HubArts.com

MFA campaign ends $4m over the top

The Museum of Fine Arts announced today that its seven-year Building The New MFA campaign overtopped its goal by $4 million for a total $504 mil, a conclusion no more or less surprising than the annual setting of a new record haul for Jerry's Kids. We kick Malcolm Rogers in this space occasionally for one reason or another - including the radio-silence he kept over this campaign's numbers for years - but the man does know how to charm the cash out of the city's moneyed elite.

Some 25,674 people contributed to the campaign, and unlike Obama, the MFA isn't bragging about how many of those gifts were under $50. Doesn't work that way with art museums. Late September is the anticipated topping off for the new American Wing, with the entire building project set for a conclusion in late 2010. The MFA’s Gifts of Art Campaign, which ran at the same time, has received since its inception in 2001 nearly 10,000 gifts of art valued well over $140 million and more than $25 million for the purchase of art, a combined total of more than $165 million.

Foster Prize exhibition set at ICA

Work by the finalists for the ICA's 2008 James and Audrey Foster Prize  -- Catherine D'Ignazio, Rania Matar, Andrew Witkin and Joe Zane -- will be featured in a new exhibition at the museum, Nov. 12-March 1. The prize is the ICA's biennial award recognizing Boston-based early-career artists making an impact in Greater Boston and beyond. The winner of the prize will be announced in early 2009. The award has been given out since 1999, but the exhibition began in 2006. Collectors James and Audrey Foster endowed the prize with a $1 million gift. All four finalists will talk about their work at the ICA on Dec. 7 at 1 p.m. (Free with museum admission. Tickets available first-come, first-served one hour before the program.)

A large panel of nominators look for work "that demonstrates innovation, conceptual strength, and skillful execution by artists who live or work within Greater Boston." The jury -- which includes ICA Director Jill Medvedow, Harry Philbrick, Director of the Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum and Philippe Vergne, Director of the Dia Art Foundation -- will select the winner from among 38 finalists in January 2009.

My personal fave of the four is Joe Zane, based on "Puppet Joe," above, and the ICA's description: "Zane attempts to instill a comic awareness of the impossibility to comprehend art's ultimate meaning" We're all about that right here at HubArts as well.

(Image courtesy of the artist and the ICA.)

Update: Lose a Leger, lose your job?

You may remember the embarrassment at the Davis Museum and Cultural Center that caused me to ask that question. Turns out the answer is yes. The painting is still missing, alas.

MFA's music man moving on...but not too far

I just learned via the Exhibitionist that Dan Hirsch, who's been running the very cool concert program at the MFA, is leaving at the end of the month. The good news: He's moving to a new job booking music for WorldMusic's CRASHArts program.

Los Lonely Boys won't be lonely at WGBH

On Saturday afternoon, WGBH will host a sneak preview of the documentary "Los Lonely Boys: Cottonfields and Crossroads," followed by a Q&A and reception with the band live in the WGBH studios. The film airs September 17 on WGBH, as part of the station's Hispanic Heritage Month programming. It chronicles the rise to stardom of Texas' Garza brothers, Henry, Jojo and Ringo, and their exuberant roots-rock sound. Filmmaker Hector Galan combines live performances with interviews and documentary footage to offer a historical and cultural perspective on the band and its Mexican-American roots. The event is free and open to the public, but reservations are required. To RSVP, go here.

Tom Brady down, CBS crab cakes up

The ratings-oriented site TV By The Numbers says the TV sports poobahs can't be any  happier than Patriots fans about Tom Brady's injury yesterday. If he's out for the rest of the season, it could hurt their TV ratings, which translate directly into dollars. Meanwhile my friend Jess over at the Herald gave WBZ a pretty good shot for their asinine, over-the-top shilling for the "CBS Experience" restaurant that opened next to the stadium in Foxboro over the weekend. Brady made the scene before his injury. If you ever though sports and television were anything but cold-hearted businesses, here's your answer.

Hub-centric music notes: Buffett v. Hanna, Hendrix v. Fender

Unless you've been browsing the nether regions of Boston.com, you might have missed these nuggets. Jimmy Buffett has moved up the start time for Saturday's concert in Mansfield from 8 p.m. to 3 p.m., in hopes of getting the show in before the volcano hurricane tropical storm blows.  And some dude from Boylston just paid $497,557 for a Stratocaster that Jimi Hendrix played and then literally set on fire during a 1967 London concert. (Right, Jimi burns another axe at Monterey Pop.)

Weekend TV tips: Love dogs, vampires too

Over at MeeVee, I've just written about a couple of shows worth watching this weekend. Tonight on "Dogtown," on the National Geographic Channel, it's "Saving the Michael Vick Dogs," an infuriating then heartwarming two-hour installment. At press tour this summer, I got bellyrubs with one of the pit bulls Vick and his thug-life pals trained to fight to the death. The transformation the Dogtown folks worked is amazing. And speaking of transformations, also this weekend is HBO's highly entertaining vampire drama, "True Blood."

Holiday Pops tickets go on sale Monday

This just in from the Boston Pops:

KEITH LOCKHART AND THE BOSTON POPS TO PERFORM 32 CONCERTS OF HOLIDAY FAVORITES DURING THE 2008 BOSTON POPS HOLIDAY SERIES DECEMBER 11-28 AT SYMPHONY HALL

Continuing one of Boston's most beloved holiday traditions, conductor Keith Lockhart and the Boston Pops open the 2008 Boston Pops Holiday Series on Thursday, December 11 and continue through Sunday, December 28. This year's Holiday Series includes 32 pre- and post-Christmas evening and matinee concerts. Tickets for the 2008 Boston Pops Holiday Series will go on sale to the public beginning at 8 a.m. on Monday, September 8 through the Boston Pops' website, www.bostonpops.org. Tickets will be available via the Box Office and by calling SymphonyCharge at 617-266-1200 or 888-266-1200 at 10 a.m.

The Holiday Pops season includes six special kids' matinee concerts on Saturday, December 13 (11 a.m.); Sunday, December 14 (11 a.m.); Thursday, December 18 (4 p.m.); Saturday, December 20 (11 a.m.); Sunday, December 21 (11 a.m.), and Wednesday, December 24 (11 a.m.). These family concerts include a children's sing-along, and parents can bring cameras to take photos of their children with Santa. Table seats will include a kid-friendly menu, along with special holiday treats.

Tickets will go on-sale on Monday, September 8 through the online website and SymphonyCharge phone line beginning at 8 a.m., and through the Box Office beginning at 10 a.m. Box Office hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday. The Box Office remains open through intermission on concert nights. Tickets for the 2008 Holiday Pops Series range from $27-$122 depending on date and time. American Express, MasterCard, Visa, Discover, Diners Club, personal checks, and cash are all accepted. There is a $5.50 per ticket handling fee for tickets ordered by phone or online. All Holiday Pops patrons, regardless of age, must have a ticket.

The 2008 Holiday Pops season is sponsored by Fidelity Investments. New England Coffee is the official coffee of the Boston Pops. The 8 p.m. concert on December 11 is sponsored by The Fairmont Copley Plaza, the official hotel of the Boston Pops. The 8 p.m. concert on December 12 is sponsored by John Hancock Financial Services. Commonwealth Worldwide Chauffeured Transportation is the official chauffeured transportation of the Boston Pops and has sponsored the 7:30 p.m. concert on December 13. UBS is the sponsor of the 8 p.m. concert on December 16. American Airlines is airline partner of the Boston Pops and has sponsored the 8 p.m. concert on December 18.

Patrons with disabilities can access Symphony Hall through the Cohen Wing on Huntington Avenue. An access service center, accessible restrooms, and elevators are available inside this entrance. For ticket information, call the Disability Services Information Line at 617-638-9431 or TTD/TTY 617-638-9289. Programs and artists are subject to change. For further information, call the Boston Pops at 617-266-1492 or visit the orchestra online at www.bostonpops.org.

Sarah Palin, book ban fan

Read this. While you still can.