Roots Picnic & Other Festivals Are Starting Up Again, So How Can You Stay Safe?
We outside! Well, some of us have been outside for a minute, but music festivals were still few and far between due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, festivals are coming back making it irresistible to avoid them for much longer. And while we won’t judge you for having fun, if you do decide to attend festivals, we want to make sure that you are safe no matter what Coachella says about their COVID-19 restrictions.
Some festivals that have announced their return in 2022 are the Roots Picnic, Broccoli City, Jazz in the Gardens, Bonaroo, Coachella, and many more. Roots Picnic revealed its lineup recently that includes Mary J. Blige, Summer Walker, Jazmine Sullivan, Wizkid, and other fire acts.
Coachella’s lineup includes Big Sean, Giveon, Ari Lennox, Doja Cat, and Megan Thee Stallion. But before you vibe out to your favorite artists live, here are some precautions to take before and during the music festival.
Check the Music Festivals for Safety Guidelines
Before you attend a music festival, make sure to call or check the concert’s website to see if they are complying with the CDC guidelines or are taking extra measures to ensure the safety of attendees. Some of these precautions may include enforcing masks and/or temperature checks. You may also want to check out how the venue is laid out and if there is an option to get your money back if you come down with the virus.
Get Tested
Whether you’re vaccinated or not, you should get tested at least 1-3 days beforehand. If you are experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms or test positive for the virus then you should sit this one out. For those that are unvaccinated, the CDC recommends that you get tested before and after you attend a large gathering.
Traveling to and From the Festival
If you are traveling, you want to make sure to keep your mask on if you come into contact with others and keep your hands washed. If you aren’t able to wash your hands then keep hand sanitizer on you. Also, try to stay six feet away from others.
Attending the Music Festival
Arrive early to avoid the crowd and keep a well-fitted mask on at all times. Wipe down surfaces that you come in contact with as well and wash or sanitize your hands often. Pack your own food and water and avoid going to the restroom during high-traffic times. Also, if you can, try to find a less populated area to watch the show from.
Featured image by Christian Vierig/GC Images
ItGirl 100 Honors Black Women Who Create Culture & Put On For Their Cities
As they say, create the change you want to see in this world, besties. That’s why xoNecole linked up with Hyundai for the inaugural ItGirl 100 List, a celebration of 100 Genzennial women who aren’t afraid to pull up their own seats to the table. Across regions and industries, these women embody the essence of discovering self-value through purpose, honey! They're fierce, they’re ultra-creative, and we know they make their cities proud.
VIEW THE FULL ITGIRL 100 LIST HERE.
Don’t forget to also check out the ItGirl Directory, featuring 50 Black-woman-owned marketing and branding agencies, photographers and videographers, publicists, and more.
THE ITGIRL MEMO
I. An ItGirl puts on for her city and masters her self-worth through purpose.
II. An ItGirl celebrates all the things that make her unique.
III. An ItGirl empowers others to become the best versions of themselves.
IV. An ItGirl leads by example, inspiring others through her actions and integrity.
V. An ItGirl paves the way for authenticity and diversity in all aspects of life.
VI. An ItGirl uses the power of her voice to advocate for positive change in the world.
Let’s make things inbox official! Sign up for the xoNecole newsletter for daily love, wellness, career, and exclusive content delivered straight to your inbox.
Exclusive: Koryn Hawthorne On Her Miraculous Love Story: ‘I Was Never A Girlfriend’
Gospel singer Koryn Hawthorne has used her voice to let the world know about what God can do, and now the Season 8 finalist of NBC’s The Voice is sharing a miraculous act that led to her engagement.
The Praise This actress shared in an interview with xoNecole that prior to becoming engaged to her partner, Hunter Register, she passed over one particular title on her way to becoming a fiancée.
“I was never a girlfriend,” Hawthorn, 26, tells xoNecole.
“We've known each other since we were kids, so we just kind of always had this distant friendship. We would hit each other up on social media, and [I] slide up under things that he was posting,” she says. “We ended up hanging out together, and when we hung out, it was an instant immediate connection from all fronts. I think we just knew from the first day that I don't want to spend a day apart from you.”
Koryn Hawthorne On Her Miraculous Love Story, New Album, & More
She continued, "And yeah, we probably were boyfriend or girlfriend after — am I delusional? Then we were engaged a few months later.”
The Grammy-nominated singer, who became engaged in November of 2023, went on to share what her experience has been preparing to become a wife, exploring the personal growth, challenges, and emotions experienced throughout the process.
“It's a journey, I'm not gonna lie,” she says. “Relationships, in general, are hard, and whenever you think about marriage, is just different from being boyfriend and girlfriend because if you piss me off, I could just go,” she shared. “But marriage is an actual commitment. It's a partnership. It's a ministry.”
Hawthorne, 26, and Register, 27, were childhood friends growing up in Louisiana and sealed their love during a weekend getaway in New Orleans last fall.
For the gospel star, marriage involves more than lovely-dovey aspects, emphasizing how her relationship has allowed her to grow, mature, and learn valuable lessons through love.
“We were supposed to get married in May, but like for us to be mature enough to be like, ‘You know what? No, let's take the necessary time to make sure that we're fully prepared for this commitment such a beautiful thing,” Hawthorne reflected.
“It's a learning curve for sure, but our preparation for marriage would have been the only thing that brought this out of me. It's hard and it's scary at times, but it's God's purpose and His plan for our lives.”
Let’s make things inbox official! Sign up for the xoNecole newsletter for love, wellness, career, and exclusive content delivered straight to your inbox.
Featured image by Dia DipasupilGetty Images