Billie Joe Armstrong, Robert Redford, Kevin Spacey, et al. Set for New York Times Arts & Leisure Weekend; Julie Taymor Withdraws

Julie Taymor, the director of Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark, has withdrawn from participating in The New York Times 10th annual Arts & Leisure Weekend, according to the Times. Taymor was scheduled to talk with Times reporter Patrick Healy on January 8, but has pulled out due to her work on the show, according to a statement.

As previously reported, highlights of the series will include talks with Kevin Spacey (January 6, 6pm); Robert Redford (January 8, 4pm); Rufus Wainwright and Martha Wainwright (January 8, 8pm); Steve Buscemi, Michael Shannon, Paz de la Huerta, and Terence Winter (January 9, 4pm); and Billie Joe Armstrong and Michael Mayer (January 9, 8pm).

Ashley Brown, Heidi Blickenstaff, Merle Dandridge, Christopher Jackson, Tshidi Manye, Josh Strickland, and Alton Fitzgerald White will perform in Sir Tim Rice & Friends, to be offered on January 7 at 6pm. Rice will be on hand for the event.

Additional participants will include Katie Couric (January 6, 8pm), Annie Proulx (January 8, Noon), Ina Garten (January 8, 6pm), Will Shortz (January 9, 10am), Lang Lang (January 9, 2pm), and James Levine (January 9, 6pm).

For more information, visit www.ArtsAndLeisureWeekend.com.