Stories

"(The American Library Association) announced that 4,240 works in school and public libraries had been targeted in 2023, a substantial hike from the then-record 2,571 books in 2022. … The number of separate challenges (is slightly down), ... but efforts to censor (multiple) books at a time have surged in Florida and Texas." - AP

"James Conlon, the second music director in Los Angeles Opera's almost 40-year history, will step down from his role after the 2025-26 season. … (His) departure from his leadership role coincides with that of Los Angeles Philharmonic's music director, Gustavo Dudamel." - Los Angeles Times (Yahoo!)

When it comes to its effects on our emotions and bodies, a new study suggests that music truly is the universal language of humanity. - Ludwig Van

Richard Hedreen, 88, is gifting his entire collection, comprising more than 200 artworks and estimated to be worth about $300 million, to Seattle University. He’s also donating $25 million in seed funding to develop a museum to house the collection. - Seattle Times

Thanks to Arts Council England’s recently published analysis on opera and music theatre, ‘relevance’ is back on the agenda. But the report and its conclusions do not show true understanding of art and artists. - The Stage

Artistic director Jodie Gates left after just 14 months on the job, followed six days later by then-president and CEO Scott Altman announcing that he would leave at the end of 2023. -Cincinnati Enquirer

Like so many of the 19th century ballets, it has been subject to some controversy in recent years. Set in a fanciful Hindu temple, choreographed by a Russian to music by an Austrian (Ludwig Minkus), it is accused of colonialist attitudes and insulting stereotypes. - Dance Australia

unesco is best known for its prestigious list of World Heritage sites. But its most interesting endeavor might be a survey of humanity’s cultural practices. - The New Yorker

Both the NBA and the WNBA have, in addition to their "regular" dance crews (the Raiderettes, the Laker Girls, etc.) with members in their 20s, a number of teams with "mature" dance crews. Here's a visit with the Ole Skool Crew, which performs for the WNBA’s L.A. Sparks." - The Cut (MSN)

The magazine, once a prominent publication for fiction, poetry, and literary nonfiction, with a focus on global art and politics, quickly found itself imploding as its all-volunteer staff revolted over the essay. - The Atlantic (MSN)

While women played key roles in the development of crosswords in the US, by the late 20th-century, puzzle-constructing was dominated by college-educated white guys, and clues reflected that. Today the puzzling world, gradually becoming more diverse, can help create a common cultural vocabulary in a diverse society. - The Atlantic (MSN)

The novel was published this week, unleashing a backlash from scholars, writers and fans who’ve taken exception not with the novel itself, but rather with what they see as an act of betrayal that endangers García Márquez’s legacy. - The New York Times

"Ten years after a renovation, the Musée Picasso (in Paris) – which holds the world’s largest collection of Picasso’s work – has installed a new permanent exhibition … in 22 rooms. The Françoise Gilot exhibition in room 17 on the third floor is temporary but expected to be in situ for a year." - The Guardian

Giving marks to people playing a Chopin polonaise is no different from deciding on medals in gymnastics, dressage and judo at the Olympic Games, as we shall see again in Paris this summer. The spectacle is governed by invisible rules that connect to no verifiable reality. - The Critic

"Everyone in Philly is always walking by these incredible buildings, including gorgeous houses of worship, but going inside is something we don’t usually get an opportunity to do," said John Walthausen, artistic director of the first Philadelphia Organ Festival, running March 15-23 in various parts of the city. - The Philadelphia Inquirer (MSN)