On the night of Feb. 20, 1954, President Dwight D. Eisenhower interrupted a vacation in Palm Springs, Calif. Some say he made an unexpected visit to Edwards Air Force Base. There, in the secret meeting to end all secret meetings, he rendezvoused with a pair of angelic, white-haired, blue-eyed extraterrestrials, who cautioned the president — to no avail — to eliminate his … [Read more...]
Archives for July 2020
Video concerts keep faith alive for PB Chamber Music Festival
The Palm Beach Chamber Music Festival is finishing up its 29th season tonight with the release of the third program in its series of short virtual concerts. Forced by the coronavirus pandemic to cancel its live shows, the festival has moved online for three abbreviated concerts filmed at Old School Square’s Crest Theatre, and made available for $10 apiece on Vimeo. The … [Read more...]
Ambitious ‘Radioactive’ captures Curie’s psychology, shortchanges her work
The discovery that would change humanity forever arrives relatively early in Radioactive, the long-awaited biopic of Marie Curie. We’re not 30 minutes in, and she’s already captured the phenomenon of radioactivity, in all its Ectoplasmic-green glow, in a tiny vial. It happens after a perfunctory montage of beakers and equations, of Marie (Rosamund Pike) and her husband and … [Read more...]
For 29th season, PBC Chamber Fest going virtual with 3 concerts
The classical music world has adapted rapidly and skillfully to the coronavirus pandemic when it comes to the presentation of concerts. Look no further than YouTube or the Facebook page of your favorite presenting institution and you’re likely to find streams of live music that in the absence of audiences at least are keeping the faith alive. And so it is that the Palm … [Read more...]
Back from bout with COVID-19, Boca singer eager to see audiences again
Every picture tells a story. It’s a time-honored phrase, but it’s not always true. Take South Florida-based vocalist Deborah Silver (www.deborahsilvermusic.com). Even if you know that she’s a veteran singer well-versed in jazz and adult contemporary styles, and see images that indicate the look of a classic cabaret artist, those elements are only part of her tale. … [Read more...]
Arts briefs: Symphonia taps Willis as chief conductor
BOCA RATON — Grammy-nominated conductor Alastair Willis has been named principal conductor and artistic adviser of The Symphonia Boca Raton. Willis has been a guest conductor with The Symphonia for the past several seasons. He also served as principal conductor for the orchestra’s “New Directions” concert series in 2019. He also is music director of the South … [Read more...]
Starry ‘The Truth’ too insular to make deep impact
To note that The Truth is Hirokazu Kore-eda’s starriest movie to date is to understate. While the Japanese director’s previous 13 films have been cast with actors unfamiliar to the non-cinephile masses, and often earn little more than festival and art-house exhibition, his latest has all the ingredients for broader appeal and a wide theatrical opening — something it was poised … [Read more...]
‘Hamilton’ on Disney+ close to glory of stage show
If you were growing up in the late 1950s, like I was, you probably were enthralled by a Disney film about a Revolutionary War apprentice silversmith, Johnny Tremain. But from here on, when the Disney name is mentioned with our War of Independence, it will be because the entertainment conglomerate paid $75 million for the rights to a video recording of the award-laden, … [Read more...]
Cultural Council offers summer virtual programs
Like many art institutions and organizations in this time of COVID-19, the Cultural County for Palm Beach County has shifted its offerings online, with a summer lineup of free virtual programming, including art exhibitions and the performing arts. Their six-performance music series began in June with “A Jazz Tribute to Musicals” featuring Yvette Norwood-Tiger and continues … [Read more...]
Arts briefs: Smith wins Frank Prize, ANSG appoints director, and more
WEST PALM BEACH — The 2020 Randolph A. Frank Prize for the Performing Arts was awarded June 25 to Ballet Palm Beach founder and artistic director Colleen Smith during a ceremony streamed live. “In addition to being a brilliant choreographer, Colleen has taught more than 5,000 Palm Beach County students and awarded in excess of $200,000 in scholarships to deserving dancers … [Read more...]