Is It Spring Already??
Where does the time go?
In a blink, we went from me welcoming in the New Year to looking at worldwide panic around COVID-19 and many college students being sent away from their campuses after Spring Break for likely the rest of the semester.
In moments like these, many folks in the artistic community start to question the significance of our presence and role in society. Theaters’ seasons are being canceled, along with a slew of conferences and major arts gatherings. You can’t take every single concert, gallery show or dance performance online. Besides the obvious drop in the bottom line, creatives and venues are struggling to figure out how to remain relevant in a time of crisis and CONNECT—rather than separate—us.
Answers are in as short supply as hand sanitizer and masks.
What I do know is that the entire system cannot shut down. Some of us are vital in this chaotic scenario. Our essays, songs, visual works and performances will be the calm in the storm for many people who will long for a break from the news cycle and to avoid feelings of isolation and despair.
I hope many of you will use your time working from home, in quarantine, or in self-care giving yourselves more opportunity to create and do the things that bring you joy. Cook good food and feed yourself well. Pull out that book that you just haven’t had time to read. Reconnect with some of your favorite albums and the artists who made them. And, by all means, pick up the phone and share a good word with someone who can’t be there with you, but would love to hear the sound of your voice or FaceTime, for the time being.
As for me, I've got a few new pieces on my Medium page that I’d love for you to check out:
I’m still waiting to hear about a few performance opportunities, domestic and international, that may or may not happen because of the travel bans and health situation. So trust that more updates and posts are coming soon.
To my fellow scribes, if you’re dealing with your own drama in this moment, write it out. And…share!