“David Angus will become music director at Glimmerglass Opera in upstate New York on November 1. He replaces Stewart Robertson, who left Glimmerglass in 2006 after almost 20 years.”
Tag: 10.20.08
Cultural Council To Run Governors Island Artists’ Program
“The Lower Manhattan Cultural Council has been selected to run an artists’ studio and exhibition space on Governors Island that will include a year-round artist residency and weekend events. … The selection of the council is the latest effort to transform the 172-acre island in New York Harbor into a destination that is an integral part of city life.”
Blue Humor Isn’t What It Used To Be
John McCain’s appearance last week on David Letterman’s show and Sarah Palin’s “Saturday Night Live” turn “underlined the extent to which comedy has become a liberal genre in America…. Though the nation has been closely divided along partisan lines for years, the funniest and most politically important acts are overwhelmingly at the expense of conservatives and often carry a clear partisan message.”
Kim’s Video Selling 55,000-Film Collection En Masse
“The owner of the East Village’s famed Kim’s Video store is putting his vast collection up for sale. Facing declining revenues, Yongman Kim is making all his 55,000 films available but has imposed strict conditions. The buyer must purchase the collection in its entirety, house it in 3,000 square feet of space and allow access to those who used to rent films at the store….”
Contemporary Art Auction Market Deflates
“By the end of the sale, 27 percent of the works remained stranded. At the press conference held in a subdued atmosphere, a Sotheby’s spokesperson revealed that the auction house had worked hard to persuade consignors to bring down their reserves. As Christie’s took over on Sunday afternoon in a leaden atmosphere, there were empty seats in the room.”
Maybe College Isn’t For Everyone
Today, amazingly, a majority of the students whom colleges admit are grossly underprepared. Only 23 percent of the 1.3 million high-school graduates of 2007 who took the ACT examination were ready for college-level work in the core subjects of English, math, reading, and science.
Prices Drop At Frieze Fair
Some dealers appeared to have lowered prices. At London’s White Cube, a richly enameled painting by Anglo-Indian star Raqib Shaw was on hold at 575,000 pounds. In June at Art Basel, a similar-sized work by Shaw sold for 750,000 pounds.
American Museums Prepare For Downturn
Already the financial-market meltdown has diminished the endowment funds that cover museums’ day-to-day operating expenses. Lehman Brothers, for years a crucial sponsor for museums across the country, is no more. Surviving banking institutions and corporations that also have been the bedrock of exhibition support are likely to give far less or cut off gifts altogether.
A Wave Of London Theatre Closings
“A spate of West End shows have issued early closure notices over the weekend, prompting caution in theatreland as the credit crunch hits box office sales.”