Historians are suggesting that entire chapters in the life of the founder of Protestantism might be re-written following the discovery of household trash at two of his homes. Among the preliminary conclusions is that Luther’s tales of coming from humble circumstances were untrue: his parents were considerably more prosperous than he claimed.
Tag: 10.28.08
Minnesota Voters Consider New Way To Lock In Arts Funding
“A constitutional amendment is not the way to address state budget inequities. But the executive director of Minnesota Citizens for the Arts fears that the traditional way of doing business — competing for the attention of legislators hashing out conflicting requests — has ill-served arts groups and patrons.”
Can A Holocaust Victim Be Anti-Semitic?
At New York’s Museum of Jewish Heritage, an exhibit on Irène Némirovsky – the French-Jewish-Catholic author who died at Auschwitz and whose rediscovered novel Suite Française became a bestseller several years ago – has revived a bitter debate over whether her early works featured nasty Jewish caricatures.
Peering Into The Future Of The NY Phil
At a press luncheon this week, incoming Philharmonic Music Director Alan Gilbert revealed some of his plans for the orchestra in the coming seasons, including: Magnus Lindberg as composer-in-residence, a new-music ensemble of up to 50 musicians from the Phil’s ranks, and an opening-night gala with Renée Fleming singing Messiaen.
Bookstore: If Caffeine Doesn’t Bring ‘Em In, Maybe Alcohol Will
The Schuler Books & Music stores in Grand Rapids already have cafes and fireplaces to entice customers to spend time there. Now the owners are considering getting a liquor license for their downtown location so they can sell beer and wine as well. (And will McSweeney’s be sponsoring its own craft brew?)
Viñoly Opens His First UK Building (Finally)
Rafael Viñoly Architects has had a difficult time of it in Great Britain, with various high-profile endeavors either delayed or rejected. This month, at last, Viñoly has a completed project: the Curve Theatre in Leicester, a £61 million building with two performance spaces (750 and 350 seats, both reconfigurable) and a striking curved façade of louvred glass. “Quite literally, a coup de théâtre.”
Will “Multiplatform” Books Transform KidLit?
One publisher thinks it has found the next Harry Potter. “It’s not the book that’s especially unusual but the bells and whistles that go with it – what Scholastic calls the ‘multiplatform’ package. Along with the book comes an Internet game, an elaborate system of card collecting, and cash prizes up to $10,000.”
Martha Graham Company To Debut In Beijing
The company gives its first performances in China next month at the National Center for the Performing Arts (a/k/a “The Egg”). The repertoire ranges from such classics as Errand Into the Maze, Night Journey and Appalachian Spring to Graham’s last work, Maple Leaf Rag.
Recession Or No, We Can’t Live Without Our Cable
“‘Video and broadband are no more discretionary for most families than running water or electricity,’ said Berstein Research analyst Craig Moffett, in a note to investors. One indicator that Americans aren’t cutting cable service just yet: High-definition, flat-panel displays are still selling quite well, and are supposed to sell well through the holiday season.”
Costumes Fit For By A Queen
“Denmark’s Queen Margrethe on Tuesday unveiled costumes she designed for a Christmas ballet based on the classic Russian folk tale [“The Snow Maiden”]… Margrethe, a prolific graphic artist and scenographer, has previously designed costumes and sets for several plays, including adaptations of stories by fairy tale writer Hans Christian Andersen.”