“The Smithsonian’s Office of the Inspector General is looking into the executive compensation and accounting practices of Smithsonian Business Ventures, the division of the institution that operates its retail and publishing enterprises.”
Tag: 04.19.06
SF Ballet Loses Some Stars
San Francsico Ballet is losing some of its biggest stars. This week, principal Yuri Possokhov, a “towering figure on the Opera House stage since 1994”, said he will retire from the company in July. “They are dropping like worn-out toe shoes over on Franklin Street. Two of the most memorable members of the corps are also leaving this year — Amanda Schull and Megan Low.”
Trying To Unravel Greek Antiquities Seizure
Last week Greek authorities seized 300 illegally acquired artifacts on a remote island. “Last week’s discovery was one of the biggest illegal antiquities cases in recent years, and police suspect international smuggling rings were involved, Greek culture minister Giorgos Voulgarakis said. However, he said there was no evidence yet supporting media reports of a link between the police raids and a dispute between Greece and the Getty Museum. Greece is seeking the return of four ancient artifacts from the museum, arguing that they were illegally exported.”
Today’s TV: Show Me The Money!
The most popular TV shows in America right now are all about money. “Some media observers say these shows succeed, in part, by exploiting the economic anxiety in society today. Shaky pensions, mounting medical co-payments, rising gas prices and seemingly endless downsizing in the American workplace can leave consumers — and TV viewers — longing for a show-me-the-suitcase-of-cash solution.”
ReganMedia Departs NY For LA
Publisher Judith Regan is moving her operations to Los Angeles next month: “New York is like a bad relationship that you can’t get out of, because you still think the sex is good. Well, I think the sex is pretty good in L.A. too!”
US Funding For Deaf Theatre Ends
The funding, which came from the Department of Education, was canceled in late 2004 when an earmark for cultural experiences for the deaf was struck during the reauthorization of the Individuals With Disabilities in Education Act. The money itself stopped coming to deaf theater groups last year. “We don’t know exactly why it was removed,” a department spokesman, Jim Bradshaw, said Tuesday by e-mail. “An explanation does not appear in the legislation’s report language. About all we can tell you is that since it was an earmark outside of the department, we defer to Congress’ judgment on this.”
Fuzzy Future For Canadian Almanac?
“On March 27, The Canadian Almanac and Directory sent a letter to what its staffers termed ‘famous Canadians in the arts, sciences, sports, government and media’ asking them to contribute essays on Canada, the land, the peoples, and so on, for the publication’s 160th edition. A week later, the 159-year-old publication’s U.S. owner, ProQuest Co. of Ann Arbor, Mich., announced that it was laying off staff at the Toronto office. Workers still in place were told to cancel those requests for essay contributions.”
Is Reggaeton Fading?
Today’s big music? Well, it was supposed to be reggaeton. But then again, maybe not. “In at least three markets — Las Vegas, Dallas and Miami — stations that gambled on the music’s growing popularity have since switched back to more traditional formats. And in perhaps the most worrisome sign yet, turnout was disappointing for a reggaeton concert last month at the Forum in Inglewood, Calif., headlined by Daddy Yankee, the genre’s superstar, and rapper Snoop Dogg.”
Greeks Investigating Antiques Smuggling
Greek authorities say they are investigating a suspected conspiracy to smuggle antiquities hidden on a remote island to major museums and other buyers abroad.