Captivating — compelling — conversations
Watch:
Toy Story 5. This summer is building in nostalgia as Toy Story 5 will be officially released on June 19. Joan Cusack, Tony Hale, John Ratzenberger, Wallace Shawn, Blake Clark, Annie Potts, Bonnie Hunt, Melissa Villaseñor, Kristen Schaal, and Keanu Reeves reprise their roles from the previous films.
Newcomers welcomed into the Toy Story family include Conan O'Brien, Craig Robinson, and more who have been added to the cast. The logline of the film reads: "Buzz, Woody, Jessie, and the rest of the gang's jobs get exponentially harder when they go head to head with this all-new threat to playtime: technology."
Read:
Tia Williams is back. The best-selling author is releasing The Missed Connection, which "follows Sasha Cruz, who, after letting her soulmate slip away without contact info, initiates a chaotic search for 'Seat F' that forces her to reevaluate her life, career, and fear of love."
The book is a perfect spring and summer read that can accompany you on your next trip. Williams will also be going on a book tour for her latest novel as she passes by Brooklyn, Los Angeles, and more throughout June. Williams is known for her best-selling novels Seven Days in June and A Love Song for Ricki Wilde.
Listen:
Petal — Ariana Grande. Ariana Grande is bringing in the summer with a new album. The three-time Grammy-winning artist is releasing her eighth studio album, Petal, on July 31. The singer released "Hate That I Made You Love Me" on May 29, which will serve as the album's lead single. Fans can also catch Grande on her The Eternal Sunshine Tour, which will run from June 6 to September 1, 2026.
Hot spot:
There is never a dull moment in the city so make sure you take time to book a trip to the Big Apple.
Nothing beats a New York summer, and this summer especially is one you want to experience with the World Cup coming right across the river into New Jersey (just book your hotel rooms early!). Even if you're not a huge soccer fan, New York has a place for you, from shopping in SoHo and catching a Broadway play to festivals celebrating Juneteenth, the Fourth of July, and more.
Drink:
Bomb Pop Cocktail. In celebration of the United States of America turning 250 this summer, a Bomb Pop Cocktail will definitely make a splash on your Fourth of July festivities.
Ingredients:
1 ½ oz. Blue Curaçao
6 oz. tequila
3 oz. fresh lime juice
1 oz. triple sec
½ oz. simple syrup
1 ½ oz. grenadine
9 cups ice
4 Bomb Pops, for garnish (optional)
Directions:
• Blend Curaçao, 3 cups ice, 2 oz. of tequila, and 1 oz. lime juice until smooth.
• Divide blue slushie among chilled glasses, filling each about one-third full.
• Place back into the freezer and clean your blender.
• In a clean blender, blend triple sec, simple syrup, 3 cups ice, 2 oz. tequila, and 1 oz. lime juice.
• Carefully spoon the white slushie over the blue layer.
• Place back into the freezer and then clean the blender.
• In the cleaned blender, blend the grenadine and remaining 3 cups ice, 2 oz. of tequila, and 1 oz. lime juice.
• Carefully spoon the red slushie over the white layer.
• Add a Bomb Pop to each glass and serve.
As always, remember to drink responsibly.
