Michael Kaiser

Michael Kaiser, president of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., has apologized for cussing out the head of the National Hispanic Foundation for the Arts over the phone in mid-September, in response to a demand to stop overlooking Latinos in the annual Kennedy Center Honors awards. Felix Sanchez, chairman of the Washington-based group, had said last week that Kaiser swore and hung up after no more than three minutes when they spoke Sept. 14 - two days after the Kennedy Center had announced a roster of 2012 honorees that, for the 33rdyear out of 35, included no Latinos.

Michael Kaiser, president of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., has apologized for cussing out the head of the National Hispanic Foundation for the Arts over the phone in mid-September, in response to a demand to stop overlooking Latinos in the annual Kennedy Center Honors awards. Felix Sanchez, chairman of the Washington-based group, had said last week that Kaiser swore and hung up after no more than three minutes when they spoke Sept. 14 - two days after the Kennedy Center had announced a roster of 2012 honorees that, for the 33rdyear out of 35, included no Latinos.

When Michael Kaiser started work in November at the Royal Opera House of Covent Garden as its fourth chief executive in less than two years, the British press likened his mission to joining the procession of Henry VIII's wives. As it turns out, the 44-year-old New Yorker hasn't lost his head or his heady reputation for turning around ailing arts groups.

When Michael Kaiser started work in November at the Royal Opera House of Covent Garden as its fourth chief executive in less than two years, the British press likened his mission to joining the procession of Henry VIII's wives. As it turns out, the 44-year-old New Yorker hasn't lost his head or his heady reputation for turning around ailing arts groups.

Two national Latino organizations say that the Kennedy Center Honors awards exclude Latinos, and they have begun a public campaign to reform the program, which celebrates lifetime achievement in the performing arts and culminates in an annual telecast of ceremonies at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. Felix Sanchez, who chairs the National Hispanic Foundation for the Arts, said Friday that George Stevens Jr.,...

The Dance Theatre of Harlem School, which closed earlier this year due to poor finances and lack of insurance, will reopen Saturday with a new executive director. Laveen Naidu will assume the executive position when the 35-year-old school reopens, spokeswoman Ellen Zeisler said Tuesday. The South African-born Naidu enrolled on a scholarship in 1989, rose to principal dancer at the company and later became an administrator.

Iraq's National Symphony Orchestra will hold a concert with its American counterpart and cellist Yo-Yo Ma in Washington, as part of a U.S. State Department-sponsored cultural exchange program, the Kennedy Center said Monday. "They're incredibly dedicated musicians and we're very excited about them coming here," Kennedy Center President Michael Kaiser said. "The role of learning about people through art is central."

Classical news: Beginning today, news outlet KNX-AM (1070) will supply hourly newscasts to classical music station KUSC-FM (91.5) during weekday morning and afternoon drive times (6 to 9 a.m., 3 to 7 p.m.). * Return engagement: Late-night funnyman Jimmy Kimmel will host the American Music Awards for the second consecutive year when the three-hour special airs on ABC Nov. 14. * Kennedy Center: Michael M.

A former Labor Department aide was sentenced Friday to 33 months in prison on his guilty plea to fraud and false statements for using illegally obtained credit cards to run up about $85,000 in unpaid bills. Michael Patrick Kaiser pleaded guilty in October to five counts of credit card fraud, one count of false statements and one count of wire fraud. Other charges were dismissed as part of a plea-bargain agreement.

With the nation's nonprofit arts organizations suffering in the dismal economy, the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts is offering crisis consulting to see them through. The arts aren't at the top of many lawmakers' lists for a federal bailout. So Michael Kaiser, the Kennedy Center's president, announced an unprecedented "Arts in Crisis" initiative Tuesday to offer free assistance to performing arts managers across the country.