Dear Reader
Every year, when flying into the Nice airport for the Cannes Film Festival, I giggle a little at the Kiss & Fly sign, their version of the drop-off (as-quickly-as-you-can) zone. While most airports bluntly call it what it is, France makes it just so, well, French. This year, there will be no kiss-and-flying, no-double-kisses-on-the-cheeks, no air-kissing, no bisous of any sort. For the first time in 13 years, I won’t be flying into the Nice airport in May. For the first time since World War II, there will be no Cannes Film Festival (which sounds more poetic to say, but it also didn’t take place in 1968 because of student protests). The 73rd edition of the world’s most prestigious, most popular, film festival was meant to begin today. A cultural casualty — like many other things — of the coronavirus. There is talk there may be some collaborations with other festivals later in the year, but even so, film festivals as we know them are going to be different for the foreseeable future. So today, I will eat a pain au chocolat (my film fest tradition) and watch a Lars Von Trier film at 8am in honour of the festival I love and j’adore.
Here is today’s selection of online events for your entertainment:
1. The Hold Steady will be celebrating the 15th anniversary of their album Separation Sunday (they were so ahead of their time), with a Tim Burgess Twitter Listening Party today 12pm PST/ 3pm EST/ 8pm UK time. I’ve mentioned Tim’s online listening sessions before and this one should be another good one. #timstwitterlisteningparty
2. As part of the Live with Carnegie Hall, ambassador of the Great American Songbook, Michael Feinstein, will gather some special guests for an exploration of George Gershwin’s enduring influence in both popular and classical traditions. 11am PST/ 2pm EST.
3. The NYC Ballet continues with its Tuesday and Friday shows, at 5pm PST / 8pm EST, on the NYCB’s YouTube. Today’s offering includes three George Balanchine pieces and two Jerome Robbins’.
4. And…we might not be able to travel very soon, but somehow the late Kurt Cobain’s guitar will be. The 1959 Martin D-18E he played during Nirvana’s famed MTV Unplugged in New York concert is headed to auction, with a starting estimate of $1 million. It’ll go on display in the window of the Hard Rock Cafe in Piccadilly Circus, London, from May 15th through to 31st, and at Julien’s Auctions in Beverly Hills, from June 15th through 19th. Just thought I’d mention it in case you’re socially-distancing in London or LA.
Thank you for reading!
Stay safe, stay sane
Your neighbour
Nadia