Christian settlers and missionaries feared and banned throat singing, so the choice to make a Christmas album wasn’t exactly obvious, they say. “At the same time, they say some of their most cherished childhood memories include Christmas in the North, with the joy and hilarity associated with feasting, games and dancing.” Hence the meld. – CBC
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The Painters Reviving A 500-Year-Old Indian Art Form [VIDEO]
Only 16 artists still practice the art of Cheriyal – but they’re working hard to expand (re-expand) their ranks. To grow the popularity, one artist says, “We began making tissue boxes, pencil stands, spectacle holders, and keychains.” – BBC
As Arya Learned In Game Of Thrones, Swordplay Is A Lot Like Choreography
And that’s true in weapons and swordfighting theatre classes as well. Ask one student-turned-devotee: “In theatrical swordfighting, you’re following choreography and working with your partner and trying to avoid contact unless it’s part of the routine. It’s just like dance. Except there are more pointy objects.” – San Diego Union-Tribune
Mid-Level Movies Are Dying
And, obviously, blockbusters are killing them. (The cheap little awards-bait movies, the under-$20-million movies, might be OK.) – The New York Times
The New Mr. Rogers Movie Isn’t Really About Mr. Rogers
Instead, it’s about the dark abyss of the adult soul. “Adulthood, for most of us, is about acquiring the skills to feel no feelings at all. Feelings are distracting, inefficient, unoptimizable, unprofessional — childlike. They interfere with our capacity to work. In fact, some of us use work, especially if we’re ‘good’ at it, to avoid our feelings.” But of course, Mr. Rogers can short-circuit all of that. – BuzzFeed
A Conversation Between Lynn Nottage, Pulitzer Prize-Winner For ‘Sweat,’ And Jeremy Harris, Who Wrote ‘Slave Play’
Nottage: “Yes, I have to go sometimes to where my audience is, rather than being confined by the proscenium—which forces us to have a certain level of engagement, which means I have to sit very quietly in the dark while these people speak at me. There isn’t always a conversation.” – Vogue
Two UK Treasure Hunters Found A Huge Viking Hoard – And Stole It
The metal detectorists found a hoard, didn’t report it, and sold most of it – and now they’re jailed for a very long time. “The hoard — much of which is still missing — could shed new light on a period when Saxons were battling the Vikings for control of England. The trove is thought to have been buried in the late 9th century by a member of a Viking army that was being pushed east across England by an alliance of Saxon forces.” – The Washington Post (AP)
Apple Pulls ‘The Banker’ From Theatrical Release As Allegations About Producer Emerge
The movie was supposed to be Apple’s big first narrative film release, a movie that would enter the awards discussion. Instead, the film – which stars Samuel L. Jackson and Anthony Mackie – is on indefinite hold “as the company investigates sexual abuse allegations concerning one of the movie’s co-producers.” – Los Angeles Times
The Detailed Sociological Layers Of Musicians In Marching Band
Here’s the deal: “Each section has a reputation based loosely on the personality types drawn to certain instruments and the parts they play on the field. Trumpets generally own the melody, so the section attracts people who want to be the center of attention, at least musically. The perfectionist woodwinds — piccolos, flutes, clarinets and saxophones — are invariably drowned out by the brass section, meaning their dedication to musicianship doesn’t rely on recognition.” And there’s so much more. – The New York Times
Employee Steals Nearly $800,000 From DC-Area Ballet Academy
Listen, a ballet school with an extra $800,000? We don’t think so. Not surprisingly, the woman – hired to handle the accounts of the Reverend Sun Myung Moon-founded Kirov Ballet Academy in DC – was caught. – NBC Washington