Music: Newswire: Barack Obama is on Spotify now
Instantly rendering Mitt Romneys weekly Ray Conniff Record Party residency sort of old-fashioned, Barack Obama has become the President of Spotify, expanding his already-considerable online presence to an account with the popular music streaming service. The announcement was made via Obamas Tumblrwhich, like his Instagram, is not a jokeand came complete with the Presidents first-ever official playlist, featuring selections from his 2012 campaign staff as well as a few of Obamas favorites.
Of course, the playlist doesnt say which among the following songs are actually Obamas jams , which of them are songs chosen specifically for their reelection-evoking titles or to pander to as broad a heartland audience as possible , or who the hell put Ricky Martin on there.
Opera diva Joyce DiDonato to spend New Year’s Eve working magic with Placido Domingo at the Met in ‘Enchanted Island’
Joyce DiDonato will play Sycorax in “The Enchanted Island” at the Met.
Opera star Joyce DiDonato has big plans for New Year’s Eve.
“I am coming back from the dead,” says the mezzo-soprano, “and will end up glowing with resplendent youth.” That trumps watching the Yule Log flicker on TV.
But to be clear, the makeover DiDonato describes happens to Sycorax, the evil sorceress she plays in “The Enchanted Island” at the Metropolitan Opera.
The new production premiering on Dec. 31 is modeled after festive musical entertainments of the 18th century. It features arias
Julian Assange says he’s launching TV chat show
LONDON — You’ve read his leaks. Now watch his show.
International secret-buster Julian Assange says he’s launching his very own television series. The g
Gabriel Byrne to star in Channel 4 drama ‘Coup’
Gabriel Byrne is to take the lead role in forthcoming Channel 4 drama Coup.
The conspiracy thriller – based on former Labour MP Chris Mullin‘s novel A Very British Coup – will see Byrne play reluctant hero Tom Dawkins.
Following a suspicious industrial accident in Teeside, politician Dawkins will rail against the establishment to uncover the truth and get justice for the families affected by the disaster. Full article…
Merle Haggard hospitalized with undisclosed illness
A concert promoter says country music legend Merle Haggard was hospitalized with an undisclosed illness this week in central Georgia.
Promoter Mike Blackwell tells The Columbus Ledger-Enquirer that a Wednesday night concert in Columbus, Ga., has been canceled. He said the 74-year-old Haggard was hospitalized in Macon because of an illness.
Tour manager Frank Mull says that Tuesday night’s show at the Macon City Auditorium was abruptly canceled, seven minutes before it was to start.
Mull says Haggard has been sick since leaving his home in northern California last week.
It wasn’t known whether Haggard remained in the Macon hospital Wednesday.