Husband and Wife Duo Cover the Hits with Humor
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Tallahassee Democrat | MONDAY, JANUARY 11, 2021 | 1C TLHLIFE Maximize and modernize Challenges shape new directions in sustainability Mike Mitchell Guest Columnist USA TODAY NETWORK – FLA. Someone recently wished me a “Happier New Year,” while lamenting the year that was 2020. There is no doubt that the past 10 months have shown us all why the expression “may you live in interesting times” is far from the blessing it appears to be at first glance. However (and to borrow another cli- ched expression), the hottest fires forge the strongest steel. As I look back on the year that was, I am inspired by the forti- tude and resilience shown by the Talla- hassee community. This is especially true for the mem- bers, volunteers, and friends of Sustain- able Tallahassee. Like nearly every oth- er organization, we saw our operations radically altered by the onset of the pan- demic. We have always been committed to connecting with everyday people and fostering conversations around our sus- tainable future, primarily through live, in-person events. These events were of Renie Marchese, left, and Peggy Clark pose after receiving a gift during Mask Maker Appreciation Day presented by course among the first things to be im- Sustainable Tallahassee and Rags 2 Bags. Both women made more that 1,000 masks for the community. ALICIA pacted by the pandemic and will likely DEVINE/TALLAHASSEE DEMOCRAT be among the last to return. Nevertheless, I’m incredibly proud of how Sustainable Tallahassee has whose impacts range far beyond the im- We are determined to pursue ap- shown resilience in this crisis and found mediate threat to public health. proaches and programs at the intersec- innovative ways to continue our mis- In particular, the economic crisis tion of the environment, economy, and sion. that has accompanied COVID has seen society, understanding that these three We’ve made a concerted effort to in- a dramatic rise in the threat of food in- pillars of sustainability are integrally crease our online presence, including security, or the availability of food sup- linked, yet progress in one at the ex- moving our popular Green Drinks plies and access to them. pense of the others is ultimately mean- speaker series to a livestream format This has led to a partnership be- ingless. that allows for audience engagement; tween ST and the Frenchtown Neigh- We are also resolved that any, and all, producing a series of eight short videos borhood Improvement Association, efforts to meet the needs of present and highlighting everyday sustainability who are collaborating on an application future generations must be grounded in practices; conducting online presenta- for a federally funded grant to establish equity and inclusivity, and that we must tions on electric vehicle (EV) ownership a local food hub that will provide eco- take active steps to ensure that our own for EV Week; and conducting a video se- nomic support to local farmers and to organization meets these goals. ries for Earth Day 2020. map the local food system. At the end of 2020, we are faced with All videos are posted and can be Mike Mitchell and Jeri Winkleback This mapping will form the founda- more challenges than at any point in watched through our Facebook page smiling behind their masks at tion of future projects designed to in- human history and these will not mag- and our YouTube channel. Sustainable Tallahassee's September crease system efficiency, decrease car- ically disappear simply because the cal- We’ve also been highly successful in mask giveaway. SUSTAINABLE TALLAHASSEE bon emissions, and improve the health endar reads “2021.” But through the ef- re-focusing some of our programs to ad- of the Tallahassee community by in- forts of community organizations like dress the immediate needs of the com- creasing access to fresh, locally pro- Sustainable Tallahassee, in partnership munity, as well as the long-term reali- personnel. duced food. with our government, economic, faith, ties of a post-COVID world. Since Rags 2 Bags organized an innovative Finally, the pandemic also offered and academic leaders, we can ensure a March 2020, our Rags 2 Bags team lead drive-thru system to distribute material Sustainable Tallahassee a rare opportu- future that is bright for all. a community-wide effort to make and and collect completed masks from hun- nity to look inward and examine how we Mike Mitchell is President of Sustain- distribute face masks to help in the fight dreds of community volunteers, ulti- can best serve the community, and able Tallahassee. He can be reached at against COVID-19. mately sewing over 15,000 face masks, what we need to do to maximize our im- mikemitchell@sustainabletallahas- These volunteers were critical in the and providing them at no-cost to indi- pact. To that end, the board is dedicat- see.org. This is a “Greening Our Commu- early days of the pandemic as the de- viduals and nonprofits. ing 2021 to modernizing our infrastruc- nity” article, an initiative of Sustain- mand for face masks far outpaced the At the same time, Sustainable Talla- ture, broadening accessibility and par- able Tallahassee. Learn more at supply, and traditional personal protec- hassee has begun looking to the future ticipation in our programs, and increas- www.SustainableTallahassee.org. tive equipmentTallahassee (PPE) Democrat was being - 01/11/2021 re- and considering how we can work to ad- ing our capacity for direct community Page : C01 served for first responders and medical dress the long-term effects of this crisis, service. Husband and wife duo cover the hits with humor Amanda Sieradzki If you go and family about how much it meant to Council on Culture & Arts them to feel normal for a minute on those Tunes on the Terrace with Hot What: livestreams. We did it for an hour and Mess The first time Tony and Michelle sang songs, and could see comments as O’Donnell played at Rankin’ Tacos, Mi- When: 7-10pm, Friday January 15 we were singing from fans in Texas, New chelle chipped her tooth on the micro- Jersey, Virginia and Georgia. It was : Rankin Tacos, 2386 Allen Rd phone. O’Donnell recalls her singing Where heartwarming.” about it in the middle of a song as the Contact: For more information,please That sense of connection has con- crowd broke out into a round of laughter. visit https://www.hotmesstally.live. tinued into the new year as they expand That’s the one and only style of Hot their repertoire of dance-off and party Mess. songs. Their range spans from slow bal- “We don’t take each other seriously,” into the set.” lads like Cyndi Lauper’s “Time After says O’Donnell. “We joke around with The key to Hot Mess is their wide Time” to “booty” songs like Justin Tim- the crowd. We’re good at harmonies, we range of cover music which O’Donnell berlake’s “SexyBack.” O’Donnell always play whatever we want and we like that.” says they are able to use to connect with challenges the crowd to request at least The husband and wife duo formed in the crowd. Last year, they walked into a three songs, and says that they will know 2017. They quickly became party favor- Tony and Michelle O’Donnell of rooftop bar to 700 rowdy college stu- how to “hack” their way through at least ites at venues around Tallahassee and husband and wife duo Hot Mess dents. Once they saw the crowd, O’Don- one. beyond. Currently, they’re on the road perform along the Gulf coast. SPECIAL TO nell says they made a quick changeup to Their most difficult request was Bos- playing gigs up and down the Gulf coast THE DEMOCRAT their song lineup, opening with “Shal- ton’s “More Than a Feeling.” O’Donnell including in Destin, St. Andrews and low” from the film “A Star is Born” in or- says even if they only know a few chords, Panama City. der to grab their attention. half the fun is having everyone sing O’Donnell’s love of music reaches His strongest core group of friends They’ve averaged 17 gigs each year for along and provide the energy. Hot Mess back to his high school days in jazz choir. and bandmates have been able to play all the past two years and weren’t expecting will often play songs that were written He always dabbled on the guitar and over the southeast, and internationally, to have half as many once the pandemic and performed by other married musi- sang as a front man in several bands. including Scotland. While he would de- hit early 2020. However, Hot Mess cians. Top of the list for them is the band O’Donnell started as a music major at scribe himself as more of a “lounge” sing- turned to online livestreaming to make Fleetwood Mac, which featured two Florida State University, but switched er, he most enjoys being in the mix with up for the lost venues and ended up sur- married couples who went through di- over to communications. He’s continued musicians of every sound and style. passing their past numbers and playing vorces at the time of recording their al- to use his skills in that area to organize “I try to surround myself with people 19 shows. bum “Rumors.” bands and make a living as a musician. that are better than me,” says O’Donnell. “We consider ourselves very fortu- “They just had this chemistry on- He is the lead vocalist for the Groove “I want everyone in the band to be more nate and hope things are going to con- stage,” says O’Donnell.