The striking resemblance left many critics as stunned as though they had been zapped by Captain Kirk’s phaser. But others online insisted the logo was really based on the US Air Force One. – BBC
Blog
So What Is Grime Ballet?
Artistic director Whitley, who has worked with the Royal Ballet and performing arts company Saddler’s Wells, suggests there are “a lot of assumptions” that go with words like grime and ballet and the types of people involved in each. – BBC
Kosher Becomes Croissant
Those nostalgic for the closed Moishe’s Kosher Bake Shop in the East Village may wish to read this. (I walk the other way when nostalgia comes around the corner.) – Jeff Weinstein
Time enough
What if I never write another book, or direct another play? Will I die a disappointed man? – Terry Teachout
“American Dirt” Was Supposed To Be A Monster Hit. So What Happened?
In the face of critiques, Jeanine Cummins is pushing back in public. Her publisher released a statement encouraging discussion around the title, while some authors and booksellers have come to Cummins’ defense. In a culture that is used to debating black and Asian representation and stereotypes, the entrenchment around “American Dirt” is fueling even more complaints over the ease with which popular culture still employs Latino-related stereotypes in contemporary movies, television and fiction. – Los Angeles Times
The Dark Cloud Hanging Over The Grammys
For music fans, tracking such a harrowing volley of allegations and denials feels equal parts absurd and sad (especially arriving, as it has, in the midst of a Presidential impeachment trial that mirrors its rhythms). The debacle at the Academy distracts, in a dispiriting way, from the artists being honored. – The New Yorker
Georgia Now Ranks 49th In Arts Funding. Here’s What That Looks Like
Long one of the stingiest states in terms of support for the arts, Georgia is now virtually at rock bottom, not willing even to put up enough money to collect the full amount of matching funds available from the National Endowment for the Arts. This year’s grants fall $300,000 short of the NEA’s allocations. – ArtsATL
Book Publishing Seems To Be Improving. Or Is It
More independent bookstores, sales up, even new plans for Barnes & Noble. But there are looming problems. Big problems with today’s publishing industry. – N+One
Paris Opera Dancers End Strike
Dancers and musicians have been striking alongside public sector workers to oppose the government’s plan to scrap more than 40 separate pension schemes and replace them with a single points-based system. More than 70 shows have been cancelled since December at a loss of nearly 15 million euros ($16.5 million) — greater than the state’s annual contribution to the Opera pension fund. – France24
How Artificial Intelligence Is Taking Over Music
At CES 2020, Samsung introduced Neon, an AI-based companion that is being developed to be indistinguishable from a human companion. AI models are composing at a pretty high level right now. It won’t be long before most production music (background music, music for breaks in and out of segments, and other utility music) will be fully produced by AI. We’re only moments away from synthetic artists and superstars. We’re only a few months (maybe a year or two) away from completely artificial artists (not virtual, artificial — see Neon above). – Shelly Palmer