The Shaman of Instagram

Shaman Durek was singing in an ancient language into his computer screen. His voice was deep and soothing. “Breathe,” he said slowly, cupping his hands in front of his chest. He was wearing a Japanese kimono, detailed with Guatemalan embroidery. “Expand,” he commanded. Behind the shaman was what looked to be a temple, soft orange…

Don’t Call Him Machine Gun Kelly

A few days before Los Angeles announced a shelter-in-place order in March, Colson Baker, who raps under the name Machine Gun Kelly, sat down on a sofa with an acoustic guitar. His tattoos peeked through a white tank top. Tousled blond hair poked out of a Cleveland Cavaliers cap. “Honey,” a woman called to him…

Now Showing: A First Love That Stuck

When the coronavirus forced Ariella Segal and Eli Shapiro to move their May 24 wedding to July 5, a rehearsal dinner was no longer necessary. But they did need an oil change. The couple, both 29, also switched gears regarding their wedding location, leaving the Marriott Albany in upstate New York in their rearview mirror…

Meeting at Just the Right Time

Mallory Traughber had been out planting trees as a volunteer all morning on the day that she and Jessica Matthews were to have their first date, in February 2018. So when she arrived at the ramen shop, she was ready for a beer. Ms. Matthews (right),39, was impressed by her date’s volunteerism, and also by…

Their Book Club for Two

Every time Sigrid Carrie Gabler sees a full moon it reminds her of her first date with Manly Lin Romero in January 2019 at the Quarter, a restaurant in Fort Greene, Brooklyn. “The moment he saw me he had a big smile,” said Dr. Gabler, 57, who a few weeks earlier had decided to give…