“A federal appeals panel appeared ready and eager Wednesday to overturn as a First Amendment violation the Federal Communications Commission rule banning even the one-time utterance of ‘fleeting expletives’ on the airwaves.”
Tag: 01.14.10
Obamas Give $10K to Detroit’s Mosaic Youth Theatre
“The check, drawn on the Obamas’ bank in Chicago, arrived Jan. 4. Mosaic officials called the White House and were able to confirm that the gift really did come from the Obamas, though further details are sketchy.”
Lesbians Fleeing Africa Get Artistic Platform In UK
“Artangel, famous for its largescale and innovative projects, … has decided that it’s the turn of lesbian asylum seekers to take their place in the spotlight.” In its new project, “the women use vivid and dramatic stories and images that tell of the difficulties they faced coming to Britain,” a country where they may not be allowed to stay if they can’t prove they’re lesbians.
Frank Gehry Pulls Out Of Jerusalem Museum Of Tolerance
“Gehry’s withdrawal is but the latest in a series of obstacles to have come in the project’s way. Sheikh Raed Salah, a leader of Israel’s Islamic Movement, has charged that the construction would desecrate an Islamic holy site and, together with Jerusalem Arab families whose ancestors are buried in the Mamilla Cemetery, he petitioned the Israeli Supreme Court to block it.”
Sans Funding, Chicago Cuts Artist-In-Residence Spectacle
As the Chicago Office of Tourism’s first artist in residence, Jim Lasko had a mission: “to create a 2011 event of epic scale, ‘equal parts public spectacle and urban festival [that] will unite the city in a common celebration.'” He learned recently that “the city no longer was confident that it could raise the funds necessary for his ambitious project.”
Children’s Book Sales Up In 2009: Thanks, Twilight!
“Children’s books are looking healthy in a market which is shrinking slightly in the recession. Annual figures from [Nielsen] BookScan show children’s book sales in 2009 were up 4.9% in volume and picture book sales were up by 13% on 2008.” Children’s titles have also grown in popularity at libraries.
Haitian Catastrophe Illuminates Role Of Text Donations
“So far, people have donated more than $3 million to relief organizations just by sending text messages. … Haitian-born musician Wyclef Jean was the first to kick off what quickly became the largest mobile phone giving campaign in history.” There are advantages and disadvantages to giving that way.
Why Was NY Phil So Hush-Hush About Guest Clarinetist?
“A deep-seated sense of secrecy permeates auditions, a result of laudable efforts to eliminate bias and favoritism.” But when the New York Philharmonic refused to identify a candidate, the Minnesota Orchestra’s Burt Hara, after he played a solo in a public concert, “the inherent tensions within the orchestra beast” became manifest.
Getty Museum’s Italian Court Battle: Did J. Paul Know?
In “a 1976 letter … one of J. Paul Getty’s closest advisors refers to the museum’s ‘exploits over the bronze statue’ as a ‘crime.’ The letter and other documents uncovered by a Times reporter show that the billionaire oilman and another potential buyer were troubled by the questionable legal status of the statue.”
AFI Fest’s 3 Top Staffers Resign, Citing Too-Tight Budget
“The radical idea of not charging for tickets, underwriting the festival largely through sponsorship money, drew surprisingly strong crowds to even the most difficult and obscure films.” The resignations “indicate a rift between the AFI Fest and the larger organization of the American Film Institute, which … had been experiencing financial woes even before the recession.”