W42ST Daily 8/4/2020
Greetings from Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, where four Hell’s Kitchen reprobates have been holed up for a week, boozing, hiking, and playing crazy golf.
We’d planned to drive back today but – um – ISAIAS! WTF? The tropical storm is threatening heavy rain, possible flooding, and winds of up to 70 mph – the strongest the city has seen since Sandy. Not exactly great driving weather.
So make sure your phones are charged, and you have flashlights to hand – we could be in for a rough ride. There may be coastal flooding (emergency barriers have already been set up in lower Manhattan), downed trees, power outages, and damage to homes. If things get really bad, the MTA may suspend some service. Batten down the hatches, friends. Your sidewalk cocktails will have to wait until tomorrow.
NEW YORK STORIES
In early March, John Kristiansen was hospitalized with what he thought was a bad flu. It turned out to be COVID-19, and by the time he got home, his business – a costume builder for Broadway, film, and TV – was closed indefinitely.
Now he and his partner, Brian Blythe, fill their days with homeschooling their two children and organizing the Costume Industry Coalition, to campaign for the hundreds of artisans whose skills may be lost forever – the people who are responsible for the Schuyler sisters’ corsets; for Aladdin’s harem pants; Lola’s red sequin mini dress in Kinky Boots.
“We have pattern makers, cutters, stitchers, tailors, milliners, hand finishers, craftspeople, embroiderers, sculptors, painters, and dyers,” he says. “Millions of dollars are infused into the New York City economy by our members through rent, payroll, and taxes. They also support the Garment District by buying materials (fabrics, trims, notions, equipment) from local vendors.”
IT’S RAINING – DO THESE THINGS INSIDE
ART WITH THE KIDS
The Guggenheim’s online art classes for families includes color mixing this morning, and tracing and overlapping this afternoon. Get crafty here.
SEE STARS
More activities with the young ‘uns – this time an exploration of the solar system and beyond. Lift off here.
TALK BROADWAY
Jackie Cox and Michael Hull present Good Morning Tonight, with Brittney Mack from Six; a musical performance from Holly Ann Butler, who is due to star in Diana, and The Lion King’s L Steven Taylor; plus news from Broadway Bares. Tune in tonight here.
MOVE
Technique, schmechnique. Let’s just move. Beccah Bogue leads a class that’s all about imaginative movement. Do whatever feels best to you, in your body. All ages and abilities are welcome at this donation-based class. Sign up here.
STREAM LIVE THEATER
Janelle Monáe, Laurie Metcalf, Lena Dunham, Kelli O’Hara, Brian Cox, Amanda Seyfried and more take part in the fifth and final edition of The Homebound Project from tomorrow, a series of new works that is raising money for No Kid Hungry. Find out more here.
LEARN TO FLIRT
Do you want more confidence when talking to your crush? Do you want tools and scripts to explore romantic connections with people without being terrified of rejection? Would you like to flirt without coming off as creepy or pushy? This course could be for you. It starts Thursday, costs $125, and may be the best money you ever spent. Sign up here.
