Category: people

He was “a prominent poet, essayist and translator whose best-known work, ‘Nostalgia,’ came to symbolize the aching separation, displacement and longing for cultural unity felt by many in mainland China and in the Chinese diaspora.” Generations have memorized ‘Nostalgia,’ and it’s even been used in high levels to argue for the reunification of Taiwan with the mainland.

Basically, fame did him in. “His love affair with an idealized America was short-lived and hard-felt. Apart from the country’s great writers, he found Americans malodorous, ill-mannered and invading his privacy.”

“Since claims emerged of a newly discovered chamber beneath the church, an archaeological debate has raised questions on the ultimate resting place of his remains. Theologians say the most logical possibility is that his body was smuggled to Italy in the 11th century. But Turkish officials believe his remains may lie beneath the Byzantine church.”

“In terms of longevity, Al falls somewhere between The Simpsons and Saturday Night Live, though rather than an ever-cycling comedic ensemble, Al’s just one bespectacled, poodle-haired accordionist with an adenoidal voice who’s never done illegal drugs in his life and kept the same band and manager for the duration of his career.” Andy Beta looks at how he did it.

Despite several other notable books and a notably extravagant life, Irving is best remembered for his forged “autobiography” of reclusive billionaire Howard Hughes – who briefly emerged from his extreme seclusion to denounce the volume as fake. (In an impressive bit of chutzpah, Irving later wrote and sold a book about his hoax, and even got a movie made of it.)

“In the video, YouTube troublemaker Ally Law and another male are seen walking on lighting rigs and climbing up inside the Olivier Theatre’s flytower. At one stage they are approached by a security guard, who leaves them alone when they claim to be rehearsing.”

“There’s such an assertive quality to her, and I mean that in the greatest possible way. She’s like some old studio exec from 1942 – her in a suit and cigar would make perfect sense. Ben always calls her the Mogul.”

“Since her death in 1954, Kahlo has become a global symbol of resilience against adversity and patriarchal oppression, a feminist icon, and, thanks to her affairs with both men and women, a cult figure in the queer community. … And her rise to prominence in the popular imagination – through the ’80s and ’90s and on – has coincided with the ascendance of identity politics.” Combine that with good old global capitalism (which she abhorred), and you get her image on everything from postage stamps to nail polish to tequila to socks. Tess Thackara tells how it all came to pass.

Last Saturday, ABT learned of a “highly concerning” allegation of sexual misconduct from approximately eight years ago. A press release from board chairman Andrew F. Barth says that the allegation did not involve any current or former company members, and didn’t occur in relation to Gomes’ employment with ABT. The company launched an independent investigation, and today, Gomes gave his resignation.