Another not-great week in world time, but we at Lit Hub are determined to let the sunshine in. We’re creeping outside, we’re shaking off winter, and we’re finding delight in the little things.
If you too could use some recommendations, here are the new musicals, podcasts, causes, gatherings, and groupchats that got us through this week.
Molly Odintz is rejoicing because last week’s Crime Writers for Trans Rights auction raised 300% of its fundraising goal. This auction to support the Transgender Law Center featured donations from Roxane Gay, Stephen King, Gillian Flynn, and more.
Two of our fearless editors are getting high on signs of spring. Emily Temple noticed that the buds on her magnolia tree started to pop this week, and Dan Sheehan is excited that the bears are back out. Though he hasn’t seen any in person yet, he’s “always tickled by the idea of them emerging from their dens…after a long hibernation. Wildness waking up.”
Drew Broussard has love for his local art-house, Upstate Films, where he’s just become a member. He’s especially fond of the curation, which includes golden oldies like David Lynch’s Lost Highway, and new features like The Friend.
Elsewhere on the cultural front, assistant editor Julia Hass recommends a “spectacular” new Broadway show—Maybe Happy Ending. The inventive new musical, starring Darren Criss and Helen J. Shen, follows two bots in love. You can listen to the original cast recording here.
I’m also grateful for the silver screen this week, but on a technicality. Imho, the first three episodes of Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg’s new AppleTV series The Studio are very fun. This satirical look at the decaying studio system is guilty of getting high on its own supply, but involves a lot of sweet cameos, a Robert Altman ethos, and Catherine O’Hara, who I’ll watch do anything.
I’m also—bonus!—enjoying this podcast about the history of rock n’ roll in 500 songs. Because surprise, I am your Dad.
In a win for National Poetry Month and the IRL lobby, Oliver Scialdone went to see a friend read poetry this week.
And our editor-in-chief Jonny Diamond is grateful for the return of a Sunday morning pick-up soccer game. He sees a multicultural microcosm in his “one and only third place,” at which “a rotating cast of 30 guys from all over the world” kick the ball around.
Playing with people from “Jamaica, Haiti, Bangladesh, Venezuela, Mexico, Ireland, Scotland, England, South Africa, Peru, Czechia, [and] the US” is a nice reminder that motley coalitions can get along, and make beautiful things together. (Like goals.)
Finally, and likewise in the spirit of friendship, James Folta‘s nice thing is a group chat in which he and two pals share pictures of vanity plates found in the wild. “Everyone should have a group chat dedicated to something specific and inane,” says one of our resident comedy gurus. “I love plate chat for the plates, obviously, but it also makes walking around the city feel like an endless scavenger hunt.”
Happy weekend, readers. Wishing you all the respite, wonder, and treats.