Does A Wal-Mart Belong In Miami’s Biggest Cultural District?

There is a proposal to build a giant Wal-Mart next to the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts, on parking lots owned by The Miami Herald. “Of all the bad ideas ever proffered for downtown Miami, this is the worst. And shockingly so in a time and a place where we have already invested more than $500 million in public funds to create a downtown cultural precinct.”

It’s The Law – Welsh Authorities Required To Promote Welsh Culture

“During the next three years, we wish to place a statutory duty upon our local authorities to promote culture and the arts. This is not for control’s sake. Rather, it reflects our desire to provide high quality cultural experiences to each and every one of our communities in the spirit of the One Wales programme [the country’s coalition agreement].

Kill Me Now – Celine Dion Is “Classical” Music?

“Are Katie Melua, Celine Dion and Elton John the Mozart, Handel and Tchaikovsky of our generation? Quite possibly, according to Classic FM and record label UCJ Music. The two companies claim that – with classical crossover artists such as Rhydian and Andrea Bocelli breaking down traditional pop and classical boundaries, and Sting recording music by 16th-century composer John Dowland – a whole new musical genre is being formed.”

The Star Wars Effect – How We Look At War And Peace

“What’s been the biggest single influence on attitudes to war and peace during the last few decades? Sure ain’t schools civic lessons or Tony Blair’s speeches. However, the cavalcade of Star Wars films, together with their associated TV and radio series, novels, videogames, comic-books and other miscellaneous spin-offs, could perhaps lay claim to the title.”

When Plays Get Revived

“Theatre in this country is currently preoccupied with a cult of virginity, with new plays premiered and discarded in rapid succession; far more than it is in nurturing a contemporary repertoire that will sustain modern playwriting long-term. This is a shame: our theatre is the envy of the world, and has a back catalogue of contemporary plays more valued overseas than they are here.”