HubArts.com

HUAM gets contempo

This press release just arrived: "The Harvard University Art Museums announced today the appointment of Helen Molesworth as its new curator of contemporary art, effective February 5, 2007. Molesworth becomes the first full curator of contemporary art since the Art Museums established the department of modern and contemporary art in 1997. A distinguished scholar, writer, and curator, Molesworth comes to the Art Museums from the  Wexner Center for the Arts in Columbus, Ohio where she has been serving as chief curator of exhibitions since 2003, with oversight of the Center’s exhibitions, programs, and publications." (Jeff Koons' "Balloon Dog," pictured, is on exhibit at the Wexner now.) ... Which reminds me, here are some worthwhile contemporary art links from Planet Globe today - on MassMoCA and Andy Warhol and Osvaldo Golijov and David Bowie.

Barbra rocks

According to the reviews I read, Barbra Streisand managed to get through Sunday's concert at the Garden without telling anybody to "shut the fuck up." But then, she wasn't heckled during her comedy skit with a Bush impersonator, as she was last week at Madison Square Garden. You might enjoy this DANCE REMIX of her comments that night.

An ex-Heraldite's sigh

For all the bad things about working at the tabloid on Harrison Avenue, there were compensations, such as the days when the editors chose to speak truth to power like this:

I trust you understand that a certain amount of personal growth has been required for me to say something like that without random barking and snapping.

Another ex-Heraldite, Michael Gee, may have said it best earlier this week: "Any Bostonian knows the flawed trait of my former employer the Herald. In a word, insanity. The Herald presents life as an endless series of exclamation points, a truly loopy, no, disturbed way of viewing the universe. In justice to the old stand, I must point out that worldview is not a cynical marketing ploy. It was and I assume still is the (lack of) thought process that dominated every aspect of the organization. Folks, if you think the Herald seems a little weird from the outside looking in, you can't imagine what it was like from the inside looking out. The collective nuttiness was THE number one reason working there was a joy. Fun and sanity aren't often running mates."

I'm not quite as sanguine, having left - in a crowd - for different reasons. But there was a lot of fun to be had. And today's page one is an excellent example.

Readings

Geoff's been having great fun with the first BSO recording, and his articles may help identify the mysterious "fourth trombone." Just go here and start reading. ... Those who read my Wendy Harmer profile in the Globe last week might want to read the opera reviews here and here.

Debate drama

I'm going to be in the car from 7-8 tonight when Deval Patrick, Kerry Healey and the other two face off in a Mass. gubernatorial debate at Faneuil Hall. I'll be listening on AM 1030, or somewhere else if there's a Bruins game, but I'm really sorry I won't be in front of the TV. Because I have a feeling the frosty stares and heated scowls will be the real story of this debate. After the last week or so of terminal unpleasantness, this debate will be worth watching even assuming you know how you're going to vote. I'm running the Top 10 page for the election, and man, there has been some nastiness.

Sing out

I have a story in this morning's Globe about one of the leads in the new Opera Boston production.

Big 'Little' publicity

With "Little Children" coming out this weekend, Belmont author Tom Perrotta gets a big Globe interview, while the Herald talks to star Kate Winslet.

Is it still 'Contemporary'?

Geoff reports in the Globe this morning that the ICA will officially open its new waterfront location on Dec. 10, almost three months after its scheduled Sept. 17 opening. Among other problems, that means opening-week festivities - intended to attract much of the contemporary art world - will be competing with Art Basel Miami Beach. So important is that event that the ICA will be taking a group of donors to Miami for Tuesday-Friday of its opening week, Geoff reports. Not exactly how things were supposed to go. Not matter the official line, officials must rue the punch-list issues that kept them from an earlier opening. I'm kind of surprised no one has been sued yet.

Radio, radio

Dan Kennedy says Chris Lydon's "Open Source" and UMass Lowell are going their separate ways. And once again, Lydon's pay is an issue.

Sheets of sound

Good news just arrived in my in box: "JazzBoston Inc. today announced its official launch as a non-profit organization and the debut of its website, www.jazzboston.org. The 501(c)(3) organization, with representation from every corner of Boston’s diverse jazz community, will also bring a major new event to the city next year: Jazz Week, a celebration of jazz in all styles, which will be held in venues throughout the city from April 21 to April 29, 2007. The event is scheduled to coincide with the Smithsonian’s Jazz Appreciation Month and culminate on Duke Ellington’s birthday."

This is a terrific initiative that's much needed.  A family jazz initiative and public school partnerships are also promised, to help connect a  younger generation to the music. There's a lot of kids interested - I saw plenty of them at the Beantown Jazz Fest, and they weren't all from Berklee. Lots more to come on this, rest assured. I hope we'll be hearing about it for years and years.

Two tiny bitches about the Web site. One: I don't see a place on the site for BLOGS, ahem, unless they're from out of town - what's up with that? And two, there ought to be a way to click off the music for those of us who might already be listening to, oh, say Esperanza Spalding's new CD via our computer.

UPDATE/CORREX: There are music controls on the site, which for some reason didn't show up for me at home, but which are plain as day on the laptop.