Bill Geist's Zeitgeist

The Lack of a Coherent Strategy

The global pandemic has laid bare the absolute lack of leadership across the globe that should cause us all to re-examine whether voting for an eloquent candidate produces qualified individuals to lead us.

Here in America, a President that was unable to grasp the enormity of the growing menace passed it off as nothing to worry about in the early days of the 'VID. And, whether you support or loathe the man, the President told us not to be concerned...and the power of the office lulled many into complacency when swift action was needed. We now pay the price for that faith.

Because of that lack of leadership at the top, States were the next line of leadership. Some addressed the pandemic aggressively. Others followed their President's lead. The resulting shitshow of uneven mitigation threatens us all.

One of the leaders in shutting down the virus was Ohio Governor Mike DeWine. Many of us watched as he would announce lockdowns...and Michigan, Illinois, Wisconsin and others would rapidly follow. In the early days, Ohio was rocking it on the nation's behalf, stepping into the leadership void at the Federal level.

But, in recent days, the protocols that Ohio has employed have a lot of people scratching their heads. There is a lack of consistency and coherency in the ever changing rules businesses must follow. A recent op ed piece by Chelsie Thompson, President of Renaissance Performing Arts, called into question the inequity of the State's standing orders.

Strip Clubs are open (essential services, apparently?) but Performing Arts Centers are not? Casinos are open..but not live theatre? Bars featuring live music with hundreds of people, shoulder to shoulder, are OK but museums are not? It's as if the State believes Arts & Culture are inconsequential.

As Chelsie so eloquently said, "What we cannot accommodate is the continued confusion on what is and is not allowed to happen across the state, the obstinate refusal to acknowledge the presence and impact of our industry on Ohio’s economy, and the egregious double standard to which the arts are being subjected under the Responsible Restart plan."

Honestly...can we have leaders that work with epidemiologists to produce a coherent strategy? Is that too much to ask?

Yeah...it obviously is.

The Unnoticed Victims

All of Broadway shut its doors within days of the first usher testing positive for the VID. Many believe live theatre won't return until there is a vaccine.

We pine for the days we can once again experience live performance; to once again support actors on stages making us feel alive and sharing powerful truths about the human condition.

But, what about Playbill? That booklet that is thrust into your hand as you enter the theatre? Can it survive this crisis?

You gotta love CEO Phillip Birsh's take: “Playbill is 136 years old,” he tells Fast Company. “We’ve survived five depressions, 20 recessions, two world wars, terror attacks."

But...they've laid off half their staff. And, every day the theatres are dark is a day that Playbill isn't published.

Another unnoticed victim of this insidious disease.

What's Going On

It was 50 years ago this month that Marvin Gaye laid the vocal track for "What's Going On."

As Brian McCollum recently wrote in the Detroit Free Press, "racial tensions, police controversy, environmental anxieties, a globe on edge — they were the topics on the front burner when Gaye rebooted his musical career and took control of his creative vision inside Motown."

“There’s too many of you crying…there’s far too many of you dying."

Finished in the fall of 1970, Motown executives sat on the song until January, fearing it would be too controversial. Upon its ultimate release, it shot to Number 2 on the charts and sits at Number 4 on Rolling Stone's "Greatest Songs of All Time" list.

On this Music Friday, we ask again, "What's Going On."

And, this isolated vocal track will give you chills.

"You know we've got to find a way to bring some understanding here today."

Shakespeare on the Zoom

One of the delights in living in South Central Wisconsin is American Players Theatre. Shakespeare (and other classics) are performed each evening under the stars (and the bats) and weekend afternoons, on a stage nestled into a hillside near Spring Green (Frank Lloyd Wright's former Wisconsin haunt). It is one of the blessings we look forward to as Winter gives way to Spring, and Spring to Summer.

Alas, poor Yorick, there will be no outdoor season in this year of "the VID." But, that's not stopping APT from "playing in the woods" (albeit virtually). Tomorrow evening, they'll be performing "Julius Ceasar" via Zoom on Wisconsin Public Television and their own American Players Theatre Facebook page.

And yes, I know tomorrow is also the premiere of "Hamilton" on Disney+. Luckily, both will be available to stream on your schedule...and Wisconsin Public TV is waiving its geographic restrictions so anyone can see all of APT's Zoomy productions through July 26. 

Thanks APT...this will make this season's parting a far less sweet sorrow.

A Flower Grows

From the shattered glass and devastated dreams of so many small business owners...springs art, hope and love.

For those that have only seen the images of the looters (not the peaceful protestors) that destroyed Madison's beloved State Street, we offer these images from Downtown Madison, Inc. Local artists, leaving their message and love on the plywood that momentarily replaces the once vibrant storefront views.

A recent poll suggests 40% of these small businesses will be unable to reopen. We pray that will not be the case.

Kudos to Beth Skogen for the images.

Another Tough Week for American Culture

Another week, another farewell to artists that shaped our world. 

We lost Betty Wright, who is probably best known for "Clean Up Woman," but she nailed one I love even more..."No Pain, No Gain."

And then we lost Little Richard, called by some the "architect of Rock n Roll." He once said he never said that...but he agreed that he was. Indeed, Paul McCartney patterned his falsetto after Little Richard. 

On this Music Friday, we salute them both and share an early Little Richard TV appearance and a performance at Muhammad Ali's 50th Birthday Celebration.

You both influenced the music and culture of our world.

Godspeed. 

Non-Essential My Ass

Calling any business non-essential is an insult. Every business is essential to someone...just not to people within government who claim to know better than the rest of us.

Take, for example, a drive-in movie business in New Jersey; the only one in the State. It was rolled up in the decree that found movie theatres non-essential. But, wouldn't a drive-in theatre be among the safest of environments?

The owners of the Delsea in Vineyard NJ have pleaded their case to every level of government (including the Governor) with nothing but crickets in response.

Really...why must it be this hard to understand that blanket orders are often not the appropriate response (only the easy one)?

Inspiring Future Visits

Destination Marketing in the era of COVID-19 is considered by many to be tone-deaf...and we've all seen a few headscratchers over the past couple weeks. Sheesh....

That doesn't mean that Destination Marketing stops...it's just different. It's focused more locally.

But then, there's Discover Puerto Rico which, this week, invited visitors to the island...but virtually.

This weekend, you can learn to Salsa Friday evening on Zoom, take a Cocktail Mixology Class on Saturday and a Cooking Class on Sunday, both on Instagram Live (click the image for times).

I know where I'll be Friday night (Terri's wanted me to learn to Salsa with her for years).

Once again, Discover Puerto Rico...inspired.

Singing Through Crisis

With the economy in a death spiral and the world population terrified to be within 6 feet of each other, one finds the opportunity to smile and stay connected wherever possible.

Late last week, Italians in large cities and small took to song from their balconies, forming musical Flash Mobs by the dozens. The videos that accompany this story from BuzzFeed are truly a testament to the human spirit.

San Francisco? You're up next.

Too Cool

The creative team assembled by Discover Puerto Rico is a wonder to behold. And, the hits just keep coming.

The street art in San Juan, especially in the neighborhood known as Santurce, is exceptional...but doesn't match the critical mass of other street-art rich destinations around the world. At least, not yet.

The DMO has gathered internationally recognized Puerto Rican artist Alexis Bousquet and local artists Celso González, Vero Rivera and Bob Snow to identify wall spaces throughout Puerto Rico and paint "Reserved for" signs, which will serve as larger-than-life blank canvas invitations for global street artists around the world, to feature their art alongside Puerto Rico's very own. The invitation mat is out.

Wow. Just, seriously, wow.

We can't wait to return.