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Showing posts from May, 2025

The Doors, Sixty Years On

Jim Morrison  is in the news again--actually a bust that was stolen from his gravesite in 1988. In an  Instagram   post , the  Paris Regional Judicial Police  announced the ''chance discovery'' was made during an investigation, unrelated to the original theft.  The sculpture, which was covered with graffiti over the years and had its nose broken off, was created by  Mladen Mikulin . The Croatian artist installed the bust in July 1981, a decade after Jim's passing. It's not known if this will return to the  Pere Lachaise  cemetery.  In February, the  Paris City Council  voted to name a footbridge after the singer. It's a way of marking the 60th anniversary of the birth of the  Doors . In New York, the  Tribeca Film Festival  is celebrating as well--with a screening of  When You're Strange . This  Emmy -nominated documentary, contains archival footage of the band, and was narrated by  ...

Art And Music at amFAR

The 31st edition of  amFAR  Gala Cannes  is set for the 22nd of May at  Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc  in Antibes, France.   Duran Duran, Adam   Lambert , and  Ciara  will be performing.  As usual, an auction featuring art, luxury goods, and experiences is also planned. Among the choices are a pair of  Chopard  yellow diamond earrings; a 2010 photo of  Bono  taken by  Julian Lennon  (signed by both musicians); and pieces by painter  George Condo  and actor/artist  Adrien Brody. Chopard is a Presenting Sponsor. Chairs include Julian, Adrien,  Ciara, Paris Jackson, Tom Cruise,  and  Demi Moore .  Head over to  https://www.amfar.org/ events/amfar-gala-cannes-2025   for further information. 

''Urban Stomp''

The  Museum of the City of New York  has a new exhibit called  Urban Stomp: Dreams and Defiance on the Dance Floor .  It uses photos, music, instruments and more to illustrate moves that were invented, reinvented, or made famous in New York's five boroughs. This serves as a celebration of over 200 years of social dance. Examples include the lindy hop, salsa, hustle, waltz and tango.  Also explored are globally influenced genres such as Native/Indigenous American and Jewish/Yiddish dances.    There is even a dance floor, and the museum's shop has some items inspired by the exhibit, including a large and small disco ball! Urban Stomp  runs through the 22nd of February. Visit  https://www.mcny.org/ exhibition/urban-stomp  to learn more.

A-Listers Contribute to Show in Shoreditch

Wh at do  Paul McCartney, Nile Rodgers, Bill Wyman, Ryan Adams,   Noel Gallagher, Jewel, Joan Jett, Jack White , and  Suzi Quatro  have in common? They are among the artists who have collaborated with Australian photographer  Kane Hibberd . But they weren't the subjects: it was their instruments and stories. Kane traveled the globe for a dozen years to ask musicians about their favorite guitars.  One hundred instruments are featured. The exhibition opens on the 12 of June at  Unlocked  in Shoreditch, London.  It runs through the end of August. Tickets are now on sale at  https://www.scale-exhibition. com . A related book is expected next year.

The Metro Years

A New York gallery is the subject of a new documentary--although they closed in 2021.  Metro Pictures  was founded in 1980, and was known for supporting the  Pictures Generation . This group included  Richard Prince, Robert   Longo , and  Cindy Sherman . As it was an alternative space,  says Cindy, the artists were able to experiment more than at other galleries.  Metro Pictures  was founded by  Janelle Reiring , a former  Leo Castelli Gallery  employee, and  Helene Winer , who was a director at  Artists Space .  A preview screening of Pictures of Pictures: The Metro Years is to be held on July 20 at  Guild Hall  in East Hampton, New York.  Tickets are $25, and can be purchased here:  https://www.guildhall.org/ events/the-artist-profile- archive-preview-screening- picture-of-pictures-the-metro- years .

Styles of the Stars

David Bowie  will always be remembered for his musical contributions. But his fashion legacy is also important, according to  Natalie   Hammond 's new book. Style Codes: David Bowie  examines the performer's one-legged bodysuits, dresses, capes and more. Besides discussing ''Ziggy Stardust'' and the ''Thin White Duke'' personas, the book aims to encourage readers to break free of fashion trends, according to  https://store.abramsbooks. com/products/style-codes- david-bowie . A couple of more ''Style Codes'' are due this year. On May 27, Natalie's  Dolly Parton  book is being published, and will include feathered hats and big hair.  Then the writer focuses on  Cher : this title is expected in October, and is to feature the singer's denim and leather looks. 

The First Authorized Richard Manuel Biography

On June 17, the first official biography of  The Band 's  Richard Manuel  is to be published. Van Morrison  and  Eric Clapton  were interviewed, as were members of Richard's family.  The author of  Richard Manuel: His Life and Music, From The Hawks   and Bob Dylan to The Band is Stephen T. Lewis . He includes information about the late keyboardist's first band, the  Revols , and discusses Richard's demons as well. The writer told the  Beacon Herald  he found all of the fellows in  The   Band  to be fascinating and talented. He met  Garth Hudson  and saw  Rick Danko  in concert, and ''they all deserve their stories. But Richard just called to me.'' Visit  https://schifferbooks. com/products/richard-manuel   for further details.