The Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society will offer an online hub with workshops and panel discussions as well as a guide to the streamed performances offered by independent Fringe venues; Fringe Pick ‘n’ Mix, where viewers can choose among 60-second videos uploaded by performers; and “Fringe on a Friday, a 60-minute independently curated variety show that will be ticketed and streamed, presenting the best of the festival across a range of genres.” – The Guardian
Tag: 07.13.20
Colson Whitehead Wins Library Of Congress Prize For American Fiction
“Whitehead, 50, is the youngest winner of the lifetime achievement prize, which the library has previously given to Toni Morrison, Philip Roth and Denis Johnson, among others. He is the first author to win Pulitzers for consecutive works of fiction — The Underground Railroad and The Nickel Boys, for which he won in April.” – Yahoo! (AP)
Porgy and the White Police
Though a prominent British reviewer of the current Met production of Porgy and Bess called Gershwin’s 1935 opera “a period piece,” it loudly resounds today. Consider the first act confrontation between a white detective and a black community. – Joseph Horowitz
Bley, Swallow, Sheppard: ‘Life Goes On’
Sometimes it takes a while to catch up. Case in point: Carla Bley’s, Andy Sheppard’s and Steve Swallow’s Life Goes On. ECM released the album on Valentine’s Day. – Doug Ramsey
Comedy’s Pretty Darn Big Racism Problem
Let’s be honest about LA’s Upright Citizens Brigade and the Groundlings, say BIPOC comedians: “The self-perpetuating white power structure fostered by these institutions led to the belittling and marginalizing of diverse voices, racial bias in voting for team members, and lip service to the concept of inclusion while providing little mentorship or paths for advancement to Black, Indigenous or other people of color.” – Los Angeles Times
Shooting A Sex Scene During A Global Pandemic Isn’t Easy
What’s safe now? Uh, mannequins. “We’ve had a lot of strange looks and questions like, Do you really want to do this? … But everyone is game. They are getting their first latex kiss.” – The New York Times