Surprise! “Those expecting a ho-hum Grammys night were surely jolted awake on Sunday when, just minutes into the show, Michelle Obama walked onto the stage hand-in-hand with Lady Gaga, Jada Pinkett Smith and Jennifer Lopez. They were joined by the host Alicia Keys.” And by the way, here’s the complete list of winners. – The New York Times
Author: ArtsJournal2
The BAFTA Live Blog
As the ceremony happens, the blog will update with a full list of winners. To begin with, though, it’s red carpet commentary. – The Guardian (UK)
The Music Industry Is Changing, And This Grammys Party Showed How
Or at least it COULD change, according to those at Janelle Monáe’s “Fem the Future” brunch. Stacy L. Smith, founder and director of the Annenberg Inclusion Initiative: “Collective action takes place when people lock arms, each group pushes a lever and we all do this in unison. … I’m expecting to see change in this industry quickly because of these simultaneous efforts.”
– Los Angeles Times
Is Britain’s West End Finally Stepping Up For Women Playwrights?
Looks like it. Of course, there’s always (been) Agatha Christie and The Mousetrap, but looking beyond Dame Agatha, “Changes do appear to be happening. And activism … is helping.” – The Stage (UK)
The Classical Grammys Are Irrelevant Right Now, But That Might Change Quickly
Anne Midgette: As more and more orchestras record their live performances for broadcast and for sale, the Grammys may change. “Since, as we’ve seen, recordings tend to feature different repertoire than standard subscription programs, this trend of recording concerts for release is contributing, slowly but surely, to a perceptible broadening of the orchestral repertoire.” – The Washington Post
Lou Harrison and The Great American Piano Concerto — Reprised
Lou Harrison’s Piano Concerto is “a technical tour de force: a terrific sonata form whose trajectory does not depend on directional harmony.” – Joe Horowitz
New York City Ballet Presents a New Work
What would Isaac Newton have thought of this new ballet? – Deborah Jowitt
The Director Of ‘The Shoplifters’ Isn’t Interested In Happy Endings
If you’ve seen Hirokazu Kore-eda’s other films, like Nobody Knows or Like Father, Like Son, you won’t be surprised that The Shoplifters isn’t all about joy. The director says, “I don’t portray people or make movies where viewers can easily find hope. … Some people want to see characters who grow and become stronger over the course of a film. But I don’t want to make such a movie.” – The New York Times
Playing in the minor leagues
Smaller market orchestras deserve great marketing (not this mess). – Greg Sandow
The Oregon College Of Arts And Crafts Will No Longer Grant Degrees
The OCAC’s future is in doubt after negotiations with both Portland State University and the Pacific Northwest College of Art ended without a deal. Meanwhile, with 70 full and part-time staff and a campus that may be about to be sold off, “OCAC serves 137 students, with around 50 due to graduate in May. It has begun transition planning for the remaining 80 in its degree program.” – Oregon ArtsWatch