“Ballet Sun Valley, a three-day event with performances Aug. 22 and 24 at the Sun Valley Pavilion, … will feature dancers from major companies, including Ballet Theater, New York City Ballet, the Royal Ballet, San Francisco Ballet and the Mariinsky Ballet.”
Author: Matthew Westphal
Palmyra Retaken From ISIS For Second Time
“Syrian government troops have retaken Palmyra from Islamic State forces, with help from Russian air support, the Syrian army said in a statement on Thursday.” (ISIS had been driven from the ruined city around this time last year, though the extremist militia retook it in December.) Few [eyewitness] details have emerged about the condition of the ancient site, where [ISIS] has previously wreaked large-scale destruction.”
Gustav Metzger, 90, Pioneer Of ‘Auto-Destructive Art’ (And Psychedelic Light Shows And Guitar-Smashing)
“Mr. Metzger developed his concept of auto-destructive art in 1959, defining it as ‘art which triggers its own destruction.’ He saw it as … an instrument to strike back at authoritarianism, nuclear weapons, commercialism and modern media.” And yes, as Matt Schudel explains, Metzger was responsible for developing two iconic facets of ’60s rock culture. (Pete Townshend studied art with Metzger.)
Meet The Artist And Curator Who’s Running For Mayor Of Detroit
“The four other candidates in the competitive race, including incumbent Mayor Mike Duggan, may wish to take notes [from Ingrid LaFleur] on how to do politics real-Detroit-style.”
Top Posts From AJBlogs 03.02.17
The Met, What Happens Next, Part Two
As I indicated in yesterday’s post, the Metropolitan Museum of Art is in for a bit of a rough patch – but let’s not overdo it (as some people have). … But the Met has gone wrong in not playing to its strengths. … read more
AJBlog: Real Clear Arts Published 2017-03-02
The History Of ‘Facts’ As A Concept
Certainly thinkers were always concerned with what is true, but the word “fact” didn’t come into common use until the 1660s. David Wootton gives us the story, from how the likes of Kepler and Galileo paved the way for the concept to take hold to Hume’s definition of facts (as distinct from “necessary truths”) to how facts changed the idea of authority.
The Great ‘Disco Sucks’ Riot Of 1979
“This wouldn’t have happened if they had country and western night.” — Richard Wortham, White Sox pitcher
Hadley Meares tells the story of how Disco Demolition Night at Chicago’s Comiskey Park got a little bit out of hand.
How Alec Baldwin Gets Inside Donald Trump’s Head
“To me, Trump was someone who, he’s always searching for a stronger, better word, and he never finds it.”
Revenge Of The Grammar Nerds: Copy Editors Are Becoming Internet Stars
“In an age of texting and tweeting, these folks are trying to keep the mother tongue healthy, and their presence constitutes a refreshing renaissance for a profession that is generally underappreciated and rarely noticed – until, of course, a mistake shows up in print.” Thomas Vinciguerra looks at Mary Norris, John E. McIntyre, and other usage mavens who’ve been getting noticed online.
Pubs Host Theater Lots Of Places; In Chicago, Theaters Host Their Own Pubs
“Numbering more than 200 companies, ranging from shoestring storefronts to celebrity-founded heavyweights like Steppenwolf, Chicago theater groups are developing a taste for night life apart from the stage. New on-site restaurants and bars keep their audiences fed and watered in-house and sometimes offer opportunities to mingle with the talent.”