Dear Reader
I’m at that stage where I’m lapping up a cheesy “news-bulletin” of good news, delivered by a dead-pan John Krasinski (which you can watch here). Word is, some people are so desperate for good news right now, they’ll believe anything. Last night, during the iHeart Radio concert, where all the musicians performed from their living rooms and Elton John hosted from his home, Sir Elton was talking to Lizzo about how this pandemic had some positive outcomes, like the dolphins swimming in the canals of Venice. I didn’t have the heart to break it to Sir Elton, over Twitter, that that was, in fact, a fake story. I thought most people knew the story was fake. Same with the video of a chorus of people “singing” Biggie’s Juicy from Brooklyn rooftops. Also, fake — that audio is from a DJ warming up a crowd in an enclosed venue somewhere else. I get being desperate for good news stories, but as NatGeo relays, “spreading something that’s not true — whether it’s as small as a positive story about animals or as consequential as an unproven cure for COVID-19 — can make people feel even more distrustful during a time of vulnerability.”
Rest assured, I’ve vetted that everything posted here in this little newsletter is, in fact, true and happening online, in place of where our usual entertainment would be. Here, then, your Tuesday list of options for these times of tumult:
1. One of the highlights of the annual SXSW fest is the Fort Fader, where, in previous years, I saw many a great act and ate many a mediocre Taco Bell taco. More than 40 acts will take part in this year's edition, which has pivoted to an online event, including Kesha, FINNEAS, Noah Cyrus, Phantogram and more. The event goes live today at 7am PST/10 am EST, until 1pm/4pm EST. Proceeds go towards helping charities that are working with people who’ve been badly affected by Covid-19.
2. The Brooklyn Academy of Music had a whole series based on the theme of Solitude (how apt) ready to go before the Coronavirus struck. But you can still take part in it by renting Pedro Costa’s Vitalina Varela, one of the films that was on the line-up, and in this way, you’ll still be helping to keep the cinema going. They also have a virtual screening tonight of Andrew Ahn’s Spa Night, which you can rent and then join in afterwards for a director Q-and-A.
3. This Alvin Ailey video is what got me out of bed this morning, so I was thrilled to see they will be sharing full-length videos of the Company performing on stage. I was lucky enough to see Revelations when I first moved to New York nine years ago and I’ve never forgotten it. They’ll also be sharing dance workshops and videos from Company members under the hashtag #TheShowMustGoOn.
4. The Guggenheim here in New York is one of the many museums closed right now, but you could pop in for a little virtual gander around the striking Frank Lloyd Wright building. (Thanks to Nina Perry for the suggestion)
5. One of my fave authors and creativity gurus, Austin Kleon is doing a Quarantine Book Club today at 2pm PST/ 5pm EST. He’s the author of fabulous books like Steal Like an Artist, Share Your Work and Keep Going, so if you’re feeling stuck creatively (hello, we all are, really), he can perhaps help jiggle a few things around.
Thank you for reading. As always, please send any suggestions for events, and share if you’d like to. I’ll leave you with this make-your-heart-feel-better picture of health-care workers on a flight to New York to help out.
Stay safe, stay sane
Your neighbour
Nadia
PS. The title of today’s newsletter comes from a song Bob Sinclar was spinning live on his FB yesterday but I have no idea who made the track…if you happen to know, get in touch, please?