What does it say that even some of the most talented modern dance companies lead itinerant existences, eking out rehearsal space wherever they can. For years Mark Morris’s main office has operated from the back seats of taxis. But that’s all about to change with a home of his own in Brooklyn. – Village Voice
Tag: 04.27.00
EAST BAY EXPRESS
The rudderless Oakland Ballet is a long way from the glittery world of the Dance Theater of Harlem. But newly-appointed artistic director and former DTH star Karen Brown likes the challenge. Besides, her appointment was announced by the mayor. “The purpose of a ballet company is to affect the community it serves by sharing the art form. And part of my job is to do my homework to see what is needed.” – San Francisco Examiner
NEW BACH
A newly-discovered piece by Johann Sebastian Bach has been published for the first time. It’s a motet, found in a trove of manuscripts in the Ukraine. – BBC
THE SOUND OF MUSIC
Some might call it that, but those little buzzy tunes and blurbles and bleeps emanating from our tools are becoming more and more intrusive. “Dangerous as it is to make predictions, electronic games, computers and the latest mobile phones all suggest that various unforeseen combinations of sound and image will come to dominate our work and leisure in the near future.” – The Age (Melbourne)
ONE STEP BACK
Australian arts groups are losing one of their richest, most generous patrons. Richard Pratt is stepping down from his various roles as arts supporter, as part of a general withdrawal from public life. – The Age (Melbourne)
ART IN THE ‘BURBS
So what’s the secret of running a successful arts center out in the suburbs? Treat people like they’re in the city. “There is this city mentality that seems to believe that everyone in the suburbs has gone brain dead. A lot of well-educated, sophisticated people come out to raise their children in a nurturing setting. That doesn’t mean they have lost their curiosity or their interest in cultural diversity.” – Chicago Tribune
UNDUE INFLUENCE
Consumer groups are stepping up to object to Time Warner’s merger with AOL. Critics are afraid of a “content bottleneck” if the deal goes through. – Variety
ONE STEP BACK
Australian arts groups are losing one of their richest, most generous patrons. Richard Pratt is stepping down from his various roles as arts supporter, as part of a general withdrawal from public life. – The Age (Melbourne)
STALKING STUFF ‘ER
Germaine Greer was captured by a teenage girl stalker and held captive in the writer’s house until friends arrived and freed her. – The Telegraph (UK)
STILL TOO HOT TO HANDLE
After reducing the time some of Robert Mapplethorpe’s more explicit photographs are shown in its documentary about the 1990 obscenity trial over the work, Showtime’s “Dirty Pictures” gets an “R” rating from the Motion Picture Association of America. As originally edited, the film would have been tagged with an NC-17 which would mean the network couldn’t have shown it in prime time. – Variety