“As there’s been restoration of city funding for other operations, we think it’s about time for the restoration of operational funding for arts and culture.”
Month: May 2012
Study: Self Deception Inhibits Sense Of Humor
“Participants who scored higher on a self-deception questionnaire laughed less, and reported less enjoyment, in response to a stand-up comedian than those who scored lower.”
Detroit Symphony Collaboration With Kid Rock Fills Hall, Raises Money And Blows Away Stereotypes
You can’t witness thousands of rabid Kid Rock fans rewarding the first movement of Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony with a roaring standing ovation and breaking into chants of “DSO! DSO!” without recognizing elitist stereotypes about classical music being put out to pasture.
As Talent Moves From Broadcast To Cable, Networks Sweeten The Creative Pot
“In growing sections of the television drama business, a condition known as ‘cable envy’ has been setting in — and spreading. Cable, the land of small budgets and even smaller audiences, has become the place creators of drama go if they want to take big creative risks — and win golden trophies.”
UK’s Channel Four To Spend Nearly Half A Billion Pounds On New Content
“Channel 4 is to spend a record £455 million on UK commissions in 2012, with the broadcaster promising more one-off singles and serials in its drama output.”
David Robertson Is Sydney Symphony’s Next Chief Conductor
“The newly appointed chief conductor of the Sydney Symphony Orchestra will bring ‘groundbreaking’ digital initiatives to the role when he takes the reins in 2014. David Robertson, music director at the Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra, will take over from 75-year-old Vladimir Ashkenazy.”
Mike McGrady, 78, Architect Of American Literature’s Greatest Practical Joke
He was “a prizewinning reporter for Newsday who to his chagrin was best known as the mastermind of one of the juiciest literary hoaxes in America – the best-selling collaborative novel Naked Came the Stranger, whose publication in 1969 made Peyton Place look like a church picnic.”
Lincoln Center Theater To Open Third Stage
“The 112-seat theater, home to Lincoln Center Theater’s latest program, LCT3, aims to develop new talent, feed the company’s two larger theaters – the Vivian Beaumont and the Mitzi E. Newhouse – and attract younger, more diverse audiences. Even the drinks at intermission will be cheaper” – as will the tickets, at $20 each.
Fire Breaks Out At Oslo’s Astrup Fearnley Museum
“Only months before its scheduled opening, a fire broke out at the Astrup Fearnley Museum of Modern Art’s new building in Oslo, designed by Renzo Piano. Monday afternoon, a fire went up on the top floor, but firefighters had it under control by around 4pm.”
New Zealand Gets A New National Dance Troupe
“The new venture” – named the New Zealand Modern Dance Company – “has a long-term vision to create a permanent, high-calibre national contemporary dance company which from its Auckland base will represent New Zealand nationally and internationally.”