Tuesday, August 02, 2005
Ken Cen plaza postponed, Page to Stage Festival coming
The Washington Post reports today that the extensive plaza that was to be built, connecting the Kennedy Center to the Mall, and giving some life to the area around the KenCen after dark, has been postponed. Congress did not appropriate the funds in the massive transportation bill, after appropriating funds for the plans, for a glorious European architect, and so on. This reflects how weak the District of Columbia is in Congress--we need a stronger lobby for our city; Eleanor Holmes Norton can't do it on her own--and how little Congress understands about the role of the arts in a capital city, if only how many jobs the arts provide.
I do wish the Kennedy Center would have a blurb about the issue on its Web site. Yes, Michael Kaiser spoke to the Post, and perhaps it's diplomatic to say little, only that this is a mere postponement, etc. But a Web site is there to be used. Give your side of the story! What are the next steps? A little bit more than a quote to the press...
In happier news, the Kennedy Center's Page to Stage Festival is coming Labor Day weekend. Last year I thought it was weak. I particularly remember one horrible piece of political propaganda, vilifying the French and mocking Bush, that was not worthy of a junior high school reading, let alone the Kennedy Center (and I am an anglophile and a passionate Democrat). This year, may all the plays be as strong as the plays of local playwright, Ernie Joselovitz.
Page to Stage Details:
Saturday-Monday, September 3-5 from 3-10 p.m.Various venues throughout the Kennedy Center
FREE! [Free] Tickets may be required for some events.
During this three-day event, the Kennedy Center welcomes more than 25 theaters from the D.C. metropolitan area with the goal of producing and supporting the success of new plays and musicals. Featuring free readings, special events, and panel discussions, the festival lets you catch a glimpse of upcoming Washington premieres in the 2005-2006 theater season. This year will include new works by Ken Ludwig, Stephen Massicotte, Horton Foote, Qian Yi, and many more. Further details at:
http://www.kennedy-center.org/calendar/index.cfm?fuseaction=showEvent&event=XFPRE#details
I do wish the Kennedy Center would have a blurb about the issue on its Web site. Yes, Michael Kaiser spoke to the Post, and perhaps it's diplomatic to say little, only that this is a mere postponement, etc. But a Web site is there to be used. Give your side of the story! What are the next steps? A little bit more than a quote to the press...
In happier news, the Kennedy Center's Page to Stage Festival is coming Labor Day weekend. Last year I thought it was weak. I particularly remember one horrible piece of political propaganda, vilifying the French and mocking Bush, that was not worthy of a junior high school reading, let alone the Kennedy Center (and I am an anglophile and a passionate Democrat). This year, may all the plays be as strong as the plays of local playwright, Ernie Joselovitz.
Page to Stage Details:
Saturday-Monday, September 3-5 from 3-10 p.m.Various venues throughout the Kennedy Center
FREE! [Free] Tickets may be required for some events.
During this three-day event, the Kennedy Center welcomes more than 25 theaters from the D.C. metropolitan area with the goal of producing and supporting the success of new plays and musicals. Featuring free readings, special events, and panel discussions, the festival lets you catch a glimpse of upcoming Washington premieres in the 2005-2006 theater season. This year will include new works by Ken Ludwig, Stephen Massicotte, Horton Foote, Qian Yi, and many more. Further details at:
http://www.kennedy-center.org/calendar/index.cfm?fuseaction=showEvent&event=XFPRE#details
