“In an age of megachurches that thrive on congregations that sometimes number 20,000 or more, elaborate Christmas productions that can cost $1million have become a valuable marketing tool. Gone are the days of angel costumes made of white sheets and tin-foil halos. With the proliferation of megachurches, holiday pageants have gone Hollywood.”
Tag: 12.24.07
Why Is Seattle Architecture So Bad?
While some good and interesting buildings are rising, one comes away with the feeling that architects are indeed failing to risk and lead.
Oscar Peterson, 82
“Oscar Peterson, whose early talent, speedy fingers and musical genius made him one of the world’s best known jazz pianists, has died. He was 82… Peterson’s family were with him during his final moments. The cause of death was kidney failure.”
ArtsJournal Holiday Schedule
ArtsJournal will be taking Christmas day and Boxing Day off. Postings and newsletters will resume December 27th. Happy Holidays.
Why Are We Stuck On Nutcracker?
“The fan site www.nutcrackerballet.net lists more than 300 performances from Colorado to Caracas. The New York City Ballet recently celebrated their 2,000th performance of George Balanchine’s version, in Paris it’s the season of the Casse-Noisette, and in Sydney the Australian Ballet have just completed a sold-out run of their lavish new production.”
A Spectacular Year For Shakespeare
“To see a great production is to marvel anew at Shakespeare’s gift for free movement between the homespun and the mythic, comic giddiness and tragic despair, the sound of verse that delights in its own artifice and sudden, heart-stoppingly simple lines of a few monosyllables that are endlessly faithful to common experience.”