“Seattle is seeking to make its venerable ‘Ring’ sparkle for younger generations with its reality-style video project ‘Confessions of a First-Time Opera Goer,’ which will chronicle 19-year-old Cassidy Quinn Brettler’s first experience attending the ‘Ring.’ … Brettler, a double major in acting and broadcasting at Boston’s Emerson College, will post her updates on the action on her personal Facebook and Twitter accounts, as well as tweeting on Seattle Opera’s Twitter account.”
Tag: 06.11.09
Even After Digital-TV Delay, 3 Million May Lose Signal
“Major U.S. television stations complete their switch to digital transmissions tomorrow, a move that may cut off signals for almost 3 million unprepared homes. Beginning early in the morning and ending by midnight, 974 TV stations, including those in the largest cities, will stop sending the analog signals used since the birth of TV, according to the Federal Communications Commission.”
Feds Charge 24 In Looting Of Native American Artifacts
“Striking at a longtime practice in the Four Corners area, federal authorities Wednesday unsealed indictments against 24 people in what they called the largest investigation ever into the looting of Native American artifacts on public lands. Interior Secretary Ken Salazar announced the charges at a Salt Lake City news conference and said in a telephone interview that many of the stolen items, valued at $335,000, came from sacred burial sites.”
In Agency Picks, Obama Avoids Controversy (And Change)
Jim Leach, tapped by President Obama to lead the National Endowment for the Humanities, and Rocco Landesman, Obama’s pick to head the National Endowment for the Arts, “are probably not the choices initially expected from a president who was being lobbied just a couple of months ago to do something as bold as create a cabinet-level department of arts and culture. These are the choices, rather, of a president who doesn’t want this to be a political fight.”
Charge: Star Supported Royalties, So Stations Banned Song
“Which top-selling artist purportedly had a new single yanked from some radio stations[‘] playlists in retaliation for supporting royalties for musicians? No one involved will name the recording artist, but the no-play treatment by several radio stations is alleged in a complaint filed with the Federal Communications Commission and obtained by the Associated Press. The complaint claims recording artists are being threatened and intimidated.”
Yet More Delays In Building South Miami-Dade Cultural Arts Center
“Commissioners approved the $38.8 million project in 2005, projecting an August 2007 opening. The existing construction contract calls for a February 2008 completion. Last month, officials projected a fall 2010 opening for the 966-seat theater and activities center in Cutler Bay. It looks now like re-doing shoddy work, then putting the finishing touches on the buildings, could push opening night to late 2010 or early 2011.”
Anna Paquin’s Big Problem As A Former Child Actor
“A couple of occasions [in college] I had a bouncer look at [her fake ID] and go, no, you’re not so-and-so. If I tried to say yes, I am, they’d go, ‘No, you’re not, you’re Anna Paquin!’ Like, they’ll know because my movie is playing across the street. They’d be like, this is the worst fake ID I’ve ever seen, go away.”
Renée Fleming’s Big Problem With Mozart
“I just said, ‘Ok, enough stress.’ Mozart is so naked and yet requires perfection. I don’t know too many sopranos who think, ‘Yeah, I get to sing Donna Anna tonight! Wow! I can’t wait!’ So it was nice just to be able to say, ‘I’d rather sing Strauss.'”