Mister Brisbane: Pressing restart

To do list: Binge on Rick+Morty. Go caravaning. Visit museum. Buy a regional paper.

We’re not back to “normal” yet and, I know, a lot of people continue to be frustrated by the challenges brought on by the virus. For those in hospitality and tourism, the glass may be less-than-half full but income has started flowing again. For those in the arts and entertainment, the wait to get back to paid work will be longer. But there is light at the end of the tunnel. With continued sensible precautions, we’ll dodge the second wave and slowly get back to the way things were — or, with luck, something even better.

CLEAN GETAWAY

How well do you match up to the Aussie cliche of rugged, outdoors types? According to research released by the Caravan Industry Association of Australia, 19 million of us would consider staying in a caravan park. And, in reference to Covid-19, the association notes that caravaning is “one of the safest accommodation types available in Australia”.

Keelan Howard, the general manager of marketing and communications, said in a media release: “By design, caravan parks have large open spaces, cabin accommodation and many caravans / RVs have their own toilet, shower, kitchen and air con systems, reducing the need to use shared facilities. Caravan parks have also increased strong cleaning and hygiene practices in place.”

He added: “People who go camping are happier, more optimistic, less stressed, feel closer to their partner and their children compared to those who don’t.” I imagine for some, getting away from it all, including extended family, might also be an attraction.

BEAT GOES ON

What to do when your core business is cancelled due to coronavirus? If you’re Ticketek, which normally sells tickets to live musical events, you make lists. Here, in alphabetical order, are the big bands and solo acts who’ve made cameos on The Simpsons. Sadly, because the cartoon has been going for so long, some of the participants (including George Harrison, above with Homer Simpson) are now dead.

PS: On the subject of animated series, I was delighted to discover that Netflix has new episodes of both Archer and Rick and Morty.

HOW TO HELP

While paying to attend a performance is the traditional way to support arts companies and the artists they employ, there are things you can do when you can’t go to a show. I’ve provided links to a few of the better known companies below. If your favourite isn’t on the list, I urge you to Google them or call them to see what you can do. Remember that, especially with the smaller groups, lending a hand doesn’t necessarily mean donating money.
The Queensland Symphony Orchestra has launched an online appeal here.
The Queensland Ballet is asking us to help “keep the magic alive” here.
Queensland Theatre is soliciting donations, big and small, here.
La Boite is accepting donations here.
Opera Queensland encourages you to join its community of donors here.
QGOMA is asking for your help to make further acquisitions here.

MAKING IT PAY

As a journalist, I know that giving away online the content that people had to pay for in print was a huge mistake. And it was one made by almost all the major news organisations when the internet was a new thing. It created an expectation that news was free. As this article in The Conversation points out, arts organisations that are currently putting past performances on their websites, or creating new streaming events, risk doing the same thing.

Author Caitlin Vincent says: “To survive, arts organisations must establish a monetised business strategy for online performances and presentations. But this shift must be navigated carefully, particularly by companies that began with an open-access model and now risk alienating audience members.”

Both good art and good journalism need funding. If people are not prepared to pay for it — directly by buying tickets (even for virtual performances) or indirectly by supporting those advertisers and sponsors who do pay for it — then professionalism will disappear, and we’ll all be the poorer for it.

PS: Here’s a great, inspiring story about a truly independent country newspaper that’s continuing on in print as its NewsCorp-owned rivals go online-only.

FEEDBACK

Last week’s item about the old school tie generated some interesting comments in social media. A few mentioned that some employers still inquire about which high-school a candidate attended, noting that it seemed to be “a Brisbane thing”. One wrote: “… it’s a Brisbane oddity, something I found weirdly judgmental when I moved from Sydney in the early 80s. Always came up in conversations, even until I left in 2011.” Another said some people seemed to use it as “a secret handshake”. And I responded: “It seems very odd to me that people in middle age and beyond continue to define themselves by something they did for five years as teenagers.”

At my old school we didn’t even have to wear our tie for the class photo. In the picture, above, can you identify me and the school? (Thanks to the person who posted this on the school’s Facebook group.)

MEANWHILE…

Assuming the virus will just be a memory by then, Hamilton is opening in Sydney in March. You can get on the waitlist here.

For your online entertainment, Opera Queensland’s Aria a Day program continues here. QPAC has a list of links to performances from around the world here.

The Queensland Museum and Sciencentre will be open to annual-pass holders from June 22 and the general public from June 25. Details here.

©2020 Brett Debritz. If I’ve inadvertently used copyrighted material, failed to give credit where it’s due, written or said something you disagree with, or otherwise upset or unexpectedly delighted you, please email brett@misterbrisbane.com, or connect with me at @debritz or @misterbrisbane on Twitter or the Mister Brisbane group on Facebook. Photos: The Long, Long Trailer (MGM), The Simpsons (Matt Groening), Queensland Theatre, Hamilton.