Amy Poehler at the Center of "Parks and Recreation" Special
Amy Poehler at the Center of "Parks and Recreation" Special
When stay-at-home orders were just beginning to be enforced a tweet began circulating that said, “Leslie Knope would have a binder for this.” Unfortunately, the champion-of-the-people character from “Parks and Recreation” isn’t around to help in these trying times, but fans were treated to the next best thing.
The cast reunited to film a special episode from their separate homes in which the characters check in on each other via Gryzzl, a fictional internet company from the show that serves the same function as Zoom, amid the coronavirus pandemic. Knope, played by Amy Poehler, has a daily chain in which she checks in on one of her friends using Gryzzl, in this case Ron Swanson, played by Nick Offerman, who then checks in on another character. A simple premise, but it gives the viewer a chance to see how each character from the show is coping during the pandemic. One of the show’s greatest strengths was the chemistry between some of its characters, such as that of Tom Haverford and Donna Meagle who are played by Aziz Ansari and Retta, respectively, and the one-on-one interactions that take place over Gryzzl show that the chemistry is still there despite this being the show’s first episode in more than five years. That feat is made all the more impressive given the fact that each cast member recorded their lines without interacting with each other.
Unsurprisingly, Knope has the most screen time of all the characters. Just like she did throughout the series, Knope embodies the warm, fuzzy, goofy spirit of the show which, despite a much different production method, is felt throughout the episode and is a much-needed respite from the real-life consequences of the pandemic.
The highlight of the episode is the entire cast coming together for a rendition of “5,000 Candles in the Wind,” an ode to Li’l Sebastian who is the famous miniature horse from the show’s fictional town of Pawnee, Indiana. Longtime fans understand the significance of the song and hearing it again during our current real-life circumstances is enough to bring those fans to tears.
The show was also made with the intention of benefiting Feeding America’s COVID-19 response. In total, the episode raised approximately $2.8 million for the organization. The episode is currently streaming on Hulu and NBC’s website.
Photos courtesy of Wikipedia and Flickr user BagoGames
Report: Michael Rosen
Chris Meloni Set to Return to Law and Order: Special Victims Unit for the Season 22 Premiere
Chris Meloni Set to Return to Law and Order: Special Victims Unit for the Season 22 Premiere After 10 years.
Law and Order: Special Victims Unit just finished it’s 21st season lead by star Mariska Hargitay who's been a part of the show from the beginning. This season broke the record for TV’s longest-running prime time live-action series. For the first 12 seasons Olivia Benson, played by Mariska Hargitay starred alongside Elliot Stabler, played by Chris Meloni. However, at the end of season 12 Chris’s character, Elliot, was in a controversial shooting which led to his sudden departure from the squad. Leaving Olivia Benson confused and heartbroken because he didn’t even reach out to her about his leaving.
Recently, news came out that Chris Meloni will be reprising his role as Elliot Stabler in a new Law and Order spinoff show dealing with organized crime. Production was halted before it could start due to the coronavirus, but the current thought is that once SVU starts shooting for season 22, Chris’s new show will also begin.
This past Friday SVU showrunner, Warren Leight confirmed through the SVU official podcast that Elliot Stabler will be making an appearance in the season 22 SVU premiere. SVU’s season was cut short due to the pandemic, but Leight explained that the plan had been to bring back Elliot Stabler’s family, most likely son and wife for the SVU finale to segway into Elliot’s returning in season 22. Since that was not able to happen, there is much speculation about how Elliot will be brought back and how they will explain his 10 year disappearance.
There are mixed reactions among fans about Elliot’s return. Some people are excited and hope to see a lot of Elliot Stabler on SVU, and crossovers with his new show. Others hope for a romance between him and Olivia, one that some have been hoping for since season 1. Some are upset because he betrayed Olivia by disappearing without a trace even though he claimed that she was his best friend. In addition, they cite the immense character growth in Olivia since Elliot left.
Although there are varying opinions one thing is certain, Elliot Stabler's return to SVU will definitely shake things up for the squad. We look forward to Chris’s new show and to Mariska led SVU season 22 as well as any crossovers and interaction between the two shows.
Report: Rebecca Vanderkooi
BET Airs One Night Special To Raise Funds for Those Impacted by COVID-19
BET has established a COVID-19 Relief Fund in partnership with @unitedway to support and amplify relief efforts in our communities that have been severely impacted by the pandemic. Head to bet.com/donate for more info. #BETCovidRelief
In an effort to provide support for racial disparities during the COVID-19 pandemic cable channel BET launched it’s BET COVID-19 Relief Effort. In partnership with NAACP, United World Wide, and numerous African American activists and businesses, BET hopes to provide crucial financial, educational, and emotional support needed by communities of color during this time. According to an updated preliminary report released by the CDC, African Americans make up approximately 30 percent of the total cases, even though only making up 13 percent of the US population. Specifically in NYC, according to a report made by NYC Health African Americans are being infected, hospitalized, and dying of the virus at a significantly higher rate than their white peers, making up 38 percent of the death as of April 18th, 2020, despite only making up approximately 24 percent of the city’s population.
As a part of these initiatives to further generate relief, BET aired their “Saving Our Selves: A BET COVID-19 Relief” one- night special. Hosted by actors Anthony Anderson and Regina King, TV personality Terrence J, and singer Kelly Rowland. The special aired April 22nd featuring various special appearances and musical performances made by some of the biggest names in the entertainment industry. This special is like no other that BET has ever aired because it was all recorded virtually from the celebrities’ homes.
The special opened with a beautiful rendition of “I Smile”, performed by Kirk Franklin, Kelly Price, Fantasia, Jonathan McReynolds, Tyrese, Le’Andria Johnson, Melvin Crispell III, and more. Streaming from their homes comedians, singers, and actors try to spread what BET’s EVP Specials, Music Programming & Music Strategy Connie Orlando calls the “healing power of music, comedy, and entertainment” in order to educate viewers about what is happening to their community during these unprecedented times.
The donations made to the BET COVID-19 Relief Fund will allow United Way to provide resources to local organizations in New York, Atlanta, Chicago, New Orleans, and Detroit, where communities have been struck hardest by the pandemic.
For more details, or to contribute to the fund, visit BET.com/COVID19.
ALL PHOTO CREDS: @BET on Instagram
Report: Lauren Tucker
Evan Rachel Wood a Bright Spot in Unspectacular "Westworld" Season Finale
The third season of Westworld has been disappointing for fans, but elements that made the show great in the first place, including the performance of Evan Rachel Wood, are still there
Evan Rachel Wood’s character, Dolores Abernathy, from “Westworld” has undergone as much change throughout the show’s three seasons as the show itself. When the series first aired Dolores was an innocent, sweet hearted, farmer’s daughter in a wild west style amusement park. By the start of the third season Dolores had become a ruthless, violent, one-woman army in neo-Los Angeles set in the year 2058. The far venture from its original premise and the loss of subtlety in the plot throughout the third season has drew much criticism from fans. And while the season three finale is added fuel to those same critics’ fire, it did show that the philosophical musings about free will that have been a part of the show from the beginning are still there.
This season finale differs from the two that came before it. While the season one and two finales left us with dozens of unanswered questions, the season three finale answered every question that persisted throughout the season, although where exactly the fourth season will pick up is a mystery. It reinforces the criticism that the plot became much more straightforward in the third season, and some parts of the story and character development do feel rushed compared to the first two seasons. The shortened season, eight episodes from the previous norm of 10, may have something to do with that.
But a bright spot from the season finale is Wood, who still manages to come off as heroic and whose motives seem justified despite all of the mayhem we have seen Dolores cause over the season. We also see a return of the young, naïve Dolores that we were first introduced to. It’s a testament to Wood that she is able to pull off the completely different natures of old Dolores and new Dolores in the same episode. Which Dolores we will see moving forward is anyone’s guess.
While it’s easy to make the case that the show is beginning to go stale and revert into a run-of-the-mill sci-fi show, there is still hope for it when it continues. The excellent performances of Wood and Emmy-award winner Thandie Newton, who portrays the cunning Maeve Millay, along with the moral questions the show forces you to ask yourself are still there, even if everything else around those strengths have taken a turn for the mundane. We’ve seen other recent shows stray far from the original concept and still find success, most notably NBC’s “The Good Place.” “Westworld” has earned the benefit of the doubt that the third season may just be a bump in the road moving forward.
Photos courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
Report: Michael Rosen
Netflix's New Series Never Have I Ever is the New Binge Worthy Series
Let’s be honest, now of all times is the best time to binge watch a variety of different shows on Netflix. With that being said, the newest series Never Have I Ever created by Mindy Kaling, explores different aspects of being a young Indian girl in High School after a traumatic year. Devi along with her friends, Fabiola and Elanor, are just trying to live and survive high school by how they think the normal standard of what high school is.
Let’s be honest, now of all times is the best time to binge watch a variety of different shows on Netflix. With that being said, the newest series Never Have I Ever created by Mindy Kaling, explores different aspects of being a young Indian girl in High School after a traumatic year. Devi (played by Maitreyi Ramakrishnan) is just trying to live by the American standards of high school while being reminded of her Indian roots. Her and her friends Fabiola (played by Lee Rodriguez), who is trying to hide her sexuality to fit into the standards she thinks her family wants for her and Elanor (played by Ramona Young), who is chasing a dream that was inspired by an absentee mother, are all just trying to make it in high school.
This Netflix series shows in depth of heartache and not just from a romantic standpoint, the struggle of acceptance, living by the standards that society sees fit and trials that test your friendships. While I am not saying everyone’s high school experience is like this, many can relate. There is one thing that makes this show different and that is the exploration of mental health throughout this whole series. Dr. Jamie Ryan (played by Niecy Nash) is trying to help Devi come to terms with the traumatic loss of her father and the world we know as high school. She is trying to guide Devi into understanding that her not dealing with the loss of her father can overlap into the feelings and stress she is taking on at school.
With Devi focused on boys and I mean one boy in particular, Paxton (played by Darren Barnet), Devi uses him as a distraction that ultimately ends up causing many of her problems throughout the series.
This series is one hundred percent a recommended series for you all to binge. You will laugh, cry and find moments that you can relate too. This would be a perfect for the next Netflix Party choice for you and your closest friends.
Never Have I Ever - Netflix
Dr. Ryan - Netflix
Devi and Paxton - fansided.com
Report: Maya Howard
Alicia Keys Halts Album Release and Shines The Light On Essential Workers
“I wrote this for all the people that work so hard and never hear the words Good Job. I believe in us though, I believe in the way we are showing up for each other and caring”
The release of Alicia Keys’ 7th studio album, ALICIA, has been uncertain for a while. Like many other projects, the self-titled album has continuously been pushed back due to COVID-19. This pandemic has put a lot of things on standstill and has slowed down music releases. Initially, the album was supposed to complement Keys’ recent book, More Myself. The book is described as both an autobiography and a narrative documentary. More Myself has been promoted by Oprah Winfrey, as the book is being released on Winfrey’s book imprint. More Myself is supposed to capture the journey of self discovery, while the album is supposed to highlight her self discovery. While the book and the album did not release together as planned, Keys has still released some of the music on the album.
The album, Alicia, has four songs that are currently available. Keys’ most recent release, “Good Job”, is a perfect song for this worldwide crisis. “I wrote this for all the people that work so hard and never hear the words Good Job. I believe in us though, I believe in the way we are showing up for each other and caring”, says Alicia Keys. Some artists believe that the attention should be away from the music right now, however songs with positive messages, like “Good Job”, are what helps get people through hard times. “Good Job” shows gratitude, respect, and recognition of the sacrifices being made on a daily basis by essential workers.
Photo Credits: @aliciakeys
Report: Brionna Thompson
Rooting For Everybody Black
Rapper Wale and creative director of Pyer Moss, Kerby Jean-Raymond recently partnered to produce a song entitled, “Sue Me.”
Source: Instagram (@kerbito)
Rapper Olubowale Victor Akintimehin (better known as Wale) and creative director of Pyer Moss, Kerby Jean-Raymond recently partnered to produce a song entitled, “Sue Me.” The music video, premiering on April 22, 2020, has already received over 500,000 views on YouTube and is one of the most radical depictions of race relations that we’ve seen in recent years.
“Sue Me,” is a song that introduces an alternative society in which white people are a part of the marginalized group and black people are in the majority. Nonetheless, writers Kerby Jean Raymond and Cameron Robert still incorporate real-life instances of the racial profiling and discrimination of black people in the 21st century. It comes as no surprise that a musical artist whose work is as intentional as it is creative, would release something this evocative. Moreover, as a fiercely progressive social justice advocate, Jean-Raymond makes very meticulous artistic choices with regard to the dialogue within the music video as the director.
It’s impossible to watch the video without being reminded of the racial injustices in the U.S. The first reference in the film dates back to the 2018 incident of two black men being denied access to a Starbucks bathroom without making a purchase. Prior to showing the footage of that incident, Jean-Raymond manages to “flip the script” in which a white man is arrested at a Starbucks that’s majority black. That’s a story that hasn’t really been told in mainstream media and can certainly lead you to asking yourself “what if?” What would the world look like if that was the relational dynamic between those races and how would that make us feel?
Source: Complex
Another unforgettable moment introduced is a video of a man, Aaron Campbell, going live from Facebook in prison located in Warren, Ohio. While filming Campbell laments about the government’s perceived lack of empathy toward those in prison during COVID-19. More specifically, he states that inmates are being denied home confinement for the government’s capitalistic agenda. Incorporating both live footages serve a crucial purpose that is difficult to articulate but is definitely felt. Rage, compassion and a sense of urgency are all emotions that one might feel while watching these videos.
The chorus, “Sue me, I’m rooting for everybody that’s black,” refers to a statement made by actress Issa Rae at the 2017 Emmy Awards, “I’m rooting for everybody black.” It’s safe to assume that the overarching message of this song aims to highlight the necessity of justice, equity and representation for black people. Wale unpacks the depth of these issues in multiple layers, fashion being one of them. One of the lyrics in the song reads “Pyer Moss, I dropped ten on my last visit and half that up at Saks, I favor black businesses.,” bringing attention to the practice of black people exercising a form of economic empowerment through monetary supporting each other. The intersectional nature of social issues in 21st century America is multifaceted, and both Wale and Jean-Raymond managed to capture that in a way that forces viewers to imagine while facing reality and potentially reexamine their surroundings.
Report: Julian Randall
The Alternative Experience
Leading up to the year 2020, the energy throughout the black community was at an all-time high. I had witnessed success from peers on a personal level and from celebrities on a global scale…
In a time like this it almost feels necessary to talk about the pandemic that we are currently going through all across the world. Whether you’re rich, poor, black, or white, this moment in time is something that we will remember forever. I have struggled in deciding how to approach the opening moments of this editorial without being too cliché. As I sit in quarantine, in solitude, patiently waiting for a positive shift to happen, I can’t help but to reminisce. Around this time last year when I was preparing to attend fashion week in New York, to be amongst the world’s top creators, the eagerness to be etched in a moment of cultural history was something I took pride in. At the time, this wasn’t an experience that I believed would be vital to my growth and existence in this particular space. Boy was I wrong.
Now, back to reality. This moment in time is just as important to not only my personal growth, but also to the growth of our culture as a whole. Leading up to the year 2020, the energy throughout the black community was at an all-time high. I had witnessed success from peers on a personal level and from celebrities on a global scale. From attending Culture Con, where I experienced an outpour of knowledge and felt an abundance of acceptance, to fashion week where I witnessed a young collective make their stamp in the fashion industry. Naturally, when you see people who look like you and share similar experiences as you succeed, your confidence surges. Then, all of a sudden as our community is gearing up for another year to remind the world that the culture doesn’t move without us, everything stops! At least that is what I thought was going to happen.
Many different emotions raced through my mind, as I am sure they did with you as well. Was the ability to collaborate done? Will live events and shows become obsolete? Will I have to give up what I’ve built just to overcome this? These were a few of the questions I posed to myself in hopes to innovate a way to survive as a creator, but to also sustain content to keep my end consumer happy. In this instance of uncertainty, I took time to step back and observe. Doing this reminded me that we are a group of people who persevere and make the best out of every situation we are forced into. The ability to do so is what separates our culture from the rest and allows us to continue to elevate.
It started with DJ D-Nice bringing entertainment to us live and direct to our households via Instagram. Little did he know that what he did would be the beginning of history that we’d never seen before. Since then, Sean “Diddy” Combs held a dance-a-thon that raised over $5 million for Covid-19 relief. If that wasn’t enough for innovation, Swizz Beats and Timbaland have been hosting battles between some of the top musicians in history. Their most recent battle between Baby Face and Teddy Riley literally reached Instagram Live’s capacity, with over a 500,000 viewers. This put things into perspective and made me realize that creators are going to find ways to create no matter what the circumstances are. In the same thought I began to look at this situation for what it could possibly be foreshadowing.
As we sit at home and time elapses, technology continues to evolve. Small businesses and brands are starting to go under. Does this mean that this way of life will become a norm for society? Will attending New York Fashion Week or Culture Con in the future mean opening my app and attending the events virtually? Will these experiences hold the same value or will these just be opportunities that anyone with a phone can attend? The ability we have to adapt to anything has always been great, but this alternative experience could be the downfall of the great experiences we have grown to love in creative industries.
Report: Myles Matthews
Fumero’s Physical Comic Skills on Full Display in Brooklyn Nine-Nine Season Finale
Fumero’s Physical Comic Skills on Full Display in Brooklyn Nine-Nine Season Finale
One of the arcs of the seventh season of “Brooklyn Nine-Nine” is the impending birth of Sergeant Amy Santiago’s, played by Melissa Fumero, and Detective Jake Peralta’s, played by Andy Samberg, first child. It comes as no surprise that the birth of the married couple’s son was one of the central storylines in the show’s season finale.
A blackout hits Brooklyn just before Santiago’s water breaks while Peralta and his best friend Charles Boyle, played by Joe Lo Truglio, are out investigating the cause of the blackout. They try to make it back in time for the birth of the baby via a party bike, while back at the police station Santiago tries to juggle managing blackout protocol and holding off on the birth until Peralta arrives.
Fumero, who herself was pregnant during filming and gave birth to her second son on Feb. 14, 2020, gives a typical solid performance, balancing the serious tone her character would take in that situation very well with the physical and facial expressions that come with being on the verge of giving birth. In general, Fumero has always done a great job of incorporating humor into a usually very uptight character.
Santiago, a female Cuban-American in a position of power, is one of many characters on the show who subtly challenge the double standards we have seen in television characters for decades. Perhaps most notably it has created LGBTQIA+ characters, such as Detective Rosa Diaz played by Stephanie Beatriz and Captain Raymond Holt played by former “Homicide: Life on the Street” star Andre Braugher, whose sexualities are not an overly exaggerated trait of their personalities.
The show was renewed for an eighth season last November, which may very well be the show’s last. Still, its been one of the more consistently enjoyable shows on television for the better part of the last decade, and its nice that its series finale, come season eight or at a later season, will have the necessary time to give the series a fitting end, something that would not have been the case had the show remained cancelled after Fox dropped it following its fifth season.
Photos courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
Report: Michael Rosen
The Must See Binge-Worthy Series Is Here!
If you haven’t done so already, make sure to tune in to Red Bull’s second season of “The Cut” hosted by record producer, OG Parker!
If you haven’t done so already, make sure to tune in to Red Bull’s second season of “The Cut” hosted by record producer, OG Parker! It’s a must-see television series you don’t want to miss! This binge-worthy series consists of 18 unsigned songwriters and producers who must work together to come up with a smash hit. Did I mention that they all are meeting each other for the first time? With only 10 hours to spare, each group has to come up with the best song to present to one another. Here’s the twist! After each group present their song, they have to come to a vote on who should proceed to the next round and cannot vote for themselves. Who will make it to the final round and win the grand prize?
The cast includes: Adonis The Greek, Charlie Shuffler, Cryssy Bandz, Desta Dawn, Errol Bangz, Jeleel!, Jermaine Elliott, Jess Carp, Jon Swaii, Kid Lennon, Mother Wata, Ramii, Relaye, Ta$ha Catour, Versus XX, Xian Bell, Ye Ali, and Zil. While some groups had an instant music connection, others weren’t so lucky. Find out how each artist overcomes their battle and the wonderful music they’ve created on https://www.redbull.com/us-en/shows/the-cut !
Photo Credits: Red Bull & Instagram: ogxparker
Report: Jessica Tamay
Lady Gaga Shifts Focus During COVID-19 Crisis
"Thank you with all of my heart... for sharing in a global moment of kindness with each other, and spreading positive and loving intentions"- @ladygaga
COVID-19 has delayed a lot of things, one being Lady Gaga’s new album, Chromatica. The album was supposed to come out on April 10, but has now been pushed back until further notice due to the pandemic. Chromatica will be Gaga’s sixth album, which will consist of sixteen songs. So far, “Stupid Love” is the only song available and it’s leaving fans anxious for the album release. Although the album release has temporarily been put on hold, Gaga has managed to keep herself busy during quarantine.
While in quarantine, Lady Gaga had time to work on another project called One World Together at Home. Gaga curated the One World Together at Home album that was released on April 18, which consists of 79 songs by some of music’s biggest artists. This album was organized by Global Citizen and the World Health Organization to raise money for COVID-19 relief. “Thank you with all of my heart... for sharing in a global moment of kindness with each other, and spreading positive and loving intentions”, says Lady Gaga after the One World Together at Home concert that also premiered April 18. The proceeds from the One World Together Album will be donated to Global Citizen to aid in COVID-19 relief.
Photo credits- Norbet Schoerner studio & Global Citizen
Report: Brionna Thompson
One World: Together At Home
WHO and Gaga partnered with Global Citizen to create a series of stay-at-home concerts, called One World: Together At Home. The event was hosted by 3 of the most popular late-night hosts: Jimmy Fallon, Jimmy Kimmel, and Stephen Colbert, and Idris Elba
Lady Gaga took social distancing to the next level, by creating a free virtual concert to support frontline healthcare workers and the World Health Organization (WHO). WHO and Gaga partnered with Global Citizen to create a series of stay-at-home concerts, called One World: Together At Home. The event was hosted by 3 of the most popular late-night hosts: Jimmy Fallon, Jimmy Kimmel, and Stephen Colbert, and featured Idris Elba, who was diagnosed with COVID-19, as well as healthcare workers fighting on the front line. Throughout the show, messages displayed from various artists and healthcare workers discussing the importance of staying at home and supporting each other.
Hugh Evans, the co-founder and CEO of Global Citizen said, “Our hope for the special is that everyone will come away believing that we, as a shared humanity, can emerge from this moment forever grateful for the work of doctors, nurses, teachers, grocery store workers, and all those who are the backbone of our communities.” The show aired on April 18th and included 70 artists of different genres such as the Rolling Stones, John Legend, Celine Dion and Lizzo, Shawn Mendes, Camilla Cabello, Stevie Wonder, Lang Lang, Luis Fonsi, Shah Rukh Khan, Sheryl Crow, Jimmy Fallon, Heidi Kum, Hozier, Andrea Bocelli, Usher, Celine Dion, Hussain Al Jasmi, Charlie Puth, Eason Chan, Common, Adam Lambert, and Jennifer Lopez.
Report: Woo Jong Kim
Nintendo’s Latest Installment of Animal Crossing: New Horizons Capitalizes Need
Now more than ever, people are relying on video games to pass the time and escape reality. The digital age provides a safe space that rests at the intersection of society and technology, creating a much needed safe space for those who find themselves in isolation. Nintendo’s latest installment of Animal Crossing: New Horizons capitalizes on this need.
With COVID-19 forcing social distancing orders to bleed into summer, those stuck at home have begun itching for something to do. Many have busied themselves with testing new recipes, dusting off the books on their shelves, and booting up those old home workout videos in an attempt to fill the passing hours. If there is one company that has benefited off of the people’s boredom, it is Nintendo. The multi-billion dollar video game company’s popular gaming system, the Nintendo Switch, has found itself as a commonplace commodity among American households.
For well over three weeks, the Switch has been consistently sold out in major retail stores. Originally priced at $299.99, new Switch consoles are now being sold on sites like Ebay for well over $500. On March 20, Nintendo released its newest installment of the Animal Crossing franchise for the Switch. Animal Crossing: New Horizons is a game where players become a resident on a small island alongside bipedal animal friends. They work to beautify and customize the island, creating the remote getaway destination of their dreams. Mixing cute aesthetics, endless furniture and clothing choices, and online features that allow players to connect with friends, the game has experienced a similar boom of popularity to the console it was released for. Originally selling for $60, a physical copy of Animal Crossing: New Horizons now sells for $94.99 on Amazon. Animal Crossing has created a safe haven for players among COVID-19 worries; each individual pixelated
island is its own world where people can meet up with friends and family without the fear of infection. In the weeks following the game’s release, people have held events such as weddings and graduation ceremonies in lieu of their cancelled real life counterparts. Couples have dressed their little villagers up and visited each other’s islands on mock dates. People are using the game in an attempt to maintain any form of fulfilling social interaction during this time of social isolation. What does this mean for the future? How will games affect the normalcy of a post-Coronavirus world? Despite the comfort Nintendo is currently providing many households, they have also created new questions with uncertain answers about how society will continue to intersect with increasingly normalized virtual realities.
Report: Nicolette Schneiderman
Celebrate Stephen Sondheim’s 90th Birthday with a Virtual Concert
Actor and Broadway star, @rauleesparza is putting on a virtual concert this Sunday April 26th. “Take Me To The World: A Sondheim 90th Birthday Celebration,” is being put on to celebrate legendary composer Stephen Sondheim’s birthday.
On March 22nd sensational Broadway composer, Stephen Sondaheim, celebrated his 90th birthday. Sondaheim is known for many exceptional musicals over a wide range of genres, including: Into The Woods, West Side Story, A Little Night Music, and Sweeny Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street.
Broadway star Raul Esparza is hosting a virtual concert, “Take Me To The World: A Sondheim 90th Birthday Celebration” on Sunday April 26th. This date also marks the 50th anniversary of the opening night of Sondheim’s musical, “Company.” This event boasts many Broadway powerhouses including: Meryl Streep, Audra McDonald, Pattie LuPone and Micheal Cerveris among many others. They will be performing many inspirational and iconic songs from a catalog of Sondaheim's work.
Raul Esparza explained the reasoning behind this once in a lifetime event, “The world is a hard place, and we are searching for something great...Stephen Sondheim is greatness personified.” Esparza also added that in light of all that is happening with COVID 19, “We may be far from Broadway right now, but Broadway is never far from us.”
This is a free live streamed event that can be found on Broadway’s website and their Youtube page at 8pm eastern time this Sunday April 26. Although this event is free, it also doubles as a fundraiser for Artists Striving to End Poverty (ASTEP). ASTEP partners artists with youth in need throughout the country to help them break out of the cycle of poverty. Tune in Sunday evening to experience a truly amazing concert and to support youth in poverty.
Report: Rebecca Vanderkooi
Hip Hop Legend Raises Money For COVID-19 Relief
Wonder where some of your favorite celebs were on Easter Sunday?
Wonder where some of your favorite celebs were on Easter Sunday? I can assure you that they weren’t sitting down! Celebrities such as Drake, Usher, JLo, A-Rod, Maluma, and much more attended Diddy’s Dance-A-Thon to raise money for COVID-19 relief. In efforts to make a change, Diddy teamed up with a non-profit organization, “Team Love”, and managed to raise over $3 million dollars! Who is Team Love you ask? According to directrelief.org, “Direct Relief supports healthcare organizations and professionals who care for medically underserved communities.” Diddy performed various dance moves with those who joined his Instagram Live. Luckily for Diddy, he was not alone! He had some help from his six children; Justin Combs, King Combs, D’Lila Combs, Chance Combs, Jessie Combs and Quincy Brown! As they danced to Drake’s new Number 1 song on the Billboard’s Hot 100, “Toosie Slide,” you witness how much fun everyone is having and dancing along with Drake himself! While continuing to practice social distancing, these celebs were able to put many people in high spirits and kept its audience engaged. From a mix of hip hop to Salsa, there’s no telling who had the best dance moves! This was definitely a great experience for all and a well needed smile given the circumstances. Photo Credits to: Rollingstone & Instagram: @diddy
Report: Jessica Tamay
At the rise of Covid-19 many of us first questioned the timeline of fashion week and would we see the regular calendar continue - the question weighed over many of us for months! It was refreshing to see design houses and designers across the globe take advantage of the uncertainty and plow into production mode - thus my interest in Jerri Reid New York - The Black Designer based in Brooklyn New York wow’d instagram with his latest collection paying homage to the Black Is King film which debuted earlier this year in July. I was taken aback at quick of a turn round the young designer produced and released his well crafted designs reflecting some of the films most memorable moments.