Today's music and celebrity news is dominated by Taylor Swift's record-breaking album sales and her favored Los Angeles dining spot, Dolly Parton reassuring fans about her health, Kristi Noem's controversial comments on Zach Bryan's lyrics, and profiles of Madison Cunningham and experimental classical composer Helmut Lachenmann. Additionally, Caterina Barbieri is amplifying experimental sounds in classical music, showcasing diverse developments in the industry.

• Taylor Swift’s ‘Best Booth at Musso and Frank’s’ in Los Angeles — New York Times Arts -
• ‘I’m Not Dying’: Dolly Parton Assures Fans Amid Concerns About Her Health — New York Times Arts -
• Dolly Parton Addresses Health Fears After Sister’s Plea for Prayers — New York Times Arts -

• Kristi Noem Attacks Zach Bryan’s New Lyrics About ICE — New York Times Arts -
• For Madison Cunningham, ‘Ace’ Is a Hard Reset — New York Times Arts -
• At a Bastion of Classical Music, She’s Amplifying the Experimental — New York Times Arts -
• Taylor Swift’s ‘The Life of a Showgirl’ Has Already Sold 3.5 Million, Beating Adele — New York Times Arts -
• Helmut Lachenmann’s Music Is Like Nothing Else — New York Times Arts -

The literary world sees the passing of philosopher Jonathan Lear, releases of spine-tingling psychological thrillers, and thriller writer Andrea Bartz's victory against a tech giant in a copyright lawsuit. New biographies like Marisa Meltzer's 'It Girl' and social commentary in Beth Macy's 'Paper Girl' are reviewed, alongside an exploration into the genre of Dark Academia.

• Jonathan Lear, Philosopher Who Embraced Freud, Dies at 76 — New York Times Arts -
• Psychological Thrillers That Will Give You Goosebumps — New York Times Books -
• This Thriller Writer Took on a Tech Giant. And Won. — New York Times Books -

• Book Review: ‘It Girl,’ by Marisa Meltzer — New York Times Books -
• Book Review: ‘Paper Girl,’ by Beth Macy — New York Times Books -
• What Is Dark Academia? — New York Times Arts -

On the stage, there's news of a potential Broadway strike impacting actors, stage managers, and musicians, while 'Les Misérables' celebrates its 40th anniversary as an enduring hit. Haley Swindal is reviving 'Damn Yankees', choreographer Gerald Arpino's festival showcases classic ballet, and Marina Abramovic unveils her 'most demanding' work, an erotic epic.

• Gerald Arpino, Minus His Groovy Fourth Dimension — New York Times Arts -
• Her Grandfather Owned the Yankees. Now She’s Producing ‘Damn Yankees.’ — New York Times Arts -
• Broadway Could Face a Strike This Fall. Here’s What to Know. — New York Times Arts -

• ‘Les Misérables’ at 40: The Unlikely Story of a Hit — New York Times Arts -
• Marina Abramovic Calls This Erotic Epic Her ‘Most Demanding’ Work — New York Times Arts -

This period highlights the announcement of 2025 MacArthur 'Genius Grant' winners and a look at what to expect from the Nobel Prizes 2025. Art trends are explored with the rising popularity of artists building totems, and an exhibition features Fra Angelico's visible miracle of faith.

• MacArthur Foundation Announces 2025 ‘Genius Grant’ Winners — New York Times Arts -
• Nobel Prizes 2025: What to Know — New York Times Arts -
• Why Are So Many Artists Building Totems? — New York Times Arts -

• Fra Angelico and the Miracle of Faith Made Visible — New York Times Arts -

In film and digital media, Prime Video's removal of guns from James Bond artwork has stirred controversy, while Tessa Thompson discusses her role in 'Hedda'. The gaming world reflects on the nostalgic appeal of 'The Sims' as life gets harder, and Josh Johnson delivers comedic takes on political figures like Trump on television.

• Prime Video Scrubs Guns From James Bond Artwork, and 007 Fans Are Shaken — New York Times Arts -
• Tessa Thompson on Playing ‘Hedda’— and Finding What You Really Want — New York Times Arts -
• Life Got Hard. The Sims Got Easy. — New York Times Arts -

• Josh Johnson to Trump: He’s Not ‘Puff Daddy’ Anymore — New York Times Arts -