Punk rock and Christmas oddly fit together surprisingly well. Whether it is a cover of a classic or an original song bemoaning the season, punk music is a perfect antidote for too much Christmas cheer.

CONWAY — The beat goes on for high school sophomore Matthew Farrar, due in part to the generosity of a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting patriotism and providing financial help to individuals and causes.

CONWAY — Mike Sakash will be presenting his popular jazz history course, entitled “1959, The Year That Changed Jazz” this year, on Wednesdays from 5:15 to 6:30 p.m. at the Journey Church at 15 Hutchins Drive in Conway (near the corner of Routes 302/Eastman Road and 113).

CONWAY — Arts Jubilee, the non-profit that presents a summer concert series at Cranmore Mountain Resort each year, has an additional mission to bring live music performers to area schools.

A few weeks ago, “Saturday Night Live” did a funny sketch about Weezer fans, with Lesley Jones playing a Weezer aficionado who only admires the band’s first two albums and host Matt Damon playing a Weezer enthusiast who loves their whole catalog. Their impassioned debate ruins a dinner party.

Every year, I try to find new Christmas music to act as an alternative to the usual songs played on repeat. I seek out songs with a sense of fun that subvert familiar holiday themes or even have an anti-Christmas message.

FRYEBURG, Maine — The Fryeburg Academy jazz ensembles wrapped up another successful season on April 6 and 7. Under the direction of Mimi Rohlfing, the bands attended the Maine Music Educator’s State Vocal Jazz Festival at Stearns Junior/Senior High School in Millinocket, Maine, to compete ag…

FRYEBURG — Junior Georgia Stafford, 16, of Fryeburg Academy made her family, friends and school proud when she won first place in the Jazz Singers Showcase competition at the 50th annual Berklee High School Jazz Festival in Boston on Feb. 10.

Mark Mothersbaugh is best known as one of the founding members of the new wave Devo whose song “Whip It” was a staple of the 1980s. For more than 30 years, Mothersbaugh has been an increasingly in-demand film and television composer with an eclectic resume that includes “Pee-Wee’s Playhouse,…