Arts World Shows Solidarity with France: Since last Friday’s terrorist attacks, operas and symphonies around the world have performed the French national anthem, “La Marseillaise” to show solidarity with the people of France. Patrons going to see the Metropolitan Opera, the Philadelphia Orchestra, the Lyric Opera of Chicago, the Detroit Symphony Orchestra and others have heard the anthem ring out. “La Marseillaise” has come to represent unity and solidarity in the wake of the attacks–audience members at the Metropolitan Opera cheered as the anthem ended, shouting “Vive la France!” The New York Times’ Michael Cooper delves into the history of the song and the emotional resonance it has garnered around the world. May it continue to be a rallying cry as artists and citizens around the world show solidarity with the people of France in the wake of these terrible events.

Bridging to Beethoven: A new four-part series being presented in New York and San Francisco called “Bridge to Beethoven” is coupling Beethoven’s most famous violin sonatas with works by modern American composers. Vijay Iyer, Andrew Norman, and Anthony Cheung have all written companion pieces for Beethoven violin sonatas chosen by violinist Jennifer Koh. Koh has worked together with pianist Shai Wosner in creating this series, aimed at juxtaposing new works with past masterpieces. The series helps to bring together some of America’s more noteworthy composers in an appreciation for both the past and present of classical music.

The Future of Architecture Less About Sci-Fi and More About Function: Television, films, and literature have long depicted sci-fi architecture that apparently awaits us in the future. In reality, argues Huffington Post editor Katherine Brooks, the future of architecture lies not in defying physics and reaching toward the sky, but in solving today’s problems: resource scarcity, overpopulation, decaying infrastructure, and poor transportations. Architects are designing schools, assisted living centers, museums, and residences that attempt to structurally solve some of the most widespread social problems. The World Architecture Festival has announced the 2015 winners, praising and celebrating future designs that address sustainability and community development. Check out these beautiful and inspiring designs that certainly do not sacrifice form for function.

Ugly as the New Cute: A fair in California has aimed at celebrating the strange beauty of the world’s ugliest dogs. The winner, who gets the title “World’s Ugliest Dog” is apparently “treated like royalty, and the admiration of all the ugly creates a new standard of beauty–for a few hours,” according to photographer Ramin Rahimian. Rahimian set out to take portraits of dogs most people would consider ugly, highlighting how they are lovely in unexpected ways. The event and Rahimian’s work certainly highlight the need to see beauty in unexpected places and appreciate all the different forms of beauty that exist…even in the dog world.