The great #maskie competition

W42ST Daily 5/22/2020

Cat cycles to Central Park from Hell’s Kitchen, then spends about an hour running, does a little yoga in Sheep Meadow, before heading home. She doesn’t wear a mask. Nor does she practice social distancing. She considers it an act of civil disobedience.

Lisa’s family don’t wear masks on their daily walk either. She says: “We keep far more than six feet from others but, in accordance with the law, put our masks up when we cannot keep that distance.” She and her children have still been loudly berated in the street more than once by angry strangers.

Mask shaming is now a thing, and even the simple act of going outside is frowned upon. “The Social Media Shame Machine Is In Overdrive Right Now,” said BuzzFeed. Photographs of neighbors apparently violating social distancing rules are flooding Facebook.

Have fear, and a lack of reliable information, turned us against each other? Read what people have to say about it here.

BEHOLD: THE MASKIE ARMY
Personally, I’ll wear a mask in my sleep if it means we can get back to work sooner. And, since I’m saving a fortune on red lipstick these days, I’m finding opportunities for self-expression through my mask wardrobe instead. Today marks the official launch of our #maskies competition. Post your mask selfie on Instagram or Twitter (use the hashtag #w42st) and our esteemed panel of judges – meet them below – will choose a winner. The more creative the better, so get crafting. And, to make things interesting, there’ll be a goodie bag of delicious prizes, donated by the judges (and W42ST). You can see the entries so far here. Now go!

“Showbiz Spitfire” Paige Turner is a two-time Glam Award winner, Mac nominee, and featured regular on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen. She has the longest-running drag show in NYC, Slurp Sundays at Therapy, and was a cast member on Shade Queens of NYC on the Fusion Network. During quarantine, she performs on Sundays at 9pm and Thursdays at 7pm on Facebook. @paigeturnernyc

Chelsey Hill is an illustrator and Metropolitan Opera dresser. Her illustration style is self-described as a cross between Chanel and a clown, and her works are often inspired by eccentric and glamorous New Yorkers as well as legendary musicians and performers. When she isn’t illustrating, she’s growing her shoe collection and drinking fancy coffees.
@illustratingdiva

Drag queen, abstract artist, music lover, entertainer/
emcee/event host – Bianca Mann wears many hats in her life, sometimes a few at the same time. As a passionate perfectionist, she’s always looking for outlets to release her creative expressions. Lead with love and kindness.
@BiancaMannDaaahhhling

Marcy Harriell is a singer-actor-dancer-sewist-sauce mogul. She’d love to see the world bathed in color, and wearing a mask is just another opportunity to further that technicolor dream (instead of the germs). You can find her on Instagram at @marcyharriell and @ruderedslamminsauce.

Henri Myers and Tom Blackie are the colorful co-founders of Maison 10 concept store. They also recently launched The Happy House NYC project, which hosts events led by world-class instructors, performers, and teachers, with a strong focus on community.

I’m just leaving this here. I dare you not to laugh out loud. I DARE YOU! Sound on.

BEFORE YOU DO THAT DIY HAIRCUT …

Julie Halston is launching a weekly, livestreamed talk show tonight, and her first guest is Mario Cantone. Start watching at 5pm.

RMM is spreading joy and light in their free Do It For Love concert tonight, billed as a celebration of love for the arts and humanity. It starts at 7.30pm.

Transport Alternatives is calling on Mayor de Blasio to open our streets to people not cars, allowing restaurants and retailers to safely expand their footprint, giving neighborhoods more space to be outside, reducing pollution, and encouraging biking and walking. It makes sense. Sign the petition here and let’s see the city start to breathe again.

LOVE YOU LONG TIME
The last few months have been hard on all of us – financially, emotionally, physically. One thing we’ve come to truly value is the importance of community – “our” people. Thank you for all your messages of love, support, and laughter – you’ve been a lifeline.

Some of you have asked if you can help financially. And, while it’s hard to ask when so many are struggling, if you are in a position to support us, any contribution, no matter how small, will help ensure the survival of W42ST. A massive air hug to those who have already contributed – it means more than you can possibly know.

SUPPORT