AP Entertainment SummaryBrief at 12:42 p.m. EDT

Cuban dancer finds meaning and work in the streets as the island's art scene fades

HAVANA (AP) — Renowned Cuban dancer and choreographer Juan Miguel Mas, has faced significant challenges due to Cuba's economic crisis. Once filling prestigious venues with his troupe, Danza Voluminosa, he now focuses on community dance workshops for children. The crisis has led to blackouts, water outages and soaring costs, impacting artists like Mas with canceled shows and limited venues. Despite losing his teaching contract with the National Theater of Cuba, Mas remains committed to staying in Cuba. He emphasizes the importance of community connection and bringing art to children, transforming street corners into vibrant dance stages.

Willkommen, bienvenue, welcome to a Eurovision Song Contest that embraces linguistic diversity

VIENNA (AP) — English has long dominated pop music, but it no longer reigns supreme at the Eurovision Song Contest. This year, 25 languages are being sung onstage, from Albanian to Ukrainian. Performers increasingly want to share their mother tongues with the world. Finnish singer Pete Parkkonen says it’s easier to express feelings in native languages. That led to a string of English-language winners. But in recent years the number of non-English songs has been growing. Eurovision is now a showcase of cultural diversity, with fans embracing multilingual performances. The final of the 70th Eurovision competition takes place Saturday in Vienna.

Finland's hotly tipped Eurovision performance features flames, a valuable violin and a safety plan

VIENNA (AP) — At the Eurovision Song Contest, performers get just three minutes to impress. This year, Finnish duo Pete Parkkonen and Linda Lampenius are favorites with their song "Liekinheitin," or "Flamethrower." Their act combines pop and classical music with dramatic staging, including jets of flame and a valuable 18th-century violin. Eurovision rules usually require prerecorded instruments, but they secured special permission for Lampenius to play live. The pair has been rehearsing since November, trying to ensure their performance is flawless. Behind the scenes, a team of stagehands known as "ninjas" help manage the complex staging, keeping everything safe and seamless.

The NFL keeps spotlight on Sunday broadcasts as it creates more windows on other days

The NFL schedule traditionally gets plenty of attention. Government officials usually check it to see when the Washington Commanders or their favorite team are playing. However, there has been scrutiny as the league has carved out games for streaming services. Of the 272 regular-season games, 22 will stream as the primary network which is one more than announced last season and 14 will be primarily on cable. That leaves 236 games that will be on CBS, Fox, NBC or ABC, meaning 87% of the schedule will be on broadcast television, the same percentage as last year. All games in a team’s home market air on a broadcast network. Even with greater scrutiny of its distribution models, the league stuck to the same plan.

Claudine Longet, singer and actor at center of a notorious manslaughter trial, dies at 84

NEW YORK (AP) — French singer and actor Claudine Longet has died at age 84. She became infamous after being charged with the fatal shooting of her boyfriend, Olympic skier Vladimir “Spider” Sabich, in 1976. Longet claimed the shooting was accidental. The trial in Aspen, Colorado, drew worldwide attention. Her ex-husband, singer Andy Williams, supported her throughout. In 1977, a jury found her guilty of criminally negligent homicide. She received probation and a fine. Her entertainment career ended, and she became a subject of mockery. Longet later married her defense attorney and lived a private life in Aspen.

Shakira and Burna Boy release official 2026 FIFA World Cup Anthem, 'Dai Dai'

NEW YORK (AP) — Colombian superstar Shakira and Afrobeats icon Burna Boy have released the official 2026 FIFA World Cup anthem. It is titled “Dai Dai.” It’s a mesh of their musical landscapes. Afrobeats and Latin rhythms are prevalent in this undeniably global pop song. In one verse, they name a number of the world’s most famous soccer players and countries competing in this years’ World Cup. But lyrically, the song is about believing in yourself. The FIFA tournament will kick off on June 11 with Mexico taking on South Africa at the Azteca Stadium in Mexico City. The final is scheduled for July 19 at MetLife Stadium just outside New York City.

Author Ann Patchett urges a 'breath' for books as PEN gala raises $2M amid ban surge

NEW YORK (AP) — Author Ann Patchett and film producer Jason Blum are among those who spoke at PEN America's annual gala, which raised more than $2 million for the century-old literary and free expression organization. The gala took place as writers and journalists face persecution worldwide. Recent reports from PEN and the American Library Association document the continued surge in book bans in the U.S. Blum received the Business Visionary award, noting the need to protect storytelling from suppression. The gala also honored Iranian dissidents and Tennessee activists fighting censorship, underscoring the importance of defending free expression and democracy.

Clarence Carter, soul singer known for 'Patches' and 'Strokin',' dies at 90

NEW YORK (AP) — Clarence Carter, the blues and soul singer-songwriter known for hits like “Patches” and “Strokin’,” has died at age 90. Carter, born blind in Montgomery, Alabama, taught himself guitar and majored in music at Alabama State College. His biggest hit, “Patches,” came in 1970. It tells the story of a poor country boy who must take over the family farm. Carter was also known for raunchy songs like “Slip Away” and “Back Door Santa.” He recorded many hits at Fame Studios in Muscle Shoals, Alabama. Carter and fellow singer Candi Staton were briefly married in the 1970s.

After the Kendrick Lamar beef, can Drake come back with 'Iceman'?

NEW YORK (AP) — A new album from Drake is nearly here. “Iceman” releases Friday. It's his first since his extravagant loss in a very public feud with Kendrick Lamar and experts say it's pivotal. They commend Drake for an innovative album promotion cycle that included a massive ice installation in downtown Toronto. However, they theorize that since he lost the rap beef with Lamar, he needs to release an album of some critical merit with some hits. If not, it may still top the charts, but it won't further bolster his reputation in hip-hop.