Online Art Keeps Bosnia's Isolated Seniors Connected in Pandemic

Lidija Pisker

September 09, 2020 |

Balkan Insight |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: Bosnia and Herzegovina

Before the coronavirus pandemic, Our Bridge in Bosnia provided services to seniors to combat social isolation. Despite having to shut down in-person classes due to the pandemic, both groups now use online art and music classes to reach people who are isolated and at risk of depression. The group joined with the Serbian association, Art Aparat, to offer singing, art, and handicraft classes by video. In person connections are preferred and missed, but the group adapted to changing circumstances to provide even more isolated seniors with social connections, and the partnership allows for cultural exchanges.

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Can Greek Tragedy Get Us Through the Pandemic?

Elif Batuman

September 01, 2020 |

The New Yorker |

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Over 3000 Words

Response Location: United States

Theater of War Productions performs Greek tragedies, using the themes to encourage dialogue and healing from modern community traumas. Beginning with military audiences, participants were asked to discuss the themes in relation to their experiences in the military or as a military spouse. They have since expanded to include other problems, such as gun and police violence. Recently, actors read Sophocles’ “Oedipus the King” in their first virtual Zoom performance to about 15,000 people. Themes of leadership during a plague, “fake news,” and conspiracies resonated with audiences during the Covid-19 pandemic.

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At Platinum Divaz, Black Girls Are Mentors And Leaders

Taylor Allen

August 27, 2020 |

Colorado Public Radio |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Aurora, Colorado

Platinum Divaz builds leadership skills and self-confidence among young people. While boys and all ethnicities are welcome to participate, the program focuses on raising the self-esteem for Black girls through dance. Divaz are assigned teammate mentors, typically teenagers, who teach dances and help younger girls with day-to-day struggles like school, bullying, and self-confidence. Practices like saying what they like about each other helps build each girl up with confidence and self-esteem. Supportive adults are also available as mentors to the girls.

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Anything — and anywhere — for a laugh

Nick A. Zaino

August 27, 2020 |

The Boston Globe |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Boston, Massachusetts

With many clubs closed due to Covid-19, some comics are performing online and at socially distanced outdoor events. Club owners are adapting to changing circumstances with outdoor stages. Drive-in shows are gaining popularity, where performers are projected on a big screen, audio is piped into cars, and horns and flashing lights replace laughter and applause. With audiences still a bit hesitant to go out and technology improving, some comics are embracing virtual events. Despite lower pay, they can draw audiences from greater geographical areas. More marketing investment would boost online viewership.

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How sports institutions have overhauled their images in the past

Dana Jacobson

July 18, 2020 |

CBS News |

Broadcast TV News |

5-15 Minutes

Response Location: United States, Washington, District of Columbia

Renaming the Washington Redskins to remove a racist name and logo will require a difficult and delicate process juggling a host of issues that other professional and college sports franchises have successfully navigated in the past. Often a years-long process, rebranding involves choosing a name and color scheme that replace the harmful imagery with a positive name that passes trademark tests, wins fan support, maintains brand equity and continuity built over decades, and can be reduced to a simple logo that looks good on helmets and in all media, from TV screens to smartphones.

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The Love Lot: Where Step Up to the Plate offers free meals, live music, and medical attention to Kensington residents during COVID-19

Solmaira Valerio

July 07, 2020 |

Kensington Voice |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Step Up to the Plate is a collaborative effort of local organizations that began as a way to help those experiencing food insecurity due to Covid-19. Three outdoor sites have expanded to provide free meals, mental health and addiction resources, COVID-19 testing, live music and art to brighten people’s spirits, and help filling out stimulus check applications. The outdoor distribution site in Kensington gives out 560 healthy lunches a day. While the effort has brought to light just how bad things had gotten, it has also shown how effective organizations can be working together to meet the community’s needs.

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Texas's Missing Students: Weeks After Closures, Schools in San Antonio Still Couldn't Locate Thousands of Kids. How One Band Director Finally Tracked Down His Musicians

Bekah McNeel

June 30, 2020 |

The 74 |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Texas

As thousands of students across the country stopped showing up to remote classes, schools scrambled to make contact. One Texas Band Director built on his relationships to localize his students. “He had relationships with students — his own and those between bandmates — forged long before the closures. When his personal connections played out, he called in reinforcements section by section, woodwinds finding woodwinds, brass finding brass.” The effort worked so well some teachers were asking him for help to localize other students.

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NC Entertainment Venues Look To Asia As They Plot How To Reopen

David Boraks

June 26, 2020 |

WFAE |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: South Korea

Some North Carolina entertainment venues are looking to South Korea and Taiwan, where theaters and sports venues have remained open during the coronavirus pandemic. The venues have prevented the spread of COVID-19 by using clear protocols and procedures like requiring temperatures and detailed health information upon entry, as well as mask wearing and good hygiene while in the venue. Ushers closely monitor the audience and enforce compliance. Venue and health officials were also transparent when a COVID-19 case did occur, quickly notifying everyone potentially exposed so they can isolate and minimize spread.

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Minneapolis theater community uses stagecraft skills to support businesses of color in the aftermath of protests

Ashley Vaughan

June 23, 2020 |

CNN |

Multi-Media |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States, Minneapolis, Minnesota

University Rebuild brings together theater members in Minneapolis who are not working due to Covid-19 to use their skills in support of the Black Lives Matters movement by helping communities clean up, make repairs, and create infrastructure to gather safely. Volunteers, numbering more than 100 within the first week, used set design and construction skills to help around 200 businesses impacted by protests following the killing of George Floyd. Windows and doors are boarded up and then prepped for murals painted by local artists and leftover materials were used to build stages for Juneteenth celebrations.

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Streaming into the void

Erika Fredrickson

June 22, 2020 |

Montana Free Press |

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Over 3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Montana

Many Montana musicians are holding virtual streaming events to deal with the financial and psychological impact of canceled music events due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Early events were well attended, with up to 100 people, and brought in more money than they would have earned playing at local bars. Interest has slowed down over time, but many musicians want to keep streaming events after the pandemic as another tool to engage audiences now that they have embraced digital delivery. The virtual events allow musicians to experiment and be creative, but most are excited to return to the energy of live shows.

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