Episode 73: "Footloose Redux"

SHOW NOTES

Episode 073 • May 25, 2026

 

FIRST & SECOND STRAIN

 

News ‘n’ Notes:

 

• School board bans high school band from performing “controversial” composition

 

Reporting on the original school board band-repertoire vote plans:

https://www.wpr.org/news/wisconsin-school-board-watertown-spring-band-concert-lgbtq-history

 

Reporting on the May 12th school board meeting:

https://www.wdtimes.com/news/local/school-board-cuts-song-from-spring-concert/article_a29a47f8-45a6-4d59-823f-4bc0822caef0.html (paywall)

 

https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/05/political-chaotic-school-board-meeting-descends-into-screaming-match-over-stonewall/

 

Reporting on Omar Thomas’s original comments:

https://www.tmj4.com/news/dodge-county/composer-speaks-out-as-watertown-school-board-debates-lgbtq-linked-concert-piece

 

Reporting on the student protests:

https://www.tmj4.com/news/dodge-county/watertown-high-school-students-walk-out-to-protest-school-boards-decision-to-ban-song-tied-to-stonewall-movement

 

 

TRIO

 

Some more thoughts about the Watertown Wind Symphony story

 

Alexandra Delcourt’s article about Watertown and its history:

https://ourliveswisconsin.com/article/watertown-band-students-barred-from-performing-song-tied-to-lgbtq-history-after-homophobic-school-board-vote/

 

Watertown school board candidate campaign platform interview:

https://ivoterguide.com/candidate/90169/race/24767/election/1345

 

Watertown school board meeting, May 12th:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cq2lm9Qr-L0&pp=ygUud2F0ZXJ0b3duIHVzZCBzY2hvb2wgYm9hcmQgbWVldGluZyBtYXkgMTIgMjAyNg%3D%3D

 

Reporting on Riverside MS protest and lockdown:

https://www.tmj4.com/news/dodge-county/watertown-middle-school-placed-on-lock-and-hold-during-planned-student-protest

 

Watertown school board’s official statement defending its decision to ban the Thomas piece:

https://www.tmj4.com/news/dodge-county/watertown-school-board-defends-decision-to-ban-concert-song-calls-it-a-celebration-of-violence

 

 

DOGFIGHT

 

• Look for the helpers; and look out for the opportunists

 

TCNJ’s community performance plans:

https://www.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10162602735121044&id=721116043

 

Reporting on Immanuel Lutheran Church’s community performance plans:

https://www.tmj4.com/news/dodge-county/composer-omar-thomas-to-conduct-a-mother-of-a-revolution-performance-in-watertown

 

The Immanuel Lutheran-hosted event:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g862hiqPZiQ

 

Reporting on the Kirk Bangstad Minocqua Brewing Company performance plans:

https://wtmj.com/news/2026/05/17/minocqua-brewing-owner-invites-watertown-students-to-perform-banned-concert-piece/

 

https://www.tmj4.com/news/state-capitol/minocqua-brewing-company-to-host-watertown-wind-symphony-for-a-mother-of-a-revolution-performance

 

Kirk Bangstad’s Facebook post:

https://www.facebook.com/MBCBrews/posts/pfbid02ZHr8kupuAJGzHYadB3Eyki7444RYdBSrcah7e6kUN6hajThJjuJCgp4UHaV151Bkl?rdid=yJ1JAiblTFBdonOi

 

 

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