25th Essence Festival | In Essence, girls trip

  * Movies: Spider-Man: Far From Home * Books: Big Sky by Kate Atkinson * Music: Down to the River by Allman Betts Band * Food: Edomae Sushi at MGM Macau   DOWNLOAD

Allman Betts Band feels staid on ‘Down to the River’ Southern comfort blues-rock has never been about bluster, but Allman Betts Band could have ramped things up a notch on “Down to the River,” a lackluster album from a group that should have more to offer. Devon Allman and Duane Betts, the sons of legendary Allman Brothers Band co-founders Gregg Allman and Dickey Betts, have been around enough all-star talent that southern rock is certainly in their DNA. But the listener is left searching a bit through middling tracks that provide little more than a vague tapestry of southern trope. “Shinin'” is about as close as we get to that sweet southern rock groove. There are nifty lead guitar riffs and nice slide guitar work from Johnny Stachela. And the down-tempo self-titled track is well done with a bluesy cool. But songs like “Try” and “Melodies Are Memories” feel tired and listless. It’s one thing to play with a reverence to early ’70s rock. It’s another to be mired in its often uninventive delivery and fall victim to its patterned complacency. Allman Betts Band can certainly play southern rock. But they’re playing an old version of it and bringing nothing new to the table. They should and could have reached for more. Ron Harris, AP

Southern comfort blues-rock has never been about bluster, but Allman Betts Band could have ramped things up a notch on "Down to the River," a lackluster album from

News of the World | Essence Fest marks 25 years of celebrating black culture

Launched to mark the 25th anniversary of black-owned Essence magazine, the festival has become a yearly celebration to highlight excellence in business, fashion, entertainment, and, of course, music.

Artisan presents art of edomae sushi

MGM is presenting traditional sushi crafted by renowned Michelin-starred sushi master Hiroyuki Sato, now the chef-owner of sushi restaurant Hakkoku in Tokyo. Previously the chef of sushi

A vile conspiracy is taken down in novel ‘Big Sky’

Former soldier and policeman Jackson Brodie, who last appeared nine years ago in "Started Early, Took My Dog," makes his long-anticipated return in Kate Atkinson's new novel, "Big

‘Spider-Man’ swings again with a successful sequel

Peter Parker might be forgiven for craving a vacation as "Spider-Man: Far From Home" begins. After an emotional and strenuous last few movies with the Avengers, a break

The City’s Feast

  * Movies: Shaft * Books: Black Mountain by Laird Barron * Music: Far Away from Any Place Called Home by Joanna Wallfisch * Travel: new approach to travel     DOWNLOAD

Toxic masculinity in a sitcom package in ‘Shaft’

The latest “Shaft,” which adds a new generation of bad mother------- to the mix, is not what you might expect. It’s not gritty or raw or even

Barron’s ‘Black Mountain’ stars his ex-mob enforcer

“You don’t teach a child to become a killer by rote lectures,” he writes. “To create a predatory machine, you foster an appreciation of the natural world and

Joanna Wallfisch’s travels result in unique album

Songstress, poet and darn good cyclist Joanna Wallfisch draws from both disappointment and wonder on her latest album. The emotions chronicle a west coast road trip and

Saint John Festival – Celebrating ‘divine providence’ and other memories

The Saint John Festival (Arraial de São João) is a celebration which has roots that go all the way back to the 17th century. In 1622, St.

Travelog | It’s time for a new approach to travel

When I overcame a flying phobia, I resolved to make up for lost time by visiting as much of the world as I could. So

The Crazy World of Fuerza

  * Movies: Toy Story 4 * Books: Siege: Trump Under Fire by Michael Wolff * Music: Rise by Hollywood Vampires * Taste of Edesia: Sensational Wagyu by Chef Hisato     DOWNLOAD

In the joyous ‘Toy Story 4,’ the toys evolve too

It’s futile to ask “why more” in the movie business, but it’s hard not to go in a little suspicious of a fourth “Toy Story.” The trilogy

Neither fire nor fury for Wolff’s new Trump book

The sequel to Michael Wolff’s million-selling “Fire and Fury” is not attracting the same kind of interest, not even from President Donald Trump. NPD BookScan reported

Hollywood Vampires rise again on great second album

When Alice Cooper, Aerosmith guitarist Joe Perry and movie star Johnny Depp formed a band in 2015 to pay homage to dead drinking buddies, it might have

MDT Review | MGM presents the ‘crazy world’ of Fuerza Bruta

MGM is staging the unconventional Fuerza Bruta Wayra at MGM Theater, offering a theater party experience to local and visiting audiences. For the first time in

Sensational Wagyu by Chef Hisato

MGM COTAI’s Grill 58 is known to offer only the best of premium cuts. This summer, Wagyumafia, the world-renowned premium Wagyu brand is making a stop at

Prison Break

  * Movies: Late Night * Books: One Small Sacrifice by Hilary Davidson * Music: The Maze by Ariana Gillis * F&B: Robot baristas   DOWNLOAD

Emma Thompson kills in ‘Late Night’

Watching “Late Night,” an enjoyably zippy if scattershot comedy about a veteran late-night host and her fresh-faced new writing hire, a persistent thought runs through your head:

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