Episode list

The initial impact of Covid-19 shut down stages, bars and collective spaces in NYC, March 2020. Street performer, Wael Elhalaby, formerly from New Orleans tells his story of performing outdoors during the lock-down. Frustrated actress, Alejandra Ramos turns her home into her stage and percussionist, Camilo Molina Gaetan performing professionally since the age of seven, encounters the disquieting experience of not having an audience for whom to perform.

The insidious and elusive corona virus shut down stages, bars and collective spaces in NYC that started in March 2020. Instrumentalist and singer, Aaron Kisslinger shares his journey writing and producing music online during the pandemic. Singer and Big Apple Circus ringleader, Storm Marrero shares what it means being off stage for what seems to be an infinite period of time. Theater actor and comedian, Gilberto Gabriel Diaz talks about how he adapted and tapped into acquired skills to survive during Covid-19.

Faced with a lack of performance venues and gigs due to COVID-19 starting in March 2020, artists tapped into the power of invention. Dancer and circus acrobat, Angela Buccini-Butch transfers her creative skills into the art of balancing over wine bottles, as a means of self-expression during lock-down. Theater Actor and director, Daniel Irizarry talks about theater as a humanizing space and singer/songwriter, Renee Goust narrates how the pandemic made her more resilient.

Not only did Covid-19 shut down Broadway for 18 months, but all stages, bars and collective spaces in NYC shuttered starting in March 2020. Self-taught guitarist Fernandito Ferrer has a unique, high-pitched voice that is mystically enchanting and during the pandemic receives an unexpected offer tied with money to record a show. Diana Pou left her country for opportunities in NYC and when the pandemic strikes, in order to keep active, convinces her husband to play games that eventually evolve into artistic business projects. Jainardo Batista is a seasoned percussionist who learned during the pandemic the power of collaboration by jamming with others outdoors that in the end translated into livelihood covering rent during a very lean period.

Covid-19's initial impact on performing artists was insurmountable when all stages, bars and collective spaces in NYC shuttered in March 2020. For Rachel Strauss-Muñiz her lifesaver was humor, all while lamenting the loss of a live audience, notwithstanding a long-cultivated podcast series that still gave her a high and got her through this chapter in history. Anthony Carrillo never lost the connection with his Latino drumming, but the very pandemic that made him stop in his tracks, also gave him the opportunity to explore his passion with percussion through another culture and incorporated meditation as a healing power. Kavitah Shah speaks several languages and loves to channel them through her music, but during the pandemic while exploring the little things of life, she saw in the midst of all that darkness that the character of people had not changed, inspiring her to grow.

Three performers connected to their Puerto Rican culture and music who before were tuning forks channeling humanity and spirituality, discovered their undeniable relationship to the earth and virtuosity. Desmar as a pianist, composer and musical theater director had his hope in humanity and humankind strengthened. Julia an interpretive dancer of Afro-Puerto Rican music, returned home to care for parents, in the meantime found self and got swept into the global social revolution surrounding George Floyd's murder that ignited a reaction not only in others, but in herself, too. Ariel, whose days from the crack of dawn were constantly about earning money, raising kids and performing at night; embraced the closures that the pandemic caused and relished not rushing like before and having the time to delve deeper into music.