Brimming with a studied outrageousness, and brushed with sentiment, the show takes a sidelong look at the pretentiousness of downtown artsiness, while reminding us – or introducing us to – the French force of nature who provoked the spirits of so many 20th century creatives.

The reopening of Bauhaus-trained architect Marcel Breuer's modernist 1960s Madison Avenue building might be enough in itself to draw curious crowds, but two expansive exhibits make an early visit to the new Met Breuer a must.

From the get-go, with the weird 5/4 beat of "Mr. Rocket Boots Celery Man," this sly jazz quintet weaves a web of smooth themes and spidery solos, their earthy vibe reinforced by a clean but lo-fi roominess in the recording, uncomplicated arrangements, and tribal rhythms.

Diana Brown digs into her own experience in a cult in her entertaining and thoughtful, if unpolished and not entirely satisfying, autobiographical solo show.

Every track on this consistently compelling album is different. The ghostly pop melody of "Unconditional Love," the hard funk of "Good Lava," and the quick-tongued jazz fusion of "Judas" are just the start of a journey through a personal Land of Oz (or Chocolate Factory).

The Hagia Sofia and the Blue Mosque may be the most famous structures in Istanbul, and they are certainly spectacular, but I was more taken with the largest purpose-built mosque in the city: The Süleymaniye Mosque, built in the 1550s by master architect Sinan at the command of Süleyman the Magnificent.

Two recent works by composer Gity Razaz received inspiring performances at Brooklyn's trendy new-music venue National Sawdust.

There's violence in Isabel's past, and now things seem to be spiraling out of control again. Ultimately, an edgy situation turns into a nightmare in Mark Cornell's chilling 'Sprucehaven B.'

The curious recipe behind Shepard's Pulitzer Prize-winning play releases strange aromas. But a fine cast gingerly directed by Scott Elliott and led by Ed Harris and Amy Madigan keeps the smoky pot stirred, playing the weird, funny, tragic story for all it's worth.

Hard-luck tales of criminals and lost souls drive the lyrics and give the music its wistful flavor, but an acute songwriting sensibility, rich, salty musicianship, and mournful vocals combine magically into an uplifting spirit. That's the magic of good music.