There is "value of parody and satire in human communication. This is a very old format for making a social critique, often used quite strategically. A really famous case which predates the internet is Jonathan Swift’s (1729) pamphlet, “A Modest Proposal.” - Nautilus
At the center of the melée was William Henry Fry, a widely traveled composer and critic whose lectures on music drew sold-out crowds, and who had composed Santa Claus for the players and occasion. As for what made Fry so important that a holiday-themed piece could ignite a war of words? - WRTI
“It is difficult to tell the nature of this attack but it is a symptomatic of a significant challenge globally to protect critical infrastructure from cybersecurity attacks." - The Art Newspaper
Concert programmers and soloists who wish to stray from the beaten concerto path must often summon their powers of persuasion to get new and obscure repertoire before receptive audiences. How do they do it, and what lessons do their examples hold? - Strings
The image at the centre of the 1893 design—depicting a pioneer with a rifle, a farmer and a Native American on horseback with a spear—has been routinely accused of glorifying the state’s role in westward expansion and the policy of “Manifest Destiny.” - The Art Newspaper
"This was a new kind of Christmas carol. It didn't mention the birth of Jesus, angels or wise men." Bing Crosby sang it in the 1942 film Holiday Inn, and "by December it was on every radio, in every jukebox. … The key reason was the nation’s entry into World War II." - The Conversation
I think that we’ve always been an international industry, but the pandemic has really illuminated that fact in some ways, both in physical production, as well as in content distribution. And that’s a good thing. - Variety
The original lyrics written for the film Meet Me in St. Louis began "Have yourself a merry little Christmas / It may be your last / Next year we may all be living in the past." For the version we know now, we can thank first Judy Garland and then Frank Sinatra. - Mental Floss
For many Brits, panto is their first experience in the theater. For some, it’s their only experience. It’s woven into the fabric of the holidays, and love it or hate it, you’re probably going. In fact, you’ve probably bought enough tickets to bring multiple generations of your family. - Gordon Cox
In 1998, Michelle Tea, who started the first series of events called "Drag Queen Story Hour," published her first novel with Semiotext(e), publisher of William S. Burroughs and Andrea Dworkin. Now Hedi El Kholti, Semiotext(e)'s co-editor (and Colm Tóibín's partner), will host Tea's new imprint, Dopamine. - Los Angeles Times (Yahoo!)
“New” is the key factor here. In compiling my best-of list for the year gone by — a list that has now swollen year-over-year from 12 to 14 — I found that contemporary offerings made up the bulk of my choices. No knock on Beethoven, but it’s good to hear some fresh perspectives. - San Francisco Chronicle
"The shell of Carlos Watson's Ozy Media (has) filed a lawsuit against Semafor co-founder Ben Smith, his news site and his former outlet, BuzzFeed, claiming that Smith stole trade secrets from the now-defunct (Ozy) and then forced its implosion" with a New York Times story revealing Ozy's lies about its readership." - TheWrap
The orchestra said that Runnicles will take up the post in the 2025-26 season and will lead the Dresden Philharmonic Orchestra as Chief Conductor Designate from the coming 2024-25 season. - OperaWire
Paramount Global planned to sell the Black-oriented cable network earlier this year but backed off after deciding that the purchase offers were too low. Now Byron Allen of Allen Media Group has offered $3.5 billion for the BET Media Group, which also includes studios and the cable channel VH1. - Variety
