Category: today’s top story

“A group called the Symphony Exploratory Committee, recently bought all the assets from the [defunct] Honolulu Symphony, and announced Tuesday that it’s reached a three year agreement with the musicians’ union.” The revived orchestra could give its first performances next fall.

“The Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), which passes federal funds to public radio and TV stations, is slated to receive $445 million from Congress — essentially the same amount it received in its last appropriation, according to details of the continuing federal budget resolution released Tuesday.”

This past January, the regularly scheduled fair – the Arab world’s largest – was cancelled as the revolution got under way. But a Cairo publisher organized a new fair earlier this month in Tahrir Square. “Now we can say whatever we want,” said one publisher, “we can publish whatever we want.”

“The Pew Charitable Trusts has passed on giving money to the orchestra’s rehabilitation plan, several sources familiar with the decision say. Pew president Rebecca W. Rimel confirmed that the foundation has made a decision, though she would not say what it was, or whether it was irrevocable.”

“Although he was not as widely known to the general public as directors like Scorsese, Spielberg, Eastwood and Spike Lee, his films were at the center of our collective memories. To name only a few of their titles is to suggest the measure of his gift.”

“The New York City Opera has suspended plans for next season as it takes a hard look at its business model, including exploring cheaper alternatives to its current home at the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts.”

“Outspoken Chinese artist Ai Weiwei, who was detained at the weekend in a major government crackdown on dissent, is under police investigation for suspected economic crimes, state media said Thursday.”

“Screaming ‘This is evil,’ a woman tried to pull Gauguin’s Two Tahitian Women from a gallery wall Friday and banged on the picture’s clear plastic covering” with her fists. (The painting itself is unharmed.)

“Officers released his wife and several assistants late last night, following questioning, but Ai and a friend remain uncontactable. Assistants said that police removed more than 30 computers and hard drives from his studio and home in north Beijing on Sunday, as well as notebooks and documents.”

“If approved by the full membership of the orchestra, the deal would end the longest and most contentious labor dispute among American orchestras in decades. A vote is expected in the next 72 hours.”