STAY SOCIAL
Sure, they tell us to isolate — but that doesn’t mean spending time alone. Sabrina Maddeaux has found some ways we can still get together
Every night at 9 p.m., hundreds of young people show up to party at the hottest club in town. Some dressed in their finest clubwear, some in neon wigs and Kanye-style shutter shades, some in hoodies carrying their overweight cats.
Toronto’s very own Casey MQ spins tunes alongside a roster of local DJS. Clubbers, including celebrated Canadian fashion designer and artist Jeremy Laing, groove to the beat. Some revellers come from as far away as New York City and the United Kingdom.
No need to call city health officials. These clubbers aren’t flouting social distancing measures. Club Quarantine is a new virtual queer dance party that lives on the video conferencing app Zoom. There’s no bouncer; interested parties can find the club’s “meeting ID” in its Instagram bio, @clubquarantine.
It’s becoming increasingly clear that social distancing won’t stop people from socializing. It might better be called “physical distancing.” Apple’s current top free applications include video call apps Zoom, Houseparty and Hangouts Meet by Google. Last Sunday, six of my closest friends held a birthday party via Facetime. There was no shortage of gossip, laughter or ridiculous-looking birthday party hats.
Musicians, including Miley Cyrus, John Legend and Willie Nelson, are hosting virtual concerts. While The Juno Awards were cancelled, scheduled performer Waseskwan Iskwew, known mononomously as iskwé, offered fans a live show via her Instagram account. The Arkells, which regularly sell out giant venues, are hosting daily online “flatten the curve” music classes. The band posts song chords across their social media platforms, then leads a tutorial on Instagram Live. Rufus Wainwright is performing a song a day on Instagram, dressed in his bathrobe.
Virtual happy hours are the new norm. Prominent Canadian philanthropist Simona Shnaider and stylist- to- socialites Nicholas Mellamphy posted a screenshot of their cocktail meetup, holding martini glasses from the comfort of their own couches. My own calendar is starting to fill up with this new breed of social commitment: drinks at 5 p.m. on Friday with one friend, followed by a long-distance Netflix party with others at 7 p.m.
While streaming TV shows and movies used to be a mostly solo act and a much-needed relief from busy schedules, co- watching content is on the rise. There are various apps and browser extensions, the most popular being Netflix Party, that synchronize video playback and add group chats to the watchscreen.
Former gym rats now connect virtually for live- streaming workouts by Canadian fitness studios including Misfitstudio, Barre Body Studio, Lift Corktown and Fit Factory Fitness. Spin enthusiasts can connect virtually and ride together via their Peloton bikes.
While early digital socials are mostly grassroots, arranged by individuals or small businesses, it seems only a matter of time before larger organizations begin to innovate. With dozens of Canadian fundraisers cancelled over the next couple months, will we see the rise of the virtual charity gala? I’ve seen several would- be attendees post photos of the outfits they had planned to wear.
Shuttered museums and art galleries could offer virtual tours and talks. Social clubs such as Soho House and co- working spaces would be smart to start thinking about online programming. While we can’t connect in-person, there’s something to be said for the intimacy of connecting from the safe space of one’s home, free of many of the pressures and distractions that come with traditional events.
While there’s plenty of uncertainty to go around, one thing has become clear. The coming weeks won’t be the death of socializing, but the birth of socializing 2.0.