“Stephen Cleobury has confirmed that he will step down as Director of Music of King’s College, Cambridge in September next year. Such has been the length of his tenure that it’s the first time the college has sought someone to fill the post since 1982.”
Author: Matthew Westphal
‘Sculpture That Goes ‘Vroom”
“For the past few years, [Eric van Hove] has been working in Morocco on a project called the Mahjouba Initiative, which involves building a series of motorbikes using only traditional craft materials. Eric calls this work ‘a socio-economic sculpture’, the idea being that the pieces can be exhibited as artworks but also used as the prototype for a new vehicle. Anna McNamee meets Eric and his team as he works on the latest model – the Mahjouba III.” (audio)
Top Posts From AJBlogs 01.31.18
The New York City Ballet Looks to Its Future
21st-century works in The New York City Ballet’s Winter season (January 23-March 4) … read more
AJBlog: Dancebeat Published 2018-01-31
So much in love
One of the most moving musical performances for me, one I deeply love, one that even makes me cry — it’s Neil Young singing his song “Harvest Moon”, in Jonathan Demme’s Heart of Gold, … read more
AJBlog: Sandow Published 2018-01-31
Is There Really Such A Thing As ‘The Self’? Yes, And Science Really Can Study It
The idea that there is no “self” that can be fully apprehended, let alone studied, goes all the way back to David Hume – and up to Daniel Dennett today. In philosophy, it’s called antirealism – and Şerife Tekin is here to demolish it.
Hal Prince Is Turning 90, And He’s Serving Up Broadway Dish For His Birthday
Michael Paulson picks out some choice tidbits from a series of conversations Prince recorded with producer Jeffrey Seller (Hamilton, Rent). For instance, the M.C. in Cabaret was Prince’s idea.
A Science Fiction Genre That’s Not Dystopian (Or Even Depressing!)
“Imagine a scene, set in the future, where a child in Burning Man-style punk clothing is standing in front of a yurt powered by solar panels. … Welcome to solarpunk, a new genre within science fiction that is a reaction against the perceived pessimism of present-day sci-fi and hopes to bring optimistic stories about the future with the aim of encouraging people to change the present.”
Black British Actors Are Having Such Success In America Because They Can’t Get Work In Britain
Daniel Kaluuya, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Idris Elba, David Oyelowo, Naomie Harris, Thandie Newton, and on and on. Why do they have to leave home, where film and television thrive, just to get cast in decent roles? All those period drama, for one thing.
Meet The First, And Greatest, All-Women Afro Drum Band In Brazil
Traditionally, the Afro-Brazilian drum bands of Bahia state were strictly male affairs. Then, in 1993, Neguinho do Samba – considered the father of the current drumming style in Bahia and former head of the standard-bearer of the form, the group Olodum – founded Banda Didá specifically for females. Reporter Shannon Sims goes to Salvador do Bahia to see and hear them. (includes video)
Is It Time To Just Stop Giving The Razzie Awards?
“The annual ceremony, deliberately scheduled near the Oscars, is designed to celebrate the very worst that Hollywood has to offer but for many years now, it’s felt more vendetta-led, focusing on easy targets regardless of their suitability.”
Musical Chairs: Keeping Track Of All The Music Director Changes At American Orchestras
“Chicago is secure [with Riccardo Muti] for the time being, but major orchestras in San Francisco, Atlanta, Dallas and Detroit are all looking for new maestros.” So are the opera companies in San Francisco and D.C. And Seattle, St. Louis, D.C. (again) and New York (opera and orchestra both) have recently acquired new music directors. Michael Cooper presents “your cheat sheet on the comings and goings on some of the nation’s top podiums.”