Stand-Up Comedy, Art Tutorials and Concerts: Greeley Artists Get Creative With Live Streams During Stay-At-Home

Tim and Betony Coons work together to stream live music and art via social media in an effor to stay tied to their community during COVID-19. Photo courtesy of Tim Coons.

*Story by new NoCo Optimist freelancer, Karis Jentink. By supporting the NoCo Optimist, you're supporting coaching and experience for budding local writers. 

As doors across the state close and people settle in to follow “stay at home” orders, Greeley artists look for ways to delight and entertain their community. 

Tim and Betony Coons, creators of a band called Giants and Pilgrims, began broadcasting live painting and music sessions via Facebook during this time of social distancing.  

Tim was inspired by two primary questions: “How do we stay tied into our true community?” and “How do we help?” 

To entertain themselves, the two artists said they’ve been watching videos, including dance classes and live readings with their kids. 

“It’s been interesting using these different mediums to be in community still,” Betony said. 

On March 22, Tim strummed his guitar while Betony created works of art live with her paintbrush.  

“We are now going online for connection, not content,” Tim said.

The video struck a chord, garnering at least 917 views, 27 shares and 94 likes on Facebook as of Wednesday night. 

Tim and Betony Coons’ video garnered 917 views, 27 shares and 94 likes on Facebook as of Wednesday night. Photo courtesy of Tim Coons.

Tim Coons smiles in this screen shot of a digital concert he and his wife, Betony, preformed from their home via livestream on Sunday.

Rob Walker, of Greeley, is also working to cultivate  community through live stream videos of the comedy variety. 

Walker’s live videos can be found on his  Instagram, @quarantastic.  Here he sets up camp to share jokes and perform some of his written pieces through what he calls “joke streams.” 

Walker has  written for several humor sites, including The Hard Times and The Weekly Humorist. He’s also known for writing satirical columns in the Greeley Tribune. In his most recent joke stream, Walker performed a piece published on Points In Case, where he takes on the persona of Benjamin “Buck” Duggart Esq, a customer with some very specific complaints. 

“Folks are scared, sad, and angry and my default setting is to entertain and try to make people laugh,” Walker said. “I think what folks are getting out of all these live digital events is a sense of community that we may have lost even before the quarantine.” 

Tune in 5 p.m. Mondays to catch his next joke stream. 

Other local artists are using social media to give their followers a peak behind the curtain. 

Danyelle and Jared Butler are the creative minds behind Art Haus Ceramics. If you’ve gone to a craft show in Greeley, you’ve probably seen them. Maybe you own one of the Colorado-themed mugs Danyelle is known to sell, or gave one to a friend. If you’ve been to Margie’s Java Joint recently, you might recognize one of Jared’s creations, the painted monkey astronaut.

Their art is shared across northern Colorado at several boutiques and galleries, including Greeley’s own Madison & Main. Although events have been cancelled and galleries are shuttered for now, Danyelle said she is optimistic about the future. 

“I will always be making pottery, COVID virus or not,” she said. 

In the meantime, Danyelle is working to share her pottery creations and behind-the-scenes work on Instagram. To see more of her work, follow along at @arthausceramics. She’s also making an effort to promote fellow artists.   

“I think that seeing art in these scary times can offer comfort and escape from what reality feels like for a lot of folks,” Danyelle said. “I love getting to share what creative pals are doing in their studios. It makes me feel like I'm still a part of a community even behind closed doors.”