Monster Mash: Breaking news and headlines

This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.

-- Art honor: The 2009 Turner Prize nominees include an artist who turned his London apartment into a crystal cave, above.

-- There goes another one: Irish playwright Conor McPherson’s film ‘The Eclipse’ gets big buzz at Tribeca Film Festival.

-- Even the rich make cuts: J. Paul Getty Trust slashes its budget, expects to trim 97 from staff.

-- Angry musician: What led to a Polish pianist’s protest at Disney Hall? His actions were hardly unique.

-- Welcome to Washington: Former MOCA director and Art Center President Richard Koshalek starts work as director of the Hirshhorn Museum.

-- Help from the homeland: The Canadian government steps in to give a boost to struggling Stratford Shakespeare and Shaw festivals.

-- Worth saving? Century Plaza Hotel, left, is named to the ‘endangered historic places list’ as preservationists and the developer square off over proposed demolition.

-- Big buy: LACMA acquires a monumental Roberto Matta painting.

-- Dancer dies: Russian ballerina Ekaterina Maximova, who graced the stage of the Bolshoi Theater for 30 years, dies at 70.

-- Another dancer dies: Frankie Manning, who helped popularize the Lindy Hop, dies at 94.

-- Tragic loss: Pop artist James Rosenquist faces an uncertain future after losing his home and studios in a wildfire.

-- High price of shows: An exhibition of works by JMW Turner in China could end up costing Britain more than expected.

-- Going green: A newly remodeled downtown L.A. skyscraper gets gold environmental certification.

-- Getting political: ‘I’ve written a play on torture’ and other musings on interrogation tactics from Chris Durang.

-- Lisa Fung

Top photo: Artist Roger Hiorns’ crystal cave installation. Credit: Marcus Leith / Corvi-Mora, London. Bottom photo: Century Plaza Hotel in Century City. Credit: Ken Hively / Los Angeles Times