This is what happens when we’re all watching movies all of the time: A fan spots something off, makes a TikTok, and then the NYT reports on it. What the heck, we need humor, and this is faintly amusing – apparently Timothée Chalamet’s water bottles make an appearance in the Laurence household. – The New York Times
Author: ArtsJournal2
Boston’s Principal Ballerina In Canceled Carmen Says ‘It Feels Like The Stage Was Pulled Out From Under Us’
Lia Cirio: “For a few days I was really in wallowing mode, just watching Netflix and not being very active. But then my mom sent me a quote on Instagram that said ‘Victory comes from finding opportunities in problems,’ and that inspired me to do something to help me cope. … I created some shirts to sell, and the profits benefit the Greater Boston Food Bank and the Boston Artists Relief Fund that they just set up. The design is just something simple— [they say] ‘Art heals, wash your hands.'” – Boston Magazine
How Are Bookstores Surviving, If They Are At All?
Here’s what’s going on with some bookstores in Los Angeles. The Ripped Bodice in Culver City, which has a big Twitter following, offered a “care package” deal. Co-owner Leah Koch: “‘Those have been so popular. We put them up before we closed to foot traffic. Within 48 hours, we had 230 orders,’ Koch says, adding that the store now has a waitlist for the care package service and, as of this writing, there were 700 people on the waitlist.” Other bookstores? It’s not great news. – The Hollywood Reporter
After The Kennedy Center Laid Off Many Of Its Employees, Congress May Ask For That $25 Million Back
But much of the money is earmarked already, and may benefit furloughed employees: “About $7.5 million of the bailout will cover six months of benefits — pension, social security and health care — for all employees, including those furloughed. The center continues to negotiate with its insurance company to fund health-care benefits after May 31. Another $1.75 million is for future artists’ contracts and fees.” But both Republicans and Democrats have some issues with the way this has shaken out. – The Washington Post
The Best Sketch Comedian Online Now
Sure, everything’s online now, but some comedians have been doing the work for a much longer time than the last two weeks. They didn’t need to adjust “because they were already there, particularly those in the growing genre of ‘front-facing camera comedy’: short character sketches played directly to the camera. Owing a debt to the hectic editing of Tim and Eric and the influence of the defunct six-second-or-less platform Vine, these videos have gone viral for years, but with comedians and audiences stuck at home, they have replaced the special as the dominant comedy form of the Covid-19 crisis.” – The New York Times
Memes Belong In Museums
Think about the doge meme, for instance. “This meme is iconic, woah heritage, such icon.” (But for real: Memes show the power of photography and creativity, and the top memes deserve to be archived.) – BBC
A Choir Practice That Turned Deadly
Sixty singers showed up in early March for a 2.5-hour choir practice. Now, three weeks later, “45 have been diagnosed with COVID-19 or ill with the symptoms, at least three have been hospitalized, and two are dead.” – Los Angeles Times
Who Gets The Credit – And Money – For An Artist’s Quick Rise?
A lesson in not making desperate promises, perhaps: “When Derek Fordjour was a little-known art student at Hunter College, before Michael Ovitz and Beyoncé began collecting his work, before his paintings came to sell for more than $100,000, the fledgling artist struck a deal with a New York gallery. He agreed, according to a lawsuit now being pursued in New York Supreme Court, to produce 20 works for $20,000.” Now the gallery says he owes 7 paintings – or $1.45 million. – The New York Times
As The UK Public Saw What Was Coming, Book Buying Soared
Even as government officials seemed a bit cavalier about it all – talking about herd immunity, for instance – people sensed that a shutdown was coming. “Sales of fiction rose by a third, while children’s education went up 234% to the third highest level on record. Puzzle books, handicrafts and true crime also saw sharp rises.” – BBC
Can Community Radio Survive With Its Unique Sound Intact?
Sure, they’re still as quirky and gap-filling as ever, except for one rather large problem. WFMU Jersey City’s station manager: “This is the situation that so many broadcasters dream of! … You have a global, captive audience, and everyone can share and commiserate their experiences. But it’s not safe to go to the station!”- The New York Times