“Will Hollywood play a bigger role in California’s next round of fighting over same-sex marriages? That was the question for many in showbiz Tuesday after California’s Supreme Court upheld the state’s ban on such nuptials, approved by a narrow majority of voters in November. … [T]he role of the entertainment industry — through activism, money or creative might — is likely to be greater than it was before last November’s election.”
Tag: 05.26.09
Construction Begins On Louvre Abu Dhabi –
“Designed by French architect Jean Nouvel, the civic area will span 260,000 square feet and comprise pavilions, plazas, canals and alleyways. (About 65,000 square feet will be dedicated to exhibitions.) A dome 590 feet in diameter will hover over much of the complex. Completion is set for 2012 or 2013.”
Author On Trial: How Can Fiction Commit Blasphemy?
“A Turkish author on trial after being charged with inciting religious hatred in a novel based on the birth of Islam said that his book [Daughters Of Allah] was a work of fiction … and therefore could not be called blasphemous. An Istanbul court on Tuesday adjourned the trial of the author, Nedim Gürsel, until June 25. He faces up to a year in jail if convicted.”
Charlotte Symphony Selects Music Director
Following a two-year search, the orchestra has chosen Christopher Warren-Green, who is currently at the London Chamber Orchestra and takes over in Charlotte in 2010. “[H]e joins the ranks of the Charlotte non profit as it faces funding cuts by the Arts and Science Council and expected cuts by Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, where they offer educational concerts.”
Another Year Of Boffo Broadway Box Office
“Broadway musicals and plays grossed approximately $943.3 million during the 2008-9 theater season, a slight increase over the previous season and enough to set a new record for total grosses, according to data released this evening by the Broadway League.”
Buffy The Vampire Slayer Back On The Big Screen?
“Buffy creator Joss Whedon isn’t involved and it’s not set up at a studio, but director Fran Rubel Kuzui [who owns the rights to the property] is working on a relaunch with Vertigo Entertainment, which specializes in English-language remakes of Asian films … The new Buffy film, however, would have no connection to the TV series, nor would it use popular supporting characters like Angel, Willow, Xander or Spike.”
Former Royal Ballet Star Lucette Aldous To Be Honored Down Under
“Seasoned balletomanes with long memories will argue that Lucette Aldous is one of the most beautiful dancers ever to have performed on the Australian stage. … Next month, Aldous’s contribution to dance will be recognised at the Australian Dance Awards when she receives its lifetime achievement award.”
Rupert Christiansen: Forget About Getting Youth To See Opera
“What this [statistic] suggests to me is that more young children are being dragged along by their well-intentioned parents and fewer want to come of their own accord. My conclusion is that opera has less and less to say to teenagers: it remains an art form that people come to appreciate later in life, and it may be better just to accept this and stop trying to sell it to the young like a salutary dose of cod liver oil.”
The Industry That Frets Together: Gearing Up For BEA
“This weekend’s BookExpo America will be a good time for promoting, predicting, mingling — and worrying. … Like the industry itself, this year’s booksellers convention seeks to be smaller, more economical and more committed to a digital future.”
Apple Gives Okay To Kama Sutra On Your iPhone
“The Eucalyptus ebook reader program was initially rejected because people could use it to read the Kama Sutra, but Apple has since allowed the software to go on sale. The app, made by James Montgomerie, enables iPhone and iPod touch users to access thousands of free books from the Project Gutenberg library, including the Kama Sutra, which Apple deemed offensive.”