MSD IN brief

The reoccurring Sunday Parkland Farmers’ Market at the Equestrian Center reopened on Dec. 6, 2020, after being shut down for months from COVID-19 in March. New guidelines regarding the pandemic have been implemented to ensure a safe reopening for everyone involved. On Jan. 24, the market held a public safety-themed event where vendors sold a variety of organic foods, plants and products for both humans and animals.

The Parkland Farmers’ Market is a well-known community event offering a plethora of fresh and organic fruits and vegetables, gourmet food and handmade products. The market serves as a way for the community to shop from and support local businesses, which is especially important in the midst of the pandemic.

After being closed since late March when COVID-19 was becoming a large threat to the nation, the market had plans to be reopened in November, but weather concerns pushed the date back to Dec. 6, 2020.

“I used this [event] to bring in customers to my store [and] get them familiar with my [products],” John Janus, owner of Three Amigos Healthy Pet Supply, said. “It has been tough to get people to go back into the regular stores.”

Since its reopening, there have been events every other Sunday of each month from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The current confirmed upcoming dates are Feb. 7, Feb. 21, March 7, March 21, April 11 and April 25, but they are subject to change. Every Sunday has a special theme. For instance, the theme on Feb. 7 was Pet Expo, so the majority of the vendors were selling a variety of animal products. Feb. 21 was the Craft Fair, so there were lots of homemade products and items for crafting up for sale.

“I love that everything [at the Farmers’ Market] is organic [and] fresh,” Robert Marrero, an employee of Sanctuary Exotic Tea said. “Overall, everyone can come here and enjoy something that’s natural, not processed.”

In order to ensure a safe reopening, the Farmers’ Market established multiple rules and procedures to keep everyone safe. The original format of the reopening was a drive-through with customers staying in their cars; however, customers have since instead been able to freely walk around the market 6 feet apart, with mandatory face coverings.

Individuals are asked to not attend if they are experiencing symptoms associated with COVID-19 or if they are feeling ill in general. To help stay separated from others, the market has made every row one-way with signs marking the end of every aisle.

“I think it’s nice how they space everything out, there’s a range of different vendors available, and I think it’s just a nice outing with the music and the different food,” customer Hillary Zhu said. Gone to Market. Patrons browse various local booths at the City of Parkland Farmer’s Market. The market reopened on Dec. 6, 2020 after months of COVID-19 restrictions kept it closed. Photo by Bryan Nguyen

To ensure that customers are in a safe environment, city staff and participating vendors are required to complete a health screening and a temperature check at home, prior to coming to the Farmers’ Market. Vendors also must wear masks throughout the entirety of the event and every vendor tent at least 6 feet apart. Customers must not only stay apart from each other to ensure the vendors’ safety, be at least six feet away from those providing the goods.

“I love the safety of being outdoors during this time, and it helps me meet so many people for my business. I feel safe,” Mary Bohorquez, owner of Chocolate Diva Bakes, said.

Although eating is allowed at the event like usual, you must be seated at one of the many designated tables in the eating area before you can remove your mask. The tables are conveniently located near the fresh food and drink section of the market, offering delicacies such as pastries, bubble tea, gelato and tacos.

“[We went to the market for the] first time, [and] we loved it so far. Hopefully, they will continue to do it,” customer Shelly Shoulders said, “and we can see some new vendors.”

The Farmers’ Market will be open until at least April and will continue to follow its COVID-19 safety guidelines at every event until further notice. For information on the upcoming dates, you can go to cityofparkland.org. Story by Kate Becker

Rocking the livestream

MSD theatre program creates first virtual performance with ‘We Will Rock You’

The theatre program at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School has consistently sold-out shows and performances for the past several years. Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, this year’s drama show, “We Will Rock You,” was held through a Livestream on BookTix from Saturday, Jan. 29 to Sunday, Jan. 30 at 8 p.m. With tickets sold for $13 each, the drama department ended the show’s run with approximately 120 tickets sold. In addition, 80 teachers were given complimentary tickets to the show.

“The show takes place years in the future where everything is technologybased,” junior Sarah Wyner said. “It’s the story of how Galileo breaks free from the iPlanet and brings back real music.”

The show is based on the music written by the wide-known British rock band, Queen. There are many references to the band’s music throughout the show, including character names. The central character, Galileo Figaro, came from Queen’s hit song “Bohemian Rhapsody.” Throughout the musical, Figaro leads the people, known as Bohemians, from the iron grip of Killer Queen. By the end of the musical, Figaro has brought music back into the people’s lives.

One thing that has remained a constant in this new world of virtual shows was the casting of roles. Any student who was in Theatre Production and wanted to audition for a role in the show was allowed to do so. The auditioning process took place during class time, virtually, since students and teachers could not meet in person. After, there was a read-through of the script, along with dancing and singing callbacks.

“We Will Rock You” was chosen to be a virtual live experience since Broward County Public Schools currently does not allow any face-to-face performances. With this restriction, the drama students preferred to have an online show rather than nothing at all.

“[The students] filmed individually in [their] own spaces, and they sent all the footage to me,” drama teacher Melody Herzfeld said. “I then worked with an editor to put together the entire show.”

There was a variety of songs, scenes, dances and backdrops within the show. Students used headphones to listen to their prerecorded voices in each scene to make sure everything was on time and correct.

The choreography was created by senior Cameron Appel. The two leads of “We Will Rock You” were played by senior Logan LaPierre and sophomore Pearl Mass.

In past years, the drama team would rehearse every day after school from 6-10 p.m. both inside the drama room and on From Stage to Screen. The MSD drama department created their “We Will Rock You” poster based off of inspiration from the musical’s original promotional posters. The show was pre-recorded and then streamed live for those with tickets to watch. Graphic courtesy of MSD Drama

the stage. “We Will Rock You” rehearsals were only during class time. The team worked with a film editor to gather all the students’ parts, which were submitted via Google Drive.

“The majority of the time, drama has been difficult to do through a screen. It is hard to do a show when there is no real interaction, which is what it is all about,” senior Caroline Eaton said.

Other notable changes included Herzfeld taking up the role of director — a role typically filled by a student and actors having the freedom to create their costumes and make-up for their characters.

“The production process was interesting to learn about, and it ended up working really well,” senior Peri Harris said. “Although putting together a fulllength musical virtually poses challenges, we worked together, and we were able to perform to the best of our abilities.” Story by Ava Jurick