ISO deep discounts tickets January 6, 2009
Posted by lharry , add a commentFor this post, I turn the blog over to IBJ reporter Kathleen McLaughlin.
If you thought car salesmen had the lock on limited-time offers and blowout prices, check the blue light flashing over Hilbert Circle Theatre. The Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra is offering tickets to any remaining classical or pops series concert for $25 each. (They usually go for as high as $73.) The tickets must be purchased between Sunday, Jan. 11, through midnight on Jan. 20.
“Hey, we’re trying to stimulate this economy,” spokeswoman Jessica DiSanto said. In all seriousness, DiSanto said symphony officials began thinking last fall about ways to spark ticket sales during the typically slow month of January.
She said this is the first time the ISO has made such a broad-based special offer: 10 days, $25, everything left in the Lilly Classical Series and Printing Partners Pops Series. (The offer does not apply to special events, such as Art Garfunkel’s appearance on April 18.)
So, you ask, what’s left?
After a little browsing, I discovered that you will have to act fast to snag a true bargain. DiSanto tells me that the blockbuster classical show this season will be pianist Andre Watts performing Rachmaninoff’s Second on March 6 and 7. Pickings are slim for the first date, but many main floor seats, which normally go for $45 each, are available on Saturday, March 7.
While we’re on the topic of cheap seats, the ISO’s next “happy hour” concert is coming up on Jan. 15. General admission seats are $20 each, or buy three, get one free. Are you starting to detect a theme?
Doors open at 5 p.m. with free food and drink from Starbucks, Oceanaire, 14 West, Vito’s on Penn, Adobo Grill, Chef’s Academy, and Michael Collins Irish Whiskey, plus pre-concert entertainment by the Stacie Sandoval Tropical Jazztet. After the show, ISO’s young professionals group will host a part at Adobo Grill, featuring drink specials.
Oh, and the music? Sean Newhouse conducts “Larger Than Life,” a program of popular classical works and film scores about mythical legends and heroes. –Kathleen McLaughlin
Your thoughts?
IMA budget cuts: Park pushed back January 6, 2009
Posted by lharry , 4commentsEarlier today, the Indianapolis Museum of Art announced a series of cutbacks designed to trim $1.7 million from its budget due to “significant losses to its endowment as well as shortfalls in income generated through donations and purchases at the museum store and event rentals.”
These include:
–Pushing back the opening of 100 Acres: The Virginia B. Fairbanks Art & Nature Park to Spring of 2010.
–Eliminating the quarterly event catalogue, Art for You, along with other printed materials. More focus will be put on its website as a source for information.
–Instead of three major exhibitions yearly, there will now be two. It’s two big 2009 shows, “European Design Since 1985: Shaping the New Century” and “Sacred Spain: Art and Belief in the Spanish World” will continue as planned.
–Eliminating positions through attrition and job reallignment.
–The IMA is also exploring cutting hours of operation. There is no plan to change the free admission policy.
Does all of this seem prudent in tough economic times? Can you suggest other cuts or revenue generation ideas?
Your thoughts?
How bestsellers are made January 5, 2009
Posted by lharry , 1 comment so farEver wonder how and why some books seem to come out of nowhere to become bestsellers?
There’s an interesting story you might have missed in Saturday’s “Wall Street Journal.” Find it here.
In it, reporter Anita Elberse discusses the increased emphasis on “hit-focused marketing”–basically, throwing marketing money behind books that the publishers have invested highly in.
She says: “Media companies’ hit-focused marketing did not emerge in a vacuum. It reflects how consumers make choices. The truth is that consumers prefer blockbusters. Because they are inherently social, people find value in reading the same books and watching the same movies that others do. This is true even in today’s markets where, thanks to the Internet, buyers have easy access to millions and millions of titles. Compounding this tendency is the fact that media products are what economists call “experience goods”: that is, shoppers have trouble evaluating them before having consumed or experienced them. Unable to judge a book by its cover, readers look for cues as to its suitability for them, and find it very useful to hear that “Dewey” is “a ‘Marley & Me’ for cat lovers.” In much the same way that potential publishers do, readers value resemblances to past favorites.”
So are you still judging a book by its cover? Or are you judging it by what others (including marketers) have compared it to?
Your thoughts?
You-review-it Monday January 4, 2009
Posted by lharry , 4commentsTwo shows opening at Theatre on the Square. The first First Friday of 2009. A couple of stray concerts. And, of course, all that New Years activity.
There was a surprising number of choices of arts activity over the last few days. I caught the exhibition at the Harrison Center, Indianapolis Civic’s sing-along “Wizard of Oz,” and “Edges: A Song Cycle” from the new Programs company. (Look for reviews in an upcoming IBJ.)
So what did you get to see over the long weekend?
Your arts resolutions December 31, 2008
Posted by lharry , 5commentsHave I ever asked anything of you, loyal readers?
Well, now I am. And it’s pretty simple.
Resolve right now to attend at least one more arts event in 2009 than you did in 2008. Resolve to do more if you feel up to it.
That can mean taking advantage of such free events as First Friday arts openings. It can mean taking your kids to just one more children’s offering, catching one more museum exhibition or attending one more concert.
You can resolve to subscribe to a theater company. Or to attend at least one arts organization’s benefit event.
Each day, this blog gets between 300 and 1500 hits. If just a small percentage of you make that resolution, it can make a difference in the arts scene here. (If you need help picking promising stuff to do, sign up for my free weekly e-mail blast here. )
State your resolution below. Inspire others.
And here’s to a great 2009.
IBJ Night at the Movies: ‘Defiance’ December 29, 2008
Posted by lharry , 8commentsDaniel Craig and Liev Schriber star in the upcoming film WW II film “Defiance,” in which three brothers escape Nazi-occupied Poland and join with Russian resistance fighters. Edward Zwick (”Blood Diamond,” “Glory”) directs. More info on the film here.
Want to catch a sneak preview?
IBJ will be hosting a screening on January 14 at AMC Castleton Square 14. To score passes, e-mail lharry@ibj .com with “Defiance” in the subject line.
I’ll contact the winners.
Supplies are limited, so act quickly.
While you are here on the blog, let IBJ readers know what you thought of any of the recent crop of holiday film releases.
Arts under your tree? December 27, 2008
Posted by lharry , 6commentsSo did you get anything cultural for the holidays? Tickets to a local concert? A DVD you always wanted?
Tell.
Pay more for premium seats? December 24, 2008
Posted by lharry , 6commentsWould you pay more for an aisle seat?
If an airline representative were asking, you might say yes. But what if it’s an arts venue’s ticket seller?
Whether you call it “demand pricing” or “scaling the house,” across the country, theaters are experimenting with putting a premium on the most desired seats–not just those that are closest to the stage. See story here.
So is this any different than a matinee being cheaper than an evening show? If you paid $50 for seat 202, would you be offended if you found out the person in 203 had paid only $40 just because he’s not on the aisle?
Do you want this sort of thing to happen in Indy?
Your thoughts?
Chicago hotter than Broadway December 23, 2008
Posted by lharry , 12commentsIn January, more than a dozen Broadway productions will be shutting down, including “Spring Awakening,” “Gypsy,” “Hairspray” “13,” and “Young Frankenstein.” And there’s little on the horizon to replace them. (Are you really anxious to see “Shrek: The Musical”? Didn’t think so.)
So what’s a travelling theater junkie to do?
Consider a much closer trip, that’s what.
Here’s a rundown of some of the potentially noteworthy productions hitting Chicago soon (and the familiar faces you’ll see in them).
At Steppenwolf, long-time company member John Mahoney (you know him from “Frazier” and “Say Anything”) stars in Conner McPherson’s play “The Seafarer” through Feb. 8. Meanwhile, new Steppenwolf member William Peterson (”CSI”) stars in McPherson’s “Dublin Carol” through Jan. 4. And, in March, Tina Landau directs a production of “The Tempest” starring fellow director Frank Galati.
At the Goodman, the “Eugene O’Neill in the 21st Century” festival is anchored with a production of “Desire Under the Elms” starring Brian Dennehy and Carla Gugino (Yes, the mom in “Spy Kids”–she also has extensive theater credits.) Perfromances begin January 17.
At Lookingglass, company co-founder (and familiar “Friend”) David Schwimmer takes a role in “Our Town,” opening in February.
The Broadway in Chicago series may not have a potential blockbuster such as the still-running “Wicked” and “Jersey Boys” in the next few months, but it does have one out there on the horizon. The pre-Broadway production of the musical “The Addams Family,” with the hoped-for cast including Nathan Lane and Bebe Neuwirth opens in November. In the meantime, there are yet-to-hit-Indy tours of “Xanadu,” “Legally Blonde” “Mary Poppins,” “Spring Awakening,” and Chazz Palminteri in his one-man show “A Bronx Tale.”
And that’s just the familiar-face productions. For more Chicago theater info, click here.
Your thoughts? Anything here sound worth the drive…or the Megabus ticket…to you?
You-review-it Monday December 22, 2008
Posted by lharry , 6commentsI like to think of myself as a realist.
So I know that this is unlikely to have been the busiest weekend for arts activity. Still, there may be some of you who warmed themselves by the light of the ISO, the IRT, ATI or another company offering holiday fare. Maybe you were in the crowd at the Celine Dion concert. Or maybe you hit a comedy club.
Perhaps you celebrated your shopping completion with a museum stop. (Remember: the “12 Free Days of Christmas” promo is still going on. Today, it’s the Indiana State Museum.)
Whatever the case–or even if you limited yourself to holiday shows on TV–let us know what you saw or did this weekend.
Me, I finally got around to watching “The Lady Eve,” a Preston Sturges comedy that had been on my list for years but somehow dodged me. Great fun. And I zoomed through about half of David Koenig’s book “Realityland,” about the business side of the creation of Walt Disney World–a subject I’m inexplicably fascinated by.
Your thoughts?
A Fink among Muppets December 17, 2008
Posted by lharry , 19commentsOn Wednesday, “A Muppet Christmas–Letters to Santa” made its holiday debut on NBC.
Why am I mentioning that here?
Two reasons.
1. It was co-written by Indianapolis native Hugh Fink, a former SNL scribe and very funny man. (Check out some funny business featuring Fink and his violin here–including Indiana references.)
2. I’m a Muppet fan going way back. I even included in my recent book “Kid Culture” a chapter titled “12 Moments Where the Muppets are as Great as Anything Ever Created by Mankind.” But, like many Muppet lovers, I know that they’ve lost their way in recent years. I’m curious to see if this special points toward the cloth characters finding their way again.
So do you have any favorite Muppet moments? Kermit on the bicycle in “The Muppet Movie”? Ernie singing “Dancing Myself to Sleep” and annoying Bert? Any one of the outstanding Grover books?
And have any of you seen Hugh Fink on stage? Or have any thoughts on the special?
Your thoughts?
‘Seven Pounds’: Your thoughts December 17, 2008
Posted by lharry , 5commentsSo did you brave the weather–and the massive overbooking of the theater–and get in to see “Seven Pounds” last night?
If so, let us know what you thought.
The art of ‘Friending’ on Facebook December 16, 2008
Posted by lharry , 8commentsI’ve recently joined the Facebook revolution. Yes, I know, I’m late in this, but I also didn’t start watching “L.A. Law” until the third season and still haven’t seen “Mad Men,” so I’m not always an early adaptor.
I signed on to Facebook, like most people, for multiple reasons. It’s a great way to share photos with family and friends. It helps in getting in touch and staying in touch with long-lost pals and acquaintences. It’s a simple way to update everyone important in your life on what you are doing.
And, yes, it can be a useful networking tool. As a journalist as well as a writer of books and plays, I never know where an important connection might be made.
I’m finding one of Facebook’s big challenges, though, is when to say no.
Facebook discourages limiting the people on your “friends” list. And it does that in subtle ways. If someone wants to be in your network — to access your postings and give you access to what they post — you “friend” them. And Facebook is constantly putting in front of you people you might want to “friend.”
If you don’t know the person well or don’t think he or she is someone you want seeing your family pictures or reading what you are saying to your pals, you have to “ignore” them.
Seems kind of rude.
At first I left the door open and approved “friend” status for anyone asking. But soon I found that I was privy to conversations between people who I couldn’t pick out of a lineup. The clutter ate up time — there was more to sort through to get to the stuff that I really wanted to see. And I wasn’t ready to let Facebook dominate my life. So I quickly opted to switch the status of some folks to that obnoxious “ignore” and make myself more like an old-school Studio 54 bouncer at the door.
Many of these now ignored “friends” were PR folks, faceless organizations, and people from the Indy arts community–some of whom I’ve never had a conversation with. To them, I apologies if my ignoring seems rude.
Many of these were also people who list having hundreds of friends. I respect that others may use this amazing medium for different reasons than me. I’m not knocking you if you love having everyone you’ve ever met –and many who you haven’t — included as a Facebook “friend.”
But, at least for now, I’ve decided to keep my “friends” limited to, well, friends. Specifically people I knew from work, school, or wherever who I am not otherwise easily in touch with. Plus people who I wouldn’t think out of line if they asked me if I could give them a ride to the airport.
For the rest, well, I’m pretty easy to get in touch with, whether here at IBJ or through www.smallerindiana.com or www.indianaauditions.com or, professionally, through www.linkedin.com.
Whether a “friend” or not, I’m curious how you are using Facebook? Is it in any way enhancing your A&E life or, rather, is it eating up time you could be reading, going to shows, etc.? Is all of this social networking actually leading to face-to-face socializing for you?
Your thoughts?
You-review-it Monday December 15, 2008
Posted by lharry , 7commentsThis weekend, I finally got to see “On Thin Ice: A Very Phoenix Xmas 3″ (the best yet). I also hopped over to opening weekend of Actors Theatre of Indiana’s “A Year with Frog and Toad” (as wonderful as last year. Maybe better).
Add in “Live Nativity” at St. Luke’s (it’s quite an experience watching camels approach the alter) and a catch-up viewing of the John Cusack film “Grace is Gone” and I’d call it a busy A&E weekend.
So what was on your pre-holiday plate? “Yuletide Celebration”? “A Christmas Carol”? Just home with “White Christmas” or “Holiday Inn”?
Your thoughts?
Oh, and I hope to see many of you tonight at “The Lion Sings Tonight,” a benefit for the Damien Center that I’m co-hosting. Say hello at intermission if you are there. (More info here.)
Quick-notes Friday December 12, 2008
Posted by lharry , 1 comment so far–Consider a stop at the Indiana Historical Society some time in the next few weeks. Most of it–including the gift shop, “You are There: 1945 Hoosier Home Front” and the History Lab will be closing to the public beginning Jan. 3 for extensive building renovations. Questions: Do you think most people here know the difference beween the Indiana Historical Society and the Indiana State Museum? What can be done to change that?
–There’s interesting and compelling speculation at “The Business of Classical Music” about the future of recorded classical music. Blogger Bill Stensurd argues that the big three labels will be out of the classical music business in two years and that most recordings will be of live music. “Recorded music,” he says, “will have no commercial value other than promotion.” So have you bought a classical CD or downloaded anything lately?
–Exciting news this morning from the Indiana State Museum, which has scored the world’s largest private collection of Abraham Lincoln memorabilia. Wide public availability was key to the pitch.
–This time of year is challenging for a certain A&E journalist trying to find worthy events to highlight in his weekly e-mail blast. Make sure you keep the pitches coming.
–And if you don’t get my free IBJ Daily A&E e-mail–and its weekly ticket giveaway contest info–what are you waiting for? Sign up here.
Golden Globes/critic’s ignorance December 11, 2008
Posted by lharry , 14commentsI’m not one of those “TV is beneath me” snobs, but the reality is that, as your friendly neighborhood arts guy, I don’t have much time to watch the tube.
Still, when I saw the Golden Globe nominations this morning, I had to wonder how so much of (alleged) quality TV has gotten past me.
At the risk of revealing too much of my ignorance, here are the Golden Globe choices for best stuff on TV. So tell me, TV watchers, are these shows the best that are out there? Are they worth searching for?
DRAMATIC TV SERIES
“Dexter” (Never saw it)
“House M.D.” (Never saw it)
“In Treatment” (No idea what this is, but I see a pattern forming)
“Mad Men” (Okay, everybody loves this one. I just fear I’d be coming in too late)
“True Blood” (No idea what this is)
TV SERIES, MUSICAL OR COMEDY
“Californication” (No idea what this is)
“Entourage” (Got a kick out of the show back when I had HBO. Heck, I even co-wrote a book called The Entourage Handbook. but I haven’t seen anything from the last few seasons. Is it holding up?)
“The Office” (Okay, so I do watch this one. But usually on the Internet after it airs.)
“30 Rock” (I’ve only caught one or two of these. Worth tacking down?)
“Weeds” (As good as my college-aged daughter says it is? By the way, Mary Louise Parker will be starring in “Hedda Gabler” in NYC in early ‘09)
BEST MINI-SERIES OR MOTION PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISION
“Cranford”
“Bernard & Doris”
“John Adams”
“A Raisin in the Sun”
“Recount”
Your thoughts?
IBJ Movie Night: ‘Seven Pounds’ December 8, 2008
Posted by lharry , 32comments[Note: all winners have been contacted. See you at the movie.]
Join IBJ for a sneak preview of the new Will Smith film “Seven Pounds.”
It will be held Tuesday, Dec. 16 at AMC Castleton Square 14.
To score the passes, discuss your favorite Will Smith movie below. (”Six Degrees of Separation” anyone? And does anyone recall “Where the Day Takes You”?)
Then drop me an e-mail at lharry@ibj.com with “Seven Pounds” in the subject line. I will contact the first responders and continue until the passes run out.
Your thoughts?
Indianapolis Star arts coverage December 7, 2008
Posted by lharry , 11commentsIn Sunday’s Indianapolis Star, editor Dennis Ryerson commented on staff departures, announcing that “Talk of the Town,” Susan Guyett’s former column, will continue with another TBA writer. And that Jay Harvey will take over arts reviewing. See the story here.
When I blogged last week on the departure of Guyett, Chris Lloyd, Whitney Smith and Abe Aamidor, we had an overwhelming number of hits on this blog–along with some passionate reaction from readers.
Personally, I’m thrilled that the beat hasn’t been abandoned completely. Critical reviews are an essential part of the mix for any city’s daily paper. And I look forward to reading what Harvey has to say.
My questions for today:
Does Ryerson’s announcement change your reaction to the news at the Star?
And what–as an arts creator, arts patron or someone just looking for a good read–are you going to be looking for from Harvey?
Your thoughts?
You-review-it Monday December 7, 2008
Posted by lharry , 2commentsSo did you get to one of the many Nutcrackers? Catch the first weekend of the ISO’s “Yuletide Celebration”? Experience “This Wonderful Life” at the IRT? Or go to Storytelling Arts’ presentation of Bill Harley and Carrie Newcomer?
(I did all of the above–except for the latter, which weather and auto issues unfortunately kept me from. Look for reviews and comments on the rest in upcoming blogs and columns.)
So tell us about what you saw, heard or experienced in arts and entertainment this weekend.
Quick-notes Friday December 5, 2008
Posted by lharry , add a comment–Let the movie awards season begin. “Slumdog Millionaire”–which IBJ A&E readers got a chance to see earlier this week (see your comments here)–was just named 2008’s Best Film by the National Board of Review. See story here.
–Another potential cinematic award-winner is “Doubt.” If you are interested in the original play–and missed it at the IRT last season–you can catch Cardinal Stage’s upcoming production in Bloomington. Information here. I haven’t seen any of Cardinal’s work yet, but it’s great to see efforts to bring professional regional theater to the area. 2009 also brings Cardinal’s production of “Having Our Say” (which, coincidentally, has also been seen at the IRT).
–It’s been said that, in New York, critics can’t stop a hit. They can, however, discover and help make one. But the number of critics there are dropping quickly. See story here. Will the lack of voices mean fewer discovers? And will that give even more power to the critic at the New York Times?
–For those looking forward to the 2009 Indianapolis International Film Festival, you’ll have to look a little further forward. The fest will be held in the summer instead of spring. Which could mean films outdoor as well as indoor.
–Potentially fun news in the program of the American Cabaret Theatre: In May, ACT launches a late-night series with a Burlesque production.
–If you happen to stop by the Indiana Author Fair at the Indiana Historical Society this Saturday, please make it a point to say hello. I’ll be there with about 90 other Indiana authors, including James Alexander Thom, Todd Tucker, Sam Stall and Phil Gulley.
Oh, and check out this week’s Fox 59/IBJ A&E segment here.