The arts and cultural world mourns the passing of several notable figures, including Maine's 'Lobster Lady' Virginia Oliver, visionary designer Tom Britt, hip-hop artist John Forté, Marxist theorist Michael Parenti, pioneering Black theater director Woodie King Jr., and celebrated poet X.J. Kennedy.

• Virginia Oliver, Maine’s ‘Lobster Lady’ and Folk Hero, Dies at 105 — New York Times Books -
• Tom Britt, Designer of Larger-Than-Life Interiors, Dies at 89 — New York Times Arts -
• John Forté, Who Forged a Hip-Hop Redemption Tale, Dies at 50 — New York Times Arts -

• Michael Parenti, Unapologetic Marxist Theorist and Author, Dies at 92 — New York Times Books -
• Woodie King Jr., a Driving Force in Black Theater, Dies at 88 — New York Times Arts -
• X.J. Kennedy, a Poet of Wit Who Clung to Rhyme and Meter, Dies at 96 — New York Times Arts -

The Grammy Awards saw Bad Bunny make history with an Album of the Year win, while seven notable winners were not televised, and a memorable gaffe by Cher added to award show history.

• 7 Great Grammy Winners You Didn’t Hear on TV — New York Times Arts -
• Grammy Awards Highlights: Bad Bunny Takes Album of the Year in Groundbreaking Win — New York Times Arts -
• Cher’s Luther Vandross Grammys Gaffe Joins a Long List of Award Show Flubs — New York Times Arts -

Netflix is rolling out new movies and TV shows for February, recommendations include Catherine O'Hara's best performances and 10 movies to stream for Black History Month, alongside a delightful review of 'The Muppet Show' revival.

• The Best Movies and TV Shows Coming to Netflix in February — New York Times Arts -
• Where to Watch Catherine O’Hara’s Best Performances, From ‘Beetlejuice’ to ‘Best in Show’ — New York Times Movies -
• 10 Movies to Stream for Black History Month — New York Times Arts -

• Review: This is Your Grandparents’ ‘Muppet Show,’ Fortunately — New York Times Arts -

Children's opera at the U.S.-Mexico border offers social commentary, City Ballet debuts a morality tale, a theater piece examines a rape trial before court, and Sean Hayes stars in a new work exploring writer's block.

• At the U.S.-Mexico Border, a Children’s Opera Sings to the Moment — New York Times Arts -
• At City Ballet, Alexei Ratmansky’s Morality Tale Is Wrapped in Farce — New York Times Arts -
• Before a Rape Trial, a Theater Piece Passes Its Own Judgment — New York Times Arts -

• Sean Hayes Suffers Writer’s Block and More Horrors in ‘The Unknown’ — New York Times Arts -

Recent literary releases include Patmeena Sabit's 'Good People,' Daniel Poppick's 'The Copywriter,' and Emily Nemens's 'Clutch,' with California Governor Gavin Newsom also releasing a memoir about his challenging childhood.

• Book Review: ‘Good People,’ by Patmeena Sabit — New York Times Books -
• Book Review: ‘The Copywriter,’ by Daniel Poppick — New York Times Books -
• Book Review: ‘Clutch,’ by Emily Nemens — New York Times Books -

• Gavin Newsom Memoir Describes Difficult Childhood, Contrary to Image — New York Times Books -

Jewish heirs are pursuing claims against the Met Museum over a Pissarro painting allegedly sold under Nazi-era duress, while an art critic shares favorite places for art in Los Angeles.

• Jewish Heirs Say Met Museum Pissarro Was Sold Under Nazi-Era Duress — New York Times Arts -
• My 5 Favorite Places for Art in Los Angeles — New York Times Arts -
• Jewish Heirs Say Met Museum Pissarro Was Sold Under Nazi-Era Duress — New York Times Arts -

Jewish stand-up comedians are actively confronting the current charged political climate, and Jon Stewart humorously questions Elon Musk's holiday party venue choice.

• At a Charged Time for Jewish Culture, Stand-ups Confront the Moment — New York Times Arts -
• At a Charged Time for Jewish Culture, Stand-ups Confront the Moment — New York Times Arts -
• Jon Stewart Can’t Believe Elon Musk’s Choice of Holiday Party Venue — New York Times Arts -

New York City offers a variety of fun activities for February 2026, K-Pop's popularity is driving fans to Korean language classes, and a unique London tradition sees clowns gathering at church.

• 28 Fun Things to Do in NYC in February 2026 — New York Times Arts -
• ‘KPop Demon Hunters’ Fans Flock to Korean Language Classes — New York Times Music -
• When the Clowns Went to Church — New York Times Arts -