NYC Musicians Launch Virtual Festival and Fundraiser 'Live From Our Living Rooms'
Kevin Whitlock
Friday, March 27, 2020
Online festival featuring Chick Corea, Joe Lovano, Becca Stevens, Bill Frisell, Christian McBride and more to launch next month
Following the virtual lockdown of New York City due to the Covid-19 pandemic, and the collapse of the city’s live scene, a group of musicians and promoters have teamed up to launch Live From our Living Rooms, an online festival which will run from 1 April to 7 April, and which aims to provide emergency relief to New York City musicians whose freelance careers have been impacted by the pandemic.
Participants so far announced include Chick Corea, Joe Lovano and Judi Silvano, Linda Oh and Fabian Almazan, Becca Stevens, Bill Frisell, Christian McBride, Antonio Sanchez and Thana Alexa, Owen Broder, Sirintip, Julian Lage, Dave Liebman, Tali Rubenstein, Michael Mayo, and many others. The full schedule will be announced on Monday, 30 March.
“Live From Our Living Rooms Music Festival and Fundraiser will help to fill in the gap for struggling musicians by bringing the joy of music live-streamed from artists’ homes in NYC to viewers anywhere in the world,” said a spokesperson for the event. Viewers will have the opportunity to donate online, raising funds to provide performance grants awarded to musicians during this crisis.”
Organised by NYC musicians Sirintip, Thana Alexa, Owen Broder and their nonprofit partner MusicTalks, the festival features musicians performing solo or (if they live under the same roof) in small groups. Starting on 1 April , there will be 28 performances over seven days: two evening performances, one masterclass or interdisciplinary presentation and one children’s show. Shows will be streamed on Crowdcast and simulcast on each artist’s Facebook pages.
The organisation is soliciting tax deductible donations from audience members and institutional funders to provide performance grants to NYC musicians who submit an application and meet the organisers’ performance grant criteria. More information about the application, eligibility and deadlines can be found at www.livefromourlivingrooms.com/apply-tba
All performances are free for viewers, but donations are encouraged. Find out more at www.livefromourlivingrooms.com
There's now a full schedule on the website which allows for viewers to book their slots www.livefromourlivingrooms.com/schedule