Arts & Entertainment

‘Quaranchella’ helps LA neighborhood cope with confinement

Los Angeles, US, May 18 (efe-epa).- While the United States coronavirus epidemic meant that Coachella, one of the most important music festivals in the world, was postponed, much to the disappointment of thousands, a Los Angeles neighborhood now has a more modest musical event to help them cope with confinement: “Quaranchella.”

This is what musician Adam Chester has called the weekly concerts he has been performing in Sherman Oaks, a wealthy Los Angeles neighborhood located in the San Fernando Valley.

Chester is a pianist and singer best known for working with Elton John as an arranger and composer and as his “stand-in” on piano and vocals for rehearsals, sound checks and concerts.

Since the pandemic has paralyzed all cultural events that cannot be offered over the internet, Chester decided to go out every Saturday at 6 pm to play in the middle of the street.

“It really was just a bummer not playing anymore,” the musician said Sunday in an interview with National Public Radio.

“And I thought, you know, wouldn’t it be fun to do a streaming concert from inside my house? There was such a good reception on that. I thought, once a week, let’s take it in our front yard. You know, my wife and kids played the roadies, and they dragged my keyboard outside with a 30-year-old crate amplifier and a microphone. And we started it seven weeks ago,” he said.

His neighbors were delighted with the idea and every week they attend the musical even twhile keeping their distance from each other, wearing masks to protect themselves, and taking chairs, tables, drinks and food out to the street to enjoy the concerts.

“The neighbors sit out on their yards and listen. People were driving here and pulling over and listening from their cars. How it differs from anything else I’ve done is just the immediate satisfaction of knowing that I’m trying to make people feel better. And I try to make every show different,” he said, adding that so far he’s raised over $7,500 for various charities.

The “Quaranchella” concerts are also broadcast live on the internet.

In addition, at the concert held last Saturday, Chester had as special guest Kim Bullard, who is a pianist in Elton John’s band. EFE-EPA

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