Back-up singers to the fore in “Twenty Feet From Stardom” 1
Providing a spectacular opening event of the second season of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Science’s “Oscars Outdoors” series: “Twenty Feet from Stardom.” The badly titled but otherwise smashing new documentary concerns a great subject: the art of the pop music back-up singer. Directed by Morgan Neville, it’s a must-see movie about American ...
Jackie Chan fast, furious, funny at the Academy 1
Jun
4
2013
He kept popping out of his chair; at one point he perched on its arm. His energy was immense and direct. His water glass sat nearby, untouched. He was a Jackie Chan wind-up toy. Clutching a hand-held mike like a stand-up comic, he worked the room—the velvet-red Samuel Goldwyn Theater of the Academy of Motion ...
Jimmy Webb to perform “MacArthur Park” where torch song was inspired
This just in from Liz Hirsch, the powerhouse behind the Levitt Pavilions, a national network of outdoor amphitheaters in urban park settings. The Pavilions’ marvelous ethnically diverse music offerings are all provided gratis for the pleasure of a picnicking (and often dancing) audience. Writes Liz: On Saturday, June 15 Levitt Pavilion Los Angeles at MacArthur ...
Party on, arts·meme people!
It was an arts lovers Saturday night on LaBrea Avenue. A throng of party people clustered ’round a new exhibition, Francisco Zuniga: A Centenial Tribute, to appreciate the great Mexican artist and to celebrate five years of arts blogging on arts·meme. The party was hosted by Jack Rutberg Fine Arts. View the photos here. Like ...
Francisco Zuniga at Jack Rutberg Fine Arts – opens June 1
We’re very excited to get into the mix at Jack Rutberg Fine Arts Saturday night. The highly respected gallery on La Brea Avenue just north of Beverly Boulevard is hosting an evening that’s all about love of the arts. The main event is the opening of a centennial tribute to Mexican sculptor and painter Francisco ...
Nureyev influenced Mick Jagger 3
“Nureyev: His Life,” Diane Solway (William Morrow & Company, 1998) contains a brief interview with pop singer Marianne Faithfull (pages 333-4): Among [Nureyev’s] biggest fans were Mick Jagger and his girlfriend, the pop singer Marianne Faithfull, who were photographed arriving for the premiere [of Roland Petit’s Paradise Lost (1967) made for Nureyev and Dame Margot ...
Happy birthday, arts·meme! The little lady turns five. 2
May
23
2013
We’re positively ancient … five years old … and we’re throwing a swell birthday party. Hope you can come by. The party’s happening at Jack Rutberg Fine Arts on LaBrea Avenue on Saturday, June 1. It’s concurrent to the opening of a wonderful art gallery show, “Francisco Zuniga: A Centennial Tribute.” In the thanks-and-gratitude department, ...
Remembering Republic Pictures 2
May
23
2013
We’re very excited to attend a celebration, hosted by Hollywood Heritage, of the films and stars of Republic Pictures. Founded in 1935 by Herbert J. Yates, Republic Pictures was an independent film production-distribution corporation with studio facilities. Republic’s brand focused on westerns, movie serials and B-films emphasizing mystery and action — Saturday matinee staples. Troupers ...
Honoring Gilda Radner 1
May
21
2013
We were extremely touched by a wonderful acceptance speech from Comedy Central’s Jack Herrguth upon receiving a GILDA Award from the Cancer Support Community – Benjamin Center last Saturday night. Founded in 1982 by Doctor Harold Benjamin, the CSC was built upon the principle that no one should face cancer alone. Offering support groups, mind & ...
New York Times honors Jack Cole & dance critic 3
It’s a big honor to be recognized in the New York Times. I am awfully proud to receive a shout-out (used to be called a “name mention”) from Dave Kehr, the highly respected film critic. In his weekly New York Times round-up of recently released DVDs, Kehr writes: MEET ME AFTER THE SHOW The choreographer ...