Majesty: American Royals II

My new novel, Majesty, comes out September 1! Majesty is the sequel to American Royals, which reimagines present-day America as a constitutional monarchy (think a modern version of The Crown, by way of Crazy Rich Asians). It follows all the drama and romance of the American royal family, focusing on the young woman who will be our very first queen. The Guardian called it “a soapy, escapist blockbuster,” and the Skimm said “we couldn’t put this one down.” Available 9/1 wherever books are sold!

Ticket Website: https://www.getunderlined.com/books/598279/american-royals-ii-majesty-by-katharine-mcgee/

Facebook URL: https://www.facebook.com/KatharineMcGeeBooks/

Instagram URL: https://www.instagram.com/katharinemcgee/feed/?hl=en

My interview with Iranian-American writer Porochista Khakpour for Guernica, and a writing class at HEC Paris

I talked with Iranian-American novelist and essayist Porochista Khakpour for Guernica about imagination, creative freedom, and Khakpour’s wonderful new essay collection, BROWN ALBUM. Imagination, Khakpour says, “is an important word for our current moment,...tied to a moral impulse or collective morality, and we need to be able to tap into that.” (https://bit.ly/304R7f3)

Also in July, I was delighted to speak with high school students at HEC Paris about the power of writing, how finding our voices through the written word allows us to explore and engage with ourselves and the world. (https://bit.ly/2WXgsVZ)

Website: http://www.anntashislater.com

R Middleton Abstract Paintings in Your Mailbox or Online

My decades long journey in abstract expressionist painting started at 185 Nassau. This year was to be the launch of a dream art gallery and events space in my hometown, Jacksonville, Florida. A few short weeks after opening night everything changed. Now I am pursuing a transformed mission to bring art directly to others wherever they may be during these challenging times. I am sending "Rart Bouquets" in the mail to anywhere in the world, starting at $30. You can also check out HUMANISM, the exhibition of large abstract paintings that hung on the walls for months with no one to view it. It's all at my website, www.RMiddleton.art. I'm also extremely active at Instagram.com/RMiddleton.art

Facebook URL: http://www.facebook.com/rmiddleton.art/

Instagram URL: http://www.instagram.com/rmiddleton.art/

Other Website: http://www.RMiddleton.art

Announcing School of American Ballet's Ballet Connoisseurship Seminar Series, Fall 2020 Digital Season

Ballet Connoisseurship is an educational offering for adults providing seasoned ballet goers, patrons, students, scholars, and newcomers alike with knowledge and perspectives that will enhance their appreciation of ballet. School of American Ballet Executive Director Carrie W. Hinrichs '97 conceived the program, and it is curated by Alexis Branagan '11. Ballet Connoisseurship seminars will be digital this Fall, with live Zoom sessions weekly on Wednesdays, 7:00-8:30pm, September 2 through October 7. Each seminar is available for individual registration. The first three seminars are on the theme Celebrating NYC, Jerome Robbins Style. The latter three courses fall under the theme of Comedy in Ballet. Speakers include: former NYC Ballet ballerinas Patricia McBride, Susan Pilarre, Stephanie Saland, and Jenifer Ringer; NYC Ballet principal dancer Adrian Danchig-Waring; and Broadway actress Nancy Tincotin.

Ticket Website: http://sab.org/ballet-connoisseurship/

The Trojan War Museum and Other Stories Available in Paperback

The story collection The Trojan War Museum by Ayse Papatya Bucak P'93 will be published in paperback by Norton on August 22, 2020. The collection was awarded The Spotlight Award by the Story Prize and was short-listed for the PEN/Robert W Bingham award for a debut short story collection.

Twitter URL: @thefreemfa

Other Website: http://aysebucak.com

Heartbeat Opera seeks Managing Director

Dear Heartbeat Community,

We hope this email finds you healthy and well! Heartbeat Opera is hiring a full time Managing Director. We are hoping for an ambitious, energetic partner to join our close-knit collaboration--and outside-the-box thinker and leader who will take pride co-steering Heartbeat through this pandemic and onto a thriving future.

Do you know great people who might be interested in applying? We would be so grateful if you could forward this email to any potential candidates we should meet, as well as spread the word on social media. Thank you so much!

All best wishes,

The Heartbeat Team


Click here to learn more
https://www.heartbeatopera.org/jobs

Brandon Michael Lowden '09 Contributes Songs to International Virtual Collaboration Project

In WeSongCycle from Performing Arts Tokyo, the next generation of musical theater creators come together globally via the Internet to build a song cycle with input from mentors and industry professionals. The creative process will be recorded and presented as a six-episode YouTube documentary, culminating in a presentation of the finished work.

Weekly episode release from June 20 to July 25.

Facebook URL: http://www.facebook.com/PerformingArtsTokyo

Twitter URL: http://twitter.com/P_A_Tokyo

Instagram URL: http://www.instagram.com/wesongcycle/

Other Website: http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnweVICx9XS_9XaCb-rXUIg

WQXR Presents “Heritage and Harmony,” A Unique Virtual Concert Featuring Leading Musicians of Asian Descent Performing Modern and Traditional Works by Asian Composers

Available online starting Thursday, May 28 on WQXR.org

In collaboration with WQXR, I am honored and so very proud to present Heritage and Harmony, a unique virtual concert featuring leading musicians of Asian descent performing contemporary and traditional works by Asian composers.

The concert is both a recognition of the tremendous contributions to the musical canon by classical musicians of Asian descent, and also a reminder of the need to stand together against mindless intolerance.

Heritage and Harmony launches on Thursday, 5/28th, here:  https://www.wqxr.org/story/heritage-harmony/

All the performances were recorded by these outstanding musicians while sheltering at home.  Among the featured artists is two time Grammy award winning composer Christopher Tin, does Baba Yetu, from the video game Civilization IV sound familiar? 

In honor of Asian Pacific Heritage Month and beyond, from our homes to yours, we stand together in Heritage and Harmony!

Helping Kids Focus on the Process (vs the Products) of Creativity

Like most kids, Alexander loves making art of all kinds. He gets such positive feedback from his family, friends and school (so many prizes!), he wants to keep them all! Forever! Fortunately for everyone, an intervention comes in the form of an old fairy tale, The Kingdom of Tides, in which King Shivo and his people learn a lot about creativity with the help of the Moon. The Kingdom of Tides can be a source of practical (à la Marie Kondo) and metaphysical inspiration for the young and not so young to find joy in creating every day.

This picture book borrows from Hindu teachings and is the first in a series of philosophical picture books by Bill Wescott ’85. Bill believes “a childhood lasts a lifetime” and hopes that readers will find meaning in the experience of sharing the book with little loved ones.

Other Website: https://www.amazon.com/Kingdom-Tides-Will-Wescott-ebook/dp/B085GM52CQ

Author Ann Tashi Slater ('84) has new work in Catapult and Tricycle

Author Ann Tashi Slater ('84) has new work in Catapult and Tricycle. She offered a virtual memoir writing workshop in May for Princeton alumni in France and the UK, as well as one for students at The American University of Paris. For more: 
www.anntashislater.com

Follow: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

Film Release: "The Dinner Party"

Hi Tigers! My latest film, "The Dinner Party" was just released and is available for streaming on Amazon Prime Video. It's a modern day Greek tragedy with a hint of dark comedy. Fun fact... this film was directed by Marco Capalbo *89. I was cast in this movie and neither of us had any idea that the other was a Tiger until we had a meet-and-greet at his home and I saw the latest edition of the PAW on his coffee table! If you are looking for content to stream during quarantine, please give us a look!

Ticket Website: http://www.amazon.com/Dinner-Party-Kelly-Decker/dp/B087KV3BH2
Facebook URL: http://www.facebook.com/The-Dinner-Party-101248057988115/
Instagram URL: http://www.instagram.com/dinnerpartyfilm/

Happy & You Know It: A Novel

My new novel, about a musician who takes a job singing for a playgroup of wealthy mothers only to get drawn into their glamorous lives and dangerous secrets, came out May 19th! It's a May Book of the Month selection, a Library Reads pick, and one of Newsweek's Spring Must-Reads. Bookpage called it a "romp with substance," while Betches dubbed it "Mean Girls meets The Nanny Diaries."

You can order it anywhere books are sold! More info here: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/608155/happy-and-you-know-it-by-laura-hankin/

Interactive Zoom-Based Performance for Kids!

Fridays at 4pm and 5:30pm Eastern Time.
Adventure Theater LIVE! (Via Zoom)

Marisol Rosa-Shapiro ‘07 is a founding company member of Adventure Theater LIVE!, a collective of professional theater artists and educators offering a uniquely imaginative and interactive online experience for children ages 4-9. Performances take place every Friday afternoon at 4pm and 5:30pm EDT. Suggested Contribution: $20/child. Reservations open at 12pm EDT each Wednesday at www.adventuretheaterlive.com.

Ticket Website: www.adventuretheaterlive.com
Facebook URL: 
https://m.facebook.com/profile.php?id=112988130367869&ref=content_filter
Instagram URL:
https://www.instagram.com/adventuretheaterlive/?igshid=qdxnlkrayzyi
Other Website:
www.adventuretheaterlive.com

SAUNDRA LEZZENBAUM PRESENTS LOVE IN THE TIME OF CORONA

Ronkonkoma, Long Island and the World

Author of such self-help classics as Married to Menopause and Heart Attack, the Good Kind, Host of the CW's lunchtime-Emmy award-winning Queen of Hearts, Saundra Lezzenbaum has become America's Love Coach. Quarantined and isolated, with her beloved husband building parking lots in South Korea for the foreseeable future, Saundra is now releasing priceless romantic wisdom from the safety of her palatial duplex in Ronkonkoma Long Island. These videos will save your (love) lives! Love and Follow Saundra on Instagram (@saundralezzenbaum_), via email (BigLezzieLove@gmail.com), or on Facebook (Saundra Lezzenbaum Love Page).

Facebook URL: https://www.facebook.com/biglezzielove/
Instagram URL: https://www.instagram.com/rakejobertson/channel/
Other Website: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4xNInjq1OGL1RAMK9LWJmw?view_as=subscriber

Love in the Time of Corona: A Quarantine Song!

To keep my spirits up during quarantine, I made a very silly music video to a new song - if you're looking for a laugh, check it out here: bit.ly/timeofcorona

My portrait of Princeton professor Andy Moravcsik was just published in GQ Italia

[This was published in the March 2020 issue, which due to the pandemic only just came out.]

Nice to get some good news out of Italy! My portrait of Andy Moravcsik, Director of the European Union Program at the Woodrow Wilson School, was recently published in the March 2020 issue of GQ (Italia). I took this picture of Andy for my current portrait series, Taking Pause. If you read Italian, it is an interesting article that talks a little about his family and wonderful marriage to Anne-Marie Slaughter, CEO of the New America foundation.

Other Website: http://www.gqitalia.it/

Outer Banks on Netflix

I am sad my 25th Reunion will be virtual but thrilled that 2 episodes of the hit Netflix show I directed are available for everyone to watch. Created by Princeton Alum Jonas Pate with his brother Josh and Shannon Burke, this series has been in the Top 10 (mostly at #1) on Netflix since it premiered over a month ago. I was thrilled to direct episodes 7 and 8. In other news, I’ll be appearing on the Princeton Alumni Panel “Science Under Attack by Politics and the Media”, date TBD.

Award-Winning Doc Film SPEED SISTERS Now Streaming for Free Through June

Check out award-winning documentary film, SPEED SISTERS - now streaming free though June!

The Speed Sisters are the first all-woman race car driving team in the Middle East. Grabbing headlines and turning heads at improvised tracks across the West Bank, these five women have sped their way into the heart of the gritty, male-dominated Palestinian street car-racing scene. Weaving together their lives on and off the track, SPEED SISTERS takes you on a surprising journey into the drive to go further and faster than anyone thought you could.

"Subtly rebellious and defiantly optimistic" - The New York Times

"Strikes a perfect balance, telling a righteous, uplifting story of triumph against the odds without ever losing sight of the bigger political picture." - Time Out

The film was produced by Avi Goldstein '00, a 2014 Sundance Institute Creative Producing Fellow.

To watch, go to www.speedsisters.tv/watch and use promo code: Speed2020 (valid through June 2020).

Ticket Website: http://www.speedsisters.tv/watch

SideLight: a Curated Blog by Adin Walker

Amidst the darkness and uncertainty, I have been grateful for the opportunities to find ways to deepen my connections with family and friends across distance – often through long, winding conversations about a film, or a book that we all finally finished. And so, I wanted to carve out this space devoted to sharing critical and creative writing as another avenue for us all to continue staying connected.
Shout out to Ava Geyer '15 for the idea for the name:)

Check out the first edition of pieces published on the site now, including one by Olivia Robbins '16!
And if you are interested in submitting a piece, please reach out to Adin Walker at adinwalker@gmail.com

Ticket Website: https://www.sidelightbyadinwalker.com

Poetry Fundraiser

Ari Satok '14, an author of two books of poetry, recently launched an art/poetry fundraiser, partnering with other artists to raise money for important charities responding to the effects of coronavirus.

Satok along with these wonderful artists are selling prints of text-based pieces of art. 50% of the proceeds going to support incredible charities doing COVID relief. Each artist has chosen what specific charity the sales of their prints are supporting (these charities include Feeding America, No Kid Hungry, the International Rescue Committee, to name just a few).

To browse the pieces and learn about the charities being supported, check out the project website: https://www.poetryartprints.com/