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Journalist Amy Sutherland delves into everyday life at the world’s premier school for exotic animal trainers. “Kicked, Bitten, and Scratched: Life and Lessons at the World’s Premier School for Exotic Animal Trainers” by Amy Sutherland. (Viking) By Abby Frucht I once saw a circus act in which an elephant sat in what looked like a…
Read MoreIn the past several podcasts, ArtCast has explored the competitive nature of cultural tourism in America today, focusing on how Boston has much to learn from Philadelphia, which is investing in new ways to bring more visitors into the city. Continuing with that theme we hear from one of Beantown’s cultural mover and shakers, the…
Read MoreBy Adrienne LaFrance, Regardless of your political affiliation, you have to admit that it’s good to see Al Gore beardless and moving on with his life, six years after the 2000 presidential election. Gore is pursuing what he’s called his life’s calling; spreading the word about global warming and its threats to civilization. Last night,…
Read MoreIn the first half of this installment of ArtsCast, we focus on the cultural wars as experienced through the eyes of Gary Cole, who was on the fast track to become the number three man at the National Endowment for the Arts until his nomination was torpedoed. According to the former Republican activist, GOP powerbrokers…
Read MoreBy James Marcus At its best, an opera about the death of Spanish writer Federico Garcia Lorca is a tour-de-force. Ainadamar, an opera by Osvaldo Golijov. (Deutsche Grammophon) For most composers, geography is destiny. Even Schoenberg — whose innovations were supposed to release music not only from its tonal prison but from the local idiom…
Read MoreBy Danielle Dreilinger Web artists specializing in alternative comics are finding readers and discovering new ways for the arts to profit online.
Read MoreIn an op-ed column, Bill Marx pointed out that for major American cities — beset by shrinking revenues, global competition, and the migration of corporate headquarters — tourism is essential. Some cities, such as Philadelphia, understand this but others, such as Boston, are slow learners. You will recall that last week featured a conversation with…
Read More“Superman Returns” fails to take off the ground in Warner Brother’s attempt to revive the legendary franchise. Although Brandon Routh believably portrays the Man of Steel, unmistakably similar in his bold facial features and baritone voice to the man (Christopher Reeve) who made the role famous, the predictable plot and too much one-dimensional acting by…
Read MoreThrough DVDs, I recently revisited some vividly remembered TV episodes of “Walt Disney Presents” with the “Tomorrowland” theme.
Read MoreA worthy present for Mozart on his 250th birthday: an original, sometimes eclectic, and mostly well-written book about the composer and his operas. “Mozart and His Operas” by David Cairns. (University of California Press) By Mark Kroll Mozart mania is back. In fact, it never left and don’t say I didn’t warn you. We are…
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