The pianos are coming ...

The New York-based charity Sing for Hope has put pianos all around the five boroughs, on the street for anyone to play at any time. The last time I posted on this topic, the pianos-in-the-street concept had made the leap from Birmingham, England to London. Now the idea has crossed the Atlantic like a joyous virus and landed in New York - a mere 4 and a half hours from Boston. Better start your warm ups now.

Here is a bit of the New York Times coverage.

Jonathan Wolken, co-founder of Pilobolus Dance Theatre (1949-2010)

Jonathan Wolken, who co-founded Pilobolus Dance Theatre at Dartmouth in the early 1970s has died following a lengthy illness.

In 2002, Mr. Wolken joined fellow choreographers Bill T. Jones and Mark Morris for "Body Language: A Conversation About Dance and Community," a discussion about dance presented by FleetBoston Celebrity Series (now Celebrity Series of Boston) and the Wang Center for the Performing Arts.

Celebrity Series first presented Pilobolus in 1976 at Boston's John Hancock Hall. This season's
engagement (Dec. 3-5, Cutler Majestic Theatre) is the ensemble's 10th
Celebrity Series appearance. The presence of any of Wolken's works on the program cannot be confirmed, yet.

Hartford Courant obituary

Jonathan Wolken interview (video)

Jonathan Wolken Seattle Times interview (2007)

Subscribe by phone starting Monday, June 14

2010-2011 subscriptions are available by phone starting this coming
Monday, June 14 at 9am: call (617) 482-6661.

WBUR jazz radio host, trombonist Tony Cennamo (1933-2010)

Boston's jazz community lost a beloved fixture this week as WBUR jazz radio host and trombonist Tony Cennamo passed away at age 76.

My memories of T.C. were mostly his overnights in the late 80s. The acerbic asides, championing of working musicians, and his distaste of fanfare. One of a kind.

Boston Herald obituary (Bob Young)

Boston Globe obituary (Bryan Marquard)

WBUR, Hub Bub blog (Andrew Phelps)

WBUR, Radio Boston, Remembering Tony Cennamo (Adam Ragusea; includes audio of T.C. on air)

Callaway sisters show, "Boom!" reviewed in the NY Times

Check out Stephen Holden's New York Times review of Ann Hampton and Liz Callaway's "Boom!" at Town Hall.

The sisters bring "Boom!" to Sanders Theatre in Cambridge on January 21 2011.

Aileycampboston.com launches

Part web site, part blog, Aileycampboston.com is officially underway.

The site will serve as the up-to-the-minute information source for campers, parents, staff and anyone who wants to know what's going on at AileyCamp Boston, the Celebrity Series of Boston's free, six-week, full-scholarship summer day camp
program for middle school students from Boston public schools.

Aileycampboston.com is organized using Google's Blogger service, so posts will be added over time (there will be plenty to read, we promise!) and the
site will function more or less like a blog. Here's wishing campers, staff, parents and everyone associated with the camp the very best of luck this year!

You can also find out more about AileyCamp Boston and all of the programs in our Arts, Education and Community Program here.

Basil Twist's Petrushka (video)

We missed this little gem when we launched our season back in April because it was posted around the same time. Hope you enjoy this tiny sample of Basil Twist's marvelous recreation of the Michel Fokine/Igor Stravinsky masterpiece, Petrushka. I, for one, am amazed at the recreation of the choreography, especially considering there are three puppeteers per dancer.

Basil Twist definitely has a one-of-a-kind creative mind.



Twist brings Petrushka to the Paramount Theatre in November.

ArtsEmerson launches season

ArtsEmerson announced its inaugural season today, including two partner events with your friendly neighborhood Celebrity Series (Basil Twist's Petrushka and Compagnia TPO's Farfalle). Check out their web site here and Executive Director Robert J. Orchard's blog here. Welcome to the neighborhood!

The 2010-2011 Priority Seating Deadline approacheth

 


This note is for Celebrity Series subscribers who have not yet renewed to let you know that the 2010-2011 priority seating deadline is fast approaching.

After June 11, subscriptions will be filled in the order received and those renewing will be competing for seats with all other subscribers.

As for those who are considering placing that first order, and even those
in the Greater Boston Area that have no idea what they have stumbled
across but love a fantastic show, you need to remember that while we are selling lots of subscriptions are some shows can and will fill up quickly, we are offering over 80,000 total seats this season, to a stunning array of performers and genres, so when we say "good seats are still available," well, good seats are still available. You can even call starting June 14 (617-482-6661). And remember that non-subscribers can start buying seats starting September 13.