Two Symphony Orchestras Tackle Wagner’s Supreme Masterpiece and Strauss’s First Opera with Mixed Results
The American Symphony Orchestra returned recently to Carnegie Hall with the underrated ‘Guntram,’ championed by conductor Leon Botstein.
Peru’s Maido Tops World’s 50 Best Restaurants as Atomix’s Whirlwind Continues
The United States is largely overlooked at this year’s awards, but a new North America’s 50 Best list will add excitement in September.
One Fine Show: “Alex Da Corte, The Whale” at the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth
This is the first museum exhibition to survey the artist’s diverse and inventive relationship with painting.
Art
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Curator Robert Fucci Unpacks the Narrative Intrigue of ‘Vermeer’s Love Letters’
With only thirty-six paintings attributed to the artist, this show’s gathering of paintings offers a remarkable opportunity for close study and comparison.
Emmanuel Louisnord Desir’s Bronze Bodies Challenge Labor and Objectification
His sculptures examine how the body is so often objectified and repurposed for someone else’s convenience or utility.
“I Become a Human When I Consume Art”: A Conversation with Choreographer Felipe Escalante
His Tabula Rasa Dance Theater is bringing dances centering the experiences of Mexicans in their homeland and abroad to El Museo del Barrio.
Away From Basel’s Main Halls, June Art Fair Holds Its Own
This year’s edition offers collectors a unique opportunity to engage with galleries from Northern Europe.
Katharina Grosse On Transforming Art Basel’s Messeplatz With Color
“Here in Basel, you’re literally taken into the painting; you enter the image with your whole body, as it navigates and resonates with it.”
Lifestyle
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The Most Elevated Outdoor Dining Experiences in New York City Right Now
Skyline views, garden hideaways and design-forward patios—this is your master list of the most compelling places to eat outside in New York City.
Linen Pants Are the Secret to Effortless Summer Style
From drawstring loungers to tailored upgrades, these linen trousers are built for hot days, cool drinks and everything in between.
Drai’s Supper Club Arrives in New York With French Flair and Retro Glamour
French classics, live jazz and late-night energy meet in the Meatpacking District.
At De Kas, Chef Savannah Hagendijk Lets the Garden Take Center Stage
The Michelin-starred chef guides one of Amsterdam’s most ambitious kitchens with seasonal precision and zero theatrics.
The East Coast Beach Town Personality Match: Where to Go Based on Your Summer Energy
Main Street maximalist? Designer hermit? Oyster snob? We’ve mapped your inner vacationer to the right shoreline.
Culture
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Mark Linn-Baker On Bringing Molière’s ‘The Imaginary Invalid’ to Life
“It may be 400 years old, but it lasts! It’s funny stuff,” Linn-Baker, who worked with Jesse Berger on the project, told Observer.
Paul Taylor Dance Company’s ‘Tablet’ Is an Archaic Courtship, Staged Anew
“It feels fresh, feels unique. I love it when the curtain goes up and the audience doesn’t know what they’re about to see,” artistic director Michael Novak told Observer.
Screening at Tribeca: James Sweeney’s ‘Twinless’
Dylan O’Brien stars (twice) in this grief-tinged drama with twisted turns.
Screening at Tribeca: Jim Sheridan and David Merriman’s ‘Re-Creation’
It’s a moving and at times risky film that uses a grisly real-life murder to turn the lens on our fascination with true crime.
Review: Jean Smart Can’t Save the Overwrought and Underwritten ‘Call Me Izzy’
Smart deserves roles that deserve her. Izzy is not one of them.
Business
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The Wojcicki Sisters: STEM Icons, Silicon Valley Legends and Family of Firsts
The Wojcicki sisters’ legacy spans genetic science, public health and YouTube’s global rise.
The Positive-Sum Revolution: Dismantling the Myth of Zero-Sum Economics
Roy Swan, head of Mission Investments at the Ford Foundation and a national voice on using capitalism for good, dismantles the myth that economics is a zero-sum game. Drawing on his global impact investing experience, Swan argues that inclusive, empathy-driven strategies are not just morally sound but economically superior. From fair wages to community investment, he outlines how business leaders, investors, policymakers and consumers can create a positive-sum economy that advances both national prosperity and democratic resilience.
Tariff Impact on Consumer Prices Could Hit This Summer, Economists Warn
Economists say consumers will likely feel the pinch later this summer as inventories shrink and global tensions rise.
Sam Altman Says Mark Zuckerberg Tries to Poach OpenAI Staffers with $100M Bonuses
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman says Meta’s lavish signing bonuses won’t build a great A.I. culture, despite Zuckerberg’s intense recruitment blitz.
Spotify’s Billionaire CEO Daniel Ek Is Betting Big on Europe’s Defense Sector
Spotify CEO Daniel Ek’s investment firm led a $690 million round in Helsing, a leading European A.I. defense startup.
Art Market
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Art Basel’s Soft Opening Belies Strong, Swift Sales Across Tiers
The true pulse of the market—beyond the blue-chip facade—will come into sharper focus as additional sales are finalized in a quieter “new normal.”
At Liste 2025, Collectors Place Early Bets On Promising Talent
European collectors drove early sales while American and Asian buyers remained conspicuously absent on day one.
Architecture’s Algorithmic Turn: A.I., Adaptation and the Future at the Venice Biennale
Auronda Scalera and Dr. Alfredo Cramerotti, an internationally recognized curatorial duo working at the intersection of contemporary art and technology, reflect on how the 19th International Architecture Exhibition of La Biennale di Venezia repositions architecture as a system of evolving intelligences—natural, artificial, and collective. Drawing on their experience shaping global exhibitions and advising cultural institutions, they examine how this year’s Biennale resists spectacle in favor of adaptation, circularity and symbiosis.
Frieze Doubles Down on Korea With Frieze House Seoul—But Is Now the Right Time?
The launch comes as Ari Emanuel bets on revitalizing the brand’s global standing following his $200 million acquisition in April.
A New E.U. Antiquities Regulation Adds to Dealers’ Mounting Legal, Administrative and Financial Burdens
“Regulation 2019/880 places additional burdens on the art market in the form of extra paperwork and time,” art lawyer Leila A. Amineddoleh told Observer.
Art Reviews
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Cara Romero Frames Indigenous Sovereignty in Sharp Relief
Her works in “Panûpünüwügai” challenge colonial mythologies through bold, camp-infused images that center Native presence.
José María Velasco’s Mexico Glows at London’s National Gallery
The exhibition offers a rare opportunity for U.K. audiences to engage with one of Latin America’s most influential painters.
What Not to Miss at the 13th Berlin Biennale
Across the city, artists transform sites of surveillance, repression and bureaucracy into spaces for dignity, solidarity and truth-telling.
Antonia Showering’s Vibrant Paintings Map Universal Emotional Terrain
“I’ve been thinking about life’s messy beauty and the pockets of joy that can be found during challenging times,” she tells Observer.
Rosa Barba Reimagines Cinematic Space With Light, Sound and Time at MoMA
“The Ocean of One’s Pause” explores light, sound and space across 15 years of experimental cinematic practice.
Luxury Travel
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Sun, Sand and Surf: L.A.’s Most Noteworthy Beachfront Hotels
Whether you’re a first-time visitor hoping to experience a true SoCal summer or a landlocked local in need of a seaside escape, these are the best Los Angeles hotels for hitting the beach.
How to Explore Cape Cod Like a Local
The eight Cape Cod towns that are actually worth visiting—and what to do there.
At Villa Santa Cruz in Todos Santos, Farm-to-Table Is a Way of Life
In Todos Santos, a boutique hotel brings sustainable luxury to life with lush gardens, homegrown cuisine and barefoot hospitality.
Discover the Charm and Beauty of Maine’s Finest Hotels
No other destination juxtaposes rugged beauty and refined elegance quite like Maine.
At Raymond Blanc’s Cotswolds Retreat, Nature Guides the Dining Experience
From heirloom seeds to Michelin-starred plates, Le Manoir’s vision of sustainability still blooms.
Nightlife & Dining
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The 8 Best New Restaurants to Check Out in New York City This June
The most anticipated New York openings this month, including the return of a West Village pasta favorite and the Frick’s first cafe.
Marc Hardiman Wants to Set a New Standard for Sustainably-Focused Dining in Dubai
From farm-to-table innovation to sustainable farming practices, Hardiman is reshaping the dining experience at Bull & Bear.
The 7 Most Exciting Restaurant Openings in L.A. This June
June brings fresh flavors and exciting new spots to L.A.’s culinary landscape.
Inside the Hottest Tony Award Afterparties of 2025
This is how Broadway’s elite celebrated the year’s wins.
Lobster Rolls, Oysters and Chowder: 24 Restaurants Proving Maine Is America’s Next Food Capital
Maine’s culinary revolution isn’t just about ingredients—it’s about ingenuity. Here, farm-to-table isn’t a buzzword; it’s the cornerstone of culinary culture.
Style
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Jet Set: The Wimbledon Packing List
From a linen midi dress and ’90s-inspired shades to a statement-making straw boater and the daintiest of kitten heels, here’s what’s on our Wimbledon packing list.
Michael B. Jordan Is Dressing Like a Saint—and a Sinner
Michael B. Jordan’s best fashion moments, from early red carpets to tailored press tours and statement-making Met Gala looks.
Jessica Kayll’s Cult of Silk
The former McQueen textile designer is charting a path that favors intention over trend cycles.
A New England Summer Style Almanac: A Gentleman’s Guide to Coastal Cool
From foggy ferry rides to yacht club dinners, here’s how to pack for a season defined by heritage fabrics, maritime polish and old-money ease.
From Everyday to Elevated: The Best White Tank Tops for Every Style Situation
Whether you’re always channeling ’90s minimalism or just trying to survive the blistering summer heat, a white tank top is a wardrobe essential that does it all.
Theater
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Review: John Krasinski Grapples With Gender Politics and Modern Masculinity in ‘Angry Alan’
Penelope Skinner’s provocative script explores the emotional weight of identity and the shifting terrain of gendered expectations.
Jennifer Simard On Her ‘Death Becomes Her’ Onstage Partnership—And Tony Competition
Both Simard and her co-star in “Death Becomes Her,” Megan Hilty, are up for the Best Actress in a Musical Tony this year. “You must throw the ball to your playing partner and let them win sometime,” says Simard. “If they win, you win.”
Review: Hugh Jackman Tells Tales Out of School in ‘Sexual Misconduct of the Middle Classes’
A rare chance to see the movie star’s relaxed natural charm up close in the Minetta Lane Theatre as he plays a professor entangled with a young woman in Hannah Moscovitch’s engaging two-hander.
Review: A Steady, Not-Too Bumpy Ride to William Inge’s Bus Stop
A respectful revival brings this play about the agonies of love and sex vibrantly to life.
As NEA Cuts Hit Hard, Arts Groups Ready Their Fundraising Pitches
Hundreds of arts and culture nonprofits are facing uncertainty due to the National Endowment for the Arts revoking awards that fall outside of its “new priorities.”
Opera
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In the Met’s Many Revivals, Sometimes Second Casts Finish First
In many cases, the second, third and even fourth casts surpassed the season premieres that tend to attract the most attention.
‘Three! Seven! Ace!’: The Met Goes All in On ‘Queen of Spades’
Elijah Moshinsky’s vivid production is a winner.
Heartbeat Opera’s ‘Faust’ Finds the Humanity (and Humor) in the Hellish
Sara Holdren’s production shifts the focus to the women in Faust’s wake.
The Met’s ‘Antony and Cleopatra’ Reframes Ancient Tragedy Through the Lens of Propaganda
Spin—and its darker fascist cousin—is everywhere in Elkhanah Pulitzer’s production of John Adams’s opera.
‘Schoenberg in Hollywood’ Lands in L.A.
Baritone Omar Ebrahim reprises his role in the Los Angeles production, reuniting with Karole Armitage after their original staging in Boston.
Dance
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At Oslo Opera House, a Celebration of Jiří Kylián’s Creative Vision
The ‘Wings of Time’ festival is the most expansive Kylián retrospective to date.
Gray Skies and Grand Jetés: ABT’s Spring Gala Celebrated 85 Years in Style
The black-tie gala included a sneak peek at the company’s 2025 season.
Ayodele Casel On Dance, Community and Her New Show ‘The Remix’
“In 2025, with everything that is going on in the world, everybody can use a jolt of joy,” she told Observer.
White Ties and Waltzes: What You Missed at This Year’s Viennese Opera Ball
The night began, as always, with the traditional and much-anticipated presentation of white-clad debutantes and their tuxedoed escorts.
Imperial Vienna and Stormy Skies: Inside New York City Ballet’s 2025 Spring Gala
Spotted amongst the glitterati were Claire Danes, Michael Bloomberg, Debbie Harry and others, there for a dazzling performance of Balanchine’s ‘Vienna Waltzes.’
Tech
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Over 80% of Companies Embracing A.I. See No Real Gains Yet, McKinsey Finds
Despite widespread A.I. adoption, most firms remain in the copilot mode, a new McKinsey report shows.
Meet Elizabeth Rhodes, the Scholar Who Led Sam Altman’s UBI Experiment: Interview
The social scientist led a three-year study, backed by Sam Altman, to explore the real-world impact of unconditional cash transfers on work and well-being.
Reddit, a Treasure Trove for A.I. Companies, Launches Its Own A.I. Tools
“These new products are features I’ve wanted to build since my first day at Reddit,” said Jen Wong, Reddit’s chief operating officer.
The Hidden History of Sun Valley, the Mountain Retreat of Moguls and Icons
From Hemingway to Buffett, Sun Valley has been a quiet backdrop for legends, landmark deals and literary history for nearly 90 years.
Scale AI CEO Alexandr Wang Leaves to Join Meta Following $14.3B Deal
Wang leaves Scale AI to join Meta’s elite team aiming to develop superhuman A.I.
Finance
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Markets in Flux: Geopolitics Redraws the Map of Global Investing in 2025
Julia Khandoshko, CEO of Mind Money and a seasoned financial services executive, examines how the geopolitical instability of 2025 is redrawing the global investment landscape. Drawing on over a decade of experience in capital markets, she explains why investors are moving away from traditional safe havens and toward more tactical, flexible strategies shaped by conflict zones, disrupted trade routes and shifting global power centers.
Gen Z and the Post-Mall Mall
Today’s malls aren’t dying—they’re mutating into curated, mixed-use ecosystems. Gen Z isn’t visiting—they’re redesigning the space.
The Great Exit Crisis: The Succession Planning Gap in Small Business
Mark Valentino, head of Business Banking at Citizens, outlines why so many small business owners delay succession planning. Drawing on nearly two decades of advising entrepreneurs through growth, exit and everything in between, he breaks down how such hesitation can upend legacies, families and financial futures alike.
Kalshi, Trumpworld and the Bet on American Chaos
Kalshi is now the only federally sanctioned prediction market in the U.S., attracting billions in bets on everything from elections to papal succession. But with Trump allies circling, lawsuits mounting and regulators evaporating, the platform is becoming more than a marketplace—it’s a speculative engine for political influence.
Bill Ackman’s Big Bet on Uber Wins Praise from CEO Dara Khosrowshahi
Ackman’s $2 billion Uber stake has sparked a close relationship with CEO Dara Khosrowshahi, who welcomes his feedback and long-term vision.
Media
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David Zaslav Faces Pay Cut After Warner Bro. Discovery’s Split—But Remains a Top-Earning CEO
David Zaslav’s compensation will drop after WBD’s split, but he could still earn tens of millions from a lucrative stock award plan.
Action Franchises Still Thrill Gen Z—With the Right Stars and Strategy
The action genre is evolving with streaming, spectacle and savvy stars—keeping Gen Z engaged even as classic franchises age.
Sun Valley 2025 Guest List: Who Is Invited to the ‘Billionaire Summer Camp?’
The annual Allen & Co. Sun Valley conference returns this July with a high-powered guest list of tech CEOs, media bosses and billionaire dealmakers.
Disney Now Fully Owns Hulu—What Changes are Coming for Subscribers?
Disney’s Hulu acquisition is complete, setting the stage for global expansion, stronger bundles and a new era of streaming strategy.
Apple TV+ Leads Streaming’s Return to Old Hollywood Economics
Apple TV+ introduces a new pay structure based on performance metrics, reshaping how talent is compensated in the streaming industry.
Power Lists
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The Top PR Firms in 2025
This year’s PR Power List celebrates the agencies bold enough to lead the charge and smart enough to reflect the world they’re shaping.
The Top Specialty PR Firms in 2025
In an era where perception is currency, specialty PR firms are the brokers of influence
The Most Important People in Nightlife & Dining
These are the architects of modern indulgence, wielding influence with every lease signed and every menu unveiled. Theirs is the kind of power that turns concepts into cultural institutions.
Marketplace
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10 Best CBD Oil for Dogs: Best for Anxiety, Pain, & Arthritis
A guide to our carefully selected picks for the top CBD oils for dogs in 2025 to soothe anxiety, pain and arthritis.
10 Best CBD Gummies for Pain & Inflammation to Buy in 2025
Finding the best CBD gummies for pain and inflammation is made easy with this comprehensive review of leading brands. Colorado Botanicals earned the top spot among nine other brands that caught our attention.
10 Best CBD Companies to Buy From in 2025: Honest Reviews & Guide
Despite strong competition from nine impressive challengers, Colorado Botanicals tops our list of the best CBD companies to buy from in 2025.
5 Strongest CBD Gummies: Best CBD Gummies of 2025
We’ve compiled a list of the top 5 strongest CBD gummies for pain, sleep, anxiety and stress to save you time and money.
7 Best CBN Gummies for Sleep in 2025
Discover the top seven CBN gummies for sleep on the market, based on overall quality, effectiveness, price, formula, recognition and more.
Latest
All Latest
Why You Won’t See These Frida Kahlo works at Casa Azul
Alleged mishandling of significant paintings and drawings underscores the need for more transparency—particularly when it comes to estates as emblematic as Kahlo’s.
Artist Edie Fake Imagines a Gender Affirming Future at Chicago’s MCA
The vibrant facade of his ‘The Free Clinic for Gender Affirming Care’ blurs fantasy and architecture to envision a different kind of sanctuary.
Mike Cavallaro On Building a Union (and a Community) at NYC’s School of Visual Arts
“It boils down to ‘United we stand, divided we fall.’ And education and labor rights in this country cannot be allowed to fall.”
Offsite Projects Offer Art Lovers Playful Alternatives in Basel
With Faisal Abdu’Allah’s barbershop, Rao Weiyi’s debut and more, Basel Social Club and Maison CLEARING are challenging the art fair paradigm.
A Guide to Washington, D.C.’s Unknown Art Collections
The State Department’s $100 million art collections are managed through the Office of Fine Arts and the Art in Embassies office.
Chase Hall Is Just Grateful Doing the Work
“For me, it has always been about questions of who I am, who I am becoming and how I am showing up in the world,” the artist told Observer.
How Devon Rodriguez, the World’s Most-Followed Artist, Rode the Six Train to Fame
When he began showing his subway portraits to their subjects with a sheepish “I drew you,” his popularity skyrocketed.
ChatGPT Barbie? Mattel and OpenAI Join Forces on New A.I.-Infused Toys
Mattel’s next wave of toys could talk back, thanks to its new A.I. partnership with OpenAI.
What to See in Basel Beyond the Fairs: Our Top Exhibitions of 2025
Art Basel isn’t the only show in town. From Medardo Rosso’s pioneering sculptures to Julian Charrière’s aquatic meditations, Basel is brimming with exhibitions that connect the art world to global crises and the human condition.
One Fine Show: Lynn Hershman Leeson’s ‘Of Humans, Cyborgs and AI’ at the Nevada Museum of Art
The show brings together the artist’s recent video works, which confront the ethical confusion of the digital age with wry precision.
With Art, This Museum Chronicles Centuries of Voluntary and Involuntary Journeys
Fenix’s inaugural exhibition “All Directions” lives up to its name, presenting the ugly and the possible alike: the burdens of exile, the sacrifices of leaving, the gamble of chance.
Hollywood’s A.I. Battle Is Your Battle, Too
Dan Neely, CEO of Vermillio and one of TIME’s 100 Most Influential People in AI, sounds the alarm on a new kind of digital threat: your company’s IP, executive likeness and proprietary data are already being scraped to train powerful A.I. models—without your consent. Neely outlines why every business—whether or not it sees itself as part of the content economy—must start thinking like a media company or risk losing its most valuable assets.
Sam Altman Says Humans are Already Past ‘the A.I. Event Horizon’
The OpenAI CEO predicts superintelligence by 2030, but insists humanity will adapt with surprising ease.
J. M. W. Turner at 250: The Prince of the Rocks’ Lasting Legacy
Joseph Mallord William Turner (1775-1851) shattered artistic convention, dissolving form into movement and light into atmosphere.
Moffat Takadiwa Weaves Hope from Trash in the Heart of Zimbabwe
The complex geopolitical and economic forces embedded in his work challenge us to reconsider global systems of consumption.
Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang Clashes with Anthropic’s Dario Amodei Over A.I.’s Job Impact
A.I. debates heat up as tech leaders like Huang, Amodei, and Schmidt weigh in on its impact on jobs and productivity.
This NYC Startup Turns Air Into Gasoline to Decarbonize Cars that Won’t Go Electric
NYC startup Aircela develops carbon-neutral gasoline from air to help reduce emissions in hard-to-electrify sectors.
Ten Must-Read Thrillers to Cool Your Blood This Summer
Skip the overpriced gelato and the watery poolside rosé—these icy page-turners will chill you from the inside out.