“‘Keep your elbows lifted, even when your arms are crossed over your chest – as though you’re in a bar, having a drink.’ So said the Pennsylvania Ballet’s new artistic director as he taught a recent company class in preparation for the dancers’ debut under his leadership this week. His unexpected suggestion, whimsical but clear, is typical of his style. It achieved the intended result.”
Author: Matthew Westphal
Meet “The Bob Dylan of Russia”
Boris Grebenshikov earned that sobriquet not only because of Dylan’s influence on his text-heavy, socially conscious songs, but also because “his audience includes, in the words of one professor, ‘pretty much any educated Russian between the ages of 30 and 50’.”
State Gov’t Says It’s Okay To Stage “Carmen” Despite The Smoking
Last week the West Australian Opera revealed that it had removed the Bizet opera from its repertory because a sponsorship deal with a state-funded health organization forbids staging performances which “glamourise” smoking. After several days of worldwide scorn, Western Australia’s deputy premier has stepped in to snuff out the controversy.
This Comedy Club Is Literally Charging By The Laugh (So That You Only Pay For What You Get)
The Teatreneu in Barcelona uses facial-recognition software installed in tablet computers on the seat backs to monitor just how much individual audience members laugh at the show. The charge: 30 cents per laugh, to a maximum charge of €24. (Yes, every laugh after your 80th is free.)
What Makes Some Ebola Jokes Okay And Others Beyond The Pale?
“As some comedians are fond of pointing out, basically anything can be joked about if you do it the right way. Ebola would seem to be a particularly tough subject – it is, after all, killing a lot of people at this very moment, so anyone attempting to joke about it has to scale a rather imposing initial wall of tastelessness. But that doesn’t mean it can’t be done.”
David Sedaris Explains How To Overcome Writer’s Block
“There are a lot of college writing textbooks that will include essays and short stories, and after reading the story or essay, there will be questions such as ‘Have YOU Had any experience with a pedophile in YOUR family?’ or ‘When was the last time you saw YOUR mother drunk?’ and they’re just really good at prompting stories.”
Top Posts From AJBlogs 10.13.14
Monetize This: Tales from Two Convenings
AJBlog: We The Audience
Was that a laugh? 38¢ please!
AJBlog: The Artful Manager
Jean Tirole, theory and application
AJBlog: For What it’s Worth
Mystery Solved: The Man Who Bought The Rothschild Prayerbook
AJBlog: Real Clear Arts
Cool Breeze from the West
AJBlog: Dancebeat
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Strike Called Off, Upheaval At Radio France’s Philharmonic Begins To Subside
The past month has been a messy one at the Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France: the artistic director was forced out; incoming music director Mikko Franck threatened to cancel his appearances this season; the musicians called a strike and cancelled a concert last Friday and were about to do it again this Friday – all of this over a plan to merge the management of the OPRF with that of the radio network’s other orchestra, the Orchestre National de France. (The widely-shared fear is that there would eventually be a full merger of the bands, with accompanying job losses.) For now, at least, the powers-that-be have calmed everyone down. (in French)
In Paris, Salle Pleyel’s Purchase By French Gov’t Suspended By Judge – In A Divorce Case
In 2009, the state signed a contract to purchase the venerable concert hall from then-owner Hubert Martigny for €60.5 million. Now his estranged wife (and the hall’s former artistic director), Carla Maria Tarditi, is arguing that the price was artificially low and that the Pleyel is worth at least €110 million (to part of which she would be entitled in the divorce settlement). (in French)
NPR Launches New Multiplatform Jazz Series
“Featuring interviews with jazz greats, and concert video-casts from festivals and clubs nationwide, Jazz Night in America, a new initiative in jazz programming, began Wednesday. A joint endeavor of National Public Radio, Jazz at Lincoln Center and the Newark radio station WBGO (88.3 FM), it will bring jazz to audiences through its website, video and webcasts, as well as on radio.”