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.)
Tag: 12.21.17
Dallas Opera Names Former Board Chair As Interim CEO
“The Dallas Opera responded Thursday to the recent departure of former general director and CEO Keith Cerny by appointing longtime board and executive committee member Kern Wildenthal as interim general director and CEO. Wildenthal, the announcement noted, ‘will serve in a volunteer capacity, with no compensation, until a permanent director is appointed.'”
Orlando Ballet Names First Artist In Residence
“The idea is for the artist in residence to help develop unique content for the ballet, serve as a role model for Orlando Ballet School students and through master classes and other events serve as an ambassador to the community. Dancer Arcadian Broad is the first person given the open-ended position, which will be reserved for those who demonstrate talent in multiple areas and can leave a lasting impact on the company and the wider dance community.”
Turkish President To Replace Atatürk Cultural Center, Istanbul’s Major Monument To Modern Turkey’s Founder
“Recep Tayyip Erdoğan [has] unveiled plans for a new opera house and cultural complex on Taksim Square in central Istanbul … which will entirely replace the Atatürk Cultural Centre built in 1969 in memory of the great modernising founding father of Turkey, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. … [The current building] is viewed as a Modernist landmark and the symbol of the progressive, secular Turkish Republic.”
Top Posts From AJBlogs 12.21.17
National Gallery Does It Again: A Wonderful Christmas Theme
“The first Christmas gift is gold …” says the National Gallery’s Caroline Campbell as she begins a video inviting visitors to explore the theme of gold in the stories told by art at the London museum. … read more
AJBlog: Real Clear Arts Published 2017-12-20
A Plenitude of Nudes: Drawn to Michelangelo’s Musclemen at the Met
“This drawing is the reason why I’m a curator at the Met,” Carmen Bambach confided during a victory lap around her masterpiece marathon – Michelangelo: Divine Draftsman and Designer (to Feb. 12). … read more
AJBlog: CultureGrrl Published 2017-12-21
Reflections on the Bodleian’s Treasures – and a few others
To be honest, though for most of my adult life I’ve lived less than twenty minutes away from the Bodleian Library, I haven’t spent a great deal of time in its reading rooms … read more
AJBlog: Plain English Published 2017-12-21
Recent Listening: The Wisdom Of Eddie Palmieri
Eddie Palmieri, Sabiduria (Ropeadope)
Twin undercurrents run through this immensely satisfying album: Palmieri’s mastery of Afro-Cuban rhythms and the deep harmonic inspiration with which he motivates himself and his musicians. … read more
AJBlog: RiffTides Published 2017-12-20
Documenting the Athens Music Scene
One of the first things I saw when I moved to Athens, GA, two years ago was a gallery – okay, it was the landing of a rock club, the Georgia Theatre … read more
AJBlog: CultureCrash Published 2017-12-20
Mark Swed: The James Levine Story Is Complicated
“Between Thanksgiving and Christmas, Levine has gone from living legend to pariah. NPR has refused to broadcast his performances; movie theaters have canceled holiday screenings of the Met’s “Magic Flute” with Levine conducting. The age-old discussion of whether you can separate art from the artist has once more been ignited. There is something deeply disturbing about all this. What I am about to say is going to be controversial, so let me make it clear from the start that if these allegations prove true, Levine will have caused indefensible harm.”
Prank: A Pair Breaks In And Spends The Night In London’t National Theatre
“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.”
Can DC’s Bible Museum Become A Successful Pilgrimage Destination?
“Officials hope that the museum will become as much of an attraction for faith-based group tours as the Capitol or the Library of Congress, and that hordes will pass through the 40-foot-high, two-ton Gutenberg Bible portals depicting text from Genesis. Tour operators such as Purpose Driven, most traveling by bus and religious in nature, are critical to the museum’s success.”
ABT Principal Dancer Marcelo Gomes Resigns After Allegations
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.