“‘Coding is repetition, and dancing is also repetition,’ said Franklyn Athias, senior vice president of IP services at Comcast Cable and the coding instructor at danceLogic [in West Philadelphia]. ‘Yes, one is exercise, but you got to learn the routine. It’s the same thing with coding, you still got to learn the routine.'” – The Philadelphia Inquirer
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At ‘The Olympics Of Hula’
“Every spring, thousands of hula fans descend upon the Hawaiian town of Hilo and line the bleacher seats at Edith Kanaka’ole stadium. Thousands more across the islands … watch live broadcasts on their televisions or computer screens. All these people are showing up and tuning in for the beloved Merrie Monarch Festival, … arguably the world’s most prestigious (and consistently sold out) hula competition.” – Atlas Obscura
‘Relevance Is Becoming The New Litmus Test’: England’s Arts Funder Will No Longer Give Grants Based Solely On Excellence
“Arts Council England has revealed it will now decide what to fund based principally on how ‘relevant’ it is to audiences – and it will ‘no longer be enough’ to produce high-quality work alone. This was one of 11 points … [that] will be the driving factors for the funding body’s next 10-year strategy.” – The Stage
What Teaching Dance In Prisons Accomplishes
Dance to Be Free offers classes in women’s prisons in 13 states, and it even trains them to be dance teachers after they get out. But it’s not just because dance is nice or because teaching could be a career. Instead, says its founder, “Almost every single woman in prison is suffering from some sort of trauma. I knew that the physical movement would help them heal.” – Dance Magazine
City Of New York Places Artists-In-Residence At Social Service Agencies To Develop Art Around Social Issues
One, for instance, will be “working on a project that deals with unequal birth outcomes and maternal mortality for pregnant and parenting black people in the Bronx.” Says an assistant commissioner, “Artists can be creative problem-solvers.” Indeed. – The New York Times
American Theatre Leadership Is Diversifying. Will It Help Diversify Audiences?
Recent turnover in some of America’s most important theatres has helped diversify leadership. And there’s work to diversify boards and staff. But there’s a long way to go to expand the audience. – The Stage
Art Gallery Of Ontario Says It Will Sell 17 Works To Diversify Its Collection
The works for sale aren’t unimportant. They’re by Montreal native and Group of Seven member A.Y. Jackson. They will be included in Heffel Fine Art Auction House’s upcoming auctions, beginning in May. “A founding member of the Group of Seven, A.Y. Jackson is one of Canada’s most celebrated and important artists,” the auction house said in a statement. – ArtForum
50 Years Of Dance Theater Of Harlem
In 1969, Arthur Mitchell and Karel Shook started the company in a converted garage. “Together, they wanted to prove to the world something that still needed proving back then: that blacks could indeed dance ballet — and marvelously.” They did, and the company developed a worldwide reputation, one that survived even an eight-year hiatus due to financial troubles. “In honor of the anniversary, current and former members talked about their time with the company and, of course, Mitchell and his legacy. Here are edited excerpts from those interviews.” – The New York Times
‘The Apollo Theater Of The South,’ Long Derelict, Restored To Its Art Deco Glory And Now A Working Arts Center
Before World War II, the Attucks Theater was the center of Norfolk’s thriving historically black business district. Like many such buildings, it fell on hard times in the late 20th century, hitting bottom as a pawn shop and decaying storage space. Now it’s a busy center for the arts for its community and city as well as a presenter of big-ticket performers. – CityLab
Women’s Prize For Fiction Trying To Figure Out Gender Criteria After Controversy Over Trans-Non-Binary Semifinalist
“The Women’s Prize for Fiction has said it is working on a policy around gender fluid, transgender and transgender non-binary writers after featuring non-binary author Akwaeke Emezi on its latest longlist. … Emezi became the first non-binary trans person to be nominated for the Women’s Prize for Fiction last month, for debut novel Freshwater. – The Bookseller (UK)