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     FOLLOW US!   BandWagon RSS feed: feed.podbean.com/heyband/feed.xml BandWagon website: heyband.podbean.com BandWagon on Facebook: facebook.com/profile.php?id=61555170345309 BandWagon on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rhammerton1 BandWagon on BlueSky: bsky.app/profile/heybandwagon.bsky.social Rob (“HammertonMedia”) on Facebook: facebook.com/HammertonMedia   SUBSCRIBE TO BANDWAGON!   www.podbean.com/site/podcatcher/index/blog/eg706GUVzixV   WE GOT MERCH!   Visit www.teepublic.com/user/bandwagon-with-rob-hammerton -or- go to teepublic.com and search “bandwagon”   SEND US YOUR FEEDBACK!   Email: [email protected] Voicemail: speakpipe.com/HeyBandWagon