What’s In This Issue?
This Week’s Main Stories
Story 01Musicians Perform Live Streaming Shows From Home
Story 02Broadway Star Listens To Canceled High School Musicals
Story 03Hollywood Is Finally Streaming New Films Direct To Home
Story 04Venice Canals (And Other Places) Make Environmental Comeback
Story 05Watching Parties, Drinking Online and Hanging Out VirtuallyMusicians Perform Live Streaming Shows From Home
Like the rest of us, musicians have been grounded at home and tours have been halted. Unlike the rest of us, many have access to home studios and actual talent. NPR has been regularly updating a list of those who are streaming live shows over the Internet. Most are free, including streaming performances from musicians like Ben Gibbard and the Indigo Girls as well as daily virtual concerts from the Vienna State and Metropolitan Opera. The end result, ironically, is that we may be headed for a world where you can see some of the best performers in the world for free, without ever leaving your house.
Broadway Star Listens To Canceled High School Musicals
As schools cancel activities and graduations get postponed, one of the casualties are high school musicals that kids have spent months rehearsing. Broadway star Laura Benanti went unexpectedly viral this week after inviting students who had their performances canceled to post them online and tag her so she could be their audience. The videos students shared are amazing ... and heartbreaking. The story is a powerful reminder that sometimes the most empathetic thing you can do is just to offer your time as a listener.
Hollywood Is Finally Streaming New Films Direct To Home
Ever since home TV theaters became amazing and streaming services delivered endless entertainment on demand, many people have been hoping to one day get first-run new films streamed directly at home. This week there were signs that this may finally start to happen - at least temporarily. Disney released Frozen 2 three months early. The new Birds of Prey film will release digitally next month. As some film releases get postponed, there will continue to be disruption, people losing jobs and a lot of re imagining of the entire sector.
Venice Canals (And Other Places) Make Environmental Comeback
I have often shared stories in the past about the challenges of overtourism. That seems like a long time ago. As the tourism industry essentially disappeared overnight, one side benefit is that the environment is responding positively to the lack of people. Canals in Venice are clear with dolphins. Global warming and emissions shows signs of halting. It's a harsh reality, but when humans stay home - the environment gets healthier.
Watching Parties, Drinking Online and Hanging Out Virtually
The same technology that allowed for virtual meetings is enabling people in Japan to drink together (a practice called On-nomi) or have watching parties for their favorite shows or listen to music together. These virtual hangouts are likely to grow in popularity as people seek out new ways to connect in an era of social distancing.
