WHAT TO WATCH
Behind the Candelabra
It would be easy to dismiss HBO's new Liberace biopic as a big joke, given the prevalence of ludicrous hairpieces and rhinestones. The Academy Award-winning cast, however, suggests different, with Mr Michael Douglas doing an astonishing pearly smiled turn as the famed showman pianist and Mr Matt Damon going all waxy-chested as Mr Scott Thorson, Liberace's long-term lover and employee (part of his remit involved having plastic surgery to make his face resemble a younger version of his boss) upon whose 1988 memoir the film is based. Oh, and did we mention it's directed by Mr Steven Soderbergh? Enough said.
Out on 26 May in the US on HBO. Out in cinemas on 14 June in the UK.
WHAT TO READ
And the Mountains Echoed by Khaled Hosseini
To describe Mr Khaled Hosseini as a successful author is something of an understatement: the Kabul-born writer's last two novels, The Kite Runner and A Thousand Splendid Suns, have between them shifted more than 38 million copies. Now he - and no doubt his publishers - will be hoping to add to that tally with his latest, And the Mountains Echoed. This time he's taking a more patchwork approach to storytelling, weaving together the stories of characters of different generations and in different countries (Afghanistan, France, Greece, America) to explore the universal ebb and flow of family relationships and the delight and heartache they can bring.
Out now. andthemountainsechoed.com
WHAT TO HEAR
Trouble Will Find Me by The National
Despite the wary album title, the Ohioan indie-rock band are finding nothing but success with yet another record that wows and wounds the listener in the same manner as its predecessor, 2010's phenomenal High Violet. The new album features guest contributions from Mr Sufjan Stevens, St Vincent (aka Ms Annie Clark) and Ms Sharon Van Etten, though the sound is unmistakably Nationalistic - sombre, soulful and understatedly epic. There are some changes, however: the album goes more for strings and horns and a little less for anthemic choruses, and front man Mr Matt Berninger's lyrics almost make sense (we said almost).
Out now. americanmary.com
WHAT TO CLICK
Arrested Development on Netflix
The Bluths are back! Of course chances are you are well aware of this fact given Netflix's heavy marketing strategy - including pop-up frozen banana stands in major cities - to demonstrate how rightly proud it is to be hosting the long-awaited (seven years to be exact) fourth season of the cult US comedy. Amazingly the primary cast has all been reassembled, including Mr Jason Bateman as the Bluth family's Everyman lynchpin Michael, Mr Michael Cera as his cousin-loving son George Michael and Mr Will Arnett as his black sheep and amateur magician brother Gob. All 15 episodes will be released at once on Sunday. Don't go anywhere.
Out on 26 May. netflix.com
WHAT TO ATTEND
Primavera Sound 2013
This year the festival excitement will almost certainly be channelled towards the return of a certain mud bath in Somerset starting with "G", but for those who would prefer to pack their sunscreen than their Wellington boots, Barcelona's Primavera Sound is an essential excursion. The line-up is both vast and discerning, featuring indie royalty such as Grizzly Bear, Hot Chip, Phoenix and Mr Nick Cave accompanied by his Bad Seeds, alongside pretenders to the throne including Django Django, Mr James Blake and Tame Impala. If you do go, make time to see Mr Matthew E White and Mr Christopher Owens, two of our current favourites.
Until 26 May, Barcelona. primaverasound.es
WHAT TO DRINK
The Whisky Sour by Mr Neil Ridley, from Caskstrength
''The sour really is the king of cocktails. It represents the pinnacle of flavour, relying on the perfect balance of just a handful of ingredients and is undoubtedly the one drink that should be the test of every great bartender.''
Ingredients:
50ml blended Scotch whisky (from alexanderandjames.com)
25ml freshly squeezed lemon juice
12.5ml sugar syrup (pre-bottled, or make using a 2:1 sugar to water ratio in a pan)
12.5ml fresh egg white
A few dashes of Angostura bitters
Method:
Add your egg white to a cocktail shaker and "dry shake" (without ice) giving it some volume.
Next, combine the other ingredients (except the bitters) in the shaker with the shaken egg white, fill with good quality ice and shake vigorously.
When the mixture is light and fluffy, strain into a chilled rocks glass straight from the freezer, filled with ice cubes.
Add a few dashes of Angostura bitters liberally over the frothy head, allowing the spiciness to permeate. Garnish with a thin slice of lemon zest and, if so desired, a cocktail cherry.
AND WHAT TO WEAR WHILE DOING IT...
