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How Re-Establishing Diplomatic Ties with Cuba Will Change the Arts

The restoration of diplomatic and commercial ties between the United States and Cuba will not only hit us politically but will also have a profound effect on music and the arts.Though battling bureaucratic laws, the cultural exchange between the U.S. and Cuba has not been lost in recent years. Even before this week’s announcement, musicians have been traveling to perform in the previous out-of-bounds nation. Arturo O’Farrill, a New Yorker, was performing at the Havana International Jazz Festival with his Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra, while Cuban flutist Maraca was in New York preparing to play this weekend at Jazz at Lincoln Center.President Barack Obama’s “new approach” to Cuban policy will make it easier for American artists to travel to Cuba to perform and vice versa. Cuba could even plausibly become a profitable tourist destination for the first time in five decades. The new policy can end need for time-consuming security checks that often leave Cubans who want to perform in the United States in limbo. Easing commercial restrictions could allow American presenters to begin paying fees to the Cuban artists they bring to the United States, who by law are now allowed only smaller per diem payments and travel reimbursements.
By Jaime Prisco

  • Maida Withers Dance Construction Company Creates Kickstarter Campaign for 'MindFluctuations,' Neuro Headsets Used on Dancers to Create Visual Animation

    The Maida Withers Dance Construction Company, which is celebrating its 40th anniversary season, has created a Kickstarter campaign to help fund the world premiere of "MindFluctuations," an amazing night of dance and technological innovation.Choreographed by Maida Withers, recipient of this year’s 29th annual Washington, D.C., Mayor’s Special Recognition Arts Award, "MindFluctuations" is the cornerstone of the 40th anniversary of MWDCCo, a group known for their extensive and bold integration of cutting-edge technology mixed with dance."MindFluctuations" is a unique work involving dancers wearing an Emotiv neuro headset, which uses their brainwaves to influence computer art. This creates a startling interactive experience combining dance, projected 3-D visual animation by computer artist Tania Fraga and live electronic music by composers Steve Hilmy and John Driscoll.
    By Jaime Prisco

  • 'School of Rock' Musical in the Works: Andrew Lloyd Webber, Glenn Slater and 'Downton Abbey' Creator Julian Fellowes on Creative Team

    It has been announced that the hilarious rock comedy "School of Rock" will be making its stage debut in fall 2015."School of Rock: The Musical" is based on the hit 2003 film staring Jack Black as a failed rock star who poses as a substitute teacher at a prestigious prep school and attempts to form a rock band out of his class. The Paramount film was directed by Richard Linklater and written by Mike White, who starred alongside Black in the movie.The musical's creative team is just as surprising as the production itself. Andrew Lloyd Webber, Glenn Slater and "Downton Abbey" creator Julian Followes have all signed on to the project. The show will feature tunes from the movie, as well as new music by Lloyd Webber with lyrics by Slater, known for his work on such films as Disney's "Tangled" as well as Broadway musicals including "The Little Mermaid" and "Sister Act." The book for "School of Rock" is being written by Fellowes, who wrote the stage version of "Mary Poppins" for Disney and producer Cameron Mackintosh.
    By Jaime Prisco