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May 3, 2025

Welcome back to The Weekender, where you’ll find a batch of the week’s top stories about culture and the way we live today.

For some, the first Monday in May means only one thing: the Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute benefit, a.k.a. the Met Gala. It’s not just an expensive-looking celebrity parade, though. The Gala is the opening celebration for a museum show, and this year, the theme is “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style.” Monica L. Miller, who curated the exhibit, gave us a sneak peek at seven of the stunning pieces that will be on display, and our Styles team will be reporting live from the red carpet on Monday.

Also, in this edition, we’ve got ideas for your weekend, including step-by-step instructions to breathe new life into old furniture, easy exercises to heal tight hips for anyone who’s been sitting all week (ahem) and the director Paul Feig’s favorite female-driven films. Maybe you want to queue one up tonight. — Farah Miller

D.I.Y. You can bring an old piece of wood furniture back to life. Here’s how. →

Lorenzo Sisti/Amazon WHAT TO WATCH The filmmaker behind “Bridesmaids” and “Another Simple Favor” shared his list of standout female-centered movies. →

Photographs by Vincent Tullo for The New York Times MET GALA PREVIEW Get an early look at seven striking pieces of fashion history, which will be in the Met’s upcoming exhibition on Black style. →

Matt Schultz VOLUNTOURISM We found six remote places where you can trade relaxation for doing good. →

SNARK VS. SUPPORT “I have cancer,” the TikTok star said. Then came the torrent of hate from an army of skeptics, determined to paint her as a fraud. →

Maurizio Cattelan and Pierpaolo Ferrari FINDING JOY Our Well columnist collected the most useful, surprising kernels of advice she’s heard about how to be happy. →

Colleen Reichmuth, NMFS 23554 TRILOBITES This is Ronan. She’s a California sea lion and she probably has better rhythm than you. →

ART OF CRAFT Most prosthetics blend in. The “fun eyes” this artist makes stand out. →

Aja Crites/Aja Crites Photography VOWS They were strangers when they kissed at a Super Bowl championship parade. Now, they’re married. →

Theodore Tae/The New York Times 15-MINUTE WORKOUT Tight hips? Try this simple routine for better mobility. →

Touchstone Pictures; MGM; C2 Motion Picture Group; Columbia Pictures; Lionsgate; AI Film CHARACTER STUDY Our film critic picked Nicolas Cage’s best performances — roles that explain his deeply nuanced, not-at-all crazy art. →

The New York Times LOOKING FOR A GREAT BOOK? We’ve got 24 of the best new reads coming out this month. →

Armando Rafael for The New York Times. Food Stylist: Cyd Raftus McDowell. WHAT TO COOK Take your chicken breasts from boring to brilliant with these seven kitchen tricks. →

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This edition of The Weekender was edited by Farah Miller and Kellina Moore.

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