PREVIEW PICKS
“It’s a Sin,” Lyle Lovett are faves of our critics.
1. Lyle Lovett and Vince Gill Lyle Lovett’s series of pandemicprompted livestream shows from his garage have found the Klein native swapping songs and stories with a variety of songwriters, including Jason Isbell, Elvis Costello and Chris Isaak. This week, he invites singer, songwriter and ace guitarist Vince Gill along.
Where: $10 at lylelovett.com Andrew Dansby
2. ‘Black Art: In the Absence of Light’
Taking its inspiration from the 1976 exhibition “Two Centuries of Black American Art,” Sam Pollard’s documentary “Black Art: In the Absence of Light” covers those two centuries of art history plus the nearly half-century since. The film presents a rich history that was marginalized for far too long. But another solemn thread runs through it. Among the commentators are art historian Maurice Berger and artist David C. Driskell, both of whom contracted coronavirus and died last year.
Where: Streaming on HBO. Andrew Dansby
3. Sullivan Fortner
At age 34, New Orleans native and pianist Sullivan Fortner has already built a remarkable career having played in Roy Hargrove’s band for seven years and done recording sessions with Paul Simon, Cécile McLorin Salvant and others. He’s also recorded a pair of brilliant albums as a session leader. He’s taking part in this year’s virtual series put on by Da Camera, recording an exclusive solo recital at the Steinway piano factory in New York. His set is far-flung and celebratory, with pieces by Thelonious Monk, Cole Porter, James Booker and a couple of originals, too.
When: 7 p.m. Friday; free but requires registration at dacamera.com
Andrew Dansby
4. ‘It’s a Sin’
Russell T. Davies has made an indelible mark on British TV with such shows as “Queer As Folk,” “A Very English Scandal,” “Torchwood” and the 2005 revival of “Doctor Who.” He’s back with one of his most personal works, the miniseries “It’s a Sin,” which follows several young gay people in the ’80s as they’re living their lives in the shadow of the AIDS crisis. English reviews have been ecstatic with the Guardian calling it “a masterpiece.”
Where: Streaming on HBO Max. Cary Darling
5. ‘Life in a Day 2020’
Director Kevin Mcdonald’s documentary, cobbled together from videos sent in by 324,000 people in 192 countries, chronicles life on the planet on one day: July 25, 2020. Covering birth, death, pain, joy, outrage and lockdown loneliness, “Life in a Day 2020” isn’t just the Coke-commercial optimism that might first be assumed. But it is ultimately life-affirming and invigorating, and that’s something everyone could use right now. On top of that, it’s free.
Where: Free on YouTube.com. Cary Darling