The big tease: As burlesque grows in popularity, some ask: Is it art or X-rated entertainment?CHICAGO — In the Depression-era days of Gypsy Rose Lee, burlesque dancing was about as naughty, and as nude, as it got in public. The emphasis was on the tease more than the strip, until Playboy and harder-core pornography came along in the 1950s. Paula Abdul to host ‘VH1 Divas’ Sept. 17 concert special; Sparks, Clarkson in lineupLOS ANGELES — Paula Abdul will see familiar faces when she hosts the “VH1 Divas” concert — former “American Idol” winners Kelly Clarkson and Jordin Sparks are among the singers. Several songs in Broadway’s ‘West Side Story’ revival have minor lyric changesNEW YORK — It’s back to the original English for some of the lyrics in the hit Broadway revival of “West Side Story.” Royal Opera House to release recordings of Wagner operas from Bayreuth Festival on DVDBERLIN — Germany’s Bayreuth Festival has agreed to enter a deal with a production arm of Britain’s Royal Opera House to produce and sell DVD recordings of composer Richard Wagner’s operas recorded at the annual festival. More plus-size people on television, but plus-size fans aren’t sure that’s always a good thingRALEIGH, N.C. — Ask model and fashion designer Emme whether television and other media are more accepting of plus-size people, and she quickly corrects you. ‘The Bacchae,’ Euripides’ tale of vengeance, flourishes in Central ParkNEW YORK — Beware of a petulant young god burning with vengeance, especially if you’ve grievously insulted his dead mother and denied his godly existence. This sounds like a simple enough caution, but some rulers of the ancient city of Thebes just didn’t get it. Irving Berlin’s ‘White Christmas’ is returning to Broadway for the holiday seasonNEW YORK — The stage version of Irving Berlin’s “White Christmas” is serving up another round of holiday cheer. Hasidic reggae star Matisyahu taps a ‘different sides of myself’ with a new rockin’ albumNEW YORK — The world’s first Hasidic reggae superstar is getting a little unorthodox. Ancient Thai-Indian links get modern twist in BangkokBANGKOK, Thailand — Outdoor markets tout sari sales, five-star hotels feature Indian chefs and Thais drop by a temple in the financial district to beseech Hindu gods to send profits their way. Kashmiri cuisine, Shabana films to mark South African festivalJOHANNESBURG - Wazwan cuisine of Kashmir, a retrospective of films starring Shabana Azmi and a literary festival featuring Shobha De are among the highlights of a six-week Indian arts festival across three South African cities from Sep 5. Orissa dance group wins ‘India’s Got Talent’ contestMUMBAI - Orissa-based The Prince Dance group was declared the winner of TV reality show “Indias Got Talent at the grand finale here late Saturday night after several relatives and friends of the group, apart from state Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, corporate houses and social activists joined hands to vote en masse for them. Let’s dance! Creamer putt gives US lead after first day and Inkster a recordSUGAR GROVE, Ill. — Instead of dancing, Juli Inkster dropped to her knees. In a devil of a diplomatic dispute, rivalry between Peru and Bolivia hits the dance floorLIMA, Peru — A beauty pageant has set off a beastly battle between Peru and Bolivia, which both claim ownership of the Andean “Devil’s Dance.” Hawaii marks 50 years as nation’s youngest state; pro-independence protests plannedHONOLULU — Hawaii is marking its entry as the 50th state with a new postage stamp, planning for the islands’ future economic development and protests. NYC Opera, union representing singers and other employees reach contract agreementNEW YORK — The New York City Opera and the union for its singers have reached a contract agreement. Devyne Stephens, former aspiring artist, becomes developer and refiner of urban music talentATLANTA — It’s tough to pinpoint what Devyne Stephens does to take an artist’s promising career to the next level. 5 more semifinalists, including married jugglers, rise on ‘America’s Got Talent’LOS ANGELES — Five more “America’s Got Talent” acts are moving on. Hunter Foster joins cast of new musical ‘Ordinary Days’; show tells story of 4 New YorkersNEW YORK — The Roundabout Theatre Company is launching a brand-new musical with a Tony nominee attached. Rome says Maestro Muti agrees to lead city’s opera houseROME — Rome says maestro Riccardo Muti has agreed to lead the city’s opera house, pending final approval of details. Hildegard Behrens, renowned Wagner soprano, dies in Tokyo at age 72TOKYO — Soprano Hildegard Behrens, one of the finest Wagnerian performers of her generation, has died while traveling in Japan. She was 72. Globalisation taking purity out of ghazals: top Pakistani singerNEW DELHI - Tina Sani, one of Pakistan’s most popular classical and semi-classical ghazal exponents, feels that globalisation, the widespread culture of pop and rock music and the end of royal patronage are taking their toll on the popularity of ghazal in south Asia. Amaan, Ayaan unsure of debut film, return to sarodNEW DELHI - Amaan and Ayaan Ali Khan, who were set to make their acting debut with director J.P. Dutta’s untitled film, were barred from making public appearances till its release. But now the Bangash brothers have returned to giving sarod recitals as their movie has been put on hold. Hildegard Behrens, renowned Wagner soprano, dies in TokyoTOKYO — Soprano Hildegard Behrens, one of the finest Wagnerian performers of her generation, has died while traveling in Japan. She was 72. Michael Jackson’s Mexico fans to attempt world record for size of crowd dancing to ‘Thriller’MEXICO CITY — Led by a Michael Jackson impersonator in sunglasses, a sequined black jacket and white glove, dozens of the singer’s Mexican fans are practicing the steps in his “Thriller” video to attempt a new world record. LA salsa instructor who choreographed routines for Fox TV show charged with assaulting womenLOS ANGELES — A salsa dance instructor who choreographed routines for the Fox television show “So You Think You Can Dance” has been arrested and charged with sexually assaulting four women. American Sanya Richards dances to title in 400, Bolt heads to semifinals in 200BERLIN — Sanya Richards dominated a little bit like Usain Bolt. Then she danced a little like him, too. Reputed House arm-twister DeLay aims to show fancy footwork on TV’s ‘Dancing With The Stars’WASHINGTON — Former House Republican Whip Tom DeLay, called the “Hammer” for his arm-twisting talents, wants to show the world some fancy footwork. David Cross stand-up tour date
Met Opera sets record with $2.5 million on first day of individual ticket salesNEW YORK — The Metropolitan Opera was singing a happy song about the first day of individual box office sales for the upcoming season. Seattle Opera revives its “Green Ring” cycle, a Wagnerian feast for eye and earSEATTLE — Like a towering fir tree that survives after the primeval forest around it has vanished, the Seattle Opera’s production of Wagner’s “Ring” cycle now stands alone as the only traditional depiction of the epic music drama on an American stage. From Macduff to the NFL: Redskins rookie defensive lineman Jarmon is quite an actASHBURN, Va. — Here’s a double-feature performance you don’t see often: Play in the school’s spring football game, then dash across campus to perform on stage at the campus theater. From McDuff to the NFL: Redskins rookie defensive lineman Jarmon is quite an actASHBURN, Va. — Here’s a double-feature performance you don’t see often: Play in the school’s spring football game, then dash across campus to perform on stage at the campus theater. Vienna production of Don Giovanni masterful blend of voice, music, stagingVIENNA — Blood. Glitzy costumes. Magnificent voices and gorgeous soloists. Clever directing. Thrilling times for Michael Jackson impersonators: Jacko lookalikes are back in demandLAS VEGAS — Michael Jackson impersonator Frederick Henry had to go overseas to find steady work in recent years as the pop star’s behavior got weirder and weirder. Many of his colleagues quit the business altogether. Les Paul passed away
|
TopicsPoll Loading ...Latest TweetsArt and Culture
Latest Friend FeedsArt and Culture
|
Be ready for a David Cross stand-up at the Congress Theater on October 4, 2009. Tickets will be available from this Friday through Ticketmaster.
Les Paul, 84, father of electric guitar died on August 13. As reported to the Rolling Stone, Paul’s manager confirmed that the guitar legend was suffering from sever pneumonia and passed away in a New York hospital due to respiratory failure.
