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Top Picks: Chris Isaak's 'First Comes the Night,' Marie Kondo's 'The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up,' and more

'The Winter's Tale' comes to American movie theaters from London, Gena Hamshaw provides Thanksgiving recipe ideas for vegans, and more top picks.

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Johan Persson
  • By Staff

Stage giants

Judi Dench and Kenneth Branagh are legends in the field of Shakespeare, and now you can see them perform together. Dench and Branagh’s production of Shakespeare’s The Winter’s Tale, currently onstage in London, will screen in select US theaters on Nov. 30 through Fathom Events. Check out www.fathomevents.com to find a location near you.

Declutter with thanks

The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up, by Marie Kondo, has shot to the top of bestseller lists. Kondo offers her own specific method of how to tackle piles of clothing, books, and mementos by keeping only what “sparks joy.” The Japanese organizing coach also says it’s important to give gratitude for every item before you discard it. Check out this short video that lays out her philosophy: http://bit.ly/KonMariMethod.

Rollick ’n’ roll

Chris Isaak recorded First Comes the Night in Nashville, Tenn. That doesn’t mean the California crooner has added fiddle to his music or started wearing a Stetson over his Brylcreem pompadour. But the guitar twang that has always run through Isaak’s modern take on 1950s rock ’n’ roll sounds more prominent. Isaak is as forlorn as ever on weepies such as “Reverie.” Don’t worry – he has a rollicking band for company on “Dry Your Eyes” and “Don’t Break My Heart.”

Creative troubadour

For the legion of Bob Dylan fans, Columbia Records’ Bootleg Series has provided a constant source of fresh takes. Vol. 12: The Cutting Edge 1965-1966 finds the quicksilver troubadour in a highly playful and creative place in the recording studio in search of the ideal version of such familiar favorites as “She Belongs to Me,” “Like a Rolling Stone,” and “Just Like a Woman.” It’s a fascinating glimpse into song and studio craft. It’s available as either a six-CD set or a “best of” two-CD version.

Food prep

Are you hosting vegetarians or vegans for the holidays and not sure what to cook? Check out Food52’s Recipes for Vegans (http://bit.ly/Recipes4Vegans), by Gena Hamshaw, or her related new cookbook, “Food52 Vegan,” for fresh ideas. Still prepping for Thanksgiving? America’s Test Kitchen is offering Thanksgiving shortcuts on which store-prepared foods are best (hint: frozen peas, yes; jars of gravy, no). Save yourself time by checking it out at http://bit.ly/ATKshortcuts.

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