Arts & (Home) Entertainment

Since we are stuck inside, which shows have you been watching? Which movies? Have you read any good books lately? Any new music releases have you dancing in your living room? StreetWise vendors, readers and staff are sharing what is occupying their attention during this unprecedented time. To be featured in a future edition, send your recommendations and why you love them to Creative Director / Publisher Dave Hamilton at dhamilton@streetwise.org

Re-Watch This!

Black Panther

"In my opinion, the hype over Black Panther was too shortlived. This was a phenomenal movie. Of course it was groundbreaking in its black representation, but on top of that, it was also a very well-done movie! The twists in the storyline kept your attention throughout the entire film, and the writing had so much depth. Chadwick Boseman (Black Panther) and Michael B. Jordan (Erik Kilmonger) show their immense talent in this film, and everyone can appreciate the skill put into this movie. All Marvel fans should subscribe to Disney Plus so they bring back this story - I really recommend it." Available for streaming with a Disney + subscription. Also available for purchase or rent on Vudu, Amazon Prime, and Youtube starting at $2.99. - Recommended by Rachel Koertner, StreetWise Intern

Download This!

Duolingo

"Duolingo is a free app that makes learning a new language feel like a game. Learners can choose to brush up on a language they started learning years ago, or they can start fresh. The app offers courses in more than 90 languages and the pacing is unique to each learner. And even while social distancing, competitive learners can connect with and challenge friends to learn and practice more. Duolingo is available on Apple and Android devices as well as online at duolingo.com." Available in the Apple App store or Google Play. - Recommended by Allie Maloney, StreetWise employment specialist

Read This!

"Another Planet: A Teenager in Suburbia" by Tracey Thorn

"Tracey Thorn became famous as one-half of the pop duo Everything But The Girl in the 80s and 90s. Their massive club and adult contemporary crossover hit "Missing" (and I miss you, like the deserts miss the rain...) is still a fixture on radio stations and dancefloors worldwide. While she has continued to make beautiful albums as a solo artist (including 2018's feminist-anthem filled Record, a must listen!) Thorn has also proven that her knack for writing song lyrics is also useful for writing novels. She has just released her third book, "Another Planet: A Teenager in Suburbia." Her first book, "Bedsit Disco Queen" chronicled her rise to fame, from an indie acoustic artist to a leader in the early days of electronica music. Her second, "Naked at the Albert Hall" is a deep-dive into the technical ins-and-outs of vocal control and a study of popular voices and how they came to resonate with so many fans. It sounds like it could be dry, but her writing style is full of English wit and always sustains a warm, inviting tone. Her supurb writing style is also evident in her regular contributions to the UK publications New Statesman and the Guardian." Available on all eReaders and wherever books are sold. -Recommended by Dave Hamilton, StreetWise publisher / creative director

Get Ready For Bedtime!

Goodnight with Dolly

Musician and philanthropist [as well as former StreetWise cover model] Dolly Parton is launching a weekly series in which she reads a children's book to an online audience at bedtime, drawing books from her popular Imagination Library project. The goal, the nonprofit says, is to give kids and families "a welcome distraction during a time of unrest and inspire a love of reading and books." Parton's music made her famous, but to many young people, she's known simply as "the Book Lady." Her Imagination Library has delivered more than 130 million free books to children, earning special recognition from the Library of Congress. Parton started the program in Tennessee in 1995, and took it to a national level in 2000. Parton will live stream from Youtube on her Imagination Library channel, youtube.com/user/imaginationlibrary every Thursday night at 6 p.m.

Make It!

Flowers for Dreams virtual workshops

Keep your co-workers and friends together while all of us are far apart. The popular and philanthropic flowershop, Flowers for Dreams, has added private and public virtual worksops including terrarium-building, floral design, or companion plant-potting classes. Purchase your materials and book the class, and Flowers for Dreams will send you all of the supplies you need in time for the online building session. Have friends in Milwaukee or Detroit? You can invite them to the party too, since Flowers for Dreams has new locations in those cities! This week, join the Spring Bouquet Workshop April 11 at 11 a.m. or 2 p.m. or April 12 at noon for $65. Learn more and see a full schedule of online classes at flowersfordreams.com

Watch This!

Judy

"Renée Zellweger played the character flawlessly to me. She played it through to the end. It was so convincing for me that I felt like I was watching the real Judy Garland live her life. I just wish that her kids had been written into the story more, especially toward the end. I'm thinking about how Judy would have felt when she talked to her kids on the phone and [SPOILER ALERT] they said that they were happy and comfortable living with their dad. I don't think she could really believe that. She just channeled that energy into one final show and then the screen goes black and says that she died six months later. I wanted to see more about her relationship with her kids after that final show." Available for purchase or rent on Amazin Prime, Vudu and Youtube starting at $5.99. - Recommended by StreetWise vendor Chris

Stream the Party!

Drag Bingo with Miss Richfield 1981

"I just played live drag queen bingo with [classic, pre-RuPaul's Drag Race drag queen] Miss Richfield 1981. It was a hoot!! She is hosting live bingo Monday and Thursday nights at 7 p.m. She goes live on her Facebook page [www.facebook.com/missrichfield1981] and you get the bingo card at playbingobonanza.com. If you want a unique entertainment experience, I recommend! - Recommended by Sharon Hoverson, StreetWise reader