“Eddie Bo, a potent, eclectic New Orleans pianist, singer, songwriter and producer who inspired a dance craze with his 1962 hit ‘Check Mr. Popeye’ and later directed fans to ‘Check Your Bucket,’ died Wednesday, March 18, of a heart attack. He was 79.”
Tag: 03.20.09
Obama Earned $2.5 Million From His Books In 2008
“As he spent 2008 campaigning for his new job, he also earned nearly $2.5 million in royalties from the sale of his books. And he added $250,000 more just before taking office, signing a Jan. 15 licensing deal with his publisher for an abridged version of Dreams From My Father.
Broadway Booms In Recession
“Broadway grosses are holding their own, with fairly minimal boxoffice dropoffs, and some shows — notably the revival of “West Side Story” — are doing $1 million a week even in preview. More startling still, this spring features an impressive number of openings, with virtually every theater booked. By the time the season wraps at the end of April, more shows will have opened during the 2008-09 campaign than in each of the past two years.”
The Case Against Regional Theaters
“The principal argument is that the theatrical establishment in America has lost sight of the values that led to the establishment of regional theaters, and in its place are institutions that value buildings over artists, isolation over engagement and corporate growth over artistic development. On top and in part because of this is a shrinking and aging audience base, which has led to an art form in contraction, with less and less audience every year.”
BBC Cuts TV, Radio Budgets; Boosts Spending Online
“In total, the BBC intends to make savings of £1.9bn over five years. However, the extra money for the BBC’s suite of websites was less than the £52.7m increase managers had requested.”
Why Are Americans So Obsessed With Watching Sports?
“For one thing, we get identification from our sports frenzy, the experience of seeing ourselves in the exploits of another.”
Romeo And Juliet’s Balcony Opens For Weddings
The city of Verona “wants to strengthen its romantic reputation by offering love-struck couples the chance to tie the knot in the courtyard right below the famous stone balcony.”
Christie’s Sued Over Failed Auction Price Guarantee
Christie’s has been “sued by a Florida art collector over claims the auction house failed to sell as promised a self-portrait by Irish painter Francis Bacon for at least $40 million.”
New Jersey Symphony Hunkers Down For the Future
“Just comparing the season brochures gives a palpable feel of the change in fortunes: Next season’s is much flimsier, 20 pages instead of 40.”
Do Broadway Shows Need To Cut An Act?
“The treatment is radical and by no means critic-proof: With the surgical skill of Sweeney Todd, directors and writers must chop the two-act play down to one.”