This week, our arts and living columnists share the culture that has helped them survive the pandemic.
Something with soul
Music has always been cathartic for me—as a child, I’d entertain myself (and anyone who would listen) for hours, singing off-key versions of Fleetwood Mac and Janis Joplin classics into my sparkly purple hairbrush. In college, my warm-up ritual before every organic chemistry test involved jumping on my dorm room bed while blasting Devendra Banhart.
Now, in the most stressful or trying times, I have a tendency to turn toward music that makes me feel like a kid again. This year, Texas trio Khruangbin book-ended a chapter of quarantine with two distinct albums brimming with playfulness and ingenuity. Their collaborative EP with R&B powerhouse Leon Bridges, Texas Sun, dropped in February, followed by the release of their third studio album, Mordechai, in late June. I’ve kept both in regular rotation, as I’ve found myself leaning heavily on soul music—or music with soul. It provides warmth and reassurance in a year that feels devoid of heart in many ways.
I’ve also dipped into the archives, looking for anything put out on Motown Records. Willie Nelson’s Stardust has spent a lot of time on my turntable, too. More locally, Richmond quintet Butcher Brown’s new disc, #KingButch, is a stress-alleviating soundtrack chock full of jazz and funk fusion. And when I feel like taking a break from all this and leaving the world behind for a while, I dial up Lynchburg native Becca Mancari’s disc The Greatest Part—it’s a dreamy pop landscape to get lost in.—Desiré Moses
Gorge yourself
The holidays are approaching, and many of us have turned to food to manage the stress. And who can blame us? With so much time spent at home these days, I often find myself scouring the cabinets for a low-effort, high-calorie indulgence. But we live in Charlottesville, so there’s no reason we shouldn’t be enjoying quality local food when we gorge ourselves to distract from our anxiety. Happily, our favorite area eateries are here to help.
Guajiros Miami Eatery offers a new item on weekends only: the Coco Chip Cookie. This monstrosity of a dessert is the size of your fist and filled with toasted coconut, dark chocolate, and fine, East-Asian cinnamon. The antioxidants found in the cookie’s dark chocolate have been shown to relieve stress, which is exactly what we need at the end of a year like 2020. And during the week, make sure to check out Guajiros decadent cinnamon buns.
Of course, stress relief doesn’t have to be comforting. Occasionally, the best way to find some perspective is to do something challenging, something you would never normally do, something terrifying to take your mind off the grind. If you’re the type to unwind with a serious adrenaline rush, I recommend The Bebedero’s Scorpion Shot—a swallow of fine Del Maguey mezcal with an actual scorpion in it. You may find that you return with a sense of clarity that comes only partially from the liquor.—Will Ham
Familiar (fuzzy) faces
Back in the before time, I coped with stress and the holiday season by loading up on the company of my friends. Around them, I can vent, be myself, and not worry about needing to mince words about my crazy family. This winter, I’ve tried to do virtual hangs whenever I can, but it’s not possible to get the same pressure release from an occasional video chat. So I’ve been leaning heavily onto my original social group from childhood: The Muppets.
Kermit, Fozzy, and Miss Piggy have never failed to put a smile on my face and make me realize the world is a little kinder than it might feel when I am down. The punny humor and physical feats are just silly enough to check me out of adulthood for a few moments and enjoy time with old friends. And unlike purely escapist entertainment, The Muppets exist in our own world. They supplement our reality, rather than inventing their own. This makes the inevitable reentry to reality less jarring.
Plus you couldn’t wish for a better clan to help get you through the long, cold winter. While many favor The Muppet Christmas Carol, which is excellent in its own right, I have always favored Emmet Otter’s Jug-Band Christmas. Essentially a retelling of O. Henry’s “The Gift of the Magi,” Emmet Otter is a musical and affectionate look at family and friends making it through the season together. And when I watch it, I feel a little more resilient and a little less alone.—Deirdre Crimmins