“A U.S.-based Egyptian-American said to be behind the anti-Islam film Innocence of Muslims and six other Egyptian Christians were sentenced to death in absentia by a court in Cairo Wednesday. The film, which insulted the prophet Muhammad, sparked violent protests and attacks on U.S. embassies across the Middle East when it was released in September.”
Author: Matthew Westphal
Oregon Ballet Theatre’s Christopher Stowell Resigns
“OBT’s Board of Trustees has determined that the organization must adopt a new business model and, after much thought, I have come to the conclusion that I am not the best candidate to lead OBT into that future.” Stowell spent nine years as the company’s artistic director, presiding over a leap in OBT’s profile and stature.
At UK’s Regional Arts Orgs, The Boss Must Lead The Fundraising: Gov’t Report
“A government report examining how to increase philanthropy in regional cultural organisations recommends that arts chief executives should lead the fundraising effort rather than delegating this task to other employees. … Philanthropy Beyond London says that executives, as well as artistic directors, should become fundraising ambassadors for their organisations.” (Just like in the US.)
Maurice Sendak Disses (Almost) Everyone And Everything
In an interview given several months before his death, the great (and grumpy) illustrator speaks all-too-frankly about the publishing industry, losing his friends, re-reading great books, the sources of his family’s collective insanity, and being a children’s-book artist (“What is a children’s-book artist? A moron! Some ugly fat pip-squick of a person who can’t be bothered to grow up.)
New Costa Short Story Prize To Be Decided By Public Vote
“Six short stories by six anonymous writers are competing for the first ever Costa short story prize, with the public voting [online] to decide on the eventual winner.”
Seattle Becomes Hotbed Of Contemporary Dance
With popular choreographers such as Olivier Wevers, Danielle Agami and Zoe Scofield, a good infrastructure of classes and studios, an enthusiastic audience, and costs of living and creating work far lower than in New York, the Emerald City has become a destination for young dancers.
Revisiting Hollywood Before The Hays Code
“Between the end of the silent era in the late 1920s and the start of Hollywood’s golden age in the mid-1930s, Americans embraced a broad range of movies now known simply as “pre-code” – because they were made prior to the rigid application of Hollywood’s puritanical production code in 1934. These escapist entertainments were united by loose morality, sustained titillation and a fascination with all things insalubrious.”
Swiss Authorities Raid Zurich Offices Of Steinway
“Evidence indicates that there may have been agreements on sales territories and prices for Steinway pianos, the Swiss Competition Commission said in an e-mailed statement today. Imports of pianos from neighboring countries may have been impeded or prevented, the watchdog said.”
Preservation Battle Over Old Miami Herald Building
“Historic preservationists are working to stop the demolition, saying the hulking, boxy building is a prime example of Miami modernism architecture from the 50’s and 60’s. Demolition proponents – which include some prominent architects – say it’s a clumsy building with no sense of style and not a ‘MiMo’ design worth saving.”
The Hive Mind: The Buzz Around Intelligence In Honeybees
“Bees can do remarkable things with a brain the size of a pinhead, raising some intriguing questions about the nature of intelligence.”