Republicans Lure the Arts to Politics and Protests
Could it be that President Bush has made politics cool again for the arts in New York? Nothing in recent memory has stirred the far corners of this world like the prospect of the Republican National Convention at Madison Square Garden from Aug. 30 to Sept. 2 and of the crowds that will visit to record the event and to protest or support it.
This occasion has made unlikely partners of scruff and style, uniting old-time protesters, counterculture artists and mainstream producers as well as the "Sex and the City" crowd from the world of design, galleries, public relations and sleek magazines.
"Right now what's sexier than politics?" asked Heather Grayson, the actress and playwright who attracted strong notices for her solo show "After the Storm," based on her experiences as a soldier in the first American war against Saddam Hussein.
Dozens of arts organizations are making plans for at least four nights of political theater during the convention at East Village clubs, established theaters like Symphony Space, public libraries and of course the streets. The Internet is throbbing with information and strategies exchanged by people often identifying themselves by first name only or by acronym (FEVA, UFJP, THAW, WW3, NoRNC).
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