“Unlike staid practice sessions of old, these promise flowing alcohol, macho food and male bonding along with some religious instruction, although that last one can get a bit lost at some of the events. … The goal is simple: to teach men about the Passover Seder, including how to run one, and engage them more in the Jewish faith.”
Category: issues
Was Early Civilization Driven By Agriculture Or By Religion?
“Some secularists dislike the idea that spiritual needs drove the rise of civilisation. They fret that it will reinforce or restore religion’s central place in society. But just because spirituality may have led to civilisation, it doesn’t follow that it should lead it now. If religion did have an early founding role, we must acknowledge this, learn from it – and move on.”
Here’s How Much Cultural Tourists Impact London’s Economy
“The report comes after the latest figures from the Society of London Theatre reported an 11th consecutive year of growth among West End theatre box office takings, measuring gross sales of more than £623 million in 2014. Similarly, attendances for the 53 theatres in full SOLT membership grew to 14.7 million in 2014, a 1% increase on the previous year.”
Why Are So Many Arts Organizations’ Mission Statements So Bad?
“Yuck! Those are awful, and for different reasons. Some are dumb. Some are unclear. But all are more about the “what” of the organization more than the “why.” There is no expression or explanation of their purpose, no sense of what they are doing that is good for us.”
After Fire, London’s Battersea Arts Centre Gets £1 Million Emergency Funding
“Half the money will help the venue to find an off-site location that will enable it to accommodate productions that were due to be staged in the Grand Hall. The rest … will go towards BAC’s ongoing £13 million redevelopment project, which needed an additional £500,000 to reach its target.”
Málaga Tries To Make Itself Spain’s Newest Arts Hub
Francisco de la Torre, mayor since 2000 of the Andalusian seaside city, has attracted branches of such museums as the Pompidou, the Thyssen-Bornemisza, and the State Russian Museum – in a bid to make the city a destination for more than just cruise ships. Not all Malagueños are pleased, however.
How Lincoln Center Landed David Geffen’s $100M Gift (And Whether They Did It Right)
“Just three weeks after a surprising announcement that finally marked progress in long-delayed efforts to overhaul the hall, the outdated home of the New York Philharmonic, the back story of how Mr. Geffen’s $100 million gift came about is surfacing, as are questions about the gift’s size and terms.”
British Copyright Law Changes Are A Disaster For The Arts And Artists
“The new regulation makes copyright breach in Britain a criminal, rather than a civil, offense. That is not just out of proportion but totally and utterly insane. Are we now going to start sending art publishers, authors, artists and museum curators to jail?”
Is It Time For Hollywood And China To Get Even Closer?
“We are at an interesting point on the road. Maybe a turning point. To date there has been more talk than action. Looking forward we will see more action with every passing year. We’ve moved from the looking stage to the consummation.”
South By Southwest Is A Huge Scam That Exploits Musicians (And Many Others)
“How is this different, you might ask, from unpaid internships at accounting firms or on Wall Street? How is it different from writers or artists working for “exposure”? I’ll tell you how it’s different: It’s not. It’s the same horrible, terrible, no good, very bad thing. And it’s wrong.”