Category Archives: Feuilleton
A minor Hitch anecdote having nothing to do with salami
Everyone is offering his Christopher Hitchens memories today. I had only one face-to-face encounter, after he gave a lecture at the Greek embassy about the Elgin Marbles (he argued passionately for their return to Greece). Some of us retired to … Continue reading
Filed under Culture, Feuilleton, Uncategorized
Gingrich the Entrepreneur
Republicans may be refining the idea of what business competence means. The party has long cherished expertise gathered in the marketplace over mere political skill or experience. But there was an interesting nuance introduced in a Washington Post article … Continue reading
Filed under Culture, Feuilleton
LEGOs: Love’em
Of course I played with LEGO blocks when I was a kid, and not so long ago I went out and bought a large tub of basic pieces, purportedly for use by the children of my friends, but in fact … Continue reading
Filed under Architecture, Culture, Feuilleton, Museums, Uncategorized, urban design
Nancy and the Gavel
I wrote a quick piece about a striking image that came out of Sunday’s health care reform vote. Around noon, Nancy Pelosi and top Democratic leaders walked from the Cannon Office Building to the House, with Pelosi carrying a rather … Continue reading
Filed under Culture, Feuilleton, Photography
Where do we find the time for opera?
Opera News editor Brian Kellow approached me a few months ago with that question, which inspired a short riff in the April issue. Here’s a sample: What is the elevator pitch for Wagner’s Parsifal? Is there any opera today that could … Continue reading
Filed under Culture, Feuilleton, Music, Opera
The American Saturnalia
The first shopping day of the Christmas season is upon us, with the usual crowds, the frantic sales and the inevitable parking nightmare. Even the name—Black Friday—suggests that Americans are deeply ambivalent about this strange shopping holiday. But is it, … Continue reading
Filed under Culture, Feuilleton
Create Christmas Memories, Now!
I dropped into a place called National Harbor this afternoon. It is a large convention center, entertainment and hotel district created ex nihilo just a few years ago on the banks of the Potomac River south of Washington, DC. They … Continue reading
Filed under Architecture, Culture, Feuilleton
Afro-Mexican History
I have a special fondness for the Smithsonian’s Anacostia Community Museum, a small outpost of the big brand located a short drive from where I live. The museum used to have a running loop of Martin Luther King’s “I Have … Continue reading
Filed under Culture, Feuilleton, Museums
The Gramophone Awards
Just back from two weeks in London and Paris, including a visit to the Gramophone Awards on Friday afternoon. It’s been more than a decade since I last attended the Awards. I remember them at the Savoy Hotel (I … Continue reading
Filed under Culture, Feuilleton, Music
