“Haile uses artificial intelligence to improvise on real drums and respond to human musicians in an ensemble. The robot has done so well he has taken up a new instrument — the xylophone.”
Tag: 08.23.07
From Broadway To YouTube (And Off Again)
Fans taping Broadway shows have become common. And the videos end up on YouTube. “Spurred by requests from many Equity members, the union has shut down 1,000 online posts of illicitly taped plays, 95 percent of which were on YouTube. The problem has grown so large that the union now has a direct line to YouTube to demand, no questions asked, that content be removed.”
Peter Sellars At 50
“Sellars laughs as others breathe and works in boundless joy, which may be the rarest and most agreeable form of confidence. It fuels not only smaller works but also a €10-million efforts like New Crowned Hope, commissioned for Vienna as part of the celebrations last year of Mozart’s 250th birthday and just seen in London as part of the Barbican’s 25th anniversary.”
Scientists Simulate Out-Of-Body Experience
“Scientists have long suspected that the clue to these extraordinary, and sometimes life-changing, experiences lies in disrupting our normal illusion of being a self behind our eyes, and replacing it with a new viewpoint from above or behind.”
Change Of Governance – Arts Boards
“As arts and cultural nonprofits around the country grow and change, so too do the responsibilities of their boards, often made up of well-heeled fundraisers.” So what are the responsibilities of arts boards?
Why Did Barnes & Noble Lie About OJ’s Book?
Barnes & Noble says it won’t sell OJ Simpson’s book. Why? Because, store executives say, the book won’t sell. So what’s the book’s rank on Amazon as of Thursday? No. 7.
Are “Reality” Show Participants Actors?
“Most reality shows treat their participants a bit like game-show contestants in requiring confidentiality agreements. But reality-TV contracts are especially strict and designed to protect the producers. In many cases, people sign away practically all their rights just to appear on camera.”
Barnes & Noble: Potter Boosted Profits
Second quarter profits were up $18 million. “Record breaking sales from J.K. Rowling’s ‘Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows’ was the principal driver behind our comparable store sales growth in the quarter.”
Write On (It’s Harder Than It Looks)
A recent poll says that Britons’ most preferred job is being a writer. But it’s harder than it seems. “By all means, write, if you enjoy it. But, if you value your sanity – and that of any readers – keep it to yourself. Keep the dream; just don’t give up the day job.”
Opera Singers On Drugs?
“Some attempts to stay on top are relatively harmless, like popping a beta blocker to soothe the butterflies before stepping on stage. But others are more alarming. Singers often overuse steroids in the form of cortisone to control inflamed vocal cords — sometimes in amounts that can permanently impair their abilities, say performers and their doctors. Others drink too much. Still others snort cocaine, according to insiders.”