Jeremy Reynolds took a couple of friends to their first symphony concert and sent them home at intermission — and not because they were misbehaving or ill. Here he explains why. (Even intermissions should be shorter, he says.) – Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Tag: 03.05.20
A New ‘Neoclassical Ballet Collective’ In London
Says choreographer Andrew McNicol, “With McNicol Ballet Collective I wanted to create a new type of company that offers world-class dancers a flexible performance platform that’s able to fit in around the repertoire and commitments of their individual home companies.” – The Stage
Cash Crisis At New Orleans Theatre Leads To Layoffs, Cancellation
“The Southern Rep Theatre company has laid off six staff members and canceled an upcoming play as it struggles to pay expenses and debt, artistic director Aimee Hayes said Thursday. The 34-year-old playhouse hopes to raise $350,000 in a GoFundMe crowd-sourced donation campaign in order to return to full operation.” – The Times-Picayune (New Orleans)
Frank Lloyd Wright’s Architecture School Changes Its Mind About Closing
“More than a month after the board overseeing the School of Architecture at Taliesin announced the school would close after 88 years of operation, the board has reversed its decision and plans to keep the school open.” This does not mean that the school is saved: “It remains unclear whether the foundation that oversees Frank Lloyd Wright’s Taliesin properties in Scottsdale and Wisconsin will agree.” – The Arizona Republic (Phoenix)
Washington Post Names Anne Midgette’s Successor As Classical Critic
Michael Brodeur, most recently an assistant arts editor and critic at the Boston Globe, starts work next week. – The Washington Post
Italy’s Museums Are Open Again, But You Have To Stay Three Feet Away From Everyone Else
Fortunately, thanks to fear of the coronavirus outbreak that has led to this rule, it’s easy to comply with. – The New York Times
Can ANYthing Make LaGuardia More Tolerable? These Artists Will Try
Four internationally recognized artists — Jeppe Hein, Sabine Hornig, Laura Owens and Sarah Sze — have been commissioned by LaGuardia Gateway Partners, together with the New York-based nonprofit for public art, to execute large-scale projects integrated throughout the architecture of the arrivals and departures hall of the new Terminal B, expected to open later this year. The budget for the art program is close to $10 million. – The New York Times
Tavis Smiley Ordered To Pay $1.7 Million To PBS Over Morality Clause
Smiley, who was fired in 2017 amid sexual misconduct allegations, sued PBS contending he was dropped from the network as a result of racial bias and that he was wrongly terminated. Smiley was the only solo black host of a show on the broadcasting organization’s airwaves. Though he admitted that he had engaged in sexual relationships with employees, he insisted they were consensual. He sued for $1 million. – NPR
Why Are We Still Naming Buildings And Programs After Donors?
The dilemma these groups face is contractual, in two ways. First, there is the contract with the donor, which, if broken, may seem a betrayal to some, and a sign of institutional inconstancy to others. There may also be tangible legal issues involved. But there is a larger contract to be considered, too. Selling or otherwise offering naming rights makes it look as though the institution is mainly serving its wealthy donors, no matter how public-spirited the rest of its endeavors may be. – Washington Post
Miami’s Ultra Festival Canceled Over Virus Fears
Miami Mayor Francis Suarez and Commissioner Joe Carollo told reporters for the Miami Herald that the risks were too great for the festival, which draws 165,000 fans from around the world over three days to Miami’s Bayfront Park. The festival, technically just postponed, isn’t likely to be held until 2021, they said. A formal announcement from the festival is expected Friday. – Los Angeles Times