“James Taylor was 22 when he bought 175 acres of woods with the proceeds from his first record deal. On a stormy June afternoon nearly half a century later, Carly Simon, his ex-wife; their children, Sally Taylor and Ben Taylor; Ben’s partner, Sophie Hiller, and their friends, the musicians John Forté and David Saw, were gathered in the rambling house that has grown up like a wagon wheel around the original structure, with hallways that hopscotch over rooms and staircases in odd places.”
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Top AJBlogs Posts For The Weekend Of 07.01.18
Engagement Beyond Mere “Customer Service” The basics of “customer service” include patience, attentiveness, knowledge, responsiveness, and consistency. So, here’s a simply beautiful example of one company’s practice that far exceeds those basics– courtesy of a friend who discovered this … read more
AJBlog: Audience Wanted Published 2018-06-30
The Museum and the Narrative: Too Political? Tomorrow is Canada Day, and the Art Gallery of Ontario is marking it with the opening of new galleries of art made in Canada that will, for the first time, give primacy to indigenous art–at least … read more
AJBlog: Real Clear Arts Published 2018-06-30
Tinsel I’m always here for a disposable rush from a bit of shiny trash. But if there’s a message to the first part of Taylor Mac’s sock-knocking extravaganza A 24-Decade History of Popular Music – … read more
AJBlog: Performance Monkey Published 2018-06-29
What Is A Hole (And How Does Our Definition Affect How We Understand Reality)?
Consider the holes in doughnuts. No, not the “doughnut holes” made out of the dough, because they’re clearly not holes. “If we do not take the removed dough to be the hole, then what do we take the hole to be? Are holes material things, where material things are physical (like tables and chairs), or are holes immaterial things, where immaterial things are not physical (like abstract entities)? Or are holes not even things at all?”
The Philadelphia History Museum Is Closing, Perhaps Never To Open Again
Could this have been different if Lin-Manuel Miranda had set Hamilton in Philadelphia instead of New York? (That’s … sort of … a joke.) In reality, the city of Philadelphia was blindsided by a decision from Temple: “City officials were in talks with Temple University to form a partnership that might keep the institution afloat. But this week, they learned that the university had abruptly pulled out of the partnership discussions, leaving the museum’s future uncertain.”
How To Write About Genocide In A Rock Musical
Lauren Yee, who wrote the new musical Cambodian Rock Band, explains why it works so well. “Cambodian music is not just covers of American or Western music. It’s really this modern, distinctive sound that is found nowhere else. It is kind of all these influences, from traditional Cambodian music, French New Wave, some of the Vietnam War-era radio. It is so ingrained in the culture in a way that I just find incredibly unique.”
Sarasota Ballet Brings A Dancer Who Resigned After Accusations Of Sexual Misconduct Back To A New York Stage
The dancer is Marcelo Gomes, who resigned from American Ballet Theater in December of 2017. Sarasota Ballet’s artistic director, Iain Webb, only wanted to talk about the former principal’s artistry. “Asked whether he had discussed the allegation against Mr. Gomes, he replied: ‘We didn’t go into the details. Whatever’s gone on, it hasn’t been made public, and he didn’t need to tell me.'”
The Woman Who Turned The LA Children’s Chorus Into A Powerhouse Is Stepping Down
Anne Tomlinson has been at the helm for 22 years, taking the chorus numbers from 100 to 450 and from three ensembles to six. Though she’s firm with the kids at rehearsal, “it is quite clear that plenty of fun is being had. The fun, however, is in the execution of the craft. And craft is elevated above all else.”
New York’s Music Scene Suffers As The Frick Museum Expands
Anthony Tommasini: “For 80 years, New York audiences — and critics, including me — have felt as much affection for the Frick’s music room as the artists who have performed there, even ones of international renown. It truly is the closest thing to a 19th-century music salon this city has to offer. But the beloved room is, sadly, now on borrowed time.”
Can British Film Move Into The Modern Era, Or At Least The 1960s?
The bullseye is the 1940s, of course. Why? The audience. “What’s been bubbling for a while, probably since The Iron Lady and The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel came out [in early 2012], is the conviction that the most reliable cinema-going audience are the over-50s. And a period movie falls into the category of films that audience will go to see.”
Movie Stars In China Take A Government-Mandated Pay Cut
Actually it’s a pay cap – the Chinese government says it’s necessary to prevent tax dodges and also to curb “excessive paychecks and waste.” Top actors are not exactly thrilled.