PODCAST OF THE WEEK
The classical music label Naxos is running a series of podcasts. They are divided into four sections, among them American Jewish Music from the Milken Archive, a 13-part Leonard Nimoy-hosted series that looks at Jewish legends in tone poems, Holocaust reflections, klezmer and Sephardic music, as well as an interview with Marin Alsop, the music director of the Colorado Symphony. The Classical Music Spotlight podcasts look at new releases and the performers and composers who make Naxos recordings. Subjects include songs and arias by the soprano Ana María Martínez and the choral music of Thomas Tallis.
www.naxos.com/podcasts/podcastslist.asp
CAPTAIN’S LOG
DVD clubs are becoming all the rage. And now Captain Kirk himself, William Shatner, is getting in on the act. Taking time out from TV acting duties on Boston Legal, he has “created a collection of the best sci-fi, horror and fantasy movies available”. In fact, the list of the “constantly evolving collection” is so wonderful that it will never be published for the public to see. Only members will have access to the “expert selections” . However, a few examples are given, such as the werewolf movie Ginger Snaps, Charlotte Rampling’s Immortel (ad Vitam) and the not-so-good Sci-Fi Channel production Dragon Storm. Sadly, Shatner’s infamous Esperanto-language movie Incubus doesn’t appear on the list.
www.shatnerdvdclub.com
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DANCE CLUB
Marc Haegeman’s website For Ballet Lovers Only has been called “a fantastic resource for the latest news, photos and interviews on both the Kirov and Bolshoi ballets” by the Kirov itself. Past and present stars of the Russian school are explored through photographs (taken by Marc Haegeman himself) based on such themes as “Light, Colour and Movement”. There are also sections devoted to each ballet company. These contain dancer biographies and picture galleries dedicated to dancers such as Maria Alexandrova, Raisa Struchkova and Mikhail Lavrovsky. Elsewhere, the Burning Issues section focuses on events and developments involving both companies, while the Special Section has essays, interviews and commentary on various ballet issues.
www.for-ballet-lovers-only.com