Why is an Aussie going to dictate to London’s great Royal Ballet, wonder some of the company’s dancers. – The Observer (UK)
Tag: 03.20.00
ON THE BACKS OF THE TALENTED
The Paul Taylor Dance Company has two innovative new pieces and numerous prestigious awards, but their prized choreographer can literally not afford to pay the rent. “Because of budget constraints, his company has capitulated to the use of canned music, which does a serious disservice to both performers and audience. His valiant dancers make a living wage but hardly one commensurate with their prodigious talents and effort.” – New York Magazine
SPIRIT OF INQUIRY
March is when many orchestras announce their lineup for the following season. Traditionally, music directors of major American orchestras concentrated on the three B’s, conducted a lot of M and dabbled in a couple of H’s. Bach, Beethoven, Brahms, Mahler and Handel and Haydn were the core of the orchestral literature. “But in an average Tilson Thomas season, one of the B’s may be Bernstein or Berlioz rather than Brahms, the M is more likely to be Mahler than Mozart; the H will probably be Lou Harrison, rather than Haydn or Handel.” – San Francisco Examiner
NOT JUST FOR LIT. MAJORS
Just when it seems modern literary standards are being dictated by Oprah, a thousand-year-old epic poem finds a surprising show of support. Seamus Heaney’s Whitbread Prize-winning translation of “Beowulf” is climbing its way to the top of bestseller lists. “It’s oddly fitting that “Beowulf” should go platinum. The poem describes a society utterly consumed with the idea of fame.” – Feed
IN CASE YOU WERE WONDERING ABOUT THE FUTURE
“The print and hardcover market is drying up,” says an e-book publisher. “The cost of production is out of sight; the big companies are circling the wagons. If your name isn’t Stephen King, you don’t get considered for print. With e-books, we still have to pay editors and artists, but we don’t have to pay those print production costs.” – Hartford Courant
PEN/FAULKNER BOOK PRIZE NOMINEES
This year’s five candidates are: Frederick Busch’s “The Night Inspector,” Ha Jin’s “Waiting,” Ken Kalfus’ “PU-239 and Other Russian Fantasies,” Elizabeth Strout’s “Amy and Isabelle,” and Lily Tuck’s “SIAM Or The Woman Who Shot A Man.” – Chicago Tribune (Reuters)
HOME TO MAMA
The missing 55 Oscar statues are found in an LA garbage can. “My foot hit one. It was heavy and I opened it up. Everybody knows who Oscar is,” said the trash recycler who found them. He filled the trunk of his car with the boxes and called his 22-year-old son. Willie Fulgear said he had no idea the Oscars were missing. – Boston Herald (AP) 03/20/00
HOLLYWOOD INDEPENDENT
Seems like a great time to be an independent filmmaker. New markets, lots of attention, plenty of innovation. Sure, but there’s a downside, too. Seven prominent indie filmmakers get together to talk about the biz. – The Nation 03/20/00
KIDS’ STUFF
“Arthur,” the animated series based on the best-selling books, is PBS’ top-rated children’s show, and by PBS calculations, the most-watched children’s show on television. The Canadian company that produces the show is ensnared in a mess of financial woes, and late last week, three Canadian government agencies suspended their funding of the company, pending answers to questions, including the issue of an unauthorized investment of $122 million. PBS is nervously watching the fortunes of its star franchise. – Los Angeles Times 03/20/00
A STRONG SHOW OF SUPPORT
According to a statement from the National Assembly of State Arts Agencies, U.S. states plan to spend a record $396 million, more than $30 million more than last year, to promote the arts. The combined states’ spending dwarfs the $100 million annual budget of the NEA. – New Jersey Online (AP)