“Recent looks at the evolution and neurology of music suggest we are not waltzing by ourselves. Musical experiences are inherently social, scientists tell us, even when they happen in private. When we listen alone, we feel together.”
The ‘Euphemism Treadmill’
“Funeral directors were once called undertakers; today’s lavatory or restroom was yesterday’s bathroom, or – in the 18th century – water closet. … Language is a slam-dance between bullies and their targets, the uncouth and the civil.”
Another Sign Of Progress In Ballet: “Flesh-Colored” Tights Aren’t Automatically Beigish-Pink
Dance mom Garlia Cornelia Jones-Ly: “I had never seen ballet tights this color in person. With a palette that included Toasted Almond, Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Mocha and Espresso, my daughter’s dance experience began to sink in.”
Failure Is Good – Within Reason
Recent research indicates that “it is better to make plans to fail intermittently – to splurge on occasional luxuries when saving for a house; to have a slice of chocolate cake when trying to shed a few pounds – than to end up failing anyway and getting so demoralised you give up your goal altogether.”
When You Listen To Music, Even On Earbuds, You’re Never Alone
“Musical experiences are inherently social, scientists tell us, even when they happen in private. When we listen alone, we feel together.”
Are These Actual Dancing Machines?
A photographer, a dance company, and a strobe light got together in a studio – and these amazing images are the result.
‘Sex And The City’, West African-Style
“Watching these women enumerate the times they’ve been called fat as a compliment parallels the series’ main strategy: each episode inventories and dramatizes the way the characters negotiate the difficulties they encounter in Accra.”
‘Re-Redicalizing Chekhov’
As playwright Aaron Posner observes, “Since the last 100 years have seen Chekhov imitated by virtually every play, movie and TV show, what was once radical is now clichéd.” Here are seven different approaches to bringing Chekhov’s edge back.
Where The Tiny House Movement Got Started – 250 Years Ago
“They are hidden from the main street, accessible usually by a gate-covered break in the larger, more impressive townhouses that front the main street. Go through those gates and you’ll find yourself in a secret pocket of the city, in which there are tiny alleys with tiny houses and tiny courtyards.”
Edifice Complex: Hungary’s Leader Wants To Restore Imperial Buildings To Their Old Glory – And Displace The Museums In Them
Prime Minister Viktor Orbán wants to return the seat of government to the old royal palace (tough luck for the National Gallery of Art), move the country’s highest court to its pre-war site across from Parliament, and turn Budapest’s largest park into a version of Berlin’s Museum Island.
Can’t Score A Ticket To ‘Hamilton’? Try The Audiobook
“Hamilton fans looking for another way to feed their obsession, or simply hungry to read more about the musical’s origins, will be able to get their hands on Hamilton: The Revolution (or as creator and star Lin-Manuel Miranda calls it, the ‘Hamiltome’) on April 12, in hardcover and audiobook.”
How To Spot A Plagiarized Crossword
“As a professional crossword constructor, it is extremely hard for me to believe that what happened here is a mere coincidence.” (includes Crossword Suspicion Scale)
Boston Symphony Names Composer As Its First Artistic Partner
“In his new role, … [he] will conduct the BSO in his own music and other repertoire. He also will compose a new BSO-commissioned Piano Concerto, perform as a chamber musician, teach at the Tanglewood Music Center, and direct two upcoming editions of the TMC’s Festival of Contemporary Music (in 2018 and 2019).”
Top Posts From AJBlogs 03.10.16
On Failure and Fun
In this video, Beth Kanter, discusses the prominent resistance to using failure in the nonprofit sector to our benefit or as a learning mechanism. It is helpful to move out of … read more
AJBlog: Field Notes Published 2016-03-10
A Design Thinking Frame of Mind
When you’re watching things go down in flames or they’ve just collapsed in front of you, it can be hard to keep a broad perspective and focus on moving forward productively. … read more
AJBlog: Field Notes Published 2016-03-10
C’mon Celebrate!
Even when you’re in the middle of a sticky situation, it’s possible to find the humor in your predicament and change perspective. Although not all failures are productive, in fact, we’d … read more
AJBlog: Field Notes Published 2016-03-10
View from the street
The Go-Go Symphony rises from the streets and clubs of Washington, DC, combining pop and classical music. And because of that poses — or ought to pose — a sharp challenge to the Kennedy Center … read more
AJBlog: Sandow Published 2016-03-10
The Operatic Republican Candidates
Anyone who has watched any of the Republican candidates’ debates, particularly the recent ones, has to have been amazed at the extreme statements, the antipathy, the crassness, and the violence of the tone, not to mention … read more
AJBlog: OperaSleuth Published 2016-03-10
Explaining Delacroix, Continued
The Delacroix exhibition at the National Gallery in London that I mentioned in my last post was also on view here in the U.S., at the Minneapolis Institute of Art, under the title Delacroix’s Influence: … read more
AJBlog: Real Clear Arts Published 2016-03-10
Tracing Bloodlines
The Stephen Petronio Company premieres a new work and revives one by Trisha Brown. … read more
AJBlog: Dancebeat Published 2016-03-10
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The World’s Star Architects Have Been Creating In China. So Why A New Ban On “Weird” Buildings?
“The ban on weird architecture is linked to the government’s attempts to reinforce China’s leadership and cultural supremacy by restricting foreign influences.”
Franken-Castle: What A Spanish Architect Did To A Historic Ruin
“Until local architect Carlos Quevedo got his hands on this protected national monument, in Villamartín, it was just another ruined Andalusian fortress – indistinguishable from those topping practically every hill in the region. Now it has been mutilated into a startling Frankenstein bunker, it has become an international celebrity.”
Actor Stops Play With Four-Letter Counterattack On Heckler
“[The actor] was heard to say: ‘I won’t bother telling you the story because this c*** in the front row has ruined it for everybody.'”
The Bipolar, Terrified, Fiercely Courageous Nina Simone
“Her repertoire was catholic—Gershwin, Ellington, Jacques Brel, Kurt Weill, Bob Dylan—but whatever she sang ended up sounding like a Nina Simone tune. She did not so much interpret songs as take possession of them.”