Social distancing and local indies

Up front, I confess: I’m one of the lucky ones who still has a job, and instead of making a claim for unemployment, I’m working from home for the foreseeable future. Since I still have a relatively reliable source of income (we hope), I’ve been looking around for opportunities to help friends and small businesses that are having a bit more of a challenge right now. Since I’m sure there’s bound to be a few other people doing the same, I thought I’d put together a few links for places that might appreciate the support, and give us all a few things to do/listen to/read while we’re #workingfromhome.

Music

Obviously I have to plug a favorite – Strange Famous Records of Providence, RI, the record label of Sage Francis (SFR founder and all-around Nice Guy) and B. Dolan, who both had several weeks’ worth of tour dates cancelled because of COVID-19, losing their investment and income. There’s something for everyone in the Strange Famous Records online store, and if you’re really not sure what to get I can heartily recommend an SFR record bag for your fashionable grocery shopping (at a careful distance from others, obviously). B. Dolan has also set up a Patreon, where you can support his work and get a bunch of fancy benefits for as little as $3/month.

Books

I really feel like indie bookstores are killing it right now, but that might just be because I found Bookstore Twitter a few weeks ago and haven’t looked back (if you’re on Twitter, I recommend @GutterBookshop, @RavenBooks, @RavenBookStore, @PorterSquareBooks, and @Page1books to get you started). All of those Twitter links will give you a good idea of the businesses you’d be supporting (along with possibly a smile or laugh), and they have links to their web presence on their twitter pages.

Locally here in “the 518”, Open Door Bookstore is a delightful stop in Jay Street in Schenectady and their online store doesn’t disappoint. Similarly the BookHouse of Stuyvesant Plaza is an area treasure, and their customer service through the online store (with updates when books need to be ordered, etc.) is faultless. Print: A Bookstore in Portland, Maine, is another gem with excellent customer service.

Yarny goodness

A couple of weeks ago I had the distinct pleasure of stopping in to Lift Bridge Yarns in Fairport, NY. The owner was friendly, and their selection – particularly of local, hand-dyed yarns, was excellent. They have what appears to be their full (gorgeous) selection in their online shop (which I just had to quickly back out of before I tripped and made a yarn purchase). Highly recommended.

A local favorite of mine is CeCe’s Wool, in Guilderland, which appears to have some of their stock available online (and would probably be willing to help with recommendations if you gave them a call). Likewise the Warm Ewe in Chatham, a warm and welcoming shop, doesn’t have more than a list of their brands online but is taking orders by email and voicemail.

 

 

I think I win, you guys… :)

So, within the last 24 hours I booked tickets for two excellent shows, on two sides of the Atlantic. First up: the brilliant Reginald D. Hunter at Vicar Street on 18 November (tickets here), with support from equally legendary comedian Steve Hughes.

Then I booked a ticket for the Mighty Mighty Bosstones’ Hometown Throwdown at the House of Blues in Boston at the end of December. Because I’ll be in Boston by then (no need to mention that to the bosses yet, mind. I’ll give them appropriate notice…). I haven’t seen the Bosstones in more than a decade, and I can’t wait – and to see them in Boston?? YAY!! While I’m talking about the Bosstones, I might as well mention my favorite Dicky Barrett story – when I was on the Student Entertainment Committee at the University of Rhode Island many years ago, we brought the Bosstones in to do a gig, and I’ll never forget that Dicky Barrett came around to all the S.E.C. volunteers to introduce himself and stop for a bit of a chat. There was no need for him to do that, but it was a really nice thing to do, and put them in my Good Hoomans book forever. 🙂

So, yeah. I think I win. YAY!!! *does happy dance*

Here, have a peaceful waterfall for your Monday:

KTHXBAI 🙂

Support Good People part II…

In advance of the release of their new album next week (yes, that’s right, NEXT WEEK. Not that I’m looking forward to it or anything…), Republic of Loose have set up this thingamy where you can get their new track “I Love the Police” for the cost of… a tweet (or a post on your facebook wall, if – *gasp!* – you’re not on twitter). Click here for it…