The coronavirus pandemic is having a devastating impact on the world. It continues to destroy lives and livelihoods everywhere.
Many of us haven?t felt this helpless since hearing that our beloved Michfest was coming to an end.
If we could glean a bit of good news from the horrific destruction and life-ending disease, it's the coming together of our treasured community of systers who share their talents online.
Last night there were many such events. My cup was full as I enjoyed the gifts of two highly revered and much-loved womyn, Lucie Blue Tremblay and Lisa Vogel. They were amazing, fulfilling, heart-warming!
These womyn are not only held in high esteem by Amazons but they have made a name for themselves worldwide.
Lucie Blue Tremblay has been sharing her songs and sunsets with us on Facebook Live since the world closed down in March of this year.
You most likely have many of Lucie's CDs or downloaded her songs to your electronic devices, but nothing compares to seeing her on Facebook Live. It's not the same as actually attending her concerts, but it's a truly wonderful experience.
Lucie performs in her pj's and completes her dapper attire with colorful scarves, stylish hats, and ties. She rocks her audience gently with her soulful voice and mesmerizes while serenading in French and English. She knows when to utilize her powerful vocals and when to show off her signature whistle.
Lucie?s wonderful partner, Pat, stays by her side and assists when necessary. We can sometimes hear her sweetly harmonizing in the background.
I find it delightful when Lucie shares behind the scenes stories that we might never have heard if it weren?t for the pandemic.
They say something good always comes out of tragedies. Well, I guess they're right because listening to Lucie's melodic voice every Weds and Sat has become the staple that gets many of us through the week.
She surprised everyone with a special treat last night by debuting her brand new song. It was cheerful and upbeat, causing us to jump out of our seats and dance. I didn't hear the name but it had a catchy tune and lyrics: "We're gonna have fun, we're gonna have a party..."
It may very well prove to be one of the most played songs in 2020 and beyond. It seems perfect for lifting one?s spirits, especially during the pandemic.
Lucie had to end her Facebook Live a few minutes early so she could sing her new song at the'Women On A Roll?s' online event. Suzanne Westenhoefer, a world-renown comedian, was also scheduled to perform there.
Women On A Roll (WOAR) is a large social group for lesbians. A huge gala celebrating the 25th anniversary of WOAR was planned for August 1st, but it also had to be postponed.
The group was founded by Andrea Meyerson, an award-winning creator of film and television programming. Andrea has several accolades. Too many to list here. Learn more about her at http://womenonaroll.com .
Tune into Lucie Blue Tremblay?s Facebook Live show every Weds and Sat nights at 7:00 pm EST at https://www.facebook.com/LucieBlueTremblay . Feel free to peruse her website at www.luciebluetremblay.com.
Lisa Vogel needs no introduction. She is the founder of the Michigan Womyn's Music Festival. Her latest chapter of creativity comes to us in the form of Fireside Chats on Facebook Live.
These chats are reminiscent of the good old days when systers gathered around the campfire, swapped stories, and enjoyed each other?s company.
Elvira Kurt joins Lisa during her Fireside Chats. Elvira is an award-winning, stand-up comic who shares her ?Top Ten Lists? from the days of Michfest.
She keeps us laughing and adds occasional commentary. She provides balance and substance to the chats. Levity is always welcome, especially after some of the somber, eye-opening stories shared by Lisa.
During the chats, Lisa reads short stories she has written. These consist of recollections of her personal experiences from running Michfest. There were many rewarding and surprising behind-the-scenes adventures.
Of course, many obstacles were also encountered. That comes with the territory when producing a safe space for thousands of womyn. Lisa and her staff, along with numerous volunteers, overcame the majority of the challenges.
Their dedication and hard work paid off! 
The Michigan Womyn's Music Festival's attendance continued to grow larger over time.
By the 40th year, it was busting at the seams, proving this event was loved and cherished by womyn everywhere. If there was a Hall of Fame for music festivals, this one would have been inducted many years ago.
Many of you may recall the announcement of the end of Michfest. The thud was earth-shattering as our collective jaw dropped around the world. It was heartbreaking and difficult to comprehend that we would no longer be gathering with our systers in August. To this day, life has never been the same.
If you didn't get a chance to tune in to Lisa's Fireside Chat last night, please do so before she removes it. She took us back to the days of Holy Week. It was one of her best chats. Staceyann Chin, a legendary spoken-word poet, also made a spectacular appearance. The whole event was amazing, enlightening, and emotional. Don?t miss it!
In her foresight, Lisa scheduled the chat to coincide with the same time our systers had gathered in ritual for the Opening Night Ceremony at the fest.
Her next Fireside Chat will be held Sunday, August 9th at 9:00 pm est. It is the same time the Closing Ceremony had occurred. Please join Lisa at https://www.facebook.com/lisa.vogel.587 .
Michfest is sorely missed. The Fireside Chats help fill the void and ease the pain. We thank Lisa Vogel from the bottom of our hearts for bringing us together again.
At Lisa's suggestion, several talented, resilient, strong-willed womyn have since planted the little acorns from Michfest and are watching them grow. These acorns have found a way to bring womyn together again, in one form or another.
One such event is the Cinema Systers Film Festival (CSFF), produced by Resin Rebel. It showcases the films of lesbian filmmakers from around the world.
CSFF is typically held during Memorial Day Weekend but was postponed this year in an abundance of caution, due to the coronavirus. Learn more about this event at https://CinemaSysters.com.
Our future is bright, Amazons. We must not let anything deter us from the right to be ourselves. Stay strong, share love, and continue to plant your acorns.