First there was Maya Plisetskaya at eighty. Then the other day I came across some recent photos of the dancers Carmen De Lavallade and Geoffrey Holder. I’d completely forgotten about them—although I saw both perform long ago—and to be honest … Continue reading →
Quite a few people in the comments section on the thread with the gull riding on the eagle’s back thought the image was photoshopped. That was my first thought, too, but I don’t think it’s correct. Here’s the image again; … Continue reading →
The other day I was doing some YouTube surfing of old dance performances. But try as I might, I was unable to find a tape of one of my favorites, Dudley Williams of the Alvin Ailey Dance company doing the … Continue reading →
…here come the “Christie’s too fat to be president” articles (here and here). From the latter: Unfortunately, the symbolism of Christie’s weight problem goes way past the issue of obesity itself. It is just a too-perfect symbol of our country … Continue reading →
The state of Maine has raised its top speed limit to 75, but the new figure only applies to a 110-mile stretch of highway way up north (or downeast, whichever you prefer). That means it will probably affect about three … Continue reading →
Around the time of the tenth anniversary of 9/11 I wrote a post about the new 9/11 Memorial at the site. From the photos and the descriptions of the installation, it looked like a moving and profound tribute. Now I … Continue reading →
Here’s a video of a dancer whose skills are stunning. I’m not at all sure I like this type of dance (some sort of modernized combination of Michael Jackson squared and Marcel Marceau, with a bit of Martha Graham thrown … Continue reading →
Shorter Daley on the EU: good fences make good neighbors. “Consensus” has become coercion. The imperatives of federalism and ever closer union have come bang up against the basic principle of democracy: that elected governments should be answerable to their … Continue reading →
A number of people have recommended this article by Walt Harrington about George W. Bush, whom the journalist first met back in the 80s and became friendly with. Those people are correct; it’s a fascinating read. Their friendship endured throughout … Continue reading →
…comes out with his book-length gossip sheet on temporary next-door-neighbor Sarah Palin, and even the NY Times can’t stomach it: McGinniss is “too busy being nasty to be lucid.” Ouch—although, of course, the two are hardly mutually exclusive. McGinniss is … Continue reading →
Well, not really. For one thing, the interview was conducted in 1958, before Obama was born. But maybe you’ll see what I mean if you watch some of it: As for Huxley, although I think Brave New World was a … Continue reading →
Well, the 9/11 Memorial was a long time coming, but it will be opening tomorrow on the 10th anniversary of that fateful day. Take a look, and perhaps you’ll agree with me that it’s a fitting tribute, classic and moving … Continue reading →