Articles

Taking the “art” out at Keystone

I’ve got a pretty broad definition of art. And a pretty broad definition of art films.

But “Get Smart”? “You Don’t Mess with the Zohan”? “Indiana Jones”? “The Happening”? “Sex in the City”?

Such is the lineup at Landmark’s Keystone Art…

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Ann Patchett on opera and veggies

“Sometimes I worry that culture is like vegetables and that I’d be better off eating that which is locally grown,” writes novelists Ann Patchett in today’s Wall Street Journal.

The piece isn’t a celebration of local arts. Rather, it’s a tribute to the…

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Tobias Theatre events announced

The folks at the Indianapolis Museum of Art have named names (at least some) for programming at its soon-to-be-opening  Tobias Theatre.

The initial schedule for this new “living room” for the arts includes:

–“Virtuosos and Visions,” featuring violinist Cho-Liang Lin, pipa artist Min Xiao-Fen,…

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DC: Final critical thoughts

More random thoughts from the American Theatre Critics Association conference in Washington.

* If the powers that be in Carmel–or any other place that aspires to be an arts destination–hasn’t already made contact, they should reach out immediately and speak to…

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You-review-it Monday

Okay, so what did I miss?

Anyone visit the ISO on the Prairie, shop at the Eiteljorg’s Indian Market, participate in the 48 Hour Film Project or stop in at the Florie Leviton show at the Indianapolis Art Center?

What A&E encounters did you…

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DC: Awards matter

It’s the fourth day of the American Theatre Critics Association annual conference and my feet or sore, my eyes a little glazed over, and my excitement about theater and its potential increased.

Here are some notes:

* One of the factors credited…

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The death of the CD

Reports of the death of the CD aren’t exagerated.

Wired magazine reports that Apple’s ITunes store has sold over five billion songs.

Meanwhile, Price WaterhouseCoopers LLC released a report that sales downloaded songs will surpass that of CDs by 2010.

In…

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DC: Backstage at the Kennedy Center

The latest in a serious of reports from the American Theatre Critics Association conference in Washington, D.C. 

It’s past intermission, but I chose not to go back into the theater. Stomach issues, I claim. Truth is, I saw a much better directed, better…

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DC: Dancing with Presidents

We’re on the stage of the National Theatre, rich in history but on the verge of irrelevance. With a mere 1675 seats, it’s difficult to compete for tours and concerts with the Kennedy Center and other larger houses.

This is…

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DC: Dinner with Harry Hamlin

“Hi, I’m Harry,” he says, shaking my hand.

And when he sits down at our table, a woman next to him asks, “Who do you write for?”

That’s the standard first question here at the American Theatre Critics Association conference in Washington. But, in this case,…

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“Get Smart”–Your thoughts

Since I’m out of town, I had to miss the Tuesday IBJ Night at the Movies preview of “Get Smart.” So if you were there, enlighten me. What did I miss?

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DC: Critical mass in Washington

It’s been about a decade since I’ve been to Washington, D.C., but memories rush back.

On a junior high field trip, a kid sticking his hand in front of my Super-8 movie camera as I tried to film a “Hard Day’s…

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You-review-it Monday

A busy weekend for me included spending quality time with “Some Men” at the Phoenix Theatre, an afternoon visit to the Indy Jazz Fest, finally getting to see “Iron Man” at the movies, a trip to Bollywood courtesy of the Gregory…

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Columbia Club woos companies to boost membership

The 119-year-old Columbia Club downtown is offering corporate discounts for the first time in an effort to boost revenue and
curb declining memberships. Previously, the Monument Circle institution sold memberships only on an individual basis. Under
the new plan, corporations will receive a significant discount, on a sliding scale, if five or more employees join.

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Preview: Chakaia Booker in Indy

IBJ reporter Jennifer Whitson takes over the blog for a moment with some info on the upcoming Chakaia Booker public art exhibition.

New York-based artist Chakaia Booker’s nine new sculptures will be taking over downtown…

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Chakaia Booker

Chakaia Booker: Mass Transit, a public art display of nine original pieces and one existing sculpture, will be set up in downtown Indianapolis on July 14. Here’s where to go to see them:

1. “Gridlock”

2. “Tailgaiting”

3. “Plus or Minus?”…

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A&E reviews, contests…and TV

Welcome to Friday.

I just wanted to alert you to a couple of things.

First, we’ve added a new portal page to make it easy for you to find not just this blog, but also the A&E reviews from my column in the print…

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Caring about the Tony Awards

The Tony Awards , the annual celebration of the Broadway season, are being handed out this Sunday night.

Did I hear a yawn? You aren’t alone.

A notorious ratings loser, the show each year seems to squander the opportunity to excite….

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The latest from Twyla Tharp

The pride of Portland, Indiana, choreographer Twyla Tharp premiered a new work, “Rabbit and Rogue” with the American Ballet Theatre last week, earning a range of reviews from enthusiasm to dismissal .

In reading them, I was taken back…

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Chicago’s Muti pageant

I’m sure there are arts patrons in Central Indiana who travel across the border to hear the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. I just don’t know any of them.

For most of us, the musical difference between a true world-class orchestra like the…

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