Students: kick off your slippers and settle into your favorite sofa spot in preparation to travel to the Galapagos Islands--virtually, that is. Travel agencies, airlines and tourism boards have introduced virtual reality (VR) technology that allows the experience of visiting popular tourism hotspots well across the world.
From the renowned to the local, events around the world have endured strenuous restructuring and rescheduling in light of the coronavirus outbreak. Yet, among the most prominent in the film industry, The Cannes Film Festival—an annual event that previews new films of different genres from around the world—has been canceled until June 2021.
Now is the time to binge-watch shows that have been sitting on the back burner. Along with many affordable home streaming services, HBO has done one better by offering over 500 hours of free shows: all part of the hashtag, “Star Home Box Office” campaign.
Escape to the outdoors and catch fish and butterflies in “Animal Crossing: New Horizon,” released on March 20 by Nintendo Switch. The release of the game came at a perfect time, as seemingly innumerable Americans are confined to their homes during the mandated quarantine period. As the game has augmented to one of the best-launched games on the Nintendo Switch, according to Famitsu data, the title sold 1.88 million games in three days in Japan and increased Switch sales by 585% from the previous week prior to launch.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom ordered the cancellation of public gatherings on March 13, beginning the self-quarantine of millions of citizens statewide. Yet, amidst the global COVID-19 outbreak, museums are among the line of venues that have closed their doors: including theaters, music venues, galleries and other cultural institutions and events.
Opening with the dimming of lights and a spotlight on the Brombaugh pipe organ located above the stage, Agave Baroque captured the Schroeder Hall audience as Sonoma Bach presented the guest concert “Born Bach” on Friday, Feb. 28 in the Green Music Center; the room, softly immersed in a blanketed silence for “Praeludium and Fugue in E flat,” composed by Johann Christoph Bach.
As performers of “NIYAZ: The Fourth Light Project” took the stage in Weill Hall on Thursday, Feb. 20, the room was darkened, opening into the sensational show with exotic rhythms, outstanding acoustics, and the melancholy vocals and percussion of Azam Ali’s voice. The background was visually engaging as the interactive technology demonstrated the projection of swaying smoke and points of light that connected into geometric forms: an interactive creation by the designer/visual artist, Jerome Delapierre.
![[Both photos courtesy of sonoma.edu]
Ming-Ting Mike Lee stepped in as the new SSU president following Sakakis resignation in July 2022](https://sonomastatestar.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/CC4520AB-22A7-41B2-9F6F-2A2D5F76A28C-1200x1200.jpeg)
