Arts and Culture

Torture, Secrets, Glamour Fuel Novel of Wartime Hong Kong: Craig Seligman One man, two women. Wartime, danger, betrayal, torture. Bejeweled parties, sumptuous gowns, reptilian scheming, illicit love.

Design Fans Become Wannabe Astronauts in Subu's Spaceships: Beijing Dining We ordered a bowl of bullfrog in a Beijing restaurant that looks like the set of a 1970s science- fiction movie.

French Chef Gagnaire Finds London's Best Teas in Taste Test: Richard Vines Pierre Gagnaire, the Michelin three- starred Parisian chef, is passionate about tea. It’s an enthusiasm shared by Mourad Mazouz, with whom he co-owns Sketch, the exotic London venue where you might enjoy a pot of Earl Grey with bergamot oil.

Van Gogh's Dark Side, Warhol's Celebs Go on Show in Europe: Martin Gayford During the year 1888, rumors spread through the southern French town of Arles that an eccentric Dutchman was painting landscapes, outside, in the dead of night. Some said he put candles on his hat to help him see his palette.

Broadway Sales of $940 Million in 2008 Bucked Economy Before 13 Closings Broadway box-office revenue was $940.8 million in 2008, little changed from 2007, as 13 shows closed or will close in the first month of 2009.

Iggy Pop's Guitarist, Ron Asheton of Stooges, Found Dead at Home Aged 60 The body of guitarist Ron Asheton, a founder of the Stooges, was discovered today by police at his home in Ann Arbor, Michigan, his record company Virgin Music said. He was 60. No cause of death was given.

Onassis Center Lets Teen Brides Bathe, Satyrs, Maenads Frolic in N.Y. Show On a broken piece of pottery, two young girls dance around the altar of Artemis, holding hands and praying that she will ensure their fertility.

Cod Sperm, Shellfish Sizzle at John Dory, Spotted Pig Spinoff: Food Buzz The John Dory, a new seafood restaurant in Manhattan’s Meatpacking district, serves “cod milt.” That’s the menu’s dodgy way of saying fish sperm. Just so you know.

This Mafia Hit Man Swims With Sharks, Kills With Fibula: Airplane Reading Fiction reviewers live for openers like this:

Degas Dancer Statue Owned by New Knight Madejski May Fetch $17.6 Million John Madejski, who last week won a knighthood in the U.K., is selling a bronze version of Edgar Degas’s best-known sculpture at Sotheby’s February auction of Impressionist and modern art in London.

Bernard Madoff's Sons Told Prosecutors of Jewelry Transfer, Lawyer Says The sons of Bernard Madoff, who is accused of running a $50 billion Ponzi scheme, told prosecutors last week their father violated a court-ordered asset freeze by mailing them jewelry, watches and other items, his lawyer said.

Daniel Barenboim Concerts in Qatar, Cairo Canceled as Gaza Conflict Rages Conductor Daniel Barenboim said fighting between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip has prompted the cancellation of two concerts by his West-Eastern Divan Orchestra planned for Cairo and the Qatari capital Doha.