I must concede that my love for Noah Baumbach’s cinema is at least partly founded on the belief that he’s writing for me, and a cultish minority of other mes out there, and not the mass populace that fills multiplexes for comic-book sequels and Kevin Hart buddy movies. Like his antecedent Whit Stillman, his best films have talked up to their audience, not down. While the rest … [Read more...]
At the Festival of the Arts Boca: ‘West Side Story,’ daughter celebrate Bernstein
By Dale King At the halfway point of the 2015 Festival of the Arts Boca, many audiences have already seen and heard a great deal about Leonard Bernstein. His elder daughter, Jamie Bernstein, kicked off the annual 10-day event March 4 with a lecture about her father’s legacy, offering backstories about the making of perhaps his most famous work, the musical and film versions of … [Read more...]
MCB’s Balanchine, Tharp and Alston come off beautifully
By Tara Mitton Catao Artistic Director Lourdes Lopez’s vision for Miami City Ballet was apparent in the tasteful programming of Saturday’s performance at the Kravis Center, with the de rigueur Balanchine work leading off the evening followed by two company premieres. Lopez who has been “shopping” for new works that would flatter and challenge the company, has been successful. … [Read more...]
Fine Orff, messy presentation from Master Chorale
Everything about the Master Chorale of South Florida looked professional until the concert began at the Wold Performing Arts Center of Lynn University on Feb. 22. A choir member took the mic to appeal for funds: What the funds were used for was not explained. Better to capture the names and addresses of the packed audience and mail out an appeal and tell the people why. Next, … [Read more...]
In 20th year, Palm Beach Film Festival gets permanent venue
Remember when the Palm Beach International Film Festival was born? Believe it or not, that was 20 years ago, and the eight-day celebration of movies from around the world that begins on March 26 will “dazzle and surprise our audiences like they’ve never seen before,” according to the festival’s president and CEO, Randi Emerman. Some 130 films -- features, shorts and … [Read more...]
Hampson in strong voice and smart selection at Four Arts
Great opera stars have extended their careers for many years with lieder recitals, and they have a vast repertory of art song to choose from. America’s baritone, Thomas Hampson, came to the Four Arts on Feb. 11 with a lieder recital. The debonair singer is surely one of our finest ambassadors. Still active operatically in 2015, Hampson will be singing on stage in New York, … [Read more...]
Intriguing new work and stellar Strauss at ACO
The Atlantic Classical Orchestra’s concert Tuesday in Palm Beach Gardens featured four works, one a world premiere, conducted by Stewart Robertson, who will retire after this season. Robertson opened this concert with a rarely heard Schubert overture, Die Freunde von Salamanka (D. 326), described in the beautifully prepared program as a singspiel, a German opera with spoken … [Read more...]
‘The best of the best’: Art and antique show returns for 12th year
Palm Beach ArtsPaper staff This Presidents Day weekend, more than 160 exhibitors will descend on West Palm Beach, bringing with them the best in art, antiques and jewelry from all over the world, attracting tens of thousands of private collectors, museum curators, investors and interior designers. The 12th annual Palm Beach Jewelry, Art and Antique Show will assemble from … [Read more...]
Flutist sparkles in challenging concerto at Lynn Phil
The folk styles of a people became the rallying musical cry during the nationalist upheavals of the mid-19th century, and while the politics have faded since then, what is left with today’s listeners is a sonic personality assembled from characteristic tones and rhythms. While we’re familiar with what those are in the case of the major European countries, it’s not so easy to … [Read more...]
Small shows: Six Picassos at the Norton
Before they were painted, they were loved. Each of the women portrayed by Pablo Picasso in six distinctive works currently on display would like to say she was the love — or lust — of his life. No one knows for sure, but at least now we can do what the artist never could: have them all in the same room. There has been no hair-pulling and no eye-gouging since the exhibition, … [Read more...]