Arts & Culture

The New York Shakespeare Exchange says its goal is "to encourage an enthusiastic appreciation of classical theater and to expand the reach of the art form within new and existing audiences." More specifically, it's interested in the question of "what happens when contemporary culture is infused with Shakespearean poetry and themes in unexpected ways."

What, exactly, does that mean?

It’s time for the festival in the forest, known as FORESTival. Music, art and nature come alive in the 3rd annual celebration at A Studio in the Woods – an artist retreat in Lower Coast Algiers.

"The focus is really showcasing the artists and the connection between the arts and the natural environment," says spokesperson Ama Rogan. "Aside from the artists that we’ll be having, we will have tours of our woods with our staff botanist David Baker. Our founders Joe and Lucianne Carmichael will be giving a tour of their home, which was all built sustainably in the 70’s and 80’s from fully recycled materials."

The New Orleans Museum world has a new member. After being in town for only four months, the Ogden Museum of Southern Art's new director is working to unite the arts community with the city-at-large. We'll hear about William Pittman Andrews' guiding philosophies and disciplined routines on this week's Notes from New Orleans.

Actress and singer Lisa Celeste is better known by her stage name, Simone. She's the daughter of the late legendary singer Nina Simone, and she's appeared on Broadway in musicals such as Rent and Aida. As part of the series, In Your Ear, she shares the songs on her personal playlist.

The New Orleans Ballet Association closes its  2011-12 season with one of the world's leading ballet companies.  We go Inside the Arts as the Joffrey Ballet returns to the city with a grand program of masterworks.