I am accustomed to a life very full of live artistic experiences, such as plays and concerts. Though I completely respect the need to ban these gatherings during the pandemic, I have been feeling their absence. Zoom meetings and YouTube videos simply don’t cut it.
![](https://gowestyoungwoman.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Photo-May-09-8-03-39-PM-1024x768.jpg)
Recently an artist I adore, Aoife O’Donovan, livestreamed a concert that Dan and I wanted to “attend.” I asked friends for ideas as to how to make the experience feel more concert-like, and one suggested that we watch it outdoors.
![](https://gowestyoungwoman.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Photo-May-09-8-13-10-PM-1024x768.jpg)
I kicked that idea to Dan, who found us a relatively inexpensive little projector. We rearranged our tiny patio, bundled up, cracked open some hibiscus cider, and ended up creating a really phenomenal concert experience.
I’m not sure if Dan could tell when he snapped the picture below, but I was crying. Watching that concert felt terrible and amazing all at once: terrible because it forced such a clear realization about all the deeply human activities we’ve lost (and will lose for a while yet); amazing, because the experience felt so fun, romantic, safe, gratitude-inducing.
![](https://gowestyoungwoman.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Photo-May-09-8-06-23-PM-768x1024.jpg)
Fear not, the tears didn’t last long.
Following the concert we were still having such a wonderful night that we turned off the patio lights and played a few episodes of The Office.
![](https://gowestyoungwoman.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Photo-May-09-8-56-55-PM-1024x768.jpg)
If our neighbors were so inclined, they could have watched along from the street.
![](https://gowestyoungwoman.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Photo-May-09-8-51-52-PM-768x1024.jpg)
Steal this idea. Even if you have to prop your laptop on your grill, find a way to listen to some music together outdoors, maybe around sunset. Snuggle up and enjoy not exactly normalcy, but something beautiful regardless.
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