Creative Cures for Quarantine

Even though COVID-19 has kept us inside, there are still plenty of ways to stay involved with art while practicing good social distancing. From online exhibitions to performance archives, the Seattle arts scene is still alive and well, even under quarantine.

The coronavirus outbreak not frightening enough? Give Dark Matters at OntheBoards.tv a try—a spine chilling performance combining elements of contemporary dance and theatre. Directed by choreographer Crystal Pite, this performance will take you on a wild emotional journey from the comforts of your own home.

Also from the (free!) OntheBoards.tv archive is It’s Not Too Late by choreographer Markeith Wiley. This show blends comedy and social criticism to give a picture of emotional resignation around race in the aftermath of the 2016 presidential election.

Now is also the perfect time to check out Town Hall Seattle’s outstanding archive of arts, culture, science, and civic talks, including political scientist Nick Buccola’s conversation on the infamous Baldwin-Buckley debate. Although this televised debate first aired over fifty years ago, their debate continues to provide insight regarding the American Dream and the racial struggle in the US today.

If there’s anything to prove that the coronavirus doesn’t stop creative expression, it’s Cadence: Video Poetry Festival presented by Northwest Film Forum. Let’s not forget that April is, in fact, National Poetry Month. So show your love for poetry by viewing one of the five brilliant screenings at the intersection of videography and literature.

Yes, it’s true that Coachella is canceled. But not to worry—KEXP is still keeping the spirit of live music alive via its live streaming video concerts! We recommend tuning into Frankie Cosmos’ Instagram live concert for some introspective indie-pop in these trying times.

And, finally, for your visual art fix, the Seattle Art Museum has curated Stay Home with SAM. It’s an in-depth collection of blog posts about their exhibits, photos, videos, and DIY projects. You finally have the time to get crafty, so why not pull out those old markers and paint?

Just because you’re staying home doesn’t mean you have to be bored. From tuning in to a virtual concert to browsing an online arts museum, there are plenty of ways to satisfy your art cravings during these tough times. Hang tight, and together, we’ll get through this.

Lead photo credit: Photo by Erik Mclean on Unsplash.

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