CLASSICAL MUSICDomingo’s Washington Date?: Tenor Placido Domingo,...

CLASSICAL MUSIC

Domingo’s Washington Date?: Tenor Placido Domingo, who since 1986 has served as artistic consultant to the Los Angeles Music Center Opera and who will join fellow superstars Luciano Pavarotti and Jose Carreras in a July 16 concert at Dodger Stadium, is in negotiations with the Washington Opera at the Kennedy Center to take over as general director in 1995. The company’s spokeswoman, Patricia Fleischer Mossel, said although no contracts have been signed, “talks are continuing” with Domingo to replace Martin Feinstein, who is to retire June 30, 1995, after 14 seasons with the Opera. Washington insiders say, however, that the appointment is definite and will be announced June 28. Domingo has an indefinite contract with the L.A. Music Center Opera, where he frequently functions as controversial conductor as well as popular leading man. According to General Director Peter Hemmings, the relationship is “open-ended” and Domingo “has indicated that he wishes to continue that position and to develop it.”

TV & RADIO

ABC’s AIDS Campaign: ABC is calling July 9 “National Night Against AIDS,” part of a campaign to increase national AIDS awareness, understanding and volunteerism. The campaign is centered on that evening’s broadcast of “In a New Light ‘94,” the network’s third annual entertainment and AIDS information special, hosted by ABC News’ Barbara Walters. The Centers for Disease Control and local AIDS groups plan to organize viewing parties of the program to encourage discussion of the information presented.

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Coming Kids’ Fare: “Thunderbirds,” a futuristic 1960s action series that pioneered “supermarionation”--a complex animation process involving hand wires and puppetry--will be resurrected on Fox’s Saturday morning lineup as a weekly summer series beginning July 2. The original hourlong episodes will be edited into 30-minute programs and “updated” with new graphics and music. The series focuses on an eccentric millionaire who operates an international rescue unit employing special “Thunderbird” spacecraft. . . . Meanwhile, the Fox Children’s Network has signed an affiliate agreement with Los Angeles radio station KIIS-AM (1150) to air its new syndicated Sunday morning radio program “Fox Kids Countdown,” starting July 3. The two-hour weekly program will be hosted by Los Angeles radio personality Chris Leary, along with a weekly guest co-host from Fox-TV programs. Included with a musical countdown will be kids-oriented celebrity interviews and entertainment news.

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The Critics’ Picks: “Frasier,” “The Larry Sanders Show,” “Late Show With David Letterman,” “Seinfeld” and “The Simpsons” will compete for best comedy; and “Homicide: Life on the Street,” “Law & Order,” “NYPD Blue,” “Prime Suspect 3” and “The X-Files” will vie for best drama in the annual Television Critics Assn. awards show, which airs July 22 on cable’s E! Entertainment Television. The nominees, announced Wednesday, include the critics’ picks for a special “program of the year” award: PBS’ “The Great Depression” and “Prime Suspect 3”; CBS’ “Gypsy,” “Late Show With David Letterman” and coverage of the 1994 Winter Olympics, and ABC’s “NYPD Blue.”

MOVIES

The Publicity Dance: One actress isn’t getting enough publicity, apparently, and the other feels overexposed. In a nutshell, that’s the synopsis for the sudden departures of Susan Sarandon and Michelle Pfeiffer from the powerhouse public-relations firm PMK. Sarandon has defected to publicist Nancy Seltzer after seven years with PMK, reportedly unhappy with what she felt was too little publicity generated by the firm. And Pfeiffer’s split, sources say, occurred over a disagreement about publicizing Columbia’s high-profile film “Wolf.” Pfeiffer had been with PMK partner Lois Smith since she appeared in “Married to the Mob.” Vacationing in Fiji, Pfeiffer reportedly hasn’t picked a new publicist yet.

ART

New Gallery: The UCLA/Armand Hammer Museum of Art and Cultural Center opened a new Art Rental and Sales Gallery this week to support local artists and raise funds for the Westwood museum. The inaugural show features artists including Ed Moses, Joe Goode, Billy Al Bengston, Lita Albuquerque and Leo Limon. Works are for rent or sale to members of the museum. Located on the museum’s first floor, the gallery will be open for public viewing Tuesdays through Sundays, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

LEGAL FILE

Jackson’s New Woes: A judge has scheduled a paternity hearing for a Modesto woman who claims that pop singer Michael Jackson fathered her child in 1982. Jackson won’t appear at the hearing, set for Sept. 14, Jackson’s attorney said. Michelle Flowers seeks $20 million a year and a house to support her son. She alleges Jackson became obsessed with her after they met and later raped her at a New Year’s Eve party. If Flowers, 31, presents enough evidence that Jackson is the father of 10-year-old James Allen Hall Jr., a judge could order Jackson to take a blood test. Jackson’s attorney has denied Jackson had any contact with Flowers.