New York, January 6, 2007 – The New York Times checked the nation’s cultural pulse this week during their annual Arts & Leisure weekend. The newspaper’s staffers interviewed a mixed bag of newsmakers, including wildly popular Hannah Montana star Miley Cyrus and her dad, Billy Ray Cyrus, news anchor Brian Williams, dance legend Mikhail Baryshnikov, Lost creator JJ Abrams, opera star Renee Fleming and authors Joan Didion and Richard Ford. Rufus Wainwright and James Taylor dazzled popular music lovers, but sadly, Fergie’s Monday chat was cancelled due to scheduling conflcts. The entire program was virtually sold out, so reserve early for next year’s Arts & Leisure weekend.