New theater blog

Don Calami from Between the Lines has started a new theater blog. I'll add a link to go with the blogs from Riverwalk, Icarus Falling, Flyover, Ken Glickman, and others.

Don Calami also sent out some exciting news. I'll give you the straight press release:

LIVONIA, Mich., August 9, 2007 – Pride Source Media Group, publisher of Between The Lines – Michigan’s weekly newspaper serving the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and allied communities – announced today the creation of EncoreMichigan.com, a new, weekly Web-based publication that will serve as the premier source for up-to-date news and information about professional theater in Michigan.

The project significantly advances the publishers’ commitment to the state’s arts community, and in particular, the theater community, said PSMG Vice-President and Co Publisher Jan Stevenson. “Over the past several years we’ve proved our support by not only offering our readers some of the most comprehensive theater coverage available in print, but also by establishing the annual Wilde Awards that honor the best shows and performances presented each year by our professional theaters. But that’s not enough. Our goal has always been to find a better and broader method of delivering theater news to the public, and we believe EncoreMichigan.com is the way to do it.”

Planned for a fall launch, EncoreMichigan.com will be accessible directly through the internet or by weekly e-mails sent by participating theaters to their customer base. No user-fees or passwords will be required. Funding will come from advertising support and other sources.

The publication will be a one-stop shop for consumers, explained Susan Horowitz, PSMG’s president and co-publisher. “Rather than have to pick up a handful of newspapers or check out multiple Web sites to find out which shows are playing where and when, or for thoughtful interviews, reviews and news stories, EncoreMichigan.com will have all of that – and more. Plus, it will expose theatergoers to ALL of the excitement our theaters are generating each and every week throughout the state. And contrary to popular belief, there IS a lot of great theater going on – despite some very tough economic times right now.”

Editorial content for EncoreMichigan.com will be produced under the direction of Donald V. Calamia, PSMG’s highly regarded theater and arts editor and originator of the concept. “EncoreMichigan.com won’t be merely a repository of static and boring information,” Calamia said. “Rather, it will be a fresh, innovative and interactive experience that will not only provide timely and useful material to the public, but also help our professional theaters expand, grow and prosper well into the future.”

Covering the arts isn’t just a job for EncoreMichigan.com’s executive team; all three have deep roots firmly planted in music, theater and arts management. Stevenson holds a master’s degree in music performance from Yale University, and was a professional musician in and around New York for five years after graduation. Horowitz was the founder and first executive director of the New Festival, New York's annual gay and lesbian film festival, a position she held from 1989 to 1993. Under her leadership, the Film Festival grew to become one of the largest gay and lesbian film festivals in the world. And Calamia has spent the last 30 years locally as an actor, publicist, theater executive, journalist and playwright. He is a member of the American Theatre Critics Association and the Society of Professional Journalists.

Additional details regarding EncoreMichigan.com will be announced at The Sixth Annual Wilde Awards to be held Wednesday, Aug. 29 at Detroit’s Gem Theatre. The awards will honor the best productions and performances of the 2006/07 professional theater season.

Questions regarding EncoreMichigan.com may be referred to Susan Horowitz, Pride Source Media Group, at 734-293-7200, ext. 30. For tickets and information about The Wilde Awards, call 734-293-7200, ext. 50.