Dear Reader
I have to admit something. Well, it’s not really a first-time admission, as I have mentioned it before. Part of me has been really struggling with feeling angry and frustrated at the way some people I know have been acting at this time. Part of me has been feeling really disappointed in some friends, a number of them runners, who have been acting irresponsibly — going out to run too soon after having had Covid-19 or posting pics of hugging another runner after the day’s track session, 6-feet apart regulation be damned — seemingly oblivious to what we’ve been asked to do for public health and community safety.
I feel like I’m creating my own mini Noah’s Ark of people I will be engaging with in the future, when this is over, and people I won’t want to engage with — the people who will not make it onto my ark. But I also know I’m responsible for the energy I bring into the world. And I want that to be positive and uplifting, especially right now.
So I’m trying to focus on the people who are doing good — the people who are helping, who are part of the solution and not adding to problem, and seeing how I can amplify their efforts and voices. Rather than allow the anger and frustration to continue to grow. I’ve been thinking about what I can do to create and encourage more of what I do want to see in the world, instead of stressing about what I don’t like. (Doesn’t mean I’m not exercising my right to unfollow people on social media though…!)
There will be plenty of entertainment on Nadia’s Ark, so here are your options for today:
1. Jazz at Lincoln Center has been hosting ‘Wednesdays with Wynton’, which have been really lovely conversations with trumpeter and bandleader Wynton Marsalis. Today they’re hosting their annual Spring Gala, which would have taken place on the venue’s stage in Midtown West, but will now be beamed to your screen of choice (phone, laptop, TV). It’s billed as a global performance, featuring the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis, Cecile McLorin Salvant and Sullivan Fortner, Chucho Valdes, South African pianist Nduduzo Makhathini (whom I wrote about here) and more. I, personally, am really looking forward to this. Tonight, 4:30pm PST/ 7:30PM EST on Facebook and YouTube.
2. More music: Mr A to Z, Jason Mraz plays a #lalalalivestream every Wednesday on his YouTube, 10am PST/1pm EST, Soccer Mommy will be playing a couple of tracks on Pitchfork’s IG today 11am PST/2pm EST, and Dashboard Confessional, with a special appearance from Jasper the dog, will be going live in the evening 5pm PST/8pm EST.
3. Best-selling children's author and artist Oliver Jeffers has been doing his live "Stay At Home Storytime" readings since this all began, and today Chris O’Dowd is joining him for a reading of Here We Are: Notes For Living On Planet Earth, before it premieres on Apple TV on Friday, featuring O’Dowd’s voice and Meryl Streep’s too.
4. Live Nation is hosting a soundbath with Natalie Rodriguez — which they could probably really use right about now — 6pm PST/9pm EST.
5. Consider this your #WorkoutWednesday tips from me: my pal over in the UK, Sanchia Legister, who has been hosting yoga sessions for the Tate and Lululemon, has Friday classes that I highly recommend, and my fave strength class for runners and other such folk continues over at NY Custom Performance with Matthew Meyer, daily 8am, New York time. Both are truly, solid good physical stabilizers for these times of tumult.
Coming up:
This Saturday: The Killers will be doing a live Q-and-A and play a few songs on IG. You can send them your questions ahead of time (like, will Dave Keuning ever come back?) too.
Next Wednesday: Famous New Jerseyites/New Jerseyans like Bruce Springsteen, Jon Bon Jovi, SZA, Danny Devito, Chris Rock and more will be coming together for a coronavirus pandemic fundraiser in the Garden State. A one-night broadcast, titled Jersey 4 Jersey, that will be broadcast across a bunch of online sites and radio stations.
Thank you for reading. And thank you for the replies I get back. You are more than welcome to comment publicly too, and if you enjoyed this newsletter, to share it.
I’ll leave you with the RZA’s Guided Exploration meditation — because regular meditation is great and all, but sometimes you just need to channel the Wu.
Stay safe, stay sane
Your neighbour
Nadia
Nadia! Your sentiments about creating your own Noah’s ark resonates with me! I have zero tolerance for reckless, selfish behaviors that put others at risk. Thank you for sharing all these resources. Be well! Kimberly