Leslie Bridgers

Press Herald

Leslie Bridgers is the features editor for the Portland Press Herald, overseeing coverage of arts, entertainment and culture. She spent 10 years as a reporter, half of that time for the Portland Press Herald, covering the western suburbs of Portland, writing feature stories and working on special projects. Originally from Connecticut, Leslie came to Maine by way of Bowdoin College and never left.

Latest

Published
December 6, 2020

Viola Davis and Chadwick Boseman are exhilarating in ‘Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom’

In “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom,” Viola Davis occupies the screen with the imperious, implacable command of a prizefighter, which in many ways her title character has been forced to become. With her teeth extravagantly capped, her cheeks lavishly rouged and her eyes ringed with bruise-like shadows, Davis’s Ma Rainey is a terrifying, transfixing figure: domineering, […]
Published
December 6, 2020

How to make dal makhani, the most luxurious and creamy dal of all

Why is dal makhani so beloved? To Nik Sharma, author of the gorgeous new book “The Flavor Equation,” it comes down to one thing. “It’s such a comforting texture,” says Sharma, a molecular biologist turned food writer. “It’s smooth, it’s velvety, it’s creamy, and when you bite into the beans, they’re falling apart. It’s so […]
Published
December 6, 2020

This aromatic butternut squash and pear soup is a nourishing salve for chilly days

Warm, soothing and aromatic, centered on nourishing produce, this soup has a truly healing vibe to it. But, more than that, what draws me to it is how alluringly tasty it is. Flavor-wise, sweet earthiness of butternut squash and sautéed onion lead the way. Those vegetables are simmered in a savory broth, along with chunks […]
Published
December 6, 2020

This cocktail can keep you warm around the fire pit – and you can make it there, too

As the weather has gotten cooler and the pandemic news grimmer, we’ve cast our eyes ahead toward the holidays and the long winter to come and joined the hordes of Americans buying fire pits. We’ve socialized extremely rarely over the months since March, always outdoors, masked and socially distanced, but the encroaching dark and cold […]
Published
December 6, 2020

Dance review: Maine State Ballet’s ‘Nutcracker’ movie a suitable substitute

Although a broader perspective is lost, viewers can get a more intimate look than they can in an auditorium.
Published
December 6, 2020

Hark! There’s still music to herald

While live holiday music concerts are mostly unavailable, there’s no shortage of virtual concerts.
Published
December 6, 2020

‘Maine at 200’ tells the state’s history in stories

The 20 chapters feature anecdotes that stood out during each decade.
Published
December 6, 2020

Deep Water: ‘Work,’ by Sally Bliumis-Dunn

Maine poems edited and introduced by Megan Grumbling.
Published
December 6, 2020

Meaning of life? Look to cats, they have it all figured out.

Cats are the vessels for John Gray’s austere worldview in his new book, “Feline Philosophy: Cats and the Meaning of Life.” The title may make it sound like a stocking filler, unexpected from a philosopher best known for his contrarian politics and skepticism about human progress. “Apocalypse Meow” might have been more in character. But […]
Published
December 6, 2020

This crisp, classic potato latke recipe delivers a satisfying, celebratory crunch

I love latkes so much, I named my dog after them. That’s not the punchline to a joke. When we got our Labrador retriever puppy in November 2019, we took one look at her pale yellow coat and named her Latke. And last Hanukkah, we even tried photographing Latke with latkes, but being true to […]

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