---

View Entire Post ›

Burning Man has notably been one of the biggest annual festivals in the country to hold out from canceling due to COVID-19, a move that you could argue was irresponsible, but — given the good-natured vibe of Burners — was probably more hopeful than anything else. Black Rock City has risen from the dust from the last Monday of August until the first Monday of September without fail since 1990. That streak ends now. In an abundance of caution, The Burning Man Journal has officially announced that Black Rock City will not be built in 2020.

“Yes, we are heartbroken…” the statement reads, “In 2020 we need human connection and Immediacy more than ever. But Public health and the wellbeing of our participants, staff, and neighbors in Nevada are our highest priority.”

Like Girl Scout cookies, Burning Man is going digital:

We look forward to welcoming you to Virtual Black Rock City 2020. We’re not sure how it’s going to come out; it will likely be messy and awkward with mistakes. It will also likely be engaging, connective, and fun.

We have to hand it to the organizers of Burning Man, the idea of digitizing the Burning Man experience seems so contrary to the very spirit of the festival, we’re surprised they’re even trying. It would sound dystopian if the Burners at the Burning Man Journal didn’t make it all seem so serendipitous — a response to the pre-selected “Multiverse” theme.

“We’re going to lean into it.” the statement reads. “Who’d have believed it would come true?”

The “virtual playa” will not be free, but how much the experience will cost and other details are still being hammered out.

We will have costs and will need to create some kind of ‘ticket.’ We’re working out those details and will share them as soon as we can. It won’t be like the BRC we’ve built over the years; we know that’s no substitute for an in-person experience. It will be a new kind of Burn.

A digital experience is all well and good but that begs the question of what this means for those of us who already had our Burning Man plans set in stone and don’t want to watch a live stream of a burning effigy. If you snagged tickets to Burning Man 2020 back in February, you’ll be happy to know that you’re entitled to a full refund through your dedicated Burner Profile. But just because Black Rock City 2020 is going digital, doesn’t mean the Burning Man Project plans on stopping its various charity programs and since 90% of Burning Man’s revenue comes from ticket sales alone, they’re asking generous Burners to consider donating that money to the project.

Whether you have already purchased a ticket, have been waiting for the Main Sale, or are simply supportive of our vision and mission — if you have the means, it is our sincerest hope that you will consider donating all or a portion of your ticket value, and/ or making a tax-deductible donation to Burning Man Project.

The project plans to continue investing in programs like Burners Without Borders and Fly Ranch, and continue to provide grants to artists, something that will put a considerable strain on their entire operation. “We have started implementing salary cuts for everyone on our leadership team and are having to lay off some of our dedicated staff members. We hope to bring many of them back in 2021, but it’s too soon to know exactly how all of this will unfold.”

While most of us are stuck at home, the bears in Yosemite National Park are having a spring break rager as the near-empty park has allowed them to roam freely. The Los Angeles Times reports that park rangers have noticed an increased presence of bears, bobcats, and coyotes throughout the 7.5-mile valley, as just 100 to 200 park service employees tend to the park. April is generally a packed month for Yosemite, with last year seeing around 308,000 visitors.

According to CBS News, in a Facebook live stream a park ranger simply known as Ranger Katie, a biologist who has a decade of experience with black bears, explained that normally the high volume of visitors during spring would create walls of cars and traffic in the park, “For the bears, they normally have to pick through these little corridors that they have to move through in the valley to get from Point A to Point B… Now, that there are no people the bears are literally just walking down the road to get where they need to go, which is kind of cool to see.”

That sounds both beautiful and terrifying, especially considering the bears are definitely going to become fond of life without us around ruining things with our general human obnoxiousness. Ranger Katie explains that this abnormal absence of humans might be a problem when the park finally reopens, as typically bears are exposed to humans within the first year of their lives.

Check out Yosemite’s various social media accounts for some views of what the park looks like undisturbed. It’s a trip. Not literally, but you know, it’s either that or look out your window.

Chicago trio Retirement Party released their debut full-length effort Somewhat Literate in 2018 following an EP and a handful of singles. After an eventful two years for the breakout band, Retirement Party is ready for their next era. The group has announced their sophomore record with the boisterous lead single “Runaway Dog.”

Arriving as both the title track and the lead single, “Runaway Dog” showcases Retirement Party’s refined songwriting. The track opens with a noisy and powerful electric guitar chord. As the hook arrives, the chord slowly begins breaking down until an eruption of percussive elements flavors the instrumentation. Over the intricate production, vocalist Avery Springer uses the narrative of a loss of a dog as a metaphor for breaking out of old, unhealthy habits and finding new meaning in motivation. “I should rely a little less on success / A little more on divisible time / My appetite is not what it used to be / Moving onward, counting sheep,” Springer sings.

Listen to “Runaway Dog” above. Below, find the Runaway Dog album cover and tracklist.

1. “Runaway Dog”
2. “Compensation”
3. “Old Age”
4. “Fire Blanket”
5. “No Tide”
6. “I Wonder If They Remember You”
7. “Ebb”
8. “Better Off Now”
9. “Afterthought”
10. “Wild Boyz”

Runaway Dog is out 5/15 via Counter Intuitive Records. Pre-order it here.

Most travel — especially international travel — is on a long hiatus. But that doesn’t mean you can’t go places. You just have to do it virtually now. Not being able to just hop on a plane and jet off whenever you want has created a boom in virtual tours. The U.S. National Parks Service, museums large and small, breweries and distilleries, and national tourism boards have all leaned into virtual travel over the past month, giving us a chance to scratch that wanderlust itch without putting anyone at risk.

While virtual tours might not feel quite like the real thing, they definitely inspire wanderlust and help you connect with a wider world that is currently out of reach. Sure, sitting in our beds or on our couches will never be a replacement for the sounds, smells, and energies of actually standing in front of the Mona Lisa or walking a distilling floor. But it’s something. A chance to escape the doldrums of the day-to-day during a lockdown. A chance to dream of travel again.

The ten virtual tours below offer a chance to stoke your travel dreams. We’ve tried to cover options from different sectors and brands. For instance, we only call out one Smithsonian museum because you can find the rest of the museum’s tours once you’re viewing the first one — same with the National Parks, art galleries, and so on.

Ready? Let’s hit that virtual road!

The Museum of Islamic Art — Doha, Qatar

Doha’s Museum of Islamic Art is one of the world’s coolest museums (I actually got to go last year and it was a highpoint of the entire year, culturally speaking). The museum covers thousands of years of science, history, and art in its expansive collection. Thousand-year-old Persian rugs hang next to gilden murals and detailed, hand-carved jewelry.

Then there are the astrophysics instruments. The museum’s collection of medieval Islamic astrolabes (a cosmic calculator) is stunning.

Museo Galileo — Florence, Italy

Speaking of astrolabes, the Museo Galileo in Florance is a must-stop if you ever get a chance to go to Firenze. The museum — next door to the Uffizi Gallery — has a massive collection of medieval maps, globes, scientific instruments, telescopes, old labs, and more throughout several floors. The whole experience is a fascinating look into the spread of European culture and people throughout the world in the 1400 and 1500s, how Europeans viewed space, and the massive impact European science has had on everyday life.

The National Palace Museum — Taipei City, Taiwan

The National Palace Museum offers a chance to learn about the 5,000 plus year history of Sino-focused culture in Taiwan. The lush museum grounds are worth a wander on their own. But it’s in the several exhibits peppered throughout the palace buildings where the real treasures reside. The tour will offer you a glimpse into an ancient and gorgeous world of history, art, and architecture.

Remarkable Redwoods Virtual Tour — Redwood National Parks, California

NPS.gov has a great interactive experience called “Find Your Virtual Park” that covers parks from coast-to-coast. There are interactive 360° virtual tours via YouTube, podcasts, webcams, and even kid-focused activities for those locked down with kids. One of our favorites is the Remarkable Redwoods tour — with Ranger Greg walking us through all aspects of the Ancients in California.

Google Earth Voyager — Worldwide

This one is a little more wide open to interpretation. Google Earth Voyager offers street-view virtual “walking tours” of cities, towns, and destinations all over the world. Simply hit the “Travel” section and you’ll be taken to street-view tours with points of interest ready to explore. It’s an interesting way to walk around a place from your phone or computer. There are also opportunities to hike volcanoes, wander through wildlife reserves, go diving, see the Arctic, and so much more.

Smithsonian National Museum Of The American Indian — Washington, D.C./New York City

The National Museum of the American Indian has some fantastic interactive and virtual art and historical installations. Their current exhibitions on Native American photographers, an overview of the cultures of the Americas called “Americans,” micro-installations like the Pacific Northwest History and Cultures: Why Do the Foods We Eat Matter?, and more are all available digitally right now.

It’s also worth noting that the Smithsonian has large selections from all their museums available online.

360° — Australia

If you’re in North America, Australia has probably never felt further away. Luckily for you, Tourism Australia has a collection of 360° videos that take you deep into every corner of the massive country. The theme of the videos is the coastlines, waterways, and beachside stretches of the continent. The videos are fully immersive and will leave you longing to finally go Down Under once the coast is clear.

Musée du Louvre Online Tours — Paris, France

Paris’ Louvre is probably one of the most well-known museums in the world. It’s also so massive that you’d be hard-pressed to see it all in one day. The museum has pivoted in the wake of the current pandemic and is offering four “Online Tours” through its The Advent of the Artist Exhibition, Egyptian Antiquities, Remains of the Louvre’s Moat, and Galerie d’Apollon (the model for Versailles Hall of Mirrors). You also have a chance to browse the overall collection through the “Search the Collection” option.

Buffalo Trace Distillery — Frankfort, Kentucky

Buffalo Trace was ahead of the curve on virtual distillery tours. The tour — launched early last year — is comprehensive and offers a chance to dive into all the labels under the Buffalo Trace roof while learning the history of bourbon and everything it takes to get a perfect dram.

A word of warning though, this interactive experience is a download and plays like a simple video game. Still, it’s a great distraction that’ll teach you little something about Kentucky bourbon.

7 Minutes in Saint Lucia — Saint Lucia

7 Minutes In Saint Lucia is an IG-focused virtual look at the Caribbean island through the eyes of locals. Every Tuesday and Thursday local chefs, tour guides, yogis, and DJs offer a window in the tropical paradise for seven minutes via Instagram. The stories are saved on Travel Saint Lucia’s IG page if you want to go back and dive in. Overall, this is a great way to get a small taste of a paradise from the comfort of your home.

Did you know that before directing Whiplash, La La Land, and First Man, three of the finest films of the 2010s, Damien Chazelle co-wrote The Last Exorcism Part II, the heinous Eli Roth-produced sequel to The Last Exorcism (a misleading title, imo)? There’s a message in there about not letting your past mistakes define you. Or something! Chazelle has certainly moved on from his days as a credited screenwriter for terrible horror movies — he’s now making prestige Netflix series with Andre Holland.

Described as a “vibrant musical drama,” The Eddy follows Elliot Udo (Holland), a “once celebrated musician from New York, [who’s now] running a small Jazz club called The Eddy in a multicultural neighborhood in modern-day Paris. He is struggling to keep the club open, manage the house band and deal with his past. When he finds out that his partner is involved in questionable business practices things start to spin out of control,” according to the official plot synopsis. The series is only eight episodes long, so it’s like FX’s Devs from fellow acclaimed filmmaker Alex Garland, or Nicolas Winding Refn’s Too Old to Die Young for Amazon, but with more jazz. My man loves his jazz.

The Eddy — which also stars Joanna Kulig (who was so good in Cold War) as Elliot’s on-again, off-again girlfriend, alongside Amandla Stenberg (The Hate U Give) and Tahar Rahim (A Prophet) — premieres on Netflix on May 8.

If you want to see a version of WWE from an alternate universe, check out the company’s “first-ever WWE Community Impact Report,” a slideshow that promotes all the positive things the company does (and some it arguably doesn’t.) This report, and WWE’s coronavirus awareness PSA that doesn’t mention social distancing, have been released just as WWE started running live wrestling shows multiple times a week, circumventing a stay-at-home order by after deemed, along with other sports and media, an “essential business” by the state of Florida.

For anyone who follows WWE, this slideshow is incredible. The phrase “putting smiles on faces” is used so many times you’d think a wrestling fan wrote this as a parody. Alongside descriptions of their legitimate charity work with organizations like the Special Olympics, UNICEF, and The Make-A-Wish Foundation, WWE makes sure to mention their “in-kind media support” and the millions of views it has generated. There’s also a statement that WWE promotes “a culture of inclusion” for everyone, “regardless of age, race, religion, sexual orientation, or physical or intellectual ability” that recalls not only decades of angles that give a different impression, but that just last night Jerry Lawler said something so racist about a wrestler on Raw that it was edited out of the Hulu version of the show.

Even if it’s geared towards only people who don’t keep up with wrestling, the Community Impact Report is still a brazen PR move considering:

• WWE running live shows during a pandemic has been picked up by outlets like ESPN, CNN, NBC News, and many other major media outlets
• two of the biggest WWE-related stories to get mainstream media coverage over the past few years have been about its deal with the government of Saudi Arabia and how the company doesn’t give its wrestlers healthcare
• the Jimmy Snuka episode of Dark Side Of The Ring airs tonight

Now that Black Widow has a November 2020 release date after global box office conditions forced the film to abandon its spring premiere, Kevin Smith took the time to explain to fans why they never should have got their hopes up that the Marvel movie would drop early on Disney+ or even video-on-demand.

During his Fatman Beyond Live broadcast, Smith got very blunt when co-host Marc Bernardin mentioned that Disney had already moved Artemis Fowl to Disney+ and Disney CEO Bob Iger has said other films could make a similar move. Smith made it very clear that shifting films like Artemis Fowl whose box-office draws aren’t a sure thing makes sense, but that would never be the case with Marvel “because those movies make f*cking money, man, legit f*cking money.”

Obviously, Smith is correct. The Marvel movies are box-office behemoths with many of them bringing in over a billion dollars during their theatrical runs. Disney isn’t about to lose that kind of money just to entice users to its streaming service. However, Smith does offer one scenario where putting Black Widow on VOD early could work, but it comes with one hell of a price tag. Via Comic Book:

“Honestly, the only way they could do it — and I bet you they could, I bet you this would work — you put out Black Widow on transactional video and you charge $100 a copy. People would still buy it, dude. We’re crazy, we’re stupid,” Smith said. “Think about it, it’s even a pretty good deal if you’ve got a big household. You’ve got five people in the house, that’s what you’d spend going to see it in a movie theater, you get to watch it in the privacy of your own home.”

Could Smith’s plan actually work? He seems to think so. In fact, he predicts it would force movie studios to abandon the theater model altogether. “If we all did that, that would change the world,” he said. “They’d be like, ‘F*ck movie theaters! Sell them these movies for $100 a pop.’” Considering the average movie ticket is $10 to $12, that’s a hefty price jump. Sure, people love the Marvel movies and flock to see them in droves. But do they love them enough to drop a cool hundred just to rent one? That’s a pretty big ask.

(Via Comic Book)

While Anthony Davis seemed destined to end up as a member of the Los Angeles Lakers, a handful of other teams were in the market for the All-NBA big man’s services while he was still with the New Orleans Pelicans. One such franchise was the New York Knicks, and according to a report, Davis was legitimately interested in heading to the Big Apple.

That, of course, did not happen, as the Lakers paid a hefty price in order to land Davis, while the Knicks apparently had some reservations about giving up too much after giving up a ton in the Carmelo Anthony trade years earlier. It did not help that one such piece that would have presumably needed to be on the table was untouchable in trade talks.

According to Ian Begley of SNY, the Knicks had zero interest in parting ways with Mitchell Robinson in a Davis deal. That might no longer be the case now that the franchise’s top decision maker, Leon Rose, did not draft him, but under the front office’s previous regime, Robinson was staying in New York.

“Steve Mills and Scott Perry were not open to moving Robinson last year in any package that would have returned Anthony Davis, per sources,” Begley wrote. “But Mills and Perry also drafted Robinson. Generally speaking, executives who draft a player are more reluctant to trade the prospect.”

Begley did specify that any potential trade involving Robinson would be dependent on who the Knicks could get — he speculated that he would be surprised if Robinson wasn’t made available in a trade for a player the caliber of Karl-Anthony Towns. It is important to stress that Robinson is a good and very promising player, and he has the potential to be the centerpiece of a rebuild due to his ability to terrorize opponents near the rim on both ends of the floor. Still, while plenty of folks are high on what he can do, it appears New York’s old front office was higher than most.

Many parts of the country have been significantly impacted by the coronavirus pandemic, and that includes New Jersey: The CDC notes the state has over 64,000 reported cases of COVID-19, meaning only neighboring New York has more cases than New Jersey. In an effort to help the state through this difficult time, the New Jersey Pandemic Relief Fund was recently formed, and they are gearing up to host a benefit livestream: “Jersey 4 Jersey” is set to go down on April 22 at 7 p.m. EST, and it has a big lineup featuring artists and celebrities who hail from New Jersey.

The event will be led by Bruce Springsteen, Jon Bon Jovi, SZA, Halsey, Charlie Puth, and Tony Bennett, as well as non-musical talent including Jon Stewart, Chelsea Handler, Danny DeVito, Whoopi Goldberg, Kelly Ripa, and Saquon Barkley.

Springsteen guested on Good Morning America today and shared the news, saying, “New Jersey has been hit especially hard by the coronavirus pandemic, and the people of New Jersey have always stepped up during difficult times. That’s why I’m pleased to announce that on April 22nd, I hope you’ll join me, Jon Bon Jovi, Tony Bennett, Jon Stewart, Whoopi Goldberg, Charlie Puth, SZA, Saquon Barkley, Danny DeVito, Chelsea Handler, and many more for this special event. […] This is our effort to do everything we can for our folks here in the Garden State, and I hope you’ll join us. Thanks.”

The show will be broadcast simultaneously on the Apple Music and Apple TV apps, as well as on SiriusXM’s E Street Radio. Additionally, also airing the show will be a bunch of local TV stations — WABC, WPVI, WPIX, News12 and NJTV — and radio stations — WINS, WCBS 880, CBS-FM, WFAN, New York’s Country 94.7, Alt 92.3 and Q104.3.