IMA budget cuts: Park pushed back

Earlier today, the Indianapolis Museum of Art announced a series of cutbacks designed to trim $1.7 million from its budget due to “significant losses to its endowment as well as shortfalls in income generated through donations and purchases at the museum store…

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How bestsellers are made

Ever wonder how and why some books seem to come out of nowhere to become bestsellers?

There’s an interesting story you might have missed in Saturday’s “Wall Street Journal.” Find it here.

In it, reporter Anita Elberse discusses the increased emphasis…

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You-review-it Monday

Two shows opening at Theatre on the Square. The first First Friday of 2009. A couple of stray concerts. And, of course, all that New Years activity.

There was a surprising number of choices of arts activity over the last few…

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Your arts resolutions

Have I ever asked anything of you, loyal readers?

Well, now I am. And it’s pretty simple.

Resolve right now to attend at least one more arts event in 2009 than you did in 2008. Resolve to do more if you feel…

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IBJ Night at the Movies: ‘Defiance’

Daniel Craig and Liev Schriber star in the upcoming film WW II film “Defiance,” in which three brothers escape Nazi-occupied Poland and join with Russian resistance fighters. Edward Zwick (“Blood Diamond,” “Glory”) directs. More info on the film here.

Want…

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Arts under your tree?

So did you get anything cultural for the holidays? Tickets to a local concert? A DVD you always wanted?

Tell.

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Pay more for premium seats?

Would you pay more for an aisle seat?

If an airline representative were asking, you might say yes. But what if it’s an arts venue’s ticket seller?

Whether you call it “demand pricing” or “scaling the house,” across the country, theaters are…

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Chicago hotter than Broadway

In January, more than a dozen Broadway productions will be shutting down, including “Spring Awakening,” “Gypsy,” “Hairspray” “13,” and “Young Frankenstein.” And there’s little on the horizon to replace them. (Are you really anxious to see “Shrek: The Musical”? Didn’t…

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You-review-it Monday

I like to think of myself as a realist.

So I know that this is unlikely to have been the busiest weekend for arts activity. Still, there may be some of you who warmed themselves by the light of the ISO,…

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A Fink among Muppets

On Wednesday, “A Muppet Christmas–Letters to Santa” made its holiday debut on NBC.

Why am I mentioning that here?

Two reasons.

1. It was co-written by Indianapolis native Hugh Fink, a former SNL scribe and very funny man. (Check out some funny business…

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‘Seven Pounds’: Your thoughts

So did you brave the weather–and the massive overbooking of the theater–and get in to see “Seven Pounds” last night?

If so, let us know what you thought.

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The art of ‘Friending’ on Facebook

I’ve recently joined the Facebook revolution. Yes, I know, I’m late in this, but I also didn’t start watching “L.A. Law” until the third season and still haven’t seen “Mad Men,” so I’m not always an early adaptor.

I signed on to Facebook,…

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You-review-it Monday

This weekend, I finally got to see “On Thin Ice: A Very Phoenix Xmas 3” (the best yet). I also hopped over to opening weekend of Actors Theatre of Indiana’s “A Year with Frog and Toad” (as wonderful as last year….

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Quick-notes Friday

–Consider a stop at the Indiana Historical Society some time in the next few weeks. Most of it–including the gift shop, “You are There: 1945 Hoosier Home Front” and the History Lab will be closing to the public beginning Jan….

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Golden Globes/critic’s ignorance

I’m not one of those “TV is beneath me” snobs, but the reality is that, as your friendly neighborhood arts guy, I don’t have much time to watch the tube.

Still, when I saw the Golden Globe nominations this morning, I had to…

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Authors and more at IHS

Last Saturday’s Indiana Author Fair at the Indiana Historical Society not only brought to town a lot of Indiana authors. It also brought to town some of the bravest Indiana authors. A few slid there way from “the region,” sharing…

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IBJ Movie Night: ‘Seven Pounds’

[Note: all winners have been contacted. See you at the movie.] 

Join IBJ for a sneak preview of the new Will Smith film “Seven Pounds.”

It will be held Tuesday, Dec. 16 at AMC Castleton Square 14.

To score the passes, discuss your favorite Will…

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Indianapolis Star arts coverage

In Sunday’s Indianapolis Star, editor Dennis Ryerson commented on staff departures, announcing that “Talk of the Town,” Susan Guyett’s former column, will continue with another TBA writer. And that Jay Harvey will take over arts reviewing. See the story

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