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When it comes to climate change, the math and science are clear -- but not to everyone. The arts can be powerful allies in helping us all understand the severity of the challenge and the urgency for action.

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As a cultural presence that combined the sacred and profane, romance and cynicism, humanity and hopelessness for over five decades of towering songs, we all have our own Leonard Cohen entry point. Like fellow Canadian Neil Young, Cohen became a patron saint of the 90s alternative nation. There was the tribute album "I'm Your Fan" and placement of "Closing Time and, especially, "The Future" in the film "Natural Born Killers."

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The digital era, it was believed, would usher in a utopia for both musicians and the consumer. But in reality, artists - the people who build our nation's cultural foundation and much of the intellectual property we export - now struggle more than ever to earn a living. The creative middle class has virtually ceased to exist.

By Tuomas Eerola

Tear-jerkers such as Adele's Someone Like You frequently top the charts these days, while gloomy classical compositions like Mozart's Requiem...

I wrote the following this morning and now comes word tonight that Leonard Cohen, one of the greatest writers of our time (poet, novelist, songwriter)...

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Bob Dylan's recent win of the Nobel Prize in Literature has raised eyebrows and has come with mixed feelings within the literati community. There are persons who see the academy's decision to award Dylan this coveted prize as "misguided and questioned whether songwriting, however brilliant," deserves to be ranked at the same standard as literature.

We Day

Before Gord, Mike Downie and Pearl (Chanie Wenjack's sister) got on stage at WE Day, I knew about the conditions of the indigenous communities, but like most Canadians, we weren't taught what a residential school was and why both the truth and reconciliation is so important to not only the indigenous community.

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Canadian groups headed to America have two choices: Stump up $2000-$5000 in border fees and union dues and wait weeks for a permit, or go without and risk a two to five year personal ban from the US. Whether it's a one night show played for beer and beds or a full arena tour makes little difference to the costs and paperwork involved.

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Why even bother? Why play a game that was designed for you to lose? The industry is completely unaware of the over-qualified and overlooked people of colour that play an important role in it, often claiming that they don't exist.

We Day

Before Gord, Mike Downie and Pearl (Chanie Wenjack's sister) got on stage at WE Day, I knew about the conditions of the indigenous communities, but like most Canadians, we weren't taught what a residential school was and why both the truth and reconciliation is so important to not only the indigenous community.

It comes as little surprise that the likes of Skrillex and Deadmau5 cite the French duo as their greatest influence. Discovery surely stands as one of electronic music's best, most influential records - and Harder Better Faster Stronger the album's most forward-thinking, innovative track.

Beatlemania was an important cultural phenomenon that changed the course of postwar history. Millions of baby boomers across a 15-year age range, across the globe, were smitten by four charismatic lads who, through their music, attitude, wit, and intelligence, excited us, dazzled us.

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Regardless of where you stand on the issue, I like the idea that the Nobel committee chose someone without contempt for Israel.

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There's a sound in those old vinyls that we don't really get in other music forms, an old-school, comforting flavour that takes the listener back to a better, simpler time. That's where the band Melted Vinyl drew its first inspiration.