“Years of lax management, and not just the current economic meltdown, got the Pasadena Symphony and Pasadena Pops into their $3 million shortfall, says their new chief executive.”
Tag: 01.08.08
Missouri Gets Its First Poet Laureate
“Gov. Matt Blunt on Tuesday appointed Walter Bargen to the newly created post. The author, 59, lives in Ashland and has more than 10 books to his credit. He also has won numerous awards for his work.”
How Curators Saved Afghanistan’s Treasures
“In 1988, they secretly moved the highlights of the collection to a vault in the Central Bank at the presidential palace. Seven men had keys to the vault. All seven keys were needed to open it, so by spreading them around and keeping their locations secret (in case of death, a key reverted to the keeper’s eldest son), they were able to preserve the treasures.
Congressional Committee Begins FCC Investigation
The committee has “initiated a formal investigation into FCC regulatory procedures to determine if they are being conducted in a fair, open, efficient, and transparent manner.”
Why Hollywood’s Writers’ Strike Hasn’t Been Settled
“The writers’ strike could be settled in three days. It could be, but it won’t be. And the reason is that the men who run the studios and networks are once again falling prey to an affliction that too often defines them: They would rather win than think.”
Los Angeles Opera Turns To Film Directors
The Los Angeles Opera’s upcoming season will feature several productions directed by famed filmmakers including Woody Allen, David Cronenberg and William Friedkin.
Chinese Confiscate 149 Million Pirated CD’s, Magazines…
“Chinese authorities confiscated nearly 149 million magazines, CDs and other publications in 2007 for being pornographic, pirated or otherwise unauthorized.”
Brazilian Police Find Stolen Picassos
“The painting were found undamaged and covered in plastic, leaning against a wall inside a house on the outskirst of Sao Paulo after one of the suspects led authorities to the home.”
Met Museum’s de Montebello To Retire
The director of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Philippe de Montebello, is retiring, the museum’s spokesman, Harold Holzer, confirmed this evening. Mr. de Montebello, 71, has been director of the Met since 1977.
A YouTube Dance-Off
A Colorao dance company uses YouTube video submissions for a choreography competition. “The goal is that it will get people curious enough to go to the theater, because there’s no replacing live performance. It’s amazing how many people in the world have never gone to the theater or seen a live performance. It’s important to see how different that really feels.”