“Scotland’s flagship film festival is embroiled in more controversy after it emerged three major industry figures are no longer involved in this year’s event – just months after they were named at the launch. Actress Tilda Swinton, and former directors Mark Cousins and Linda Myles, will not be overseeing this year’s Edinburgh International Film Festival under another dramatic re-think for the event.”
Tag: 04.05.11
New York Philharmonic Cancels Cuba Trip (Again)
“The New York Philharmonic has yet again canceled a proposed trip to Cuba, and this time it may be for keeps. … ‘I think the Philharmonic may go to Cuba some day but certainly not in the foreseeable future,’ [a spokesman] said.”
Is Julie Taymor Going On The PR Counteroffensive?
“In recent days, colleagues who have collaborated with Taymor in the past have been stepping up to the plate and singing her praises in articles published in print and online. The appearance of the testimonials in a relatively short time frame suggests a coordinated counteroffensive on the part of Taymor’s publicity team.”
Save NPR! (But Don’t Bother With PBS)
Mark Oppenheimer: “NPR is the most resounding media success story of the past 40 years. … [It] has thrived on FM radio during the era in which FM radio has lost audience, not to mention cachet. … Here, it is instructive to compare NPR’s history with that of its hideous, ugly televised brother, PBS.”
Arnold Lehman’s Brooklyn Museum
In his nearly 14-year tenure, he has endured repeated criticism for his initiatives–mostly for staging “populist” exhibitions focusing on “Star Wars,” hip-hop, graffiti and similar topics. His response: “We have a very diverse audience and we do exhibitions that engage that diversity, not all the time, but as often as we can.”
More Evidence That Classical Music Deters Crime
At one station, an aria from Bizet’s “Carmen” serenaded commuters waiting to board. “There’s no one that just hangs around,” said one passenger to the Associated Press. Before the music “they wouldn’t get on the train, that’s how you’d know they were [loitering].”
Kristy Edmunds Named Director Of UCLA Live
“Edmunds, who has been hired to program three seasons starting with 2012-13, made her name in Portland, Ore., as a builder of new contemporary arts programs. Her four years as artistic director of the Melbourne International Arts Festival in Australia extended her reputation as an impresario with impressive contacts and a flair for the adventurous and the offbeat.”
Movie Theatre With Slipping Ticket Sales Turn To Special Events
“In what’s touted as an industry first, the documentary “Foo Fighters: Back and Forth” will be followed immediately by a live, 3-D performance of “Wasting Light,” the band’s album arriving next week. Audience members will be able to text in extra song requests as the band plays.”
Why Band Names Are Getting Weirder
“No wonder the Billboard Rock Songs chart is populated by such acts as Cage the Elephant, Shinedown, Foster the People, Avenged Sevenfold, Young the Giant, Stone Sour and Alter Bridge. Unfathomable band names are nothing new (Procol Harum, anyone?), but in the olden days they felt more like a matter of choice than necessity.”
Theatre Defends Casting Real Killer In Play
“Marc Cassivi, a culture critic with La Presse newspaper, said Cantat has served his time and deserves a second chance. Others said the theatre’s choice could send the wrong message to offenders and victims of such crimes.”