The New Normal (for now)
Tuesday, April 21, 2020 at 3:25PM 
Pongo on WCCO at Doggie Depot and Pongo with his new human.
In just one month, my routine of meetings and conference calls has evolved to Zooms, Google Meets and Crowdcasts—a new world run via social channels as we all work remotely. While we look forward to the days when we can gather in person again, our creative clients are finding innovative ways to adapt to this new world.
Earlier this month, the Twin Cities Jazz Festival, in partnership with AARP Minnesota, hosted the inaugural Jazz Fest Live, an hour of music to enjoy while we are staying safe at home, with Jon Weber. Last week’s live concert featured Nayo Jones, who headlined at the 2018 Jazz Fest, and this week, Jazz Fest Live returns on Thursday, April 23, with Maud Hixson and Rick Carlson. Check out past Jazz Fest Live performances and save your spot for upcoming ones at Crowdcast.
And now, Lowertown Blues and Funk Fest has gone virtual as well with Blues Fest Live slated for Monday nights at 7:00 pm beginning on April 27 with the Zydeco great Chubby Carrier. Check out the full line-up of performances on Crowdcast.
Following three sold-out shows at their Park Square Theatre residency, The Mysterious Old Radio Listening Society has moved online. For their April 20th show, they recreated two lost episodes from the archives of classic radio in a live-streamed performance. Tickets are still available (but going fast) for their May 11th show, which will feature original plays by the MORLS members.
And Pet Haven, our newest client which we met at Doggie Depot at Union Depot last year, we’ve seen a surge of generosity and feel-good stories as over 300 people have signed up to be a volunteer animal foster. Our hearts were especially warmed when, after being featured on WCCO’s Mid-Morning during Doggie Depot, Pongo, who was Pet Haven’s longest dog in foster care, was adopted. WCCO ran an update on Pongo and his new family a couple weeks ago, and they’ll be interviewing Kerry D’Amato, Pet Haven’s Executive Director, via Skype this Thursday morning.
