“Heritage is piously declared the legacy of all humanity. But the possessive jealousies of particular claimants pose huge obstacles to our global common inheritance. Confining possession to some while excluding others is the raison d’être of most heritage. Created to generate and protect group interests, it benefits us mainly if withheld from others…”
Tag: 03.16.06
Violinist Sues Seattle Symphony
The complaint alleges “intentional emotional distress arising out of the hostile environment and harassment … over a long and extended period of time.” The violinist, who has an anxiety disorder that developed in his late teens, said in his suit that he has suffered “persistent and severe discrimination.”
Tate – If Not A Museum, Then…
The Tate is not oficially registered as a museum. “The gallery is currently in the anomalous position of not being among the 1,800 museums accredited to the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council (MLA). It is the only nationally-funded museum without this status. The reason for Tate being outside the MLA scheme is simple: it refuses to accept its guidelines on deaccessioning, which are part of a much broader set of standards.”
Wales Goes Dancing
Wales’ culture minister says things are well for dance in his country. “There is no doubt that there is much to celebrate in dance in Wales at present. Young dancers from Wales are making names for themselves, particularly in contemporary dance. We have seen dance performances from international ballet companies such as the Kirov for the first time in Wales as well as innovative productions from our own dance companies such as Earthfall, Diversions and India Dance Wales.”
Turnaround: Saratoga Finishes In The Black
For the first time in years, Saratoga’s (NY) Performing Arts Center has balanced its books. “Auditors found no major problems with SPAC’s finances, a major achievement following a scathing 2004 state audit that cited mismanagement and poor business practices.”
Help Me – I’m Over-Entertained!
“I now have more entertainment in my diet than I could ever possibly hope to consume. If entertainment was food, I’d be stuffed. I’d be grossly overweight. What does it all mean, you may ask. What are the implications of having so many choices? Well, for starters, it means I have to be very selective…”
New Policy For A New Radio Landscape
Canada needs a new official policy on commercial radio. “We no longer have one single and regulated system of radio services delivered over the public airwaves and free of charge to Canadians. Instead, we have both a regulated system of the past and a largely unregulated, parallel system of new delivery platforms for audio content.”
A New Plate Of ENO
The English National Opera has hastily assmbled a new season for next year. “Opera companies usually plan and book years in advance but so deep has the crisis been at ENO that in December there was not one confirmed production for the 2006-07 season.”
Jerry Lewis Gets France’s Highest Honor
Jerry Lewis was awarded the French Legion of Honor this week. “Lewis received the honorary title of ‘Legion Commander’ in a raucous ceremony in Paris – hamming it up for the cameras, winking, sticking out his tongue and making his trademark funny faces. True to form, the comedian turned what is generally a sober event – set in a gilded hall of the Ministry of Culture – into a virtual slapstick routine.”
Brown’s Brief – Fascinating Reading
A brief filed in a London court details author Dan Brown’s process in writing the Da Vinci Code. It’s a 69-page, unofficial memoir from an author who has rarely spoken to the media since his novel became an international sensation, a document intended not for reporters or general readers but for the officials of a British courtroom.