“The Bessies — more formally known as the New York Dance and Performance Awards — are often described as the dance world’s equivalent of the Oscars.” The 24th annual presentation of the Bessies took place on Monday night, with plenty of emotion and few surprises.
Author: sbergman
‘Laramie Project’ To Get An Epilogue
The theatre troupe that traveled to Laramie, Wyoming in 1999 to create a play from the words and actions of residents following the brutal murder of gay college student Matthew Shephard is returning after ten years to create a new epilogue for the oft-produced script.
Watching Richmond’s MD Search Unfold
The Richmond Symphony’s search for a new music director goes public this week, as one of the candidates takes the podium with the orchestra. The RSO intends to have a replacement for Mark Russell Smith by the end of the current season, and most of the candidates have some characteristics in common…
Louisville Regroups
The Louisville Orchestra was very nearly shut down a few years ago in response to financial problems. But Jeremy Podgursky senses “a new excitement” in the orchestra’s programming, and “the organization has regrouped with some fresh faces wielding the proverbial baton in ways that recall its more daring era.”
Pittsburgh Musicians Weighing Contract Proposal
The musicians of the Pittsburgh Symphony will meet today to vote on a contract proposal. “Issues include salaries, pension and personnel,” although details have not been released. The current contract, which has been extended already, expires at the end of this weekend.
Orlando GLBT Theatre Fest In Trouble
“Plans for a new gay-and-lesbian theater festival in Orlando have run aground because of accusations that chief organizer” improperly used funds from a charity fundraiser. The fest’s director, who was actually in jail on a parole violation on the night of the fundraiser, is accused of pocketing the money raised for a national AIDS charity, and resigned his post earlier this week.
Russia’s MoMA? Or Just A Billionaire’s Toy?
“The celebrity girlfriend of Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich on Tuesday opened a major new Moscow art gallery billed as Russia’s answer to London’s Tate Modern and New York’s MoMA… Some in the Moscow art community have expressed scepticism that Zhukova, a onetime fashion designer, is much of an art expert.”
Brown Rethinks Create-Your-Own Curriculum
“Some prominent institutions, such as Columbia University or the University of Chicago, are famous for what they require of all undergraduates. Brown University has for the last 40 years been much loved in some circles, and disdained in others, for what it doesn’t require.” Now, Brown is overhauling its so-called “no requirements” curriculum…
The Ethics Of Online Cheating
When a web site encourages users to share old college exams with the world, is it cheating, or an example of the truly democratic online world, in which information rules and ethics are malleable?
Hughes: Hirst Is A Hack
Influential art critic Robert Hughes has come out swinging against Damien Hirst and what he sees as the grossly inflated art market that has allowed Hirst to become a global star. “Actually, the presence of a Hirst in a collection is a sure sign of dullness of taste.”