Civic pride – the pleasure of saying, “This beautiful thing is ours” – is a powerful force in maintaining any expensive performing-arts institution. But anyone who thinks an orchestra’s leadership and membership should be exclusively planted in their community is living in the last century.
What Makes Cuban Ballet Cuban?
“For those used to the more reserved style of the French or the bravura of Soviet Russian ballet, the Cuban style can appear distinctly different. … Here are a few things to watch for.”
Why Did Google Delete A Literary Critic’s Blog? (And What Does It Mean For The Rest Of Us?)
“In his attempts to answer these questions, Dennis Cooper has submitted numerous requests for information via the channels that Google has put in place, but all of them have been ignored. He has worked with a Google employee, who attempted to launch an internal investigation on the writer’s behalf, but found herself stonewalled and unable to help.”
How’s It Going With The New Times Square Rules For Characters?
“‘Nobody is happy in this spot,’ explained Josh Barillas, a former costumed character who had dropped by to visit his buddies. Mr. Barillas recalled the halcyon era, several months back, when he said could make $200 a day.”
Have Priceless Cultural Artifacts Disappeared From A Honolulu Museum?
“Following a scandal over the alleged misuse of funds by its former director, the institution’s finances remain perilous and researchers claim that much of the collection is inaccessible, leading to fears that some pieces might have disappeared.”
The Dancer Turned Broadway Star Turned ‘Chorus Line’ Member
“I always thought, as soon as my ballet career is over, I would love to do Broadway. … Once nobody wants to see me in white tights anymore, I still would want to be a performer. And Broadway was my first passion. I didn’t realize that this opportunity was going to come around, right in the very middle of my ballet career.”
Moving From Stage Crew To On Stage At Tanglewood
“His story is partly about persistence and partly about the hypercompetitive world of classical music, where conservatories produce far more talented players each year than there are spots for at top festivals or orchestras.”
How Muybridge Captured Time
“Stanford had funded Muybridge’s work for years, and this was their most meaningful trial yet, so when Stanford’s horse trotted down the track at 40 feet per second, Muybridge was ready with his camera.”
Top AJBlogs For 07.24.16
This Week In Audience, Virtual Versus Real Edition
This Week: Is it possible that the virtual museum experience could beat the in-person visit?… After ten years, mixed verdict on whether HD streaming builds arts audiences… We need a new definition of selling … read more
AJBlog: AJ Arts AudiencePublished 2016-07-24
Rugged Norwegian Art Show by War Vets
While traveling recently in Norway, I came across “Camouflage,” a group exhibition by military veterans of wars and other armed conflicts that doubled as a form of therapy. It was presented in Bergen, Norway’s … read more
AJBlog: Straight|UpPublished 2016-07-24
Re-thinking a life well-lived — in two minutes
Earlier this year, I received a letter from Siena Heights University. When I opened it up you could have pushed me over with a feather. I had been nominated to receive a Doctorate of Humane … read more
AJBlog: Creative DestructionPublished 2016-07-23
Speaking of Bill Mays…
After posting (see the previous exhibit) last night’s piece about Bill Mays and our impending visit to Sweden, it occurred to me that I failed to include an example of Mr. Mays’s prowess as a … read more
AJBlog: RiffTidesPublished 2016-07-22
What’s in your box?
(CC) Christopher Paquette via Flickr If you’re part of a CSA, or community supported agriculture program, you receive a box of fresh fruits and vegetables from a local farm every week. What would you say to … read more
AJBlog: Field NotesPublished 2016-07-22
Why I’m talking about publicists (second take)
I trust this will be my last post about classical music publicity, at least for a while. Well, wait…I’m tempted to reprint one from long ago, about how to write press releases. But let that be. …read more
AJBlog: SandowPublished 2016-07-22
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This Week In Audience, Virtual Versus Real Edition
This Week: Is it possible that the virtual museum experience could beat the in-person visit?… After ten years, mixed verdict on whether HD streaming builds arts audiences… We need a new definition of selling music to reflect new audience realities… Will Pokemon Go change the ways we use public spaces?… We may have just seen Facebook streaming video’s breakthrough moment.
Editor’s Picks: Five Stories You Shouldn’t Miss, Factually Challenged Edition
This week: How did our culture get to the point we don’t trust facts?… Are artists actually detrimental to neighborhoods?… Our notions of “greatness” need an overhaul… Europe’s new cultural paradigm desperately needs artists… Are donors to museum building projects do their museums a disservice?
The Subtle Art Of Translation: Translators And Writers Speak
“Naturally, publishers and booksellers alike are keen to capitalise on our exotic new appetites (to use the phrase “cash in” seems a bit unfair in these slightly rarefied circumstances). Nearly every week, publicists send me new or previously ignored (by us) foreign novels.”
This New York Times Critic Listened To Every Recording Jaap Van Zweden Has Made, And Here Are His Verdicts
David Allen: “Mr. van Zweden has been a prolific recording artist, churning out an average of three albums a year for more than a decade. … Over the past month, I listened to all of them, more than three dozen, a total of 52 hours. What did I learn?”
Fur Will Be Flying: ‘Cats’ Is Back On Broadway, And, Well, Not Everyone Is Happy About It
“Who wants Cats again? I posed the question to people of all stripes and have come to realize that the question is itself a theatrical acid test: It gives way to passionate replies on both sides. No one seems indifferent.”
Raising The Standard Of Choreography In Pop Music
Singer-songwriter Sia and choreographer Ryan Heffington “believe that dance is underused in pop music – more that it is abused much of the time by adhering to an easy formula. ‘We established the artist and backup dancers, I believe, in the early ’80s,’ he said. ‘There has to be evolution, and there is. We’re doing it.'”
Why Come Back To Broadway To Direct A Show You Did There Decades Ago? Trevor Nunn, James Lapine, And Scott Ellis Explain
“Theater rewards the fresh take – a new work, or a new set of eyes on a familiar story. But Broadway this year is home to three shows that are being directed by men who oversaw the same shows, also on Broadway, decades ago. Why are they back? Here are edited excerpts from conversations with the directors about their experiences and expectations the second time around.”