NEW YORK, Jan. 6, 2009 – The New York Times Eighth Annual Arts & Leisure Weekend announced today it will feature live Webcasts of this year’s most popular and sold out events. The Times’s signature event is a four-day international celebration of art and culture featuring interviews between Times journalists and celebrated guests from the arts, film, literature, music, media, theater and politics. This year’s event will be held from Jan. 8 to 11, at TheTimesCenter in The New York Times Building. Visitors to www.ArtsandLeisureWeekend.com will need Windows Media Player and a high-speed Internet connection to view the free Webcasts.
The following Arts and Leisure Weekend events will stream live:
Thursday, Jan. 8
6 - 7:15 p.m.
Glenn Close, Rose Byrne, Tate Donovan, Todd A. Kessler, Glenn Kessler, Daniel Zelman
The Emmy-winning star with co-stars and the creators-writers-producers of the FX series “Damages,” the legal thriller set in New York, talk about driven characters and high-stakes battles. Interviewed by Bill Carter
8 - 9:15 p.m.
Barbara Walters, Whoopi Goldberg, Joy Behar, Sherri Shepherd, Elisabeth Hasselbeck
The co-hosts of the Emmy-winning daytime talk show discuss how they tackle some of today’s most controversial topics, each from her personal perspective. Interviewed by Jacques Steinberg
Saturday, Jan. 10
2 – 3:15 p.m.
Tavis Smiley
The broadcaster, author, advocate, philanthropist and host of the award-winning PBS late-night talk show gives his perspective on the news and issues that are shaping American life today. Interviewed by Matt Bai
4 – 5:15 p.m.
Keith Olbermann
The MSNBC host and political commentator on the influence of cable news and opinion on today’s political dialogue – including from his show’s popular segment “Worst Person in the World.” Interviewed by Andrew Rosenthal
6 – 7:15 p.m.
Vampire Weekend
Smart, indie pop comes from four former Columbia University students. The group discusses how they got together, the success of their debut album and where they are headed next. Interviewed by Ben Sisario
8 – 9:15 p.m.
Lewis Black
Many things get under his skin, but the comedian, author and actor frequently has the last laugh. Interviewed by Alessandra Stanley
Sunday, Jan. 11
2 – 3:15 p.m.
Gal Costa & Cassandra Wilson
Tropicalismo and home-grown American jazz: the two Grammy-winning vocalists, one Brazilian and one New Yorker by way of Mississippi, discuss recordings that have meant the most to them and riff on what matters in music. Interviewed by Ben Ratliff
4 - 5:15 p.m.
Salman Rushdie
The internationally acclaimed author discusses his new novel “The Enchantress of Florence” and how history, politics, storytelling and art come to life in his work. Interviewed by Roger Cohen
6 – 7:15 p.m.
“Hair’s” Galt MacDermot, Oskar Eustis, Cast Members
The tribal-rock musical hit from 1968 has new relevance today with its timeless message of hope, peace and change. The show’s composer, members of the cast and the Public Theater’s artistic director discuss the parallels, with a performance from the show, which opens on Broadway in March. Interviewed by Patrick Healy
8 – 9:15 p.m.
Patti Smith The singer, songwriter, poet, artist and Rock and Roll Hall of Famer talks about her recent world tour with her band and what it’s like to be back in New York writing and making music. Interviewed by Jon Pareles
Arts & Leisure Weekend was originally established in 2001 to mark The Times’s 150th anniversary. Throughout the weekend, The Times collaborates with hundreds of cultural institutions in the United States and Europe to offer free admission, reduced prices and special events at museums, theaters, performing arts centers, tourist attractions, movie theaters and restaurants.
About The New York Times Company
The New York Times Company, a leading media company with 2007 revenues of $3.2 billion, includes The New York Times, the International Herald Tribune, The Boston Globe, 16 other daily newspapers, WQXR-FM and more than 50 Web sites, including NYTimes.com, Boston.com and About.com. The Company’s core purpose is to enhance society by creating, collecting and distributing high-quality news, information and entertainment.
Contacts: Pat Eisemann, 212-556-8719; eisemp@nytimes.com
Brett Oberman, Keith Sherman Associates, 212-764-7900; brett@ksa-pr.com
This press release can be downloaded from www.nytco.com
