Current and Upcoming Alternatives to Live In Person Events and More

1) Alanis Morissette Release Video for "Smiling" Remix Featuring Jagged Little Pill Cast

2) The Center for Active Learning Launches Making Our Movies Film Festival (MOM Film Fest)
3) Do You Hear the People Sing New Podcast by Eric Ulloa
4) Food for Thought Celebrates 20th Anniversary with Live Performance in Safe Environment 7/13
5) Franklin Square Reopens 7/6
6) Funplex Amusement Now Open Again
7) George Street Playhouse's Summer Theater Academy
8) Hadestown & Major League Baseball Celebrate the Start of Spring Training
9) Jody Sperling/Time Lapse Dance 20th Anniversary Dance Celebrating 20 Years in 20 Weeks
10) Kelcey Anya Performing Arts Academy Presents Virtual Summer Summit
11) KPOP The Broadway Musical Continues Global Virtual Open Casting Call
12) Lolo Supports Every Mother Counts w/ Baby Shower Concert 7/9
13) South Street Seaport Museum Virtual Program Bowne & Co.
14) Story Pirates Teams with Random House for Virtual Camp w/ Authors and Illustrators
15) TheaterWorksUSA Presents Virtual Reading & Community Conversation for the Entire Family
16) #TheWalkoutProject
17) Works and Progress at the Guggenheim Continues Celebration of Pride
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1) ALANIS MORISSETTE RELEASES VIDEO FOR “SMILING” REMIX

FEATURING JAGGED LITTLE PILL STAR ELIZABETH STANLEY

AND BROADWAY CAST

WATCH HERE!

Seven-time GRAMMY® Award-winning singer/songwriter Alanis Morissette debuted a video of her exclusive remix of “Smiling” by superstar DJ/producer, Bil Bless. Watch it here! The video, which features at-home performances by Alanis as well as singer-actress Elizabeth Stanley, star of the critically acclaimed Broadway musical, JAGGED LITTLE PILL, and additional cast members, was directed and choreographed by Olivier Award winner Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui, choreographer of JAGGED LITTLE PILL and frequent collaborator to Beyoncé (2017 Grammy Performance; "Apesh*t" by The Carters). The remix will be available on all DSPs on Friday 7/3.

“Smiling” is one of the new songs Morissette wrote for the Broadway musical, which also features selections from her acclaimed catalog, including “You Oughta Know,” “Head Over Feet,” “Ironic,” “Hand in My Pocket,” “Uninvited,” and more. “Smiling” was originally recorded by Elizabeth Stanley for “JAGGED LITTLE PILL (ORIGINAL BROADWAY CAST RECORDING),” Atlantic Records’ official companion to the new musical (available now for streaming and download HERE; CDs are available now at all physical music retailers), and Morissette’s own version of “Smiling” will appear on her eagerly awaited ninth studio album, SUCH PRETTY FORKS IN THE ROAD, due July 31 ^st via Epiphany Music and Thirty Tigers.

An exhilarating musical inspired by the themes and raw emotions laid bare in Morissette’s seminal album of the same name — which celebrates the 25^th Anniversary of its release this summer — JAGGED LITTLE PILL features an original story of suburban subversion by Academy Award-winning writer Diablo Cody (Juno, Tully) following The Healys, a seemingly perfect family who strives to hide the cracks beneath the surface when a troubling event shakes their community.

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2) THE CENTER FOR ACTIVE LEARNING LAUNCHES
MAKING OUR MOVIES FILM FESTIVAL

(MOM FILM FEST)

This summer, the Center for Active Learning (CAL) a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, launches its first annual film festival. The Making Our Movies Film Festival (MOM Film Fest) is an exciting initiative dedicated to elevating and celebrating filmmakers who are mothers taking on two enormous tasks at the same time - making movies and raising kids.

Completing a film is challenging under the best circumstances. If you're a woman, and a mom, the odds become even more daunting. If you're one of the few women awarded employment, the wage gap and long hours on set without access to childcare can be prohibitive or career-ending. A mom finishing a film is a major accomplishment, and this online film festival is a way to celebrate it.

Establishing this online film festival is one of the steps the festival founders are using to coincide with the work they have already been doing to continue building a community of moms supporting each other, and standing together to make changes in the film and television industry.

About MOM Film Fest:

MOM Film Fest is looking for story-based projects in the form of narrative or documentary films and series that feature moms in leadership positions – writers, directors, producers, cinematographers, etc. Submitted entries must be short-form content, up to 40 minutes long, created anytime after 2015, in the following categories: Narrative, Documentary, Series, Mom-themed content, and Social Justice.

Deadline for submissions is Friday, July 17th. Submissions are open online via http://momfilmfest.com/submit or https://filmfreeway.com/MOMFilmFest, submission fee is $15.

The 2020 Making Our Movies Film Festival (MOM Film Fest) will take place online with selected films shown Monday, August 10th through Monday, August 17th.

About CAL:

The Center for Active Learning (CAL) is a 501c3 non-profit organization based in Brooklyn, New York with the mission to provide enriching educational experiences for adults at low to no cost. CAL provides community workshops, health seminars, and also produces informational events for creatives. All activities are founded in active learning methodologies which encourage learner engagement, and afford the learner the opportunity to process information from their own cultural and experiential perspectives.

For more information about upcoming initiatives, workshops, and events, visit:
www.centerforactivelearning.org.
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3) ERIC ULLOA

ANNOUNCES NEW PODCAST

“DO YOU HEAR THE PEOPLE SING?”

DEBUT EPISODE

NOW AVAILABLE

ON BROADWAY PODCAST NETWORK

WITH SPECIAL GUEST

JAVIER MUÑOZ

Actor and playwright, Eric Ulloa, today announced his new podcast, Do You Hear the People Sing?, a theater person’s guide to saving democracy. The debut episode, with special guest, Drama Desk Award^® winner and Global Ambassador for (RED), Javier Muñoz, is now available HERE.

Theater people possess stronger activism powers than most. Do You Hear the People Sing? will harness those powers to help listeners get involved in defeating Donald Trump and winning elections in November, while finding the activists within themselves. This new podcast aims to be the most informative guidebook for anyone in the theater who has ever asked, “How do I get started?”, and to inspire a new generation to jump into action for the 2020 election – and beyond.

Each episode in this ten-episode limited series hosted by Ulloa and released every other week through Election Day in November, includes two segments: “To Plan” and “To Inspire.” The first segment, anchored by Ulloa, offers listeners an action plan for how to get involved, sharing tools and insights for how to make executing your plan as productive as possible. Then, Ulloa sits down with a different Broadway celebrity with deep roots in activism to discuss how activism became a part of their lives, why it’s important to them, great moments working on things greater than themselves, and advice for those who want to get involved, too.

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4) FOOD FOR THOUGHT

Celebrates Its 20^th Anniversary

By Presenting

Live Performances In A Safe Environment

Louise Lasser & Bob Dishy To Appear

In First Production At The Coffee House Club

July 13, 2020

However

As Seating Is Extremely Limited Due To Covid Restrictions

This Performance Will Be Available For Free

Via Zoom

Program consists of two one-acts —"I Can’t Remember Anything” by Arthur Miller and “I’m Herbert” by Robert Anderson and an essay entitled “Eichmann in Israel” by Daniel Rose.

Director: Antony Marsellis.

Cast: Louise Lasser and Bob Dishy.

Time: Monday, July 13, 2020 01:30 PM—3:30 PM. Eastern Time (US and Canada)

You can join the Zoom event by computer or phone.

(Joining by computer is recommended to ensure that you can enjoy the visual components of the show.)

Join Zoom Meeting From Your Computer, Click On This Link:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83769186300

A prompt will appear, asking you to click on OpenZoom.us.

You will then need to enter the Meeting ID: 837 6918 6300

You can also join the Zoom event by phone:

One tap mobile

+13017158592,,83769186300# US (Germantown)

+13126266799,,83769186300# US (Chicago)

Dial by your location

+1 301 715 8592 US (Germantown)

+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)

+1 929 205 6099 US (New York)

+1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)

+1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)

+1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)

You will need to enter the Meeting ID: 837 6918 6300

Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/keqq99ohlt

Food For Though plans on resuming its schedule of one show a month which will include plays by Tennessee Williams, Harold Pinter, Mel Brooks, Dorothy Parker, to name a few. For those who can’t attend they can feast on food for thought fare via zoom.

Upcoming Productions include: August 17^th, “I Can’t Imagine Tomorrow”* by Tennessee Williams; Sept. 14^th, “Here We Are” by Dorothy Parker* and “Come On” by Susan Charlotte; Oct. 12^th, “The Love Course”* by A. R. Gurney; Nov. 16^th, Selections from the works of Lynn Nottage*; Dec. 14^th, “Of Fathers And Sons” *by Mel Brooks and “Wanda’s Visit” * by Christopher Durang. Casts and plays subject to change./ *pending permission. These will all be Monday Matinees from 2:00-4:00pm.

Though the world has changed, Food For Thought remains essentially the same—same caliber of actors, writers and directors; the same enthusiastic audiences; and the same thought provoking Q &A’s. The only difference—the audiences are slightly smaller. As the world keeps changing and the unanswered questions continue to grow it is comforting to know that there is still something people can count on.

For additional information, and tickets for upcoming programs, please contact FFTP at: 646-366-9340 or email: info@foodforthoughtproductions.com

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5) FRANKLIN SQUARE SEASON
RE-OPENING JULY 6, 2020

WHAT: Franklin Square Re-Opens for 2020 Season

Welcome back to Franklin Square, the beautiful oasis in Historic Philadelphia! Beginning July 6, 2020, Historic Philadelphia, Inc., the non-profit that manages and operates Franklin Square will re-open the park to the public. Philly Mini Golf, Parx Liberty Carousel, both playgrounds, and SquareBurger will all open at noon on July 6, following new safety protocols.

From July 6 - 31, the Franklin Square Fountain Show will return, running performances on an expanded schedule every 30 minutes from 12 noon – 9 pm daily. Beginning August 1, the Fountain Show, which debuted in Summer 2019, will return to its regular schedule with daily daytime performances every 30 minutes from 12 - 2 pm and evening performances beginning at 6 pm and running every 30 minutes until closing. Each performance is a selection of one of six songs that rotate.

WHERE: Franklin Square, 6^th and Race Street

WHEN: Monday, July 6, 2020, 12 noon

DETAILS:

While Franklin Square’s attractions are well-known, HPI wants to encourage responsible recreation and healthy usage of this beautiful outdoor public environment. It is proven that being outdoors is beneficial both physically and mentally, and everyone is welcome. HPI will be operating Franklin Square with the health and safety of guests and staff as its most important goal, while also providing peaceful green space and fun for guests. The expansive park is re-opening to provide safe and high-quality open space for the physical and mental well-being of Philadelphians and will keep the attractions open in accordance with City of Philadelphia Health Department recommendations. Some of the new protocols include:

· All Franklin Square staff will have daily health screenings and will be required to wear masks and use gloves or regularly sanitize hands on site.

·       Hand sanitizing stations have been added throughout the Square as well as friendly distancing reminders.
·        Please stay home when sick. Guests (both children and adults) are strongly encouraged to travel with their own masks and hand sanitizer and use them while enjoying the park’s green space and playgrounds.
·       Contactless entrance is available for tickets purchased online in advance. Guests will show the tickets on their phone in the Square. In-person ticketing is available as well.
·       Guests will be required to wear masks while riding the Parx Liberty Carousel and playing Philly Mini Golf.

· Health and safety measures are being implemented to maintain physical distancing while entering and playing Philly Mini Golf, buying tickets, or riding the Carousel. Mini-Golf clubs and balls will be sanitized between uses.

· Carousel animals will be marked with masks of which ones can be ridden to ensure safe distancing. The animals that are closed will be covered with a blanket.

· SquareBurger will be open, serving some of the best burgers and shakes in town.

For further details on safety and health protocols, visit historicphiladelphia.org.
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6) FUNPLEX EAST HANOVER NOW OPEN AGAIN

The Funplex now reopened following three and half months of uncertainty

The Funplex Amusement Centers, outdoor Splashplex water park, indoor arcades and bowling is now to the public again. Advance reservations are required, and the experience will incorporate new safety procedures for both guests and team members.

WHERE: The Funplex East Hanover is located at182 NJ-10 East Hanover, NJ 07936

WHEN: The Funplex East Hanover will open at Noon Wednesday-Friday, and 10:00 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday. The water park, Splashplex, will close at 8:00 p.m. with indoor arcades and bowling remaining open until 9:00 p.m. Friday – Sunday

For advance reservations and to learn more about enhanced health, safety and social distancing practices visit thefunplex.com
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7) George Street Playhouse’s
Summer Theatre Academy

Limited space still available for new summer sessions beginning this July

George Street Playhouse’s popular Summer Theatre Academy, a mainstay of New Brunswick-area youth summer programs, will launch a new series of virtual learning opportunities this July.

Registration is still open for sessions beginning July 6, but due to demand, space is limited. Parents are encouraged to register now!

George Street Playhouse offers opportunities for students aged 5-8, 9-12, and 13-18. Each class culminates with a virtual sharing, providing an opportunity to invite friends and family via Zoom.

This year’s opportunities include puppetry through improv, story, and song; Shakespearean soliloquies; creating and starring in an original play with music; STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and math) integration; and more.

Two week sessions for students aged 5 to 18 begin July 6, with a second session beginning July 20. For more information or to register, visit www.GeorgeStreetPlayhouse.org.

Watch the official video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lLGMiepuw0U

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8) HADESTOWN

AND

PAST AND PRESENT

MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL PLAYERS

CELEBRATE START OF SPRING TRAINING

& BROADWAY’S INEVITABLE RETURN

WITH EXCLUSIVE VIDEOS

OF “TAKE ME OUT TO THE BALLGAME” &

“WAIT FOR ME”

BROADWAY’S TONY AWARD^®-WINNING

BEST NEW MUSICAL

COMPOSER & STARS

ANAÏS MITCHELL, REEVE CARNEY,

ANDRÉ DE SHIELDS. JEWELLE BLACKMAN,

YVETTE GONZALEZ-NACER, AND KAY TRINIDAD

JOINED BY PAST AND PRESENT MLB PLAYERS

STEVEN BRAULT, JOSH BELL,

OZZIE SMITH, BERNIE WILLIAMS, AND NICK SWISHER

AND BASEBALL LEGEND JACKIE ROBINSON’S

DAUGHTER

SHARON ROBINSON

BOTH VIDEOS AVAILABLE HERE

Hadestown, Broadway’s Tony Award^®-winning Best New Musical, and past and present Major League Baseball players have come together and released two exclusive videos in celebration of the start of Spring Training and Broadway’s eventual and inevitable return.

Hadestown composer Anaïs Mitchell and cast members Grammy Award^® winner Reeve Carney, Tony Award winner Andre Dé Shields, Jewelle Blackman, Yvette Gonzalez-Nacer, Kay Trinidad and the Hadestown band are joined by Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Steven Brault, Pittsburgh Pirates first baseman and MLB All-Star Josh Bell, MLB Hall of Famer Ozzie Smith, New York Yankees legend and World Series Champion Bernie Williams, and MLB All-Star and World Series Champion Nick Swisher, along with Sharon Robinson, daughter of baseball legend Jackie Robinson.

The video of “Wait For Me” with new lyrics by Anaïs Mitchell featuring Steven Brault and Reeve Carney sharing the part of Orpheus and Josh Bell and Andre Dé Shields sharing the role of Hermes and the Hadestown Fates Jewelle Blackman, Yvette Gonzalez-Nacer, Kay Trinidad can be downloaded at: https://www.dropbox.com/s/l5nc8lmu4dqxe11/Hadestown_MLB_Wait%20For%20Me_v5.mp4?dl=0

The video of “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” featuring additional lyrics by Mitchell, orchestrations by Tony Award winner Todd Sickafoose and Hadestown music director Liam Robinson can be downloaded at https://www.dropbox.com/s/u8gc6qccbkfspz2/Hadestown_MLB_Take%20Me%20Out%20to%20the%20Ballgame_v9.mp4?dl=0

The collaboration was inspired by Brault’s album A Pitch at Broadway (www.stevenbraultalbum.com) which was released this spring and features some of the greatest songs from the top Broadway musicals including Hadestown anthem “Wait for Me.” When both baseball and Broadway were shuttered due to the COVID-19 crisis, the teams got to work to celebrate these great American institutions and their devoted fans.

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9) Jody Sperling/Time Lapse Dance

20th Anniversary Season

Celebrating 20 Years in 20 Weeks

Time Lapse Dance continues its 20th Anniversary celebrations with a variety of virtual programming over the coming weeks including the release of two new dance films, free workshops taught by choreographer Jody Sperling and company dancers, an open rehearsal, an online release, and a choreographer-composer conversation.

A major highlight of the upcoming month is the release of two new short films exploring environmental themes. In Single-Use (release date July 22), Sperling swirls on city streets in a costume made from more than 100 plastic bags. The film short Fly (release date July 29), is a stop-motion play of the body in nature. A later highlight is the online release of Ice Cycle (August 6), followed by a choreographer-composer conversation.

Week 9: TLD Dancer Spotlight - Free Kids Workshop with Anika Hunter

Saturday, July 11 at 10am

Click to Register

Fun and free dance movie-themed workshop for kids (under 10) with Anika Hunter. Kids will get to jam out with their favorite characters and tunes.

Week 10: Dancer Spotlight - Free Classes on Instagram Live

Wednesday, July 15 at 9am - Barre Fitness with Morgan Bontz @time_lapse_dance

Friday, July 17 at 3pm - Intro Ballet Class with Maki Kitahara @time_lapse_dance

Week 11: Premiere of New Dance Film Short, Single Use

Wednesday, July 22 at 7pm - online release new dance film, followed by talkback

Link will post here: http://timelapsedance.com/events/tldat20/

Choreographer Jody Sperling releases her new film, Single Use, in which she dances on city streets in a costume fashioned from over 100 reclaimed plastic bags. Like a plastic monster she romps and rolls on pavement transforming into natural-seeming forms. The piece is a mediation on the nature of disposability and resuscitation. Following the release, stay tuned for a conversation with choreographer Jody Sperling and Beyond Plastics Founder Judith Enck on the urgent problem of plastic pollution.

Week 12: Fly Short Film Premiere & Ecokinetics Workshop

Wednesday, July 29 at 7pm - online release of new film, followed by live chat with choreographer

Link will post here: http://timelapsedance.com/events/tldat20/

Choreographer Jody Sperling releases Fly, a new short film exploring the relationship of the moving body to the natural world. The film uses stop-motion techniques to animate Sperling's body in ways that echo the dynamics of her wooded surroundings. The film grows out of Sperling's emerging environmental dance practice called ecokinetics.

Thursday, July 30 at 10am - Ecokinetics Workshop

Click to Register

Ecokinetics is Sperling's emerging practice which focuses on cultivating a dynamic relationship between the moving body and the environment, whether human-made or natural. The human mover practices attuning to and embodying environmental and atmospheric motion patterns. In the process, the practitioner becomes sensitized to the body's energetic impacts on the surrounding micro-climate. Ecokinetics is a corollary to ecoacoustics, a mode of environmental music composition pioneered by Sperling's long-time collaborator, Matthew Burtner.

Week 13: Ice Cycle

Thursday, August 6

7pm - online premiere Ice Cycle

7:30pm - conversation with choreographer Jody Sperling and composer Matthew Burtner

Link will post here: http://timelapsedance.com/events/tldat20/

Ice Cycle was the first collaboration between composer Matthew Burtner and choreographer Jody Sperling, both known for their creative engagement with climate change. Inspired by Sperling's experience dancing on Arctic sea ice, during her 2014 residency with a polar science mission, the work expresses the fragility and dynamism of the icescape. Danced by six women, the piece gels in crystalline formations and explores the dynamic interplay of ice and water in the process of melting.

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10) KELCEY ANYÁ PERFORMING ARTS ACADEMY PRESENTS

Virtual Summer Summit

A SIX WEEK YOUTH VIRTUAL PERFORMING ARTS EXPERIENCE.

FROM JULY 7-AUGUST 14^TH

Brooklyn-based performer, writer, and educator, Kelcey Anyá, announces Kelcey Anyá Performing Arts Academy’s Virtual Summer Summit: A Six Week Virtual Performing Arts Experience for youth ages 10 to 17. Classes are Tuesdays through Fridays from July 7^th to August 14^th from 3pm-5pm ET. Apply now at www.kapartsacademy.com. Limited seats available.

The KAPAA Virtual Summer Summit runs entirely online offering participants two hours of instruction Tuesday through Friday for six weeks culminating in a final showcase. Participants will attend three classes a week: “Tunes Tuesday” (music production), “Writing Wednesday” (spoken word & playwriting), and “Theatre Thursday” (acting). Courses will be taught Tuesday through Thursday with Fridays reserved for “Feature Friday” where participants receive a special masterclass and Q&A session from industry professionals. Upon completion of the program, participants will walk away with tangible musical and written pieces to add to their portfolios as well as theatrical tools added to their toolbox as they prepare for the upcoming audition season.

Teaching artists include award winning actress Devin E. Kessler (Williamstown, Triad Theatre, Axelrod Theatre, NYU Grad Acting c/o 2023), music producer and engineer Aaron “Birdie” Jackson (three self-produced albums and two film scores) and playwright, actor, educator and founder Kelcey Anyá (Stella Adler Studio of Acting, The Billie Holiday Theatre, Statera Arts).

Having begun her performing arts career at the tender age of two years old, Kelcey Anyá founded KAPAA with our youth in mind. Trained by the likes of Stella Adler Studio of Acting and the Billie Holiday Theatre, through KAPAA, Kelcey Anyá offers affordable, performing arts training and experience to young people any and everywhere.

The public is encouraged to donate what you can to assist in offering scholarships to young performers of color as well as any whose families have been negatively impacted by COVID-19. Funds will be collected via Venmo @Kelcey-Anya, Cash app $KelceyAnya as well as a Facebook donation. For more information, find Kelcey Anyá Performing Arts Academy, LLC on Facebook and Instagram.

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11) KPOP

THE BROADWAY MUSICAL

CONTINUES THE INTERNATIONAL SEARCH FOR CAST

VIA GLOBAL VIRTUAL OPEN CASTING CALL

Producers Tim Forbes and Joey Parnes announced that, due to social distancing guidelines, the global open (virtual) casting call for the upcoming premiere of KPOP, the Broadway musical, continues. Talented performers of Asian descent in their 20s are encouraged visit

kpopbroadway.com/casting in order to submit audition materials (detailed below).

To be considered, individuals auditioning should submit: 1. a video singing a contemporary K-pop (or pop) song; 2. a dance reel, clip of a dance performance, or short video that shows dance abilities; and 3. a resume or a brief description of singing / dancing / acting / performance experience.

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12) GRAMMY NOMINATED SINGER/SONGWRITER LOLO TO

SUPPORT EVERY MOTHER COUNTS WITH

BABY SHOWER CONCERT

ONE NIGHT ONLY, LIVESTREAM ON

THURSDAY, JULY 9 AT 7:30PM CENTRAL TIME

Grammy nominated singer/songwriter LOLO, also known as Lauren Pritchard (Songbird, Spring Awakening), will support the nonprofit maternal health organization, Every Mother Counts, with her upcoming baby shower concert. On Thursday, July 9, 2020 at 7:30pm CT, the one night only, livestreamed show will also offer local residents of Jackson, TN an opportunity to attend live, in person. A suggested donation of $15 will go directly to Every Mother Counts.

Founded in 2010 by Christy Turlington Burns, Every Mother Counts (EMC) works to make pregnancy and childbirth safe, respectful and equitable for every mother, everywhere.

The show will be streamed live on Facebook and YouTube. Text LOLO to 44-321, or

visit bit.ly/lolobabyshower to donate.

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13) South Street Seaport Museum

Announces

Free Virtual Program

Bowne & Co. Stationers:

Printing in 19th Century New York

Thursday, July 9, 2020

South Street Seaport Museum announces a free virtual program on printing in 19th Century New York, with Bowne & Co. Stationers, on Thursday, July 9, 2020 at 12:30pm EDT. Sign up to reserve a spot at https://turnstiletours.com/bowne-co-letterpress-printing-in-19th-century-new-york/.

Enjoy a virtual visit to Bowne & Co., Stationers, which opened their doors at the South Street Seaport Museum in 1975, 200 years after Robert Bowne founded his shop across the street on Queen Lane. Today, Bowne & Co. continues the tradition of 19th-century letterpress printing. This virtual program with Art Director Rob Wilson - co-hosted with Stefan Dreisbach Williams from the home of Robert Bowne's ancestors, the 1661 Bowne House in Flushing, Queens - investigates the changing role that stationery and printing offices played in New York City, and the ways in which Bowne & Co. uses its collection of 34 printing presses and more than 2400 cases of movable type in contemporary ways today.

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July is for Creating Stories!

14) The Story Pirates Partner with Random House Children’s Books for Virtual Summer “Creator Camp” Featuring Author and Illustrator Visits and Hours of Livestreamed Interactive Content for Kids in July

Kids enjoy personalized interactive activities all month long, including virtual “cabins”

For the month of July, best-selling children’s book authors and illustrators will connect directly with hundreds of young people via the Story Pirates Creator Camp. Participating Random House Children's Books authors and illustrators include Mary Pope Osborne (The Magic Tree House series), Nic Stone (Dear Martin, Clean Getaway), Danica McKellar (Goodnight, Numbers), Lincoln Peirce (Max & the Midknights, Big Nate), Vanessa Brantley-Newton (Grandma’s Purse, Just Like Me), and Judd Winick (Hilo). During four week-long sessions, kids will also enjoy hours of interactive live-streamed activities hosted by Story Pirates teaching artists. Campers may sign up now at https://www.storypirates.com/camp.

Creators of the #1 podcast for kids, the Story Pirates saw a summer-specific need for a safe online space where kids can let their imaginations roam free. No idea is too goofy or wild for the Story Pirates. Their expert teaching artists help kids bring their narratives to vivid life through writing and drawing. Already, hundreds of campers are enrolled in the inaugural June sessions, where they’re exploring weekly themes like “Heroic Heroes” and “Spy Training.” The screen time is broken up by regular intervals for kids to work independently on their own creative projects. Plus, campers are treated to numerous surprises throughout the week. The only supplies needed are common household items like paper, something to draw with, and tape.

During July, campers will also interact with and learn from several best-selling authors and illustrators from the world's largest trade publisher, Random House Children's Books. Each week the featured literary guests (12 in all) will delve into the creative process and take questions from campers. Campers will then be able to download story sparks and related activities to try at home. For even more summer reading fun, book bundles with a curated selection of books by each week’s featured authors and illustrators will be included as part of camp registration. Campers who want a more personalized experience may choose to join the optional virtual “cabins” on Zoom where they will interact with other campers and Story Pirates’ teaching artists in real time.

Livestreamed programming will be hosted on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 1 pm to 3 pm Eastern Time / 10 am to 1 pm Pacific Time. Each weekly session revolves around a central theme:

July 6 - July 10: Illustration Vacation, featuring award-winning authors and illustrators Vanessa Brantley-Newton, Oge Mora, and Lauren Castillo talking about how they blend words and pictures in their books Just Like Me, Our Friend Hedgehog. and The Oldest Student
July 13 - July 17: Camp Cartoonist, featuring graphic novelist Judd Winnick sharing how he created the world of Hilo, his beloved middle-grade series. Artists Lincoln Peirce and Lucy Knisley will also discuss their recent works, Max & the Midknights and Stepping Stones.
July 20 - July 24: Story Pirates in Space! featuring author Danica McKellar talking about her new book, The Times Machine! Additional special guests this week are The Magnificent Makers series author Theanne Griffith, a brain scientist by day, as well as Dean of the Cornell University College of Arts and Sciences, astrophysicist, and author of Child of the Universe Ray Jayawardhana discussing “Our Cosmic Selves.”
July 27 - July 31: Time Travel Adventure is the topic of week 4, featuring author Nic Stone talking about her New York Times bestselling middle-grade novel Clean Getaway. Mary Pope Osborne, renowned for her internationally bestselling Magic Tree House series, will be discussing her William Shakespeare focused story Stage Fright on a Summer Night. Finally, fiction and nonfiction author Kate Messner will talk about her new series, History Smashers.XX

For more information, visit storypirates.com, storypirateschangemakers.org
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15) TheaterWorksUSA hosts

“Telling Our Stories and Talking About Race”:

A Virtual Reading and Community Conversation for the Entire Family

As creators of theater for young and family audiences across the country, TheaterWorksUSA acknowledges and honors the moral responsibility that comes with this platform and privilege. “If we are to create a better world for young people to become inclusive, antiracist, empathetic members of society, then we must do better now” via TheaterWorksUSA’s Statement of Solidarity. Part of the 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization’s commitment to solidarity and change involves new programming in the community engagement space.

On July 8, 2020 at 7:00 pm EST, TheaterWorksUSA will host a free virtual community event for the entire family entitled Telling Our Stories and Talking About Race . The evening will include the reading of two (2) short plays from the five play series “Free Play: Open Source Scripts Toward an Antiracist Tomorrow” by award-winning playwright Idris Goodwin. This self-published series was created “for multi-generational audiences to spark conversation about race in America.” The plays that will be read -- The Water Gun Song and Nothing Rhymes with Juneteenth featureare intended to be performed by and for young people and their families.

Schele Williams, parent, artist, activist, founding member of Black Theatre United and TWUSA alumna will read The Water Gun Song with her daughter Sayla Williams. Bill Bellamy, actor, comedian, writer, producer, and his son Baron Bellamy will read Nothing Rhymes with Juneteenth.

The readings will be followed by a moderated discussion with panelists from the theatre, education, and family health communities including playwright, Idris Goodwin ; theatre director, educator and TWUSA alumna NJ Agwuna ; educator Jennifer Blue ; and licensed Clinical Social Worker and Family Therapist Kelly Dumas .

RSVP for the FREE event by clicking here . A Zoom link will be sent to participants on or before July 7, 2020. The event will also be available via live stream on TheaterWorksUSA’s Facebook and YouTube pages.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheaterWorksUSA/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/theatreworksusa

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16) A MOVEMENT BEGINS ON JULY 4^th (INDEPENDENCE DAY)

TO SUPPORT EXCLUSIVELY BLACK-OWNED BUSINESSES

#THEWALKOUTPROJECT

“Walkout,” A Hip-Hop Protest Anthem

A New Song & Music Video Release on July 4th

Written By Sidney DuPont To Support Black-Owned Businesses

#TheWalkoutProject is a movement beginning July 4^th to support Black businesses.

www.thewalkoutproject.org

Support Black Business. Support Black Artists. Support #TheWalkoutProject

Veatrix, a Black-owned production company, is producing a new song and music video titled “Walkout,” which will be released on July 4^th, 2020 in conjunction with #TheWalkoutProject boycott. “Walkout” is a hip-hop protest anthem, written as a response to the senseless killings of Black Americans at the hands of police and in an effort to support Black-owned businesses.

The song “Walkout” will be exclusively released on Tidal, and the corresponding music video will be exclusively released on the official website for #TheWalkoutProject. www.thewalkoutproject.org

Click here to watch the trailer for the “#TheWalkoutProject”

Hamilton’s Tamar Greene (George Washington) and Jared Dixon (Aaron Burr), lend their rap vocals to the video, with another past Hamilton star, Amber Iman, joining the video fresh from the revolutionary 3-Day Broadway Advocacy Coalition workshop, Broadway for Black Lives Matter.

In addition, this project’s star-studded cast includes Alex Newell (Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist, Once On This Island), Ari Groover (Little Shop of Horrors), Ben Fankhauser (Newsies), Christina Sajous (SpongeBob),

Crystal Kellogg (School of Rock), Gabrielle Elisabeth (Beautiful), Gabrielle McClinton (Chicago, Pippin),

Hailee Wright (Beautiful), Jasmin Richardson (The Book of Mormon), Kayla Davion (Tina), Kennedy Caughell (Wicked), Marla Louissaint(The Visitor), Michael Stiggers (The Lion King), Nicholas Rodriguez (Tarzan) Terence Archie (Company), Jenna Marie Graves (Ailey II), Yael Reich (Hadestown), Amanda Castro (In The Heights), Ashley de la Rosa (Hamilton, Beautiful), Nasia Thomas (Ain't Too Proud), Aashley Morgan (Beautiful), Malcolm Armwood (Hadestown), Housso Semon (The Lion King), Garrett Coleman (Hammerstep), Courtney Cochran (Dance Theatre of Harlem, (Brooklyn Ballet), Vanessa Carlton (3x Grammy Nominee), Melissa Benoist (CW's Supergirl, Beautiful) with Joshua Roberts (Britton & the Sting) on drums and Chris DiMeglio (TILT Brass) on horns.

All proceeds from the video will be donated directly to the following organizations fighting for equality, Black Voices, Black Stories and Black Lives:

Black Lives Matter

Broadway Advocacy Coalition

Black Visions Collective

Campaign Zero

Color of Change

National Bail Fund Network

Marsha P Johnson Institution National Urban League.

If you are located in New York City, here are some great resources to find your local Black-owned businesses:

For more information go to www.thewalkoutproject.org

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17) Works & Process at the Guggenheim

Continues Celebration of Pride

Reid Bartelme and Harriet Jung; Machine Dazzle;

Viva DeConcini; Simone Dinnerstein, Isaac Mizrahi, and Pam Tanowitz; Jack Ferver and Jeremy Jacob; Tom Gold; John Jarboe; Pontus Lidberg; Ryan McNamara, and Victoria Sin

On the occasion of New York City Pride and presented in conjunction with the "Embrace" edition of the Guggenheim Circular, Works & Process, the performing arts series at the Guggenheim, premiered the remaining Works & Process Artists (WPA) Virtual Commissions during Pride Week. The 10 newly commissioned video performances highlight the creative expressions by LGBTQ+ artists. Examining our evolving world, these inspiring and unique pieces, created while social distancing and less than 5 minutes long, are part of Works & Process Artists (WPA) Virtual Commissions, an initiative founded at the onset of the pandemic to financially support artists and nurture their creative process during these challenging times.

Talk Talk by Reid Bartelme and Harriet Jung- Premiered June 25, 2020

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e0N_LMnYt1k

Spiral Temple by Viva DeConcini- Premiered June 26, 2020

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XDe5SwoGlbE

Ghost Town In The Sky by Machine Dazzle - Premiered June 27, 2020

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jq4RwYcVmGw

Not a Rose by Simone Dinnerstein, Isaac Mizrahi and Pam Tanowitz - Premiered June 28, 2020

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=En2RQoiEYwU

Plan and Elevation by Tom Gold - Premiered June 29, 2020

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sO3HE7Cl9wE

Previously Released Pride Premieres

Fleshcore by Ryan McNamara- Premiered June 20, 2020