Everyone has adapted to staying at home because of the COVID-19 pandemic differently, but those who live in the Meadows neighborhood of Buda have let their creative lights shine.
Since Texans were ordered to stay home in order to prevent the spread of the virus, the neighborhood has been the site of a number of spontaneous events carried out within the protocols of social distancing.
A new one appeared on Saturday, when musician Fallon Franklin performed on her driveway for a multi-generational au...
Everyone has adapted to staying at home because of the COVID-19 pandemic differently, but those who live in the Meadows neighborhood of Buda have let their creative lights shine.
Since Texans were ordered to stay home in order to prevent the spread of the virus, the neighborhood has been the site of a number of spontaneous events carried out within the protocols of social distancing.
A new one appeared on Saturday, when musician Fallon Franklin performed on her driveway for a multi-generational audience. “Older people drove up and sat in their cars,” she said. “Families came out walking with their kiddos with their masks on.”
live shows on Facebook. She also performs “Corona-grams” for people who want to dedicate
a special song to someone.
A professional musician and single mother, Franklin has been out of work since April 12. Although the driveway concert was a first, she’s been making what money she can through Facebook Live concerts (viewers can tip
through Pay Pal and Venmo) and singing telegrams. She’s also under contract with Little Land for a weekly performance streamed for the children of families with memberships.
Franklin said it took about a week after the stay-at-home order until her neighbors picked up the pace. “Before that, everyone was scared about what’s going on. Then I think everybody realized you can’t hide under the bed, that there are ways to get out in the sunshine without interacting.”
On Easter, the Easter Bunny bicycled through the neighborhood and some families put decorated eggs in their yards. Another day there was a “safari” to spot stuffed animals in windows and on another, a “bear hunt” inspired by the story “Going on a Bear Hunt.”
The neighbors also help the most vulnerable among them. For example, Franklin said, older people put either red or green lights in their windows. “If they have a green light on it means they have everything and they are fine,” she said. “A red light means ‘if someone is going to the store, we need something.’”
The idea for the driveway concert was partly inspired by a man in New York City performing from his fire escape.
“I thought, that’s the way to stay creative, make some music and maybe even make some tips.”
Franklin’s “Corona- grams” were inspired by singing telegrams popular in the 1940s and 50s. “I sing whatever you want and dedicate it to whoever you want,” she said. “I sing a song directly to you from somebody.”
Her weekly live shows on Facebook are usually mid-afternoon either Saturday or Sunday. “It’s usually just an hour-long show where you interact and request songs.”
Between in-home school and performing, Franklin said she’s pursuing assistance — applying for “24 grants, four government loans and unemployment. Nothing has come my way.”
She realizes there are lots of people in the same boat. “I haven’t met a musician who has gotten any of this,” she said in reference to an allegedly inclusion of “gig” workers in government programs. “It’s crazy.”
Fallon Franklin can be found on Facebook or at thenewfallon@yahoo.com.
