Yes, you've found Lou Harry's A&E, IBJ's home for opinion, debate and discussion on arts and entertainment matters in Indy and beyond. Thanks for stopping by.
The big picture Blog Posts
Playing it straight
May 13, 2010
Comments(8)How much does our knowledge about an actor's private life influence his or her stage or screen credibility?
MoreMuseum attendance, and museum stress, up
March 3, 2010
Comments(4)A report from the American Association of Museum's notes increases, particularly in Midwest.
MoreSnow business like show business
January 8, 2010
Comments(12)Does the over-dramatization of weather conditions keep audiences away?
MoreLooking back on 2009
December 30, 2009
Comments(3)Thought on the Regional Performing Arts Center, Michael Jackson, and more.
MoreOhio's urban casino future
November 4, 2009
Comments(6)Can Indiana gaming halls compete with their new neighbors?
MoreAn attack on common percents
October 18, 2009
Comments(0)Don Pallotta, author of "Uncharitable," pushed local leaders to think big and stop talking about overhead.
More'Laramie' lures protesters
September 24, 2009
Comments(8)What's the best way to counter hateful reaction to North Central's production?
MoreArtPrize: Do you trust the public to judge art?
September 22, 2009
Comments(3)Call it the American Idol-ing of art. Starting Sept. 23, what's being billed as the world's largest art prize competition
begins in Grand Rapids...with you as judge.
MoreSept. 12 frenzy in Indy arts
August 19, 2009
Comments(17)I'm ready to officially declare Sept. 12 the most overloaded day of the Indy arts season.
For starters, there's the Penrod Art Fair, occupying the grounds of the Indianapolis Museum of Art from 9-5.
Then there's Indianapolis Opera's new Operapalooza...
MoreA step forward for Carmel PAC
August 13, 2009
Comments(3)The announcement that Steven Libman, former managing director of the La Jolla Playhouse in San Diego, is
taking on the same job for the Carmel Performing Arts Center is a strong indication of the aspirations of
the powers that be...
MoreKaiser: Not time for arts cutbacks
August 12, 2009
Comments(0)Representatives from most of the area's professional arts organizations -- plus other interested parties -- gathered
yesterday at Butler for a Q&A session with Kennedy Center chief Michael Kaiser. It was the latest stop
on his 50 state Arts in Crisis tour...
MoreBates out at Madame Walker
August 7, 2009
Comments(3)Christopher L. Barney, new board chairman of the Madame Walker Theatre Center, announced today that Cynthia
Bates will be leaving her job as President of the arts organization.
It's the third major transition for Indy's arts presenters over the past season,...
MoreNEA grants impact Indy arts groups
July 13, 2009
Comments(5)IBJ reporter Kathleen McLaughlin guest blogs today.
If our report last week about federal stimulus money for the arts piqued your interest, we have an update
this morning from the Indiana Arts Commission. See the list below for details on who...
MoreCan arts save their way to health?
July 1, 2009
Comments(5)"Arts organizations that consistently do good work and are aggressive about their marketing are the ones
which succeed, both programmatically and financially."...
MoreNYC pt. 1: Road plays
May 28, 2009
Comments(0)For the next few posts, I'll be logging in from New York City, where I'm on a multi-tasking trip that
includes a trio (at least) of Broadway shows to review. I also will be reporting from BookExpo America,
the publishers/booksellers...
More500 celeb spotting
May 24, 2009
Comments(0)Celeb spotting is kind of a human catch-and-release game. Seeing a familiar TV or film face, grabbing a
photo, maybe scoring an autograph--all are signs of...what? I'm not sure. It's not like seeing talented...
MoreMichelle Obama and the arts
May 19, 2009
Comments(10)Not content with just catching a show at the Kennedy Center, first lady Michelle Obama made a clear statement
with this week's trip to New York: She sees value in the arts and is interested in promoting them.
And not just mass appeal...
MoreToo much contact?
May 13, 2009
Comments(3)Arts organizations are tweeting. Arts organizations are facebooking. Arts organizations are inviting you to
post reviews on their sites. Arts organizations are asking you to participate in surveys. Arts organizations
seem to be trying every way to reach out to...
MoreAudiences behaving badly
April 28, 2009
Comments(20)It happened again on Sunday.
During an intensely delicate -- and totally silent -- moment in the Indiana Repertory Theatre's production
of "Rabbit Hole," an audience member opted to unwrap a piece of candy. Not a get-it-over-with unwrapping,
this process took...
MoreCultural road tripping
April 22, 2009
Comments(13)I spent a fair amount of yesterday at a meeting with representatives of tourism departments from around the
state. Each touted his or her region's attractions--from Lincoln Amphitheatre (back in action this year) to
the Fort Wayne Children's Zoo,...
MoreArts rally on the Circle
April 19, 2009
Comments(9)Monday is/was (depending on when you are reading this) the Indy Culture Matters Rally on Monument Circle.
Music starts/started at 11:30. Speakers at noon. I will be/was there. And I suspect many of you will/were
be, too.
Enough of that. So share...
MoreArts Council CEO out. What's next?
April 15, 2009
Comments(3)As the Arts Council of Indianapolis begins searching for a new CEO to replace outgoing Greg Charleston (See
IBJ's story here), the obvious question is: What are we looking for?
What should be the role of the Arts Council's CEO...
MoreMonumental arts mobilization
April 7, 2009
Comments(23)I'm guessing that many of you have already seen the e-mail that is being circulated prodding you to join
a rally on Monument Circle April 20 designed to "increase awareness of the importance of the arts to the
local economy...
MoreTimberlake fiasco at Indiana Live!
March 15, 2009
Comments(17)3/17 update: Barbara Coles of Coles Marketing Communications announced this afternoon that she is terminating
her company's relationship with Indiana Live! Casino. For more details, click here.
Update: For more on the story, click here.
Replying to a request for...
More'Arts Day' at the State House
March 12, 2009
Comments(5)Arts advocates are used to having trouble getting attention. But today's Arts Day at the Indiana State House
is being double teamed by a downtown fire and the Big 10 tournament. (The fire already bumped my Fox 59
weekend A&E preview segment off...
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Lauren: I reported BJ's plans based on their filing for construction permits. Of course, it's possible the plans fell through. Will update if I can find out more.
This weekend the Indianapolis School of Ballet performed Russian Treasures at the Scottish Rite Cathedral Theater for huge, enthusiastic crowds. This group of young people, returning students and young guest artists did fantastic performances of Balanchine's Valse-Fantaisie, Swan Lake Act II, Raymonda Act III and Allegro Vivace. I was blown away by the professionalism and energy of this school, which is on the caliber with most professional companies. If you're looking for great dancing and production value, this downtown venue is worth seeing and supporting.
Are they indeed going up there? I was told by BJ's directly they had no new stores planned in the area...
The article mentions that Indiana casinos are losing revenue to Ohio and Illinois casinos, but neglects to mention that those regional competitors are smoke-free for worker health.
In other words, Indiana's smoke-filled casinos are losing revenue to smoke-free competitors - without a local or statewide clean air law in Indiana to blame for it. Meanwhile, Indiana's casino workers, in order to provide for their family in a tough economy, must face the health hazards of secondhand smoke on a daily basis including cancer, heart disease, COPD, and many other preventable diseases, and associated healthcare costs.
Indiana lawmakers should take a cue from states like Ohio, Illinois, Maryland, and Massachusetts and ensure that casino jobs don't sicken the very people those jobs are intended to help. Even sophisticated casino ventilation systems do not protect people from the serious health hazards of secondhand smoke.
Some bump day, huh? Why were Loyd and Hamilton not allowed to run? Both say they had rides. It must be all part of the Vision. The good news is no traffic and plenty of room to stretch out. It would be nice if someone picked up some trash, there was so much trash in the Paddock Penthouse yesterday it looked like a Hulman George family reunion.