Lexington Native Catching Flak for ‘Poem for Dzhokhar’

Amanda Palmer wrote a poem 'for' the accused Boston Marathon bomber. And the Internet doesn’t like it.

  We’re a little late to the game on this one. So late that, if ever it was news that Amanda Palmer wrote a “Poem for Dzhokhar,” it’s not anymore. The “story” now is that the Lexington native is catching considerable flak for a poem that kinda sorta maybe empathizes with Boston Marathon bombing  suspect Dzhokhar Tsarnaev. The poem seems to weave the bombing suspects thoughts into a body of more mundane thoughts. An example: you don’t want two percent but it’s all they have. you don’t know how claustrophobic your house is until you can’t leave it. you don’t know why you let that guy go without shooting him dead and stuffing him in some bushes between cambridge and watertown. And it’s been criticized by commenters on her website and …

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Aron Levy

1:50 pm on Monday, April 22, 2013

Probably because she's 'quirky.'   more ›

'The Art of Asking:' Amanda Palmer's TED Talk

Sharing her journey from street artist to pioneer in modern-day patronage.

Lexington native Amanda Palmer, the musician and former Dresden Dolls frontwoman, was one of the featured speakers at this year’s TED conference. Her talk, titled “The Art of Asking,” explores the concept of supporting art through modern-day patronage, an idea she tested and legitimized by raising more than $1 million for her latest album “Theatre is Evil,” through a Kickstarter campaign. In her talk, which hit the interwebs earlier this week, Palmer recalls her turns as a street artist in Cambridge, and couch- and crowd-surfing in person and through social media. And how becoming "the hat" at her gigs and accepting money led to the idea of giving away her music for free, online while also asking for help for the project with her new band…

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Talkin’ TED: Which Lexingtonian’s TED Talk Would You Want to Watch?

Amanda Palmer’s in the lineup for TED 2013, but which Lexington native, past or present, would you like to see deliver a TED Talk?

  Lexington native and pioneering artist Amanda Palmer will be one of the 70 speakers at the TED 2013 conferences, entitled “The Young. The Wise. The Undiscovered.” According to Palmer’s microbio on the TED website, the “alt-rock icon … believes digital content should be free, and that artists should be directly supported by fans via a ‘patronage’ model.” A musician who gained fame with the Dresden Dolls, Palmer grabbed headlines recently for the über-successful Kickstarter campaign for her latest musical project. Her upcoming TED talk could in some form delve into crowdsourcing and sharing on the Internet. But TED talks famously cover all subjects, featuring innovators and influentials with “ideas worth spreading.” Diverse as they are, …

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Lexington Native Amanda Palmer Invited to Speak at TED 2013

The 'alt-rock icon' will be one of 70 speakers at this year's conference, titled 'The Young. The Wise. The Undiscovered.'

Amanda Palmer, the artist and Lexington native, has made the list – the list of innovators and influentials invited to speak at this year’s TED conference. As the Globe reported earlier this week, Palmer will be one of 70 speakers at this year’s conference, titled “The Young. The Wise. The Undiscovered.” Palmer is, perhaps fittingly, listed on the roster for the session titled “Disrupt!” According to her microbio on the TED website, the “alt-rock icon … believes digital content should be free, and that artists should be directly supported by fans via a ‘patronage’ model.” About that: Palmer, formerly of the Dresden Dolls, recently showed what a modern, Internet-aided patronage model could look like by raising more than $1 million for her …

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What Will You Remember Most About 2012?

The start of the tercentennial celebration? Minute Men facing down an inflatable tank? Rachel Dratch's improv advice to a graduating class? Let us know in the comments section below.

  With 2012 now behind us, we'd like to know: What will you remember the most about 2012 in Lexington? Was it the start of the nine-month celebration of Lexington's 300th? Or the day a giant, inflatable tank rolled up on some re-enactors practicing on the Battle Green? Maybe the marathon Town Meeting of this spring, or the groundbreaking ceremony for a new Estabrook School? Perhaps it was Rachel Dratch's commencement speech, or the day Amanda Palmer and Neil Gaiman performed at a friend's book launch party? Let us know by posting a comment in the comments section below. Have a great New Year!

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Patch Facts

Five Things: LFM's FEASTival and a Local Author Book Launch Party

A quick look at what you need to see, do and know today in Lexington.

1. Lexington Farmers Market's Thanksgiving FEASTival: From 12 to 4 p.m. today at Seasons Four, there will be a special, season-ending farmers market hosted by the Lexington Farmers Market. 2. 'Lunatic Heroes' Launch Party: At 7 p.m. tonight at Cary Hall, there will be a special launch party for the release of local psychotherapist and writer C. Anthony Martignetti's book, "Lunatic Heroes: Memories, Lies and Reflections." The event will feature readings and/or performances by Martignetti, Amanda Palmer and Neil Gaiman. Tickets are $10 and all proceeds go to cancer care and research. 3. Today in Public Meetings: According to the town website, public meetings posted for today include the Tourism Committee at 11:30 a.m. at the Town Office …

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