50 Years of Shakespeare in the Park

Half a century of glorious (and free) Shakespeare in the summer and the open air.  Here's a nice comment by one of the artistic directors:

"It was the idea that culture in a democracy should be the property of all the people," [Oskar] Eustis says, "regardless of their educational attainment, regardless of their financial status or class status — that everybody had the right to own the best that our culture had to offer. And it's a beautiful vision that still lives."

*kisses for the Swan of Avon*

Quirky Euro Files: Weird Britain

Here is a fascinating list of odd British events.

One of my personal favorites? The "biggest liar" competition. Who can tell the most ridiculous whopper of a fib and get away with it? Liar, liar, pants on fire! (Too bad I'm not British, or I would submit the following deadpan declaration: "I am a serious academic scholar.")

Chinese New Year: A Photo Gallery

Via Tigerhawk comes the link to this delightful photo gallery of Chinese New Year photos from all around Asia.

Happy Year of the Ox! (And that's no bull.)

Hamlet Who?

Lovely news from the Cine-Sib: the Doctor is Hamlet!

Nerd News: Gorgeous Manuscript at the British Library

Dating from the 17th century, a spectacular illuminated manuscript of the Indian epic poem the Ramayana is now on display at the British Library until September 14.

And I'm stuck on the wrong side of the pond! At least the British Library has a website of the exhibit, complete with a few pages available online.

Last time I was at the British Library, I had a chance to see another lovely manuscript, the 7th-8th century AD Lindisfarne Gospels. So don't miss those if you go.

Nerd + Geek Joy: Captain Picard is Macbeth

Fresh new from the Sibling:

"Star Trek" + Shakespeare!

Two of my favorite things! TOGETHER! Patrick Stewart live on stage as Macbeth! Here's the playbill cover.

Awesome.

The Sibling has suggested something utterly insane: trying to go see this when classes end in a few weeks. Yes, we are geeks! Yes, we are nerds! Yes, we love both "Star Trek" and Shakespeare, and we are in a state of nerdy excitement.

*MM runs off to ransack her piggy bank.*

PS: Here is "Macbeth" for you, too.