Music:
* Popular music: Jazz emerged as a major force, particularly in the United States, with artists like Louis Armstrong and Jelly Roll Morton gaining widespread popularity. Ragtime and blues also remained popular.
* Classical music: Composers like Gustav Mahler and Richard Strauss continued to produce works, and orchestras and opera companies continued to perform.
* Military music: Bands played in military camps and on the front lines, boosting morale and providing a sense of normalcy.
Theater:
* Vaudeville: This form of variety entertainment featuring singers, dancers, comedians, and acrobats continued to thrive, offering escapism and laughter.
* Plays: Plays were still staged, offering a chance for reflection and emotional release.
* Films: The early days of cinema saw significant progress, with silent films gaining popularity and bringing fantastical worlds and stories to audiences.
Literature:
* Novels: Authors like Ernest Hemingway, F. Scott Fitzgerald, and Virginia Woolf wrote about the war's impact and the changing social landscape.
* Poetry: Poetry was a powerful medium for expressing the war's horrors and the emotions of those involved. War poets like Wilfred Owen and Rupert Brooke gained renown.
* Newspapers and magazines: Newspapers played a significant role in keeping people informed, while magazines offered escapism and lighter reading.
Other entertainment:
* Sports: Baseball, boxing, and football continued to be popular forms of entertainment.
* Dance halls: People went to dance halls to socialize and enjoy themselves.
* Radio: While still in its infancy, radio offered a new way to listen to music and news.
Impact of the war:
The war had a significant impact on entertainment. It brought about themes of loss, trauma, and disillusionment, which were reflected in literature, music, and film. However, it also created a need for escapism and light-hearted entertainment, which contributed to the popularity of vaudeville, jazz, and silent films.
The war also led to censorship, with some forms of entertainment being restricted for fear of negative impact on morale. Despite the challenges, people found ways to entertain themselves and maintain a sense of normalcy during a time of great upheaval.