Dear Reader
Ever have that feeling when you’ve been battling to sleep for a few nights and so you justify binge-watching a whole series in one go because you probably wouldn’t be sleeping anyway? That was me last night with Normal People, based on the Sally Rooney bestseller, that just came out. And then by the end of it, I was so emotionally finished that I fell right to sleep instantly. So I guess my justification worked! Needless to say, I very much would encourage you to watch it. Yes, it’s a love story, and yes, it features two beautiful-looking human beings getting it on a lot, but it’s also about the indelibility of first loves, and the ways in which we are moulded by them. The soundtrack is superb — I was Shazaming a lot of the Irish artists I didn’t know, and the rest — Imogen Heap, Elliott Smith, Mazzy Star — is sublime.
Binge-watching late into the night/morning is probably not the best habit to pick up, but I know a lot of people have been battling with sleep during this time. Usually I find the Headspace app to be helpful for me, so perhaps it might be helpful for you too.
A tad bleary-eyed then, I give you today’s selection of entertainment options:
1. Norah Jones released her latest song sooner than she’d intended to —something a lot of artists have been doing, while others hold out for a time “after” all this. Tryin’ to Hold On is quite a sombre number, and I like to pair it with a track off her previous release, My Heart is Full. She’s also doing another Facebook livestream today, as she has done been doing for the past couple of Thursdays.
2. Ace choreographer Ryan Heffington (who just remotely choreographed the new Major Lazer & Marcus Mumford single Lay Your Head on Me) has been a ball of joy with his live Sweatfest classes. Today his guest is Margaret Qualley (Fosse/Verdon, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood) 10am PST/1pm EST.
3. This one has been much anticipated since it was announced a few weeks ago. The National Theatre will stream Danny Boyle's 2011 production of Frankenstein, starring Benedict Cumberbatch and Jonny Lee Miller, as part of its National Theatre at Home initiative today, 7pm BST, and it’ll be available until May 7.
4. As if that wasn’t enough, more theatre comes to us in the form of a Sing Street offering. The production was meant to debut on Broadway last week, but has been on hold. Today, the cast will perform Sing Street: Grounded — At Home With the Broadway Cast on the show’s Facebook page. It’ll be in aid of the Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York City and Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.
5. One of the best live music venues in the Village, Le Poisson Rouge, is doing what it can to keep spirits high and its staff afloat. So tonight LPR and DoNYC present their old-school dance party Freedom Party Online with Herbert Holler, at 3pm PST/6pm EST. Sure to be a good time!
And bonus! 6. Comedian Samantha Irby will be in conversation with writer Jia Tolentino, at 4:30pm PST/7:30pm EST, about Irby’s latest book, Wow, No Thank You.
And wow, yes, thank you…so much for reading. Thank you also for also sharing your comments and thoughts with me. I appreciate the feedback, as sometimes it feels like I might just be sending this little digital letter out into the void that is an email inbox.
Stay safe, stay sane
Your neighbour
Nadia