had an unusual encounter with a salmon. It had nothing to do with dinner. The actor, director and producer lay down in a doctor’s office in Seoul and underwent microinjections into his face of DNA from salmon sperm. The hope was to reduce inflammation and […]
Movie Review: Billie Eilish and James Cameron make concert movie magic with ‘Hit Me Hard and Soft’
NEW YORK | Billie Eilish is levitating. Or so it seems. When the pop star first emerges on screen in the mouthful “Billie Eilish — Hit Me Hard and Soft: The Tour (Live in 3D),” she is suspended above a cube built of LED screens, surrounded by a sold-out crowd of over 23,000 fans in […]
Money Happens: Tips for dealing with student loan debt when it affects your mental health
NEW YORK | Between her college and master’s degrees, Justene Bologna accumulated over $200,000 in debt. It has affected not only her finances but also her mental health. “I have severe stress and anxiety,” said Bologna, 30. While student loan debt is at the root of Bologna’s worries, it’s not her only financial constraint. After […]
Call for artists: Colfax Canvas 2026 to showcase new murals and music
AURORA | The Colfax Canvas mural festival will return to Aurora this summer, bringing a week-long celebration of public art, music and community events to the Aurora Cultural Arts District as city leaders push for renewed investment along the East Colfax corridor. “Colfax Canvas is more than a mural festival, it’s a reflection of Aurora’s […]
Call for artists: Colfax Canvas 2026 to showcase new murals and music
AURORA | The Colfax Canvas mural festival will return to Aurora this summer, bringing a week-long celebration of public art, music and community events to the Aurora Cultural Arts District as city leaders push for renewed investment along the East Colfax corridor. “Colfax Canvas is more than a mural festival, it’s a reflection of Aurora’s […]
Call for artists: Colfax Canvas 2026 to showcase new murals and music
AURORA | The Colfax Canvas mural festival will return to Aurora this summer, bringing a week-long celebration of public art, music and community events to the Aurora Cultural Arts District as city leaders push for renewed investment along the East Colfax corridor. “Colfax Canvas is more than a mural festival, it’s a reflection of Aurora’s […]