Long Day’s Journey: a family feud, familiar fodder for Americans
Jun
14
2018
Every family has its problems. Every problem spurs its drama. I anticipate my upcoming visit to The Wallis to see Eugene O’Neill’s Long Day’s Journey into Night as a microcosm, a kind of deep dive into a Petree dish — a ‘family drama’ the likes of which our nation is undergoing now. A highly controversial ...
Wild rhythms of Japan & India to tumble from Ford Amphitheatre stage
Ask the average American theater-goer or music listener to describe Japanese taiko drumming and you’ll probably hear a description something like this: solemn men in loin cloths and sweat bands who beat oversized drums in unison — loudly and interminably. Brian Yamami has spent his last 18 years trying to change that perception. He’s a ...
Live, again, on Hollywood Boulevard: Jackie Wilson
Kind of a stunning cultural moment to attend the first-ever Hologram-only theater right on the tourist strip of Hollywood Boulevard. A block from the Egyptian Theatre, it’s a wholesome entertainment addition to the ‘hood. Last week, we attended a debut screening of a hologram-homage to a great r&b/early-rock artist, Jackie Wilson. Now, gosh. This strip ...
Be sublime! instructs ‘Bayadere’ coach Susan Jones
Jun
11
2018
It was nice to hear from Susan Jones, the impassioned ballet mistress of American Ballet Theatre who lately admits to a special assignment indeed. “For weeks we have worked on every detail of La Bayadère Act 2 Shades,” she shares on Facebook, referring to the famous sequence that opens the second act of “La Bayadère,” ...
Gifted women of dance revive community connection – courtesy of DVP
Jun
4
2018
Myna Majors (Baba Olatunji Drum and Dancers), Shirley Black Brown Coward (Audelco Award, Black Nativity), Ellen Graff (Martha Graham Dance Company), Naomi Goldberg Haas (Dances for a Variable Population), Audrey Hubbard Madison (Charles Moore Dance Theater), Elizabeth Keen (Paul Taylor, Helen Tamiris/Daniel Nagrin), Marnie Thomas Wood (Martha Graham Dance Company) and Alice Tierstein (Young Dancemakers ...
A neighborly day in this beautywood with Fred Rogers
All that was missing was my blankie and a pacifier. Then I would hunker down all night with “Won’t You Be My Neighbor,” the latest documentary from Morgan Neville. Neville, whose Twenty Feet from Stardom shone a thrilling light on the unheralded talent of backup singers, in this new doc shifts focus to yet another ...
Hollywood’s favorite rosé celebrates ‘National Rosé Day’ courtesy of Bodvar
Bodvar model, Bodvar, Ann Hafstrom Cannes, May 2018. photo: Erick Seban-Meyer What the world needs now is — National Rosé Day. And courtesy of the Swedish-based wine and luxury good purveyor, Bodvár – House of Rosés, that’s coming our way June 9. Fêted each year on the second Saturday in June, National Rosé Day was ...
On Memorial Day, remembering “pochoir” color prints
May
28
2018
It was nice to hear from print specialist and art dealer Georgina Kelman who shares a fascinating explanation of these two prints. I bought a sassy Edgar Chahine etching (with drypoint) from Georgina a year ago. Writes Georgina: If you’re wondering what exactly a “pochoir” is, please don’t feel embarrassed. It is, without a doubt, ...
arts·meme birthday gift from laemmle theatres: $1.00 popcorn!
At arts·meme, we love Laemmle Theatres. That’s where the good movies are! And we are very appreciative of the nice gesture from the respected theater chain’s head honcho, Greg Laemmle, who extends a special offer to arts·meme newsletter subscribers: $1.00 popcorn! Just print out your newsletter, or bring it on a smart phone, slap down ...
Trailblazing fashionista/journo Andre Leon Talley in doc
An unlikely fashionista except by virtue of his own brilliance, assiduous self-education in fashion history, and raging ambition to be in the middle of it all is the fascinating figure, André Leon Talley. This quintessential tastemaker, a contributor to Women’s Wear Daily, W, and Vogue, is the subject of a touching new documentary directed by Kate ...