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Top Picks: 'Macbeth' on DVD and Blu-ray, the navigation app Waze, and more

See Harper Lee's thoughts on reading and technology in a 2006 magazine letter, David Broza & The Andalusian Orchestra Ashkelon bring together the energetic sounds of southern Spain and North Africa, and more top picks.

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  • By Staff

World music

In times of global unrest there is nothing like the harmonious blend of cultures through music, offering a different story from headlines of war and strife. David Broza & The Andalusian Orchestra Ashkelon have brought together the energetic sounds of southern Spain and North Africa played on traditional folk instruments to create songs that are equally exotic and soothing. The enthusiastic responses to the orchestra from live audiences over the past five years have resulted in Andalusian Love Song, which is now available on iTunes.

A letter from Harper Lee

With the recent death of “To Kill a Mockingbird” author Harper Lee, her 2006 letter to O, The Oprah Magazine, seems even more special. Lee discusses her own relationship with reading and even offers her thoughts on technology (“Can you imagine curling up in bed to read a computer?” she asks). Read her thoughtful wisdom on the blog “Letters of Note” at bit.ly/harperleeletter.

Anchor Bay

Shakespeare’s ‘Macbeth’

See two of the world’s most acclaimed actors take on legendary roles in the new movie version of Macbeth, starring Michael Fassbender and Marion Cotillard. In director Justin Kurzel’s take on the Scottish play, Fassbender is impressively staunch and Cotillard’s Lady Macbeth is a triumph. Check out the movie on DVD and Blu-ray beginning March 8.  

Beat traffic with friends

If you find yourself wanting more information from your GPS while in traffic, check out the free navigation app Waze. Early tech adopters have known about it for a while and now more drivers are using it as their go-to road tool. The app allows members to send updates on road hazards, accidents, police traps, and the cheapest nearby gas in real time. The newest Waze trick: Morgan Freeman’s voice can narrate your directions. Check it out under Settings/Sound/Voice Language. 

Van Gogh Museum

Online museum

Art fans don’t need to walk through the doors of the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam to see its collection of prints and other media. The museum has made almost 1,800 prints and other pieces by various artists including Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec and Georges de Feure available online. Linger over works by zooming in on details, and read extensive curator notes to learn more about each print. Watch an overview of the collection at http://bit.ly/VanGoghPrints.

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