The Arts Fuse Newsletter, June 5
THE MAGAZINE TURNS 17 -- THE SPRING APPEAL. Coming Attractions, The Rolling Stones, June Short Fuses, Boston HarborArts, and the Life of Franz Kafka
From The Editor's Desk:
If professional news journalism is under serious threat, arts coverage is shrinking to the point of extinction. Which means an indispensable part of the cultural ecosystem is fading away. And that is bad for the future of art and artists. I share Henry James’s belief that “art lives upon discussion, upon experiment, upon curiosity, upon variety of attempt, upon the exchange of views and the comparison of standpoints.” The Arts Fuse provides invaluable information, criticism, and dialogue. The rise of influencers, marketers, algorithms, and AI will only lead to more deadening homogenization.
You, our loyal readers, supply the crucial operating support needed to sustain this magazine’s high-quality arts coverage. No wealthy donors are standing by to support what we do. Philanthropic organizations fund large organizations like the MFA and the BSO. Provocative cultural journalism is left out in the cold. Especially fearless, independent criticism that delivers stings as well as praise. The Art Fuse turns 17 this month: without your generous contributions the publication would not exist. We ask for your donations twice a year in order to balance our books. If we can’t, this feisty, nonprofit magazine will join the other media outlets that have shut down or cut back, including, recently and locally, NPR Stations WBUR and GBH.
The pieces highlighted below offer ample evidence of publication’s value to artists and arts organizations in the Boston-area and beyond. Coming Attractions, June Short Fuses, reviews of the drama Toni Stone at the Huntington Theatre Company and an album from local sax legend Charlie Kohlhase. A commentary on HarborArts as well as critiques of the recent Rolling Stones show at Gillette Stadium and a mini-series about Franz Kafka. This is only a sampling of what appeared on The Arts Fuse over the past week. Go here to help keep first-rate arts journalism alive and well. Or click on one of the “Keep the Fuse Lit” icons.
—Bill Marx, Editor-in-Chief
Coming Attractions Through June 17 — What Will Light Your Fire
Compiled by Arts Fuse Editor
Our expert critics supply a guide to film, dance, visual art, theater, author readings, and music. More offerings will be added as they come in.
Concert Review: The Rolling Stones — As Precious as Ever
By Scott McLennan
Returning to Gillette Stadium in Foxborough on Thursday night, the Rolling Stones, miraculously, sounded dangerous again.
Jazz Album Review: Charlie Kohlhase’s Explorers Club — An Exemplary “Second Life”
By Michael Ullman
Witty, varied, played warmly, and arranged dexterously, avoiding the glum, the explorations on A Second Life should please just about every jazz fan.
June Short Fuses — Materia Critica
Compiled by Arts Fuse Editor
Each month, our arts critics — music, book, theater, dance, television, film, and visual arts — fire off a few brief reviews.
Television Review: “Kafka” — A Gripping Biopic of the Ever-Iconic Author
By Kai Maristed
What could have gone terribly wrong goes terrifically right in the hands of this creative team, culminating in a convergence of the life, the oeuvre, and our protagonist’s encroaching agony.
Arts Commentary: Creative Cross-Pollination — HarborArts Expands the Power of Public Art
By Mark Favermann
Over the last 15 years, HarborArts has effectively used public art to raise public awareness, stimulating dialogue about essential environmental concerns — the climate crisis and degradation of the sea.
Theater Review: “Toni Stone” — Winning Season
By Martin Copenhaver
![](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fb8d41e52-6ea3-42f2-811e-2651e4df1751_600x500.jpeg)
The excellent ensemble of Huntington Theatre Company actors, fittingly, work well as a team.
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Questions, comments, concerns?
Editor-in-Chief
Bill Marx
wmarx103@gmail.com