“Barcelona’s system of superblocks — called “superilles” in Catalan — would go well beyond the pedestrian plazas that have sprouted up on the streets of New York City. While those spaces have carved out more room for pedestrians in busy corridors, the superblocks represent a more radical approach that fundamentally challenges the notion that streets even belong to cars.”
Tag: 10.03.16
Frank Oteri: Now Is The Most Exciting Time For Music. Ever.
“For listeners, there’s more music to hear than ever before–and it’s happening all over the world. Of course, it always has, but nowadays, it’s not limited to “national” “styles.” Also, global travel has become much more convenient, relatively speaking, and so with enough time, money, and overzealousness, a fanatical fan could actually trek the globe to hear extremely exciting music every day of the year. Much easier, we now can also experience a great deal of music happening in all these places without leaving our homes.”
Many Dismayed By The Outing Of Identity Of Mysterious Elena Ferrante
The immediate reaction of many readers to these revelations was, perhaps surprisingly, anger and disgust. On social media, many Ferrante devotees have condemned the journalist who outed the well-regarded yet mysterious writer.
Sales Surge After Report On Identity Of Elana Ferrante
“The sales bounce comes after a report that appeared in The New York Review of Books and other publications citing extensive documentation to show that Ferrante is likely a German-born translator living in Rome. Ferrante’s publisher has declined to confirm or deny the findings and asked that Ferrante’s privacy be respected.”
‘Birth Of A Nation’ Has Tricky Needle To Thread: ‘To Inspire But Not To Incite’
“The coming film, which recounts a violent 1831 slave rebellion and includes scenes that evoke present-day outrage over fatal police shootings of black men, has been marketed as an urgent call to action. … But when The Birth of a Nation arrives in roughly 2,000 theaters on Friday, Fox Searchlight is hoping that a parallel and largely invisible marketing effort – one intended to contain and frame Mr. Parker’s message – will ease the film into communities already on edge.”
Under A Curse? Terry Gilliam’s Don Quixote Movie Stopped In Its Tracks *Again*
“The director and legendary Monty Python member has revealed that his famously beleaguered passion project, The Man Who Killed Don Quixote, a film that finally looked like it was moving forward after seven failed attempts over almost two decades (one of which became the subject of a documentary), has been delayed just days before production was set to begin.”
Gordon Davidson, The Theatre Maven Who Changed Los Angeles
Davidson’s influence on Los Angeles is twinned in my mind with the architectural landmark just down the street from his old Music Center headquarters — Walt Disney Concert Hall. The reason is that I believe Davidson, who died Sunday at age 83, has done as much to transform the city’s conception of itself as a cultural capital as Frank Gehry’s magnificent building.
L.A.’S ‘Moses Of Theater’, Mark Taper Forum Founder Gordon Davidson, Dead At 83
“Starting in 1967, Davidson’s artistic vision, professional connections and business savvy were indispensable in transforming L.A. from a passive backwater where theatergoers largely consumed the Broadway touring shows to a wellspring for new works that won Tony Awards and Pulitzer Prizes.”
Pittsburgh And Philly Have Their Issues, But Here’s One Pennsylvania Orchestra Where Things Are Different
“For starters, the musicians have a no-strike clause in their contract. Also, the Allentown Symphony Orchestra is seeing its audience grow and revenues increase. The musicians will vote next week on a three-year contract that gives them a raise. … Allentown Symphony Conductor Diane Wittry described it this way Monday: ‘We’re an orchestra that’s in a growth phase.'”
It’s World Ballet Day, With 20 Straight Hours Of Real-Time Video On Facebook Live
On Tuesday, October 4, “the Australian Ballet, The Bolshoi Ballet of Russia, The Royal Ballet, The National Ballet of Canada and The San Francisco Ballet will broadcast for four hours each.”