The arts aren’t an issue in this year’s election, and it’s even difficult to find out what the candidates’ positions are. But here’s a helpful guide…
Tag: 02.06.08
Omaha Symphony Finally Has A Contract
After playing without a contract for more than half the season, the musicians of the Omaha Symphony have reached a tentative agreement on a new deal. Under the old contract, musicians made a base salary of $29,177 during the 2006-07 season. Details of the new deal have not been disclosed.
Randy Quaid Banned, Fined By Equity
Following a disastrous and aborted stage production in Seattle, cast members of the supposedly Broadway-bound Lone Star Love brought actor Randy Quaid up on charges with the Actors Equity union, alleging physical and verbal abuse and blaming Quaid for the show’s early closure. “On Friday, Equity handed down its decision… The union has banned Randy for life – life! – and fined him $81,572.”
The Strange Cultural Populism Of Variety Shows
There was a time when high- and middle-brow culture coexisted on television, in the form of wildly popular variety shows that showcased everything from dancing poodles to orchestras to The Beatles. “Those shows mirrored and even led a mass pop culture that was more populist than what we have today.”
Maazel Stirs Fury From American Right Wing
The NY Philharmonic’s upcoming trip to North Korea has been debated in both musical and political circles, with some fearing that the concert in Pyongyang amounts to an endorsement of one of the world’s most brutal regimes. Loren Maazel has dismissed that idea, but some see in his comments a leftist attempt to equate North Korea’s leader with the Bush Administration.
Are We Over Renzo Piano?
“Forget the Bilbao Effect. It’s not Frank Gehry who has ridden the U.S. museum-building boom, it’s Renzo Piano.” Piano’s new addition to the LA County Museum of Art opens to the public next week, and James Russell says that the architect’s work is all starting to look the same, and what used to seem innovative now just seems repetitive.
Germany Showing Filmmakers The Money
“A fresh source of film subsidy has injected new vigour into Germany’s rich cinematic tradition, which before the Nazis took power in 1933 had been a great rival to Hollywood… About 34 international co-productions got money last year under the scheme.”
Ruscha Reflects
Artist Ed Ruscha, who helped to create the ever-widening genre known as “pop art” is 70, which is itself hard to believe. But he remains deeply connected to the world of contemporary art, and even has a few unexpected favorites: Tracey Emin, for example.
Hairspray, Rings Score Big In Olivier Noms
“West End hit Hairspray has received a record 11 nominations at the Laurence Olivier Awards… The stage version of The Lord Of The Rings is also a best new musical contender, despite mixed reviews, [and] three Shakespearean actors will battle it out in the best actor category.”
Alan Gilbert, Enigma
Alan Gilbert may be the most famous conductor that no one knows anything about. The music director designate of the New York Philharmonic has built a sturdy reputation in his still-young career, but he’s still essentially an unknown to most American critics and concertgoers. And that lack of superficial flash and self-promotion may just tell you all you need to know about his style of music-making.