Arts
Former Inmates And Cornell Students Premiere “Confinements”
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“There’s a great value in using theater as a transformative process through which people can explore their own lives.”
Bob Fass, New York Radio Pioneer, Dies At 87
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Bob Fass hosted the influential New York City radio show Radio Unnameable for more than 50 years. It served as a megaphone for the 1960s counterculture and boosted folk and blues artists.
Marking Beethoven’s 250th, WSKG Puts His Complete Works Online
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“With over 260 hours of content from the WSKG music library, a listener could go almost 11 days without hearing a repeat.”
Cuomo: New Performance Series Meant To Revive Dormant Arts Culture
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“We cannot wait until summer to turn the lights back on the arts and provide a living wage for artists. We will not let the curtain fall on their careers, or on the future of our cities.”
Arts & Culture
New Fairgrounds Drive-Thru Display Turns Ice Into Art
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“They get out of the house, they get to see something unique. Hopefully, they’re just inspired and see some nice artwork, something different.”
Musicians Urge Governor To Allow Live, Ticketed, Advertised Music Play Again
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Under state guidelines released last week, ticketed live music is not permitted inside bars, restaurants and clubs.
Video Of Audience At Chainsmokers Concert Prompts New York To Investigate
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The Safe & Sound fundraiser, held Saturday in Southampton, drew rebukes after video emerged showing audience members dancing close together. Gov. Andrew Cuomo tweeted, “I am appalled.”
New York’s Metropolitan Museum Of Art Will Open Its Doors Again In Late August
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The country’s largest art museum will be open to the public five days a week starting at the end of August. It had been closed since March as New York City grappled with the coronavirus pandemic.
New York Comedy Clubs Closed, So Comics Have To Improvise
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Live audiences help comics get exposure and work out new material. Colin Quinn says virtual platforms don’t replicate “the tension” of being in front of a room full of strangers.
Cellist Lynn Harrell Has Died, Age 76
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The Grammy-winning American cellist had a wide-ranging career that spanned Bach to new music written by Augusta Read Thomas. His colleagues also treasured him as a generous musical collaborator.
Messages Of Hope, Gratitude And Safety Replace Ads In Times Square
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Well-known artists and designers are taking over billboards (donated gratis) to brighten the landscape in an emptier-than-usual Times Square. One work simply reads: “Hopefully no one will see this.”
New York Philharmonic’s 2020 Program Celebrates Suffragists
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The New York Philharmonic has commissioned 19 women to create new works to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the passing of the 19th Amendment. It’s called Project 19.
The New York Public Library Has Calculated Its Most Checked-Out Books Of All Time
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“The books on this list have transcended generations and, much like the Library itself, are as relevant today as they were when they first arrived,” the library’s president said.
Broadway Legend Jerry Herman Is Dead At 88
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The Broadway songwriter died in Miami of pulmonary complications, according to his publicist.
‘Beautiful Day’ Director On Mister Rogers’ ‘Radical Notion’: Telling Kids The Truth
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“He wasn’t afraid of any of the hardest parts of childhood,” Marielle Heller says. Her film A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood centers on Rogers’ unlikely friendship with a cynical journalist.
Conductor and Composer Raymond Leppard – A Champion Of The Old And The New – Has Died
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The British conductor, harpsichordist and scholar helped reignite interest in works by composers like Monteverdi — but he also championed new works and wrote notable film scores of his own.
Sculptor Mark Di Suvero Creates Joy Out Of Steel
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Suvero’s acclaimed sculptures are in public spaces all over the world and in the collections of major museums. The sculptor recently installed his largest work at the Storm King Arts Center in the Hudson Valley.
New York Opera Singer Jessye Norman Dies At 74
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Norman was one of the leading African American opera figures in a time when there were fewer than now. The soprano won four Grammys and the National Medal of Arts.
Falling Flat In New York City: Are The Days Of High Heels Coming To An End?
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Fashion Week is underway in New York, which means you can count on seeing models navigating runways while wearing high heels. But have the days of women choosing the towering shoes over?
Report: 11 More Women Accuse Plácido Domingo Of Sexual Misconduct
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Since August, 20 women have made allegations against the highly influential opera star via reports published by The Associated Press. A spokesperson for Domingo disputed the report.
How Woodstock Changed The Little Town Of Bethel, New York
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Fifty years later, the site of the Woodstock Music and Art Fair is on the National Register of Historic Places. For some who were there, it’s a place of pilgrimage and memories.
New York Composer Julia Wolfe Awarded MacArthur ‘Genius Grant’
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The New York composer is one of 23 individuals picked this year for the prestigious annual prize, which comes with $625,000.
Hal Prince, New York Producer And Director, Has Died
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The winner of an unprecedented 21 Tony Awards, Prince left a major impact on American musical theater. Among his shows: Cabaret, Fiddler on the Roof and The Phantom of the Opera. He was 91.
Woodstock At 50: The Unheard Recordings
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In this defining interview, Andy Zax, producer of a massive new Woodstock box set, shares previously unheard recordings from the festival and the remarkable stories behind them.
arts
New Yorkers Witness The Monumental Art Of Ursula von Rydingsvard
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A sculpture grows in Brooklyn.
Catskill Women Create ‘Ties That Bind,’ Explore Life With Father
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A group of women calling themselves the Catskilled Crafters took apart hundreds of donated neckties to make fabric art exploring their relationships with their fathers and the men in their lives.
10 Can’t-Miss Classical Music Festivals…5 Are An Easy Drive
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There’s something to please everyone — from Schubert in the Hudson Valley, great orchestras in in the Rockies and world premieres in a Chicago park.
In ‘City Of Girls,’ The Breezy, Bold Best Days Of Our Lives
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Elizabeth Gilbert’s new novel is set in the New York theater community of the 1940s — an effervescent golden age for the women who congregate at the offbeat Lily Playhouse.
America
New York City Adopts Nation’s First Congestion Pricing Plan
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New York City just became the first city in the US to adopt a congestion pricing plan. The plan is expected to raise about $1.5 billion in revenue every year, mostly for its crumbling subway system.
arts
Class Of 2019 Inducted Into World Video Game Hall Of Fame
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“It doesn’t mean that the older games don’t hold up, they absolutely do. Every game up there you could play right now, and still have a ton of fun with.”
New York Museum Lets Visitors Take Sensory Plunge Into Wide World Of Color
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New York City’s year-old Color Factory is a museum of sorts. But patrons quickly realize it isn’t your typical museum experience.
American Icons: How New York First Killed And Then Resurrected ‘The Rocky Horror Picture Show’
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This epic flop became the longest-running theatrical release in U.S. movie history.
App NEWS
Carl Reiner’s Personal Collection Of TV Scripts To Be Preserved At National Comedy Center
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“This is a treasure trove of original material, direct from the pen of one of comedy’s most important and resounding voices,”
What One New York Orchestra’s Doing To Increase Diversity
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African-Americans currently make up less than two percent of larger orchestra members in the United States. This lack of representation is a struggle for many groups, including the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra.
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater Debuts ‘Lazarus’ To Celebrate 60th Anniversary
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The hour-long piece was created by choreographer Rennie Harris, who formed the first and longest running hip-hop dance touring company. Harris tells NPR’s Michel Martin all about the new work.
Ana Cristina Reymundo
The New York Record Company That Invented Salsa
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As Latin music was fading from popular culture, a blend of Caribbean rhythms going by the name salsa got a new generation dancing.
arts
Fashion As A force: Cornell Exhibit Explores Women’s Empowerment Through Clothing
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“Women Empowered: Fashions From the Frontline,” is an exhibit at Cornell University chronicling the ways women have used fashion throughout history to collectively uplift themselves.
Maggie Rogers Reintroduces Herself
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In 2016, Maggie Rogers was attending class at New York University when super producer Pharrell sat in on a master class to critique the students’ work. Pharrell was blown away by Rogers’ song “Alaska.”
arts
A New York Immigrant, Marvel’s Stan Lee and His Legacy
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Selwyn Seyfu Hinds, a screenwriter and hip-hop editor, says that Marvel comics gave him a common language with other kids after his family moved from Guyana to Brooklyn, New York, in the 1980s.
arts
New York’s WBAD: The Rise And Fall Of A Pirate Radio Station
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In the 1990s, pirate radio station WBAD started playing hip-hop music without bleeping it like commercial radio. But even if it was playing church music, the FCC still would have come after them.
‘Hip-Hop Deserves That Respect’: Honoring The Notorious B.I.G., Wu-Tang Clan In New York
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The New York City Council voted last week to honor hip-hop greats the Notorious B.I.G. and Wu-Tang Clan with streets named after them. LeRoy McCarthy, who led the effort, says it’s long overdue.
arts
Endicott Man Accused Of Damaging Frederick Douglass Statue, Denies Racism
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Rochester Police are investigating damage done to one of the 13 statues of Frederick Douglass that have been placed around the city. Police say that early Sunday morning, shortly after midnight, officers responded to the area near 1 Tracy Street, which is near Alexander St., for the report of males trying to steal a statue.
Cleveland Orchestra Fires 2 Leading Musicians After Sexual Misconduct Investigation
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The Cleveland Orchestra announced on Wednesday afternoon that it has fired concertmaster William Preucil and principal trombonist Massimo La Rosa for multiple alleged incidents of sexual misconduct.
agriculture
‘Farming While Black’: Cultivating Food And Racial Justice In Upstate New York
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In her new book, “Farming While Black: Soul Fire Farm’s Practical Guide to Liberation on the Land,” Leah Penniman describes her journey as a woman of color reclaiming space in the agricultural world while providing a comprehensive guide for others who want to follow her path.
NYC Has Just 5 Statues Of Historic Women. That’s About To Change
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“We set out to correct a glaring inequity in our public spaces,” said Chirlane McCray, the first lady of New York City. A number of cities are taking steps to honor women with statues and public art.
Gone Girl: Lower Manhattan ‘Fearless Girl’ Statue Is ‘On The Move’
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Fearless Girl appeared across from the Charging Bull on the eve of International Women’s Day in 2017. It has now been removed and will be placed in front of the New York Stock Exchange.
A Marvel Of A New Yorker: Stan Lee Dead At 95
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Lee gave us over six decades’ worth of superheroes we could identify with, characters like Spider-Man and The Incredible Hulk, who reacted to superpowered crises in believably flawed, human ways.
Arts & Culture
Three New Inductees Into The Toy Hall of Fame
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ROCHESTER, NY (WXXI) – Magic 8 Ball, Uno and pinball have made it into the National Toy Hall of Fame at the Strong.
Broadway’s ‘Lifespan Of A Fact’ Tackles The Timely Question: What Is A Fact?
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The play follows an essayist who pens what he thinks is one of his greatest stories, only to be met by the scrutiny of a zealous young fact checker, who writes him 90 pages of corrections.
Uncategorized
Harry Potter At 20: New York Exhibit Goes Inside The Ever-Expanding Wizarding World
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It’s hard to remember a world before Harry Potter. But it’s been 20 years since readers in the U.S. were first introduced to the boy wizard, whose story has captivated audiences since.
Sonny Fortune, Stalwart Saxophonist Of New York, Dies At 79
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After a move to New York in the late ’60s, the clear-toned Fortune became a versatile fixture on the broad landscape of modern jazz.
arts
Photo Series Shows Life After Opioids
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For Simone Ochrym, the moment of recovery that interests her the most, is the turning point. That’s the focus of her new series, Chasing Nirvana Clean. It’s a series of essays and photographic portraits chronicling people’s battles with opioid addiction.
Arts & Culture
Music Modernization Act Brings Artist Compensation Into The Digital Age
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ROCHESTER, NY (WXXI) – The Music Modernization Act was signed into law by President Trump on Thursday. The legislation updates the way music is licensed and songwriters are compensated in the digital age.
arts
The Rise And Fall Of Pirate Radio Station WBAD
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In the 1990s, pirate radio station WBAD started playing hip-hop music in New York without bleeping it like commercial radio. But even if it was playing church music, the FCC still would have come after them.
Stunning New York Exhibit Depicts Migrants ‘As They’d Rather Be Seen’
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The photos avoid war, destruction and poverty — and instead focus on the beauty and resilience of people who leave home in search of a better life.
New York’s Wigstock Lets Its Roots Show At 2018 Revival
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For years, Wigstock was a staple of New York City’s drag scene. And after a 17-year hiatus and a boom in drag’s popularity, the outdoor festival returned.
Ex-Sawdust Factory Transformed Into A NYC Musical Venue
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The nonprofit located in Brooklyn functions as performance space, record label and artist incubator. Despite its small size, it has a foundation with a $450,000 fund to develop new work.
New York Philharmonic Musicians In Limbo After Investigation
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After a five-month investigation, the New York City orchestra took action against oboist Liang Wang and trumpeter Matthew Muckey over unspecified misconduct.
Arts
After A Half Century Of Making Music, The Rochester Chamber Orchestra Dissolves Its Operation
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ROCHESTER, NY (WXXI) – The Rochester Chamber Orchestra recently filed its papers to dissolve the organization.
Uncategorized
Paul Taylor, Giant Of Modern Dance, Has Died
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Among the most prolific and influential choreographers of 20th century movement, his movements were often inspired by everyday people doing everyday things. He died Wednesday at age 88.
Arts
New York’s Renée Fleming To Sing At Senator John McCain’s Funeral
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ROCHESTER, NY (WXXI) – More details are emerging about upcoming funeral services for the late U.S. Senator John McCain.
arts
In New York, A Sisyphean Task On The Hudson Comes To An End
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A year ago, some mysterious stone figures appeared on the banks of the Hudson in Manhattan. They’re the work of Uliks Gryka.
Arts
Peace Amidst War In Opera At Glimmerglass Festival
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ROCHESTER, NY (WXXI) – Cooperstown, New York means one thing to baseball fans – the Hall of Fame, And another thing to opera fans – The Glimmerglass Festival, held every summer.
New Play Tells Little-Known Story Of 1st Chinese Woman To Set Foot In New York
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“The Chinese Lady” explores the life of Afong Moy, who was 14 years old when she was brought to New York City by traders in 1834 and put on display in a museum.
Aaron Burr
Book Tells Story of ‘Most Famous Man Most (New Yorkers) Have Never Heard Of’
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Many New Yorkers may not know David Hosack’s name, but they wouldn’t recognize their city without the public institutions he founded or influenced.
Get Pumped: 100+ Fabulous Pairs Of Shoes Are On View In New York
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The Walk This Way exhibition features centuries of notable footwear from the personal collection of Stuart Weitzman — suffragists’ boots, a lawyer’s loafers, Cinderella’s sandals and more.
Government Accuses Disgraced New York Promoter Of Starting Another ‘Sham’ Company
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Billy McFarland was accused in New York Tuesday of starting a fraudulent ticket-selling venture while out on bail, just months after his disastrous Fyre Festival event made headlines.
In Novel About 18th-Century New York City, Financial Journalist Turns From Fact To Fiction
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The hero in “The Devil’s Half Mile” is investigating the death of his father, who may have been involved in some shady deals.
Drag Queens Of New York Strike A ‘Pose’ In FX Drama
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The new series Pose looks at how New York drag queens created their own percolating club scene when they weren’t welcome anywhere else.
actors
Live, From New York, It’s Cue Card Wally
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Growing up, Wally Feresten never dreamed of being a cue card holder. Now, 28 years later, he can’t imagine doing anything else.
James Levine Accused Of Sexual Misconduct By 5 More Men
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Their allegations against the former Metropolitan Opera conductor were made public in a counter lawsuit filed by the Met on Friday in New York.
Arts
How Do You Take The Perfect Dog Portrait? New York’s ‘Dogist’ Has You Covered.
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Trust the man. He’s photographed 15,000 dogs.
Arts
Class of 2018 Introduced At The World Video Game Hall Of Fame
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ROCHESTER, NY (WXXI) – The fourth class of the Strong’s World Video Game Hall of Fame includes a game experts say helped launch the multi-billion dollar video game industry, and another that has changed the way people consume sports video games, and the way actual sports games are broadcast.
Arts
Bus Driving Guitarist Looks Back On Career With Many Turns
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ROCHESTER, NY (WXXI) – Guitarist Lawrence Johnson recorded the complete works of early-nineteenth century composer Fernando Sor – using equipment that the guitarist got in a trade for a Volkswagen.
arts
Brace Yourself Pennsylvania, Charlie Hebdo Has Arrived
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The French magazine Charlie Hebdo describes itself as a punch in the face. So get ready America, because Charlie Hebdo is coming to town, online and in English.
Citizenship Through Art: New York Historical Society Invites Immigrants To Learn In Its Galleries
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A unique civics class at the New York Historical Society uses paintings, sculptures and stories to teach immigrants the American history they need to know to pass their citizenship test.
Mohsin Hamid’s ‘Exit West’ Honored In NYC With First-Ever Aspen Words Literary Prize
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His magical realist novel on the lives of refugees “hints at possibilities for doing better,” judges said. And it won him the prize, which recognizes fiction tackling today’s thorniest social issues.
This New York Trained Photographer Wants To Put A Museum In Your Pocket
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When Dayanita Singh grew frustrated with the conventional gallery format, she created Museum Bhavan, an exhibition of almost 300 photos housed in a small box.
At 78, Carlos Do Carmo, The ‘Sinatra Of Fado,’ Makes His New York Debut
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Carlos do Carmo helped popularize fado, Portugal’s national music, and gave it a political edge when Portugal’s dictatorship fell in 1974. This past weekend, he brought fado to New York.
Uncategorized
The Business Of Being Cardi B
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With a major label debut looming, the Bronx rapper’s unchecked charm remains her biggest asset — her Swarovski-encrusted skeleton key to the halls of fame.
Arts & Culture
World Video Game Hall of Fame Announces 12 Finalists
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ROCHESTER, NY (WXXI) – The Strong Museum’s World Video Game Hall of Fame in Rochester on Tuesday announced the 12 finalists for induction
arts
The ‘most popular rifle in America’ was used in the country’s latest shooting
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The National Rifle Association has called the AR-15 the “most popular rifle in America” and estimates Americans own more than 8 million of them. The NRA says the gun is popular because it’s “customizable, adaptable, reliable and accurate.” Those features may also explain why it’s also become a weapon of choice for mass shootings.
Arts
The Broome County Arts Council Starts Another Season
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We meet the Interim Director of the Broome County Arts Council, Arthur Garrison. He introduces himself and explains what an arts council does. http://wskg.org/audio/garrison.mp3
Photo credit: Broome County Arts Council
Music
New York Met Unveils 2017-18 Opera Season
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WSKG Public Media will again present the New York Metropolitan Opera’s 87th consecutive Saturday Matinee Radio Broadcast season. These live broadcasts commonly begin in early afternoon on WSKG Radio. It kicks off on December 2, 2017 with a live broadcast of Verdi’s Requiem and continues through the May 5 matinee of Roméo et Juliette. The broadcast season will once again be heard live over the Toll Brothers-Metropolitan Opera International Radio Network. Mary Jo Heath returns for her third season as host and Ira Siff returns for his 11th season as commentator for the broadcasts, which feature a range of dynamic intermission features, live backstage interviews with artists, and the ever-popular Opera Quiz. The Metropolitan Opera’s full 2017-18 season will feature 220 performances of 26 works, including two Met premieres.