Today on AirTalk, we update you on the latest COVID-19 news and answer your questions. Also on the show, we check in with local music venues to hear how they are faring during the pandemic; KPCC film critics Christy Lemire, Peter Rainer and Tim Cogshell review this weekend’s new movie releases; and more.
COVID-19: Southern California Has Run Out Of ICU Bed Space For Hospitalized Patients
In our continuing series looking at the latest medical research and news on COVID-19, Larry Mantle speaks with Dr. Kimberly Shriner, infectious disease specialist at Huntington Hospital in Pasadena.
Today’s topics include:
Hospital ICU bed availability in Southern California
FDA panel recommends Moderna
Federal panel meets this weekend to discuss who should be next in line for vaccine
Some states, including California, say vaccine allotments cut for next week
LAT: Wealthy patients scramble for COVID-19 vaccine
WSJ Op-ed: Too much caution is killing COVID patients
Guest:
Kimberly Shriner, M.D., infectious disease specialist at Huntington Hospital in Pasadena
‘Please Don’t Stop the Music’: Checking In On The Live Music Venues Surviving Closures During the COVID-19 Pandemic
As COVID-19 made its sweeps throughout all industries this year, one of those first to leave (and probably the last to come back) are music venues.
Earlier this year, the National Independent Venue Association estimated 90% of independent concert halls and clubs to shutter. A study from Pollstar projected a near $9 billion loss in ticket sales from these venues if their doors remained closed.
For some venues, like "The Satellite," the pandemic forced live music operations into a premature swan song. Others, like Chain Reaction in Anaheim, are holding on with the support of community donations.
U.S. Sens. Amy Klobuchar and John Cornyn authored the “Save Our Stages Act,” a bipartisan bill that would allocate $10 billion to independent venues. In July, the act was stalled out in favor of a larger pandemic relief bill, thus leaving many live music venues without a substantial federal lifeline.
But on Tuesday, the Senate had a two-hour hearing, listening to proponents of live music plead their case. Klobuchar told the LA Times about her optimism on passing the legislation before Congress adjourns for the holidays.
While the bill isn’t totally out of the running, many venue owners are trudging by and learning how to adapt with or without the assistance.
Today on AirTalk, we check up on independent music venue owners from around Southern California to see how they're faring amid the pandemic.
Guests:
Michael Datcher, president of the board of directors for the nonprofit community arts space The World Stage in Leimert Park
Ilse Benz, owner of the live music entertainment venue and bar Que Sera Sera in Long Beach
Catalina Popescu, owner of Catalina Jazz Club in Hollywood
Michael Neufeld, owner of the Gaslamp Music + Bar + Kitchen in Long Beach
FilmWeek: 'Tenet,' 'Ma Rainey's Black Bottom,' 'Bee Gees: How Can You Mend a Broken Heart' & More
Larry Mantle and KPCC film critics Christy Lemire, Peter Rainer and Tim Cogshell review this weekend’s new movie releases.
Our FilmWeek critics have been curating personal lists of their favorite TV shows and movies to binge-watch during self-quarantine. You can see recommendations from each of the critics and where you can watch them here.
- "Tenet" on VOD (including FandangoNOW, Vudu & Amazon Prime Video)
- "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom" on Netflix
- "The Bee Gees: How Can You Mend a Broken Heart" on HBO & HBO Max
- "Museum Town" on Laemmle's Virtual Cinema
- "Small Axe: Education" on Amazon Prime Video
- "Greenland" on VOD (including FandangoNOW, Google Play & AppleTV)
- "Sister of the Groom" showing at the Arena Cinelounge (Hollywood); VOD (including FandangoNOW & Apple TV)
- "Hunter Hunter" showing at the Vineland Drive-In (City of Industry) & Mission Tiki Drive-In (Montclair); VOD (including Vudu, iTunes & Google Play)
- "Nasrin" on Laemmle's Virtual Cinema
- "Louis van Beethoven" on Laemmle’s Virtual Cinema; VOD (including FandangoNOW, Vudu & iTunes)
- "The Last Blockbuster" on VOD (including FandangoNOW, Vudu & iTunes)
- "Breach" on Arena Cinelounge (Hollywood); VOD (including FandangoNOW, Google Play & Apple TV)
- "Tiger Within" on Laemmle's Virtual Cinema
- "Fatale" showing at the Paramount Drive-In
Guests:
Christy Lemire, film critic for KPCC, RogerEbert.com and co-host of the ‘Breakfast All Day’ podcast; she tweets
Peter Rainer, film critic for KPCC and the Christian Science Monitor
Tim Cogshell, film critic for KPCC, Alt-Film Guide and CineGods.com; he tweets
‘Sylvie’s Love’ Co-Stars Discuss Working On Period Pieces And Expanding Black Stories
The film “Sylvie’s Love” follows a woman who spends her summer days helping around her father’s record store in 1950s Harlem when she meets an aspiring saxophone player. Writer-director Eugene Ashe combines romance, music and a changing culture in the film. KPCC’s John Horn spoke with co-stars Tessa Thompson and Nnamdi Asomugha at the Sundance Film Festival following the first screening of the film. The two talked with John about the process of working on a period piece like “Sylvie’s Love,” the importance of expanding black stories and more.
Guests:
Tessa Thompson, actress starring in the new film “Sylvie’s Love”
Nnamdi Asomugha, actor and producer starring in the new film “Sylvie’s Love”