This edition of Concert Picks of the Week is, like last week, all about supporting musicians from a social distance and keeping yourself healthy during this difficult time. 

For all of those who have been tuning into ​DCMR's Webcast Aid and supporting local artists, THANK YOU!  

THIS WEEK WE GOT:

**UPDATE: As Maryland and Virginia are under stay-at-home orders, the status of these webcasts may change.** 

• Solia / Emma G / Stephanie Mathias live on Thursday night at 7:30P! — In association with DC Music Review, and featuring classical-popstress Stephanie Mathias, who is releasing her third single “It’s My Thing”, alternative-pop Queen Solia, who is releasing her second single “Last Pity Party”, and goddess rocker Emma G, who is releasing her tenth single “Be Brave”; this event will have you raving for days about Women in DC music. 
• CANCELLED:  DC3 Virtual Concert  live over ZOOM on Saturday at 9:00P!

The focus of these virtual concerts will be to replace previously scheduled live-audience shows and to lessen the impact on artists due to those cancellations. The "aid" we are providing is webcasting services free-of-charge to bands who had a show cancelled. We'll be calling on viewers to aid the bands by supporting them, and aid the community by contributing to non-profits selected by the artists. (Check out this great article by Washington Post's Rudi Greenberg about how local artists are finding creative ways to share their music.)

You will be able to find all upcoming and past streams here. If you are in a band who had a show cancelled and would like to replace it with a virtual concert, please contact us. We will do the best we can to arrange it. 

And can we all give a huge shout out to DCMR's Will Urquhart for his filming prowess and organization in getting these livestreams together, safely. Thank you, Will! 

For other livestreams happening outside of the DMV, check out:

• Bands In Town
• WinterWonderGrassTV
• JamBase
• Nugs.tv
• LiveFromOutThere

Music is not only the lifeblood for so many people in this region, but also a means of income for the staff at the music halls around us.  Here is an incomplete and alphabetical list of establishments setting up relief funds for their employees. Please click on the links below to see more details and check the website of your favorite local venues to see how to best support them (new additions in BOLD).

• Birchmere 
• Black Cat 
• DC9 
• Galaxy Hut
• Slash Run (you can order their delicious burgers for delivery!)  
• City Winery DC  
• I.M.P. (9:30 Club / Lincoln Theatre / The Anthem)     
• Jammin' Java & Union Stage
• Songbyrd 
• U Street Music Hall 

If you own a local venue and are asking for support during these times and are not listed here, please let us know and we will add you!

If you are a MUSICIAN, check out (new additions in BOLD):

• Billboard: A State-by-State Resource Guide for Music Professionals Who Need Help During Coronavirus Crisis 
• Disabled Creator and Activist Pandemic Relief
• Musicians Foundation Fund
• Foundation of Contemporary Arts Artist Relief Fund
• Rapid Response: Racism is a Virus Too
• COVID-19 and Freelance Artists
• Artist Relief Tree
• Sweet Relief - Covid-19 Fund
• Backline
• SheShreds
• COVID-19 List of Resources for Undocumented Communities 
• Think Local First DC: Supports the community through advocacy and education wants to know how COVID-19 has impacted your work in this 3-minute survey.

If you know of other resources for musicians that are not listed here, please let us know and we will add them!

Lastly we wanted to leave you with some additional resources to help you day go by better.

• Reasons to Be Cheerful — David Byrne's delightful platform of good things
• Good News Network —  Good news and inspiring stories
• John Krasinski's Some Good News — Especially good if you need a fix from The Office
• Headspace Weathering The Storm  — Free section on this wonderful app for meditation and mindfulness during these difficult times
  
  Note: We have no affiliate codes or revenue generating mechanisms with any of the resources listed above beyond our own, we just are big fans and want to make these known to our music community.

AND FINALLY:

Remember, as much as we love seeing live music and the music community, THIS IS NOT A SNOW DAY.  Social distancing (6 feet between you and someone else) is important in helping to FLATTEN THE CURVE, which is important in allowing our health care system to take care of everyone who needs medical care.
From the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds especially after you have been in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
• If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Cover all surfaces of your hands and rub them together until they feel dry.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Put distance between yourself and other people if COVID-19 is spreading in your community. This is especially important for people who are at higher risk of getting very sick.
• Stay home if you are sick, except to get medical care. Learn what to do if you are sick.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze or use the inside of your elbow.
• Throw used tissues in the trash.
• Immediately wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not readily available, clean your hands with a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
• Clean AND disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily. This includes tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, desks, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets, and sinks. (Tips on how to make your own disinfectant from bleach, alcohol solutions, and other items located here.)
  
  
  IF YOU THINK YOU ARE SICK, call a doctor. If you are NOT in a high-risk category (elderly, those with specific underlying medical conditions), you may be asked to stay home, isolate, and take measures to prevent the virus from spreading. PLEASE VISIT THIS SITE if you think you are sick with COVID-19 (primary symptoms are fever, cough, shortness of breath.)

And with everything going on, let's be as kind and considerate as we can be to each other. If we can't get physically close, we can still be emotionally connected through music.