When the creators of the hit HBO show “Game of Thrones” needed a made-up language, they hired a UCSD grad David Peterson.

Many in the design and sports communities are mourning the loss of local architect and rugby player Graham Downes. He died Sunday from injuries suffered during an alleged assault at his home.

San Diegans Allen and Carolyn Fisher have been called the "Ozzie and Harriet of arm wrestling." They’re both world champions and have been married for 28 years. We visit their La Mesa home to learn more about the sport.

Thieves recently broke into the Japanese Friendship Garden in the middle of the night and stole six bonsai trees. They were not the most valuable in the collection, but to those who practice the art of bonsai, such a loss represents years of meticulous work wasted.

Some UCSD musicians will perform a concert this weekend with musicians from Massachusetts. Not that unusual — except that the concert will be on two stages: one here in San Diego, and the other in Massachusetts.

Pioneering music critic Paul Williams died Thursday at his home in Encinitas. KPBS culture reporter Angela Carone says Williams was the founder of an influential music magazine called Crawdaddy!.

A San Diego string quintet has just returned from Washington D.C. where they played for members of the armed services. But it was more than a concert tour for the young quintet. It was a family trip.

"A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder" is musical-comedy about deadly intentions and unfortunate relatives.

It’s hard to imagine that an artist visiting San Diego would forgo the beaches and sunshine to spend most of his time in a small dark room. But that’s exactly what San Francisco-based artist James Chronister will be doing for the next month. KPBS culture reporter Angela Carone visits the artist at the Lux Art Institute.

The play “Hands on a Hardbody” was born at the La Jolla Playhouse. Tonight it opens on Broadway. But the musical about a Texas endurance contest to win a truck has gone through some changes.

Are you tired of seeing so much art in San Diego? All the murals and waterfront sculptures got you down? KPBS culture reporter Angela Carone says a company called Art Disposal Service is hoping to solve the problem of too much art in the city.

You can’t walk along 4th and C Streets in downtown San Diego and not wonder about the dilapidated building across from City Hall. It was once the California Theatre.

Two friends (and modern architecture fans) spent years traversing the West Coast, seeking out some of the most prolific modern homes. The resulting documentary, "Coast Modern," tells the stories behind the creation of these homes and their lasting legacies.

Good news for theater-goers and fans of the television show "South Park." The hit musical "The Book of Mormon" is coming to San Diego.

Whether or not you're looking to celebrate Valentine's Day, we've got you covered with things to do this weekend.

One of the world’s most impressive collections of science fiction is now in the hands of the San Diego State University library. It’s just part of the literary wealth of an SDSU graduate who’s begun to donate his collection to his alma mater. Edward Marsh is also a follower of the Church of Scientology. KPBS culture reporter Angela Carone visited his Escondido home to find out what else he collected.

A new exhibition features 60 rare drawings by self-taught southern folk artist Bill Traylor.

As any seasoned playwright will tell you, writing a play is hard enough. Getting it to the stage is a real feat. KPBS culture reporter Angela Carone spoke with a young woman who wrote a play while serving time in juvenile hall. Now that play will be staged at the Lyceum Theater.

Two San Diego theaters are collaborating on a production of the play adaptation of Toni Morrison's acclaimed first novel. "The Bluest Eye" tells the story of a young black girl struggling with her own personal identity in 1940s Ohio.

Every January 24 marks the beginning of Daniel Jackson Week, launching a series of concerts featuring Jackson and other local musicians.

A new exhibit explores the untold stories of our state's Gold Rush through photos and artifacts. And if you thought panning for gold is a thing of the past, guess again. Gold prospecting is still alive and well.

There are roughly 30 million updates posted to Facebook over the course of an hour. People share what they’re eating or their favorite movie. A new study out of UC San Diego has some surprising things to say about how memorable those updates really are.

Archeologists often have to be great detectives. A professor at San Diego State has used his detective skills to find hidden historic murals on the university’s campus. KPBS culture reporter Angela Carone says he’s discovered a new one, featuring a beloved character from children’s literature.

From movies to books, the life of Abraham Lincoln continues to fascinate many. And a new one-man play explores Lincoln’s last day from the perspective of the doctor who tended to him in his final hours.

As of January 1st, some foods prepared in a home kitchen can be sold at places like local farmers markets.

KPBS takes a look at the top art and culture stories in San Diego with reporters Angela Carone and Beth Accomando.

Starting in January, crews will begin preparing a waterfront park for the return of the "kiss statue."

An artist enlists the children of City Heights to create an installation for the whole community. Warning: some of this content is unbearably cute.

Grant Barrett, co-host of public radio's "A Way With Words," takes a look back at some of the new words and phrases that developed over the past year.

Shankar was responsible for making Indian classical music popular in the West, collaborating with artists as diverse as the Beatles and Yehudi Menuhin.

The Belly Up in Solana Beach is one of the more intimate venues to see music locally. KPBS arts reporter Angela Carone says that’s why it was a bit of a surprise to hear that the rap star Snoop Dogg would take its stage for two sold-out shows starting tonight.

Oscar and Emmy winner Bill Conti will take over as the San Diego Symphony’s new principal pops conductor. KPBS arts reporter Angela Carone says the veteran composer is best known for his score to a classic 70s movie.

The chamber group has filed for bankruptcy and is closing down.

It’s that time of year when an Ebenezer Scrooge is likely to be found on a stage somewhere near you. But it’s not just old standbys like "A Christmas Carol." In a diverse theater community like San Diego’s, you can also see fresh new plays by up-and-coming playwrights.

When the chamber group Orchestra Nova canceled its season this fall, it wasn’t only the audience who lost out. Smaller music groups scheduled to partner with the orchestra suddenly faced a gaping hole in their own season. KPBS arts reporter Angela Carone looks at how one choir regrouped to present a holiday classic.

A new literary/art project dubbed The Far East Project is on a mission to create "a people’s history of East County” with collected personal narratives, poetry, photography and prose.

The celebrated La Jolla chef provides his insider tips and favorite recipes to help your Thanksgiving meal preparations go smoothly.

The author of "Seating Arrangements" has won a prestigious literary award for writers under 30. It's her debut novel.

A new exhibition at three San Diego museums celebrates American art over the last three centuries.

The San Diego mayor’s race was expensive, hard fought and by most standards, nasty. The campaign strategists — the men behind the candidates — are paid to shape the persona and mould the message.

A new musical at the La Jolla Playhouse was inspired by the music of alternative rock band The Flaming Lips. KPBS arts reporter Angela Carone says" Jersey Boys" director Des McAnuff worked with the band to translate "Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots" to the stage.

Sherri Lightner has beaten Ray Ellis, 53 percent to 47 percent, in San Diego City Council District 1. Win means Democrats retain their majority.

Ghosts may come out on Halloween, but if you want to know where they live year-round, consider our local theaters. KPBS arts reporter Angela Carone goes ghost hunting on San Diego’s stages.

When Jung-Ho Pak resigned as Orchestra Nova’s conductor and artistic director, it set off a domino effect. First the season opening concerts were canceled. Last week, the entire season was canceled. At this point, the future of the orchestra is uncertain. KPBS arts reporter Angela Carone spoke with Jung-Ho Pak about his reasons for leaving.

Orchestra Nova has canceled the remaining concerts in the 2012-2013 season after sudden resignation of conductor and impasse in labor talks with local musicians union.

San Diego's inaugural week-long celebration of African cuisine continues through Sunday. KPBS arts reporter Angela Carone visits one of the restaurants participating in African Restaurant Week to find out what's cooking.

We all have a room in the house we grew up in that is special to us. Just thinking of it can stir up memories. That human connection to an actual building is the basis for an artist’s installation at the Lux Art Institute in Encinitas.

Orchestra Nova artistic director and conductor Jung-Ho Pak has resigned after six years of leadership. The chamber group has canceled this weekend's season opening concerts. Nova is in the midst of a contentious contract dispute with the local musicians union.

The Old Globe Theatre in Balboa Park has appointed a new artistic director after a year long vacancy. KPBS arts reporter Angela Carone says the person now responsible for the theater’s artistic vision is a prominent Shakespeare expert.

Orchestra Nova and the local musicians union have yet to sign a labor contract even though the first concert is just over a week away. KPBS arts reporter Angela Carone says talks have reached a particularly divisive point.