If you had asked Jolene and I just over a month ago what we were going to be doing in March and April, we certainly would have said “non-stop event travel.” This whole Coronavirus disaster has been quite a shock to the system for us, we aren’t sure what you even do with a free weekend in the spring, let alone while maintaining responsible social distance. We know you feel the same way, trying to make sense of all of this, learning your work from home routine, and attempting to keep yourself mentally stimulated. But this is the time for us all to adapt and grow – to push forward along new paths and become leaders in the industry. To support students, our friends and family, and our neighbors. We all can do our part to make this situation suck a little bit less; you never know how much that one positive moment can impact another person’s life.
Now that the shock of the last few weeks has settled in, we are seeing a lot of you look forward and ask the question “what can we do to support our students from afar?” Over the last few weeks, Jolene and I have been hard at work trying to figure out acts that are not only interested in digital programming, but also have the capabilities and knowledge to make it happen in a high quality way without limiting their potential live show business in the future.
Here are a few of our ideas:
1. Events with Big Name Artists:
We think it’s a good time to look towards the bigger names in the industry to see if they’d be open to moderated Q&A’s with your students. We also love the idea of having comedians do something totally new and teach class – yoga, fitness, cooking, etc… the possibilities are endless.
2. DRAG Bingo:
A favorite of ours, and a hit so far with college campuses. We love the affordable nature of this event, have instructions on how to run it, and a great list of past Rupaul’s Drag Race queens ready to interact with your students! This is a wonderful opportunity to partner with the LGBTQIA+ resource centers, clubs, and local organizations to bring the safe space to community members who might be in less supportive environments. It’s also a great time to provide support resources: links, websites, phone numbers, and community groups.
3. Virtual Cooking Classes:
Luckily, one of our main event partners in Green Bay – Gather On Broadway – is a venue who’s owner and executive chef is a former contestant on Food Network Star. Jyll Everman has been making waves in our community recently with her Quarantine Cuisine meal kits, and we’d love to bring that to you! Jyll’s digital cooking class will show students how to jazz up some pantry staples and give you some fresh ideas to eat while stuck at home.
Have some other ideas floating around in your head? Let’s chat it out. It can’t hurt to ask artist teams – they’re in the same boat. Let’s get creative and bring some unique and exciting events to your students!
Jake Ostrow
Jake worked as a middle buyer for How To Concerts from 2018 to 2023, helping organizations with their concerts, comedians, and speakers.
Want to know how How To Concerts can help you with your next event? Call us at 920.764.1200 or set up a free consultation today!
Jake Ostrow
Jake worked as a middle buyer for How To Concerts from 2018 to 2023, helping organizations with their concerts, comedians, and speakers.
Want to know how How To Concerts can help you with your next event? Call us at 920.764.1200 or set up a free consultation today!
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