Trey Graham, a City Paper theater critic since 1995, is the winner of the 2003-04 George Jean Nathan Award for Dramatic Criticism. The awards committee -- composed of the chairs of the English departments of Cornell, Princeton, and Yale, among other experts -- commended Graham for writing "with sensitivity and flair about the individual masterworks of the British and American canon," calling him "adept at linking these and other works from the past with the best the present has to offer." Past winners of the award include Walter Kerr and Hilton Als.

Continue ReadingWashington City Paper Critic Wins Prestigious Award

In response to complaints, Provo's city library stopped carrying Salt Lake City Weekly. Now, in response to complaints about the paper's disappearance, the library is reconsidering its previous decision, reports the Associated Press (via Editor & Publisher). SLC Weekly Editor Ben Fulton tells the AP: "We would hope they would still carry our paper for the reading public that is interested in what we have to offer." But, he concedes, "In a county where Rodin sculptures can cause offense, one person's ceiling is another person's floor."

Continue ReadingUtah Library Reconsiders Choice to Drop Alt-Weekly

Hartford Advocate Editor Alistair Highet calls the listings calendar his paper's "universal point of interest." The calendar is -- and long has been -- indispensable for most alt-weeklies, attracting readers who don't necessarily agree with a paper's perceived political stance. But the marketplace is increasingly crowded with online and print publications listing concerts and theater times. Freelance reporter Charlie Deitch speaks with AAN members to find out what they're doing to fend off competitors' attempts to infringe on the alts' longtime stronghold.

Continue ReadingThe Listings Calendar: Alts’ Mainstay Faces Stiff Competition

Interviewed by the Columbia Journalism Review's Campaign Desk, Washington City Paper editor Erik Wemple says the reports of his profession's death are greatly exaggerated. "I just am not buying into this journalistic apocalypse," he says. He thinks a lot of papers, including the one he edits, serve their communities well. Turning a critical eye on alt-weeklies, Wemple cites predictability as the root of "whatever malaise might exist" in the industry. "Alt-weeklies do descend from a certain tradition where it's no surprise that the editorial is slamming Bush or supporting Kerry or Nader," he says.

Continue ReadingWashington City Paper Editor Dishes on State of Journalism, Alts

When Philadelphia City Paper publisher Paul Curci conducted a national search for a new editor, he spoke to "no less than three dozen candidates," according to his open letter in the paper's latest issue. With input from his staff, he handpicked Philly native Duane Swierczynski, who worked at Philadelphia magazine and Men's Health before moving on to New York and an associate editor position at Details. Curci says that Swierczynski "made good in Philly, elevated his game in New York and chose to return to the city he loves to do what he does best -- lead young writers to excellence."

Continue ReadingPhilly City Paper Publisher to New Editor: “Welcome Home”