When the censors of Venice read the first libretto of the opera Rigoletto, they felt that the story was dangerous, shocking, and unflattering to the King of France. The original libretto and the Victor Hugo play on which it was based featured historical figures, King Francis I of France and his jester, Tribuolet. Giuseppi Verdi, who wrote the score, and Francesco Maria Piave, who wrote the libretto, made changes. The King was changed to a Duke, the setting from France to Italy, and the name of the jester to Rigoletto. The censors were satisfied, and the opera was first performed in Venice on March 11, 1851.

• As founder and frontman for Jason & The Scorchers, Jason Ringenberg's cowboy hat and corn-fed yelps fit his image of an original alt-country pioneer. This Tuesday it seems he's been spending more time corralling than hanging at the used-guitar shop, releasing his first-ever children's album, A Day at the Farm with Farmer Jason.

Keller Williams is a unique artist, a multi-instrumentalist whose body can produce sounds reminiscent of Bobby McFerrin, a guitar virtuoso, a performer who can create a wall of sound on stage even though he's all by himself.

I first caught Pocket Dwellers live at Hornucopia 2002. I was immediately taken by the band's musicianship, cohesiveness, originality, and of tons of energy - each of which was unrivaled by any band there, and touring favorites Liquid Soul headlined, if that helps make my point.