Randi Zuckerberg Launches HUG Social Marketplace for Artists
7.5.25
Randi Zuckerberg, sister of Meta founder Mark Zuckerberg, co-founded HUG, a social marketplace for artists to showcase and sell their digital and physical work, after an online meeting during the pandemic. She is now marketing head at Privy, a cryptocurrency wallet provider acquired by Stripe, and was photographed with her brother's partner Debbie Soon at an art exhibition in New York City in 2023.
The BBC has confirmed that Strictly Come Dancing will return in September with a mix of returning professionals, including Amy Dowden, Carlos Gu, and Kai Widdrington, as well as two new dancers. Vicky Pattison, who was previously eliminated from the show due to a foot injury, will also be back for 2025. Karen Hallett, the longest-serving dancer on the show, has been reinstated after rumors of her potential axing sparked an "ageism" row among the cast. The new season's lineup includes Johannes Radebe, Aljaž Škorjanec, Nancy Xu, Lauren Oakley, Michelle Tsiakkas, and Vito Coppola, with two new dancers to be announced later in 2025.
Swagatha and Aleesya's Sizzling Ballroom Dance Routine
7.5.25
Swagatha and her dance partner have expressed their passion for ballroom dancing, which they find naturally enjoyable when listening to music. They drew inspiration from a recent performance at Scape The Ground Theatre, where Aleesya felt an adrenaline rush that left her proud and happy. Both girls have experience performing in front of large audiences, including the Chingay Parade, and recently won first place in an international dance competition in Hong Kong.
Residents in Swanmore, Hampshire are opposed to a development plan that would demolish a historic cottage called Hiawatha, where Eric Abbott lived with his wife Peggy for over 60 years. The new owner, Simon Smith, has submitted an application to build two modern houses on the site, despite being sold the property with the condition it be lived in by a family. Almost 1,000 people have signed a petition against the development, citing concerns about the character of the village and traffic problems on a busy street near a primary school.
Taylor Swift celebrated a major milestone by regaining ownership of her music catalogue after nearly six years, with the support of her boyfriend Travis Kelce, an NFL star. The 14-time Grammy-winner announced the news on Instagram, marking a significant victory in her long-standing dispute over the ownership of her music. Taylor Swift regained ownership of her music masters after years of work, with her album
The exhibition at Gibson explores identity and empowerment through color, text, and symbolic references, featuring a music lineup that brings these themes to life with urgent performances celebrating generational experience, held at The Broad in downtown Los Angeles.
Morée's 'Trichromatic Vision' Debuts in Las Cruces
7.4.25
Photographer William Morée's latest exhibit, "Trichromatic Vision," is set to open at The Mad Hatter Gallery in Las Cruces, New Mexico, this Friday. The exhibit marks a departure from Morée's typical work on political campaigns, which has included shots of presidents and candidates such as Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, and Joe Biden. Inspired by his home in the Black Range Mountains of southern New Mexico, Morée's new project explores the relationship between light, color, and meaning, inviting viewers to engage with the process of perception itself. The exhibit, on display until August 9, offers a fresh and thought-provoking voice to the summer arts calendar, showcasing Morée's unique blend of visual experimentation and regional inspiration.
The International Organization of Turkic Culture (TÜRKSOY) has strengthened cooperation in opera and ballet across the Turkic world following its fourth General Assembly of Directors. The assembly, chaired by Ainur Kopbassarova, led to six collaborative initiatives, including a comprehensive encyclopedia on national opera and ballet works and a digital platform for all Turkic theaters. TÜRKSOY will dedicate 2026 events to artists Bulat Minjilkiyev and Adnan Saygun, with Kazakhstan's Abay National Opera and Ballet Theater staging Aram Khachaturian's "Spartacus" in coordination with TÜRKSOY. The organization also held the 26th edition of TÜRKSOY Opera Days, featuring performances by Istanbul State Opera and Ballet soloists Ufuk Toker and Özgecan Gençer.
Fadli Zon Adds Leang-Leang Cave Paintings to History
7.4.25
Indonesia's Minister of Culture Fadli Zon announced that ancient paintings from Leang-Leang Cave in South Sulawesi will be included in the country's national history rewriting project. The prehistoric images have gained international recognition and deserve formal documentation as part of Indonesia's history. The move aims to record and publish historical information for future generations to understand the past.