Exhibition: Mark Rothko

Over 100 works by Russian-born American painter Mark Rothko are on display at the Exhibition Gallery of the Hypo Cultural Foundation in Munich, Germany. The exhibition's focus is to provide visitors with a survey of his career from early figurative works to his more typical abstract expressionist works. The "Retrospective" show continues until April 27th.

http://www.hypo-kunsthalle.de/newweb/einformationen.html

Concert: Twice

Margot Poirier and Andreas Eriksen of "Twice" will be performing in Bourges, France April 17th at 3 p.m. The hip and trendy combo are quite a show on stage, both give off a funky and young energy that will leave you addicted. For more information about the group, contact L'eclaireur Music at music@leclaireur.com. To get a sample of their music, check them out on myspace: http://www.myspace.com/poptwice

Festival: Björk, Battles, Booka Shade and more...

The Knebworth Park in Hertfordshire, England will host the annual "Wild in the Country" festival July 5th. The famed location has been the ground for concerts of Led Zeppelin, The Rolling Stones, Oasis and Ella Fitzgerald. Known for their cuttting-edge music, this year's festival will be host by Björk. This is the occasion to discover newer bands such as New Yorker Battles and British group Foals.

http://www.renaissance.com/

Exhibition: Hans Arp and Fritz Winter

The exhibition, "Dialogue Without Encounter," is about the artistic dialogue between Hans Arp and Fritz Winter in the 1930s. 60 works are displayed in the show, some are collages and reliefs by Arp and some are "bio-morph" works (organic shapes, natural materials such as sand and fabrics) that Winter created from the dada influence of Arp. The show is on until May 12th at the Pinakothek der Moderne in Munich, Germany.

http://www.focus.de/kultur/kunst/hans-arp-und-fritz-winter_did_18385.html

Opera: David Lynch's "Lost Highway"

David Lynch's psychological thriller, "Lost Highway," is adapted into an opera at the Young Vic Theatre in London. The new adaptation is written by Olga Neuwirth and directed by Diane Paulus. The story is about a troubled jazz musician named Fred Madison who is in search of an identity, orientation and desire. The opera will be showing from April 4th to 11th.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/arts/main.jhtml?xml=/arts/2008/03/25/btlost125.xml

Dance: Into the Hoods

"Into the Hoods" is a hip-hop dance piece Director Kate Prince describes as un "urban fairytale." The dancers are from the street dance company called ZooNation founded by Prince herself. The dance is based on Stephen Sondheim's "Into the Woods," about two young truants who get lost on a London housing estate and become intertwined with numerous hip-hopish fairy-tale characters. The characters ranged from a downtrodden girl named DJ Spinderella, blond-haired Rap-on-Zel with her controlling father and Lil Red, who wears a scarlet hoodie when she goes to visit her grandma. The cast dance their roles to soul, pop and hip-hop music by groups such as Run DMC, Gorillaz and Chaka Khan. The dance is showing at the Novello Theatre in London until May 10th.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/arts/main.jhtml?xml=/arts/2008/03/22/btbreak122.xml

In the news

The city of Reykjavík in Iceland will hold their third annual Rite of Spring music festival from May 17th to 19th. Folk, jazz and world music are the main focus of the event. Legendary singer Bob Dylan is said to be one of the artists who will perform along with Brazilian jazz musician Sérgio Mendes. Mendes has become a success in South America and the U.S., releasing 38 albums since the beginning of his career. Composer and guitarist Goran Bregovic from Bosnia and Herzegovina was one of the biggest acts last year at the annual festival.

http://www.riteofspring.is/page.asp?pageID=117

Exhibition: "Merce My Way"

Celebrated Russian ballet dancer Mikhail Baryshnikov is taking his creativity into a whole new realm, that of photography. Baryshnikov is giving an exhibition, "Merce My Way," at the 401 Projects gallery in New York City. Baryshnikov joined the Kirov Ballet when he was 18 and later the New York City Ballet. He became the artistic director of the American Ballet Theater and dancer and director of the The White Oak Dance Project later in his career. Baryshnikov won several awards for his achievement throughout his life. His subject is fellow dancer Merce Cunningham and the focus of his photography is dance movements, shot in abstract angles. The exhibition is shown until May 4th.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/23/arts/dance/23maca.html?ref=arts

http://www.401projects.com/index.php?mode=gallery§ion_id=171

Exhibition: Edo Japan

Fans of Japanese traditional paintings should not miss the exhibition, "Designed for Pleasure: The World of Edo Japan in Prints and Paintings, 1680-1860," at the Asia Society in New York. During the 17th and 18th centuries, Edo- today known as Tokyo- was a booming city with wealthy samurai and merchants. Ukiyo-e, paintings and woodcuts that depicted ukiyo, the "floating world" of leisure and luxury, were springing up at the time. 148 works which included images of courtesans, portraits of actors and celebrated beauties, landscapes, illustrated books of poetry by Hokusai, Hiroshige, Okumura Masanobu, Hishikawa Moronobu and others can be seen for the pure pleasure of the eyes. The show continues until May 4th.

http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/03/14/arts/edo.php

Theatre: "Cette nuit" or "This night"

"Cette nuit," an adaptation by Maria Zachenska of Fyodor Dostoevsky's "The Possessed" is playing at the Théâtre L’Etoile du Nord in Paris until April 5th. Zachenska stays true to the original story, but adds to it a new geography and new axes of revolts. Living in exile, the Russian characters are in search of their roots and bearings, ready for anything that will give meaning to their cause.

http://www.webthea.com/actualites/?Cette-Nuit-de-Maria-Zachenska-d,1439

New release and concert: The teenagers

The pop punk trio from Paris are still making their rounds from Europe to the U.S. The group came out with their new album titled "Reality Check" on March 18th with Beggars XI Recording. Tonight, you can spot them at La Maroquinerie at 8 p.m. in Paris. They will also hold concerts at Bush Hall on April 7th in London and the Music Hall of Williamburg on May 3rd and the Bowery Ballroom on May 5th in New York City. http://www.myspace.com/theteenagers

Exhibition: Hans Josephsohn

German-born Hans Josephsohn's sculptures will be shown at the Hauser and Wirth Gallery in London from May 28 to July 26. Josepsohn lives and works in Zurich and devotes his entire work to the human form, carving his figures out of plaster and casting them in bronze. The pieces which will be displayed are dated from the 1950s to the present day.

http://www.artdaily.com/index.asp?int_sec=11&int_new=23597&int_modo=1

New release: Madonna

Madonna will give Vodafone customers a treat by releasing seven songs from her new album "Hard Candy." A different song can be downloaded each day starting the 21st of April until the official release date on April 28th with Warner Music. Madonna, 49, was recently inducted into the US Rock and Roll Hall of Fame at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel along with John Mellencamp, Canadian songwriter Leonard Cohen and the British rock group Dave Clark Five.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?view=DETAILS&grid=&xml=/money/2008/03/18/bcnmadon118.xml

In the news

Ola Brunkert, the drummer for the Swedish group Abba died on March 17th from an accidental fall through a glass door at his home on the Spanish island of Majorca. Brunkert, 62, was a jazz and blues drummer who played with Slim's Blues Gang, Science Poption and Opus III before joining the iconic Swedish group in the mid-1970s. The group Abba hit the charts with songs such as "Dancing Queen," "Take A Chance On Me" and "Money, Money, Money."

Theatre: "The Hour We Knew Nothing of Each Other"

"The Hour We Knew Nothing of Each Other" is showing at the National Theatre's Lyttelton stage in London until April 12th. The play, written by Austrian novelist and playwright Peter Handke and directed by James Macdonald, offers audience an avant-garde drama without words-yet with 27 actors and 450 characters- in the duration of 1 hour and 40 minutes. Although the play has mixed reviews, Handke is considered a great experimental figure of European theatre.

http://www.timeout.com/london/theatre/features/4232.html

Exhibition: Antony Gormley

The exhibition, "Firmament," showcasing 32 life-size iron figures of a naked body by the distinguished British artist Antony Gormley is showing at the White Cube Mason’s Yard. The show is on until April 12th in London.

http://www.whitecube.com/exhibitions/ag/gfg/

New sound: Bat for Lashes

English-Pakistani Natasha Khan is the singer behind "Bat for Lashes." Khan spent her youth traveling around the world because her father belongs to the prominent squash-playing Khan family. She studied music and visual arts at Brighton University in England. Khan's sexy and angelic voice reinforces the mix of multiple instruments she uses in her music. Her last album titled "Fur and Gold" came out autumn 2006 on Echo. She is currently working on her new album. Check her out on myspace: http://www.myspace.com/batforlashes

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2007/jul/20/folk.pop

Furniture designed by architects

Architects are designing more furnitures these days. Among the architects who are dabbling with furnitures are Mies van der Rohe, Amanda Levete, Greg Lynn, Zaha Hadid and Alvar Aalto. They are just a few who are making creative, aesthetically desirable luxe pieces that will tempt your decorative envies. In addition, architect Amanda Levete's four new designs are showing in an exhibition called "Around the Corner" at 2-3 Duke Street in London until March 26th.

http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/02/29/style/DESIGN03.php?page=2

Exhibition: "Action Painting"

The exhibition," Action Painting," is showing at the Fondation Beyeler in Basel, Switzerland. Artworks by Jackson Pollock, Willem de Kooning, Clyfford Still, Eva Hesse and Joan Mitchell are included in the show. The exhibition is on until May 12th.

http://www.beyeler.com/fondation/e/html_11sonderaus/01_aktuelle/intro.htm

Jack Penate: a new lad in town

Jack Penate, a new singer from the suburds of southeast London is making waves in the United Kingdom and across the Atlantic. It may be his melodies and his accent that are catching the attention of fans. His last album, "Matinee," came out January 2008 on XI Recordings. His songs can be heard on myspace: http://www.myspace.com/jackpenate

http://www.rollingstone.com/blogs/breaking/2007/12/breaking-artist-jack-penate.php

Exhibition: Louise Bourgeois

The Centre Pompidou in Paris is giving an exhibition of Louise Bourgeois' artwork until June 2nd. Bourgeois, born in 1911, grew up in the Parisian subsurb of Choisy-le-Roi. Her work is centered around her childhood experience which reflects her rage, rebellion, victimization and emotional abandonment of a promiscuous father. Bourgeois is considered one of the most creative female force in contemporary art of the 20th century.

http://www.newsweek.com/id/120106

The LK: some Swedish sound

The LK are two Swedish guys from Malmo mixing instruments to make offbeat, easy-listening music. The duo are on tour in the U.S. and will be playing at the Club Midway in New York City on March 25th and at the Black Cat on March 31st in Washington D.C. Their music can be heard on myspace: http://www.myspace.com/thelkhideout

Concert: Twice

Tonight is another chance to check out the Franco-Danish duo hitting the "posh scene" of Paris. The group "Twice" will be singing at the OPA tonight in Paris at 8 p.m. With Andreas' vibrant and energized guitar playing and Margot's sexy aura and voice, one can say that the combination is a success. They are not just two young 20-year-olds playing with guitar strings, they're hip and they got talent. On the same night, OPA will also host the music group "Revolver," who will be giving fans a taste of their "chamber pop" melodies. For more information about Twice, contact Leclaireur Music at music@leclaireur.com. Check them out on myspace: http://www.myspace.com/poptwice http://www.myspace.com/popdechambre

Exhibition: Derek Jarman

The film "Blue," paintings and sculptures by the late British artist and filmmaker Derek Jarman are showing at the Serpentine Gallery in London until April 13th. "Blue" was the last film by Jarman before his death to AIDS-related complications in 1994. Jarman described his life and vision in the film, which consisted of saturated blue colour filling the screen with a soundtrack composed by Simon Fisher Turner and original music by Coil and other artists. The exhibition is curated by filmmaker Issac Julien, who will show the premiere of his new film entitled "Derek," centred on a daylong interview with Jarman.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z9A8pXKMtLk

http://www.serpentinegallery.org/2007/04/derek_jarman_curated_by_isaac.html

New release

A new 3CD compilation entitled "NME Classics," the result of a collaboration between NME magazine and EMI, is out today. The compilation features 61 classic songs from the '70s, '80s and '90s by groups and artists such as The Clash, Blondie, David Bowie, Pulp, Joy Division and Radiohead. The music ranged from glam rock, punk, indie to Britpop.

http://www.nme.com/news/nme/34932

Concert: Beach House

The Baltimore group, "Beach House," will hold a concert on April 2nd at the Bowery Ballroom in New York City. The duo, Victoria Legrand and Alex Scally, has succeeded in creativing a dreamy pop atmosphere out of their music. The two may be even more dreamy live with their inventive personalities. http://www.myspace.com/beachhousemusic

Exhibition: Keith Haring

Over 250 paintings, drawings and sculptures of American artist Keith Haring are showing at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Lyon, France until June 29. In 1978, Haring moved to New York and became friends with fellow artists Kenny Scharf and Jean-Michel Basquiat. Although controversial, Haring was one of the offbeat graffiti artists in New York, contributing his own signature style to the art movement of his time. He created the Keith Haring Foundation to assist AIDS-related and children charities; he himself died of AIDS in 1990.

http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/03/06/arts/haring.php

Theatre: Igor Stravinsky's "The Rake’s Progress"

"The Rake’s Progress" of Igor Stravinsky is showing at the Opéra National de Paris-Palais Garnier until March 24. The three-act opera and epilogue was based on William Hogarth's "A Rake's Progress" which Stravinsky had seen in a Chicago exhibition in 1947. The story is about the fall of the young aristocrat Tom Rakewell, who deserted Anne Trulove for the delights of London in the company of Nick Shadow, who turns out to be the Devil. After several misfortunes, Rakewell ends up in Bedlam, a psychatric hospital south of London.

http://www.webthea.com/actualites/?The-Rake-s-Progress-d-Igor,1422

Classical: new releases

Elgar: Cello Concerto.
Myaskovsky: Cello Concerto
Jamie Walton (cello), Philharmonia Orchestra, cond Alexander Briger Signum
SIGCD116

Beethoven: Symphony No 1
Tonhalle Orchestra Zurich, cond David Zinman
Arte Nova

Bruckner: Symphony No 9
Orchestre de la Suisse Romande, cond Marek Janowski
PentaTone

Mozart: Songs and Piano Works
Werner Güra (tenor), Christoph Berner (piano)
Harmonia Mundi

Scott: Cello Concerto; Symphony No 1
Paul Watkins (cello), BBC Philharmonic, cond Martyn Brabbins
Chandos

In the news

Producer Danger Mouse is said to be working with singer Beck on his new album. Danger Mouse, also known as Brian Joseph Burton, had previously produced albums for groups such as Gorillaz, The Rapture and Sparklehorse. The two are at the first stage of production, but no release date has been given. Beck's music can be heard on myspace and his official website:
http://www.myspace.com/beck
http://www.beck.com/

Theatre: Richard Wagner's "Parsifal"

Late German composer Richard Wagner's piece "Parsifal" is playing at the Opéra National de Paris-Bastille until March 23. Parsifal is a three-act opera based on Wolfram von Eschenbach's Parzival, an epic poem about the Arthurian knight Parzival and his quest for the Holy Grail.

http://www.webthea.com/actualites/?Parsifal-de-Richard-Wagner,1424

Exhibition: Gunter Sachs

Artworks by German pop artist Gunter Sachs is showing at the Kunste Museum in Leipzig until June 22. Sachs is otherwise known as the multimillionaire industrialist and playboy who was once married to Brigitte Bardot.

http://www.mdbk.de/start.php4?id=125

Painter Tianbing Li

Talented Chinese painter Tianbing Li practices his art by combining the East and West, merging motifs and techniques from traditional Chinese painting with elements of western iconography. Through his various painting techniques, Li finds subtle ways to express his socio-critical views on contemporary Chinese society.

http://www.kashyahildebrand.org/zurich/tianbing_complete/tianbing002.html

New release: Jackson Browne

American musician Jackson Browne released his "Solo Acoustic vol. 2" collection of live performances from concerts around the world last February. His songs are sometimes political and others influenced by his life experiences and memories. The album came out on Inside Recordings.

http://www.rollingstone.com/reviews/album/18932873/review/19059850/solo_acoustic_volume_2

Concert: Björk

Icelander iconic singer Björk will be touring the UK in April and May. She will perform at the Hammersmith Apollo on April 14, 17 and 20 in London. In the meantime, you can listen to some of her songs on myspace: http://www.myspace.com/bjork

Exhibition: Nobuyoshi Araki, Kumi Machida and Hokusai

The Kestner Museum in Hanover presents 74 photographs of art photographer Nobuyoshi Araki- his bondage series- with 140 traditional Japanese paintings by Katsushika Hokusai and recent ink paintings by Kumi Machida. Hokusai was a renown ukiyo-e painter and printmaker of the Edo period, who is best known for his woodblock print series "Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji," notably his "The Great Wave off Kanagawa." Japanese critics have described some of Araki's work as pornographic while admirers called his work high art. The exhibition is shown until May 11th.

http://www.taschen.com/pages/en/catalogue/anniversary/all/04804/events.araki.1.htm

News

Canadian guitarist Jeff Healey died on Sunday, March 2nd, from a rare cancer called retino balstoma. A talented and joyful rock and blues musician, he played with B.B. King and Stevie Ray Vaugh and recorded with George Harrison, Mark Knopfler and the late Jimmy Rogers. His best known hit single was "Angel Eyes" and he won a Juno award for Entertainer of the Year in 1990. Prior to his death, he recorded a new album titled, "Mess of Blues," with plans to tour Britain and Germany. The album will come out in the U.S. in March and in Europe in April.

http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/music/article3474684.ece

Exhibition: Banksy

Artworks by British graffiti artist Banksy are on display at the Andipa Gallery in London until
March 29th. Banksy is one the hottest and sought-after artists in London at the moment. His artworks are considered controversial, which often deals with the current political and social issues around the world.

http://www.andipamodern.com/CurrentExhibition.HTM

Concert: Neil Young

Canadian rocker Neil Young is back on the road and he is making a stop in London. He will perform at the Hammersmith Apollo on March 5, 6, 8, 9. Young's latest album,"Chrome Dreams II," was released in autumn 2007 on Reprise/Wea.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/arts/main.jhtml?xml=/arts/2008/03/01/bmyoung101.xml

Exhibition: "Birthday Party"

Galerie Anita Beckers presents Vee Speers' "Birthday Party." The theme of the series is children and the life roles pressing upon them in the future. The children are dressed up in costumes, but their expressions are neither cheerful nor innocent. Speers, born in Australia and based in Paris, is interested in the psychology of human nature, what lies beneath the surface. Her photos are meant to confuse and interrogate. The exhibition is on until April 5th in Frankfurt, Germany.

http://www.galerie-beckers.de/display.php?cat=exhibits&id=51&mode=info

Rivulets

Nathan Amundson is the soloist of "Rivulets," which means "small streams." He plays his own guitar and sings sad melodies and if you listen long enough, his music will draw you in. Amundson is from Colorado, known for the ski slopes and vast green valleys. His songs can be heard on myspace: http://www.myspace.com/rivulets

PJ Harvey

English rocker PJ Harvey will come out with a new single titled "The Devil" March 10th. An unreleased track from 1998, "Liverpool Tide," will be on the B-side of the single. Her previous album, "White Chalk," was released in autumn 2007 on Island Records. Harvey is on tour in Australia. Some of her songs can be heard on myspace: http://www.myspace.com/pjharvey