As mid-sized American cities go, Minneapolis has a fairly thriving urban center. But what the city has always lacked is a heavily populated downtown neighborhood to anchor its impressive cultural scene. A new building spree aims to create that sought-after mix of residential and commercial space, but Minneapolitans have seen this type of ambition before, only to see the grandest plans fall to the budget knife or the wrecking ball. And at the core of the debate is the question of what makes a neighborhood vital: is it upscale boutiques? Affordable housing? Lots of coffee shops and bars? Easy access to theatres and baseball games? The goalposts seem to move with each passing year.
Tag: 04.21.04
Is Passion Too Violent For TV?
“Despite being the year’s biggest blockbuster so far, The Passion Of The Christ seems unlikely to find a home on a U.S. network. Mel Gibson’s Icon Productions has been shopping the movie to TV. Only ABC has confirmed turning it down, but executives speaking on condition of anonymity said it was doubtful for CBS, NBC and Fox, too. The movie’s graphic scenes of Jesus Christ’s crucifixion were said to make broadcasters skittish, particularly in the post-Janet Jackson era when government officials are closely watching what goes on television.”
Disney Fires Two ABC Execs, Hires More of the Same
“To the surprise of no one, unless you’re counting the Hollywood trade papers that called it ‘stunning’ and a ‘surprise,’ Disney has ushered out ABC entertainment division chief Susan Lyne and ABC Television Entertainment Group Chairman Lloyd Braun.” ABC finished fourth out of four major broadcast networks in the February “sweeps” period, and has been hemorrhaging viewers for several years. Replacing Lyne is Touchstone TV exec Stephen McPherson, who, ironically, was in charge of creating many of the ABC prime time shows which have tanked so spectacularly over the last few seasons.
Emin Lashes Out At Press
Artist Tracey Emin, fresh from being attacked in the press over a dispute about a quilt with a class of 8-year-olds, strikes back at the press: “That’s an invasion of my privacy. If I muck up, I’m going to be one of the first people to say. I don’t need a paper to write lies about me, to say that I’ve done something that I haven’t done.”
Post-Rukeyser, A Public TV Net Struggles Mightily
Maryland Public Television just hasn’t been the same since it fired Louis Rukeyser from the popular “Wall $treet Week” program two years ago. Since letting Rukeyser go with the stated goal of taking the program in “a new direction,” MPT’s paying subscriber rolls have dropped by 15%, and there is an undeniable credibility problem with viewers. The appointment of a new private-sector businessman to run the network is providing some hope that a turnaround may be in the works, but others worry that knowledge of how to wield a sharp budget knife is only the first skill set that MPT needs in order to stay relevant.
Albert Hall Fans Protest Building Plans
London’s Royal College of Art is planning an extension. But fans of the Albert Hall next door are protesting. “Campaigners claim the Royal College of Art extension – nicknamed ‘The Ellipse’ – will “disrupt” views of the Hall and “detract” from its historic setting. More than 9,000 people have signed a petition calling for a public inquiry into the proposed six-storey building.”
Taking It To The Community
The Philadelphia Orchestra is renewing its commitment to performing free summer concerts in underserved areas of its home community. The performances, which were briefly suspended last summer due to lack of funds, draw thousands of people to unconventional venues to hear one of the world’s top orchestras, and music director Christoph Eschenbach has been said to be a key proponent of the idea. But it apparently took the financial security of a $50 million pledge from the Annenberg Foundation to make the orchestra, which has struggled with debt over the past several seasons, confident enough to move ahead with the three free concerts, which will cost the organization $375,000 in total.
Royal Festival Hall To Get £90 million Makeover
“Plans for a £90m refurbishment of London’s Royal Festival Hall have been unveiled, with the news that £73m of the total sum has been raised so far… The Arts Council have given £25m to the project, while Heritage Lottery’s donation is £20m.” The aim is to give the hall an entirely new look, and in the process, create a world-class acoustical venue for London, which despite multiple tries, has never managed to build one.
Martins Proposes New Lincoln Center Dance Company
“Peter Martins, the ballet master in chief of New York City Ballet, has suggested creating a modern dance company at Lincoln Center that would be the first new cultural organization there since Jazz at Lincoln Center was established in 1996. The company would replace New York City Opera as the ballet’s co-tenant at the New York State Theater, if the opera troupe succeeds in building a new home at the World Trade Center site or elsewhere.”
Recreating A Shakespeare Experience (With Critical Success)
Mark Rylance has made a big success of the Globe Theatre in London. “In the mid-’90s, the whole Globe experience – building and costumes made by 16th-century methods; no scenery, lighting or assisted sound for actors, productions as close as possible to Shakespeare’s directions – smacked, many said, of an Olde England “theatre experience”. But Rylance has proved his critics wrong and pulled off a remarkable success story. Most of the Globe’s productions have met critical acclaim, and it sells an astonishing 90 per cent of its seats during its summer-only season.”