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Here's the latest on what's going on at the Clinton Street Theater. For more info, check out CSTpdx.com
April 9, 2020

Dear Friends and Neighbors,


Week 4 of closure. A sad week. John Prine died of Covid-19 complications and Bernie dropped out of the race. Also, not much to report on the Clinton Street Theater front. I did receive a $2,500 grant from the Art House Convergence, which will cover the rent one more month.

I didn't receive anything from Prosper Portland in the first round of giving, and I don't qualify for the loan being offered now. In this latest round, the theater must make up 50% of my monthly income. From the beginning, I've never really used the theater's money for my personal expenses. All profit has gone back into the theater, and that has enabled me to serve the community with low rental rates, free movie nights, free rehearsal space, and more. I know that I am super-lucky. Roger has a full-time job and all of our personal expenses are covered. The theater is another thing entirely. It needs to pay its own way, and, up until this March, I have been able to meet all of the Clinton's monthly obligations. But as long as we are closed, I have unpaid bills, so I am waiting to hear on some other funding avenues, and I will keep you posted. 

If you would like to purchase a gift card to use once we are allowed to open, I've got them available through Square. The theater will receive these funds now, and if only 100 people purchase a $10 gift card, I'll have enough to pay the utilities and insurance. (Thanks in advance if you want to support us in this way!!!)

Recently I saw a video with someone explaining that the only way to live through Covid-19 is with "Will." And I know so many folks who are feeling positive and creative through all of this. If you are one of those people, Yay!!! I can't wait to see all your new work. But if you are like many of us, you might be having a hard time staying positive, and you're feeling scared and angry and confused. That's okay, too. It's emotionally and spiritually unhealthy when our culture insists we act as if everything is fine, even in the face of unrelenting hardship, chronic illness, losing a job or a loved one. We are stuck in the middle of a worldwide pandemic, so... 

Be kind to yourself. 

Me? If I plan one thing a day, and accomplish it, I've had a great day. I'm learning to demand less of myself. Before our shelter-in-place order, I often used an unrealistic and long "to-do list" as a sign that I am worthwhile. And if I "failed," and didn't get it all done, I had confirmation that I'm a screw-up and a loser. How ridiculous!!! Mr. Rogers said, "Knowing that we can be loved exactly as we are gives us all the best opportunity for growing into the healthiest of people."

I am moving forward with this new "to-do" list. Permission to take a nap!

Much love to you all, just as you are.

 

A Pandemic

--Lynn Ungar 3/11/20
lynnungar.com
What if you thought of it
as the Jews consider the Sabbath—
the most sacred of times?
Cease from travel.
Cease from buying and selling.
Give up, just for now, 
on trying to make the world
different than it is. 
Sing. Pray. Touch only those
to whom you commit your life.
Center down.
 
And when your body has become still,
reach out with your heart.
Know that we are connected
in ways that are terrifying and beautiful.
(You could hardly deny it now.)
Know that our lives
are in one another’s hands.
(Surely, that has come clear.)
Do not reach out your hands.
Reach out your heart.
Reach out your words.
Reach out all the tendrils
of compassion that move, invisibly,
where we cannot touch.

Promise this world your love--
for better or for worse,
in sickness and in health,
so long as we all shall live.

Bonus!! Listen to CONCORA (CT Choral Artists) sing Lynn's words in a new composition by Marty Sedek from the safety of their homes.  

 
 

WHAT'S HAPPENING THIS WEEK

EARTH - Clinton Street Theater


BUY A TICKET. WATCH AT HOME. SUPPORT THE THEATER.

EARTH, virtual theater, starts April 17th and will remain available until April 30. You can pre-order now. Part of the proceeds from each rental will support the Clinton.

EARTH was filmed at seven locations where humans are transforming the planet on a grand scale: Entire mountains being moved in California, a tunnel being sliced through rock at the Brenner Pass, an open-cast mine in Hungary, the world-famous Carrara marble quarry in Italy, a copper mine in Spain, the salt mine used to store radioactive waste in Wolfenbüttel and a Northern Canadian tar sands site where the destruction of indigenous lands threatens local communities.
Geyrhalter contrasts these large scale projects with interviews with the individuals helping to realize them to highlight our fraught struggles for and against the planet.

NEW YORK TIMES CRITIC'S PICK!
“As mesmerizing to watch as it is appalling to think about.”
—Manohla Dargis, New York Times

 

COMING SOON


The Clinton is joining Kino Marquee, and next week I'll have links to some of their excellent repertory titles including MEPHISTO, along with new releases like the Russian BEANPOLE.

 

OTHER NEWS AND RESOURCES 


Cause Cabaret and Fuse Theatre Ensemble will be hosting a virtual fundraising event, The Quarantine Project, benefiting performers in Portland, but they need your help to spread the word. All funds raised will go directly to the performers. 

What's the Quarantine Project? It's a virtual streaming event May 1st-2nd reminiscent of the dance-a-thons of the 30s-40s. Performers will provide 14-minute videos with material of their choice: music, drag, circus acts, theatre, dance, song, clown work, pole dance, bondage... all performances are welcome. And while the videos are pre-recorded, the host is not. A live host will introduce each segment and stay with us through the entire journey. The audience is free to join or drop at any time to watch Portland's best talent create a day to never forget. 

Deadline to submit your application is 5pm on Thursday, April 16th. If you are selected to participate, your 14-minute video must be ready by Sunday, April 26th.

For more information, head to the Cause Cabaret website.

 

With schools closed and everyone home schooling, some film distributors are helping by making some of their content available online.

Breaker has "Life Lessons." This series for primarily high school age students includes:

THE PROFESSOR AND THE MADMAN, based on the best-selling novel by Simon Winchester, reveals the true tale behind the obsession that created the Oxford English Dictionary.

MOST LIKELY TO SUCCEED, the documentary about four high schoolers who are voted ‘Most Likely to Succeed’ in 2007. The film follows them for the next ten years, and we have a front-row seat to their life in the 21st century.

NEXT is a documentary about blockchain. Is it a scam or will it change the way our world operates?

 

You might know POV (Point of View) from watching OPB. As we move into another month under "stay at home" orders, some of their documentaries are coming online.

THE RESCUE LIST is the story of two children living in a rehabilitation shelter in Ghana, who are recovering from enslavement to fishermen. But their story takes an unexpected turn when their rescuer embarks on another mission and asks the children for help. Charting the unfolding drama, The Rescue List tells a moving story of friendship and courage—transcending tropes of victimhood and illustrating what it means to love and survive.

You can watch it for FREE!!!

And THEN, on Wednesday, April 15 at 4pm our time, join a 1-hr virtual engagement, where you will have an opportunity to engage in a Q&A discussion with POV Engage Education staff, a POV community partner, and The Rescue List filmmakers. You will learn successful strategies for using documentaries in virtual classroom spaces. You will be introduced to educational materials to support teaching and learning in this digital moment.

Educators, families, and community partners who are interested in using  POV films and resources for distance learning with younger and older students are welcome to attend. Pre-register through eventbrite.

 

Facets, a nonprofit that connects people to independent ideas through transformative film experiences, has put together a special list of films to watch and discuss with your kids (as young as eight). You have a link to where you can watch a film or TV series (2 are free, one can be viewed through Amazon Prime), and then a set of questions for discussion and learning.

 

Yes, I am still plugging my book. A few folks have told me that they are taking some time to read it while they are self-isolating. If you want to join them, you can order a copy from Powell's Online Book StoreAmazon or Barnes & Noble


I don't concern myself with where I fit in. I just keep my head down and keep doing whatever it is I'm doing.
— John Prine


Don't be a stranger. Write until we can meet again.

Kind regards,



Lani Jo






 
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Clinton Street Theater · 2522 SE Clinton Street · Portland, OR 97202 · USA