“Five people have fainted watching the graphic scenes of torture, rape and violence in the National Theatre’s latest production while 40 walked out in the show’s first week.”
Tag: 02.24.16
Straightened-Out Croissants And The Decline Of Civilization
Adam Gopnik considers the British supermarket chain Tesco’s decision to stop making its croissants curved. “Adding an arbitrary national shape to an established one to attempt an entirely English croissant, [some] future scholar will argue, is an affirmation of refusing to be one with Europe. (The crescent, moreover, is the sign of the Islamic empire, and some damp, suspicious kinds will see meaning in that, too.)”
Pres. Obama Nominates First African-American, First Woman Librarian Of Congress
If confirmed by the Senate, she’ll also be only the second person in the position to have made a career as a librarian.
Top Posts From AJBlogs 02.24.16
Internships and Privilege
Stop me if you’ve heard this before. Someone says, “[X historically disenfranchised group] should stop complaining. They have way more privileges than I do.” When thus confronted, I have had to resist the visceral impulse … read more
AJBlog: Engaging Matters Published 2016-02-23
Obama Finally Axes Librarian of Congress
It took more than six years, but President Obama got his way today, appointing the first African-American as Librarian of Congress: Carla D. Hayden, head of the Enoch Pratt Free Library, Baltimore’s public library. I should say “nominating,” because … read more
AJBlog: Real Clear Arts Published 2016-02-24
Interactive Hijinks: Putting the Viewer in the Picture
For some, it seems, it’s not enough to inhabit an artwork in their imaginations. They want to enter it physically. I’m embarrassed to own up to my own “living in a painting” experience: It occurred … read more
AJBlog: CultureGrrl Published 2016-02-24
Gary Bartz At The PDX Festival
Alto saxophonist Gary Bartz opened his Portland Jazz Festival concert singing a slow blues. He wasn’t lamenting his or anyone else’s troubles. The main message of his lyric was, “Sadness gotta leave this room.” … read more
AJBlog: RiffTides Published 2016-02-24
The Rampant Generation of Audio Files Continues
It’s remotely conceivable that you’re sitting around with nothing to do, and in case you’re in that enviable position, I have two hours’ worth of new recordings of my music up to entertain you. … read more
AJBlog: PostClassic Published 2016-02-24
[ssba_hide]
Hundreds Of Thousands Flock To India’s Book Festivals
“As the festivals have blossomed, they have also turned into something more than strictly literary: a mixture of the public square and the television studio, or forums where India talks to itself.”
John Killacky: What I Learned From My Week On Twitter
“My tweets got 102,700 impressions over the week, averaging 14,700 per day. However, the engagement rate was only 1.6%, which is pretty typical for the site. On Twitter, everyone has a megaphone, but few take incoming calls.”
What It’s Really Like To Work In Hollywood If You’re Not A Straight White Guy, In The Words Of Those Who Do It
“Here, 27 industry players reveal the stories behind the numbers – their personal experiences of not feeling seen, heard or accepted, and how they pushed forward. In Hollywood, exclusion goes far beyond #OscarsSoWhite.”
Last-Minute Ticket App Is Moving On Broadway – And Theater Owners Aren’t Happy
“TodayTix, which 26 months ago introduced a mobile app for selling discounted and full-price last-minute tickets, has already become a visible presence on Broadway … [But] the tight-knit world of Broadway theater owners has not welcomed TodayTix.”
Leading Composer (Joined By His Wife) Actually Tells New York Times About His Kinky Sex Life
“[He] said that he felt liberated after what he described as a lifetime’s and three divorces’ worth of suppressing what he once considered ‘devilish’ desires. The change has altered his music in ways both quantifiable and more ineffable.”
Literary Festivals Are Booming In India
“Close to 100 populate the land; not long ago, the concept was virtually unknown here. … As the festivals have blossomed, they have also turned into something more than strictly literary: a mixture of the public square and the television studio, or forums where India talks to itself. … [And] increasingly, [these events] are being thrust into wider culture wars.”