PEOPLE AND CULTURE
D’Arcy Sardone 8, May 14 mins
14 mins
The Ritz Herald
Visual Designer Xiyu Deng

In a world where every swipe, click, and scroll is a transaction of attention, visual design has become the language of connection that’s universally understood. It’s not just about how it looks; it becomes something that seeps into your consciousness—turning information into feeling, brands into friends, and jargon into simplicity. A good logo embodies a company’s values; a thoughtful app interface converts frustration into flow. Visual designers are the virtuosos of these wordless conversations, employing color, text, and layout to bridge intention and interpretation. Their work decides how we experience social movements, grocery delivery apps, and everything in between, infusing pixels and paper with meaning. But in a world careening toward automation, the most powerful designs are not merely pleasant to behold—they’re deeply human, pairing innovation with empathy. That’s why the insight of visionary designers like Xiyu Deng matters: their insights keep us in mind that design is not only an art form, but a charge to watch, feel, and amplify the human condition. Award-winning Senior Designer at Instrument, Xiyu Deng has reimagined what it means to exercise this duty.

From Apple TV to Uber to SurveyMonkey, Xiyu Deng’s portfolio combines strategic accuracy with poetic narrative—whether gamifying math exercises into co-operative missions for Giant Steps or translating Hong Kong’s political upheaval into 50 haunting Cantopop album covers. A winner of a TDC Certificate of Typographic Excellence and Graphis Silver Award, Deng is celebrated for campaigns that bring the intangible into focus: Uber’s driver-centric tales, Apple TV’s eco-sensitive imagery, and TutorMe’s student-centric interfaces. Xiyu Deng’s genius goes beyond her work, however. As a mentor and “legacy reimaginer,” she cultivates spaces in which risk begets innovation, showing…

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250th American Revolution Celebrations Kick Off In Massachusetts With Bedford’s Historic Pole Capping Ceremony
The Ritz Herald

The Commonwealth’s commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution has officially launched with the time-honored Liberty Pole Capping in Bedford, Massachusetts. As the first event in the statewide Massachusetts 250 celebration, Bedford’s ceremony honors the defiance and determination of the early patriots who stood against British tyranny.

Central…

Mabelle Prior’s The New World Adds to Her Powerful Legacy of Feminist Storytelling
The Ritz Herald

Author and women’s rights advocate Mabelle Prior returns with The New World, a gripping new novel that joins her growing list of acclaimed books, including Legacy of Agakpeland, The Secret Code, and Deadly Friendship. Her work blends cultural insight with powerful storytelling, always centered on justice, identity, and the…

Commercial Acting: Tiana Walsh’s Advice for Breaking Into Commercial Acting and Landing Roles With Big Brands
The Ritz Herald

Commercial acting is an artistry where performers become brand storytellers to the world, evoking emotion, connection, and longing in just a matter of seconds. Unlike traditional dramatic acting, commercials require a precise juxtaposition of truth and viability—actors have to connect with viewers while capturing the essence of a brand….

Victoria Mei: NYC’s Cultural Connector Empowering Asian Creatives
The Ritz Herald

In a city known for its relentless pace and eclectic creativity, Victoria Mei is redefining the way New York connects with the global Asian creative movement. As the founder of the Asian Creatives Club (ACC), Victoria has not only built a dynamic platform that bridges Eastern heritage and…

3 mins
The House of Feigenblatt Holds Its First Dubai Gala at the Exclusive Palazzo Versace (Dubai, United Arab Emirates)
The Ritz Herald

The House of Feigenblatt held its first Dubai Gala on the 28th of April. It was presided by His Excellency Ambassador Otto Federico von Feigenblatt, Andean Parliament Special Envoy for Education and Head of the House of Feigenblatt. His Excellency welcomed over two hundred guests and presented a few strategic initiatives of the House of Feigenblatt in the region and beyond. Mr. Brock Pierce, co-founder of Ether and Chairman of the Bitcoin Foundation was the guest of honor.

His Excellency Ambassador Otto Federico von Feigenblatt, appointed Mr. Brock Pierce, as the House’s ambassador and deputy permanent representative to the Central American Parliament (PARLACEN) with the mission to explore cooperation opportunities between the private sector and the member countries. Ambassador Brock Pierced expressed his gratitude for the appointment and made a surprise announcement regarding the pre-launch of the world’s first educational crypto token, the Golden Owl, which will be officially launched by the House of Feigenblatt in the next couple of months. The announcement was very well received by the local business and governmental community.

Some of the VIPs who attended the event included the Ambassador of Pakistan to the United Arab Emirates, the Ambassador of Kosovo to the United Arab Emirates,…

12 mins
Janette Oh
The Ritz Herald

The modern art world is experiencing a dramatic renaissance of women artists who are expanding creative horizons by introducing new materials, crafting cultural narratives, and boldly reclaiming tradition. Through oil paintings that reclaim histories, textile installations that subvert gendered hierarchies of craft, these visionaries are revolutionizing the way we comprehend identity, community, and the very fabric of artistic practice. Their practice bridges continents and generations, blending ancient methods with advanced experimentation in response to pressing social queries regarding representation, sustainability, and belonging.

Common to these five remarkable practitioners is a dedication to using art as mirror and catalyst – reflecting forgotten truths while dreaming new ones. Whether through sculptural fashion giving new life to discarded materials, portraiture that honors marginalized beauty, or multimedia works blurring boundaries between disciplines, all of these artists show how technical skill married to conceptual richness can produce work that speaks far beyond the walls of galleries. Their growing visibility signals a thrilling revolution in visual culture, one where multiple voices are not merely added to but put at the forefront of shaping art’s changing legacy.

  1. Bella Bradford

Bella Bradford makes sculptures from steel armatures covered in found, donated, or second-hand material, combining industrial and domestic…

Spynn’s Strategic Approach to High-Profile Celebrity PR Crises
The Ritz Herald

The escalating feud between Justin Baldoni and Blake Lively has now spiraled into its sixth lawsuit, and the entertainment industry grapples with complex PR reputation management challenges.

The March 2025 lawsuit, where Baldoni accuses his former publicist of leaking private text messages to Lively’s team, highlights the importance of…

ChaShaMa’s 30th Anniversary Hosted by Anita Durst Reunites Artists In Times Square
The Ritz Herald

In the heart of Times Square, over 200 artists, board members, and supporters gathered to celebrate the 30th anniversary of ChaShaMa, the pioneering arts organization founded by Anita Durst. The event served as a vibrant reunion, honoring three decades of providing affordable creative space for artists across New York…

BroadwayHD Celebrates 10th Anniversary With the Premiere of Pippin 50th Anniversary Concert
The Ritz Herald

Stephen Schwartz, Bonnie Comley, Stewart F. LaneBroadwayHD marked its 10th anniversary in grand style with the exclusive world premiere of the Pippin 50th Anniversary Concert on Thursday, March 13, 2025. The event showcased the celebrated musical and highlighted BroadwayHD’s remarkable journey over the past decade as the premier destination…

New York-Based Award-Winning Madhura Sekar Revolutionizes Fintech Design With Human-Centered Innovation
The Ritz Herald

In an era where fintech innovation often prioritizes speed over human connection, Madhura Sekar stands as a beacon of change. A New York-based award-winning product designer and UX strategist, Sekar has carved a niche in crafting luxury digital experiences tailored to high-net-worth individuals (HNIs) and fintech startups. Over nearly…

10 mins
The Ritz Herald
Mila Tanghe

Mila Tanghe is a multilingual journalist and policy analyst whose professional life has taken her through elite newsrooms in Europe and the United States. She brings distinctive cross-cultural insight to her stories. Her background involves creating content for CNN’s Amanpour show in London, covering Russia’s invasion of Ukraine for Belgian broadcaster RTLTVI, and writing for L’Echo financial newspaper. She now analyzes foreign policy and security matters at the Center for European Policy Analysis in New York. Outside of her reporting, Mila Tanghe is an Ambassador for Human Rights Watch’s NextGen Initiative, having recruited dozens of new supporters, in addition to contributing to the initiative’s newsletter. She is fluent in English, French, and Dutch and has a special talent for distilling complex geopolitical events into understandable, engaging narratives.

In a period of information abundance, algorithm-driven news dissemination, and declining public trust in institutions of media, the characteristics of great journalism have never been more important. As a journalist who has covered from Brussels to New York, made content for broadcast networks with an audience of millions, and written about everything from geopolitical tensions to corporate power behind policymaking, Tanghe has seen how specific core qualities uniformly separate effective journalism from content manufacturing.

These five essential qualities transcend technological skills or specialized. They represent the foundational characteristics that determine how effectively journalists fulfill their core mission in an increasingly complex information landscape. Whether one is a student journalist just beginning their career or a seasoned reporter navigating industry transformation, cultivating these attributes will significantly enhance their ability to…

Ambassador of Goodwill of the U.S. State of Arkansas: Johnny Hachem Joins the Ranks of Roosevelt, Reagan, and Muhammad Ali
The Ritz Herald

Johnny Hachem has made history as the first artist from the Middle East to receive the prestigious Arkansas Traveler Award, one of the most distinguished honors bestowed by the state of Arkansas, recognizing individuals who have made a significant impact on their fields while promoting goodwill and cultural exchange….

Enchanting Portrait by Amedeo Modigliani Authenticated by Experts
The Ritz Herald

While Italian artist and sculptor Amedeo Modigliani was undoubtedly a prolific creator over the course of his short lifetime, it has become a rare event that a previously unknown work receives authentication. However, just such a milestone was recently publicly revealed following extensive analysis of a small and enchantingly…

Enzo Zelocchi Teases Return to Hollywood Projects in 2025
The Ritz Herald

If cult-status Instagram influencer and actor Enzo Zelocchi’s most recent sunny and suave Beverly Hills selfies are anything to go by then we can be optimistic that the star is finally back in Los Angeles after completing multiple European movie projects.

Zelocchi isn’t new to adventures on the other…

12 mins
Tour manager Kristian Poppe
The Ritz Herald

In the high-stakes world of live music, tour managers are the unsung architects who transform artistic vision into a tangible spectacle. They orchestrate a labyrinth of logistics—negotiating contracts, coordinating cross-border travel, and managing multimillion-dollar budgets—all while shielding artists from distractions that could derail a performance. Beyond spreadsheets and schedules, they serve as mediators, bridging gaps between artists, crews, promoters, and fans with emotional intelligence and diplomacy. Their role demands mastery in crisis management, whether recalibrating a lighting rig in Prague’s basement venues or de-escalating payment disputes under Mediterranean sunsets. As concerts evolve into high-tech spectacles, tour managers harmonize cutting-edge production with the raw energy of live performance, ensuring consistency whether a band plays Tokyo or Toronto. For rising artists, they are catalysts for breakout success; for established acts, they safeguard legacies. Without their precision and poise, the magic of live music would crumble under the weight of chaos.  Navigating the volatile landscape of global touring requires more than instinct—it demands proven strategies forged in the trenches.

Seasoned advice, like Kristian Poppe’s methodologies, equips tour managers to anticipate pitfalls, from pre-production planning to fan engagement, ensuring tours launch smoothly and scale sustainably. Lessons on adaptability—such as reimagining stage setups in cramped…

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Dark Americana and Bleeding Secrets: Stephen Romano’s What Did You Do? Wraps Filming in Texas

Sardone / RH
Austin, TX — A film many years in the making has emerged from the shadows of the Texas landscape, ready to haunt, challenge, and mesmerize audiences. What Did You Do?,
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The Ritz Herald

“I remember sitting in my dorm room, completely overwhelmed,” recalls Skye Blanks. “I had no family connections, no clear path forward. Just a vague sense that I needed to figure it out on my own.”

That memory – of genuine uncertainty and limited options – is something many mentors…

TedyZet’s Vibrant Fusion: Abstract Animals and Flowers Take Center Stage
The Ritz Herald

TedyZet (Tadas Zaicikas) is redefining contemporary art with his bold, expressive works that blur the boundaries between abstraction and reality. He is well known for his signature style, which he calls “Narrative Expressionism.” His latest collection, recently showcased at the LA Art Show, reinterprets nature through abstract imagery.

Embracing Nature

TedyZet…

Championing Women’s Advancement Worldwide
The Ritz Herald

Fifty years after the United Nations first recognized International Women’s Day in 1975, significant progress has been made in advancing women’s rights, but this year’s theme of “Accelerate Action” points to the need for continued forward movement.

International Women’s Day (IWD) has a rich history of women’s efforts, by countries…