Since launching WPR on Substack in the fall of 2022, I have consistently published a new issue every Friday without fail. The rigor that comes with this level of consistency is something I have enjoyed, but lately, keeping up this pace has taken time away from the creative projects I want to tackle. I also need a little more breathing room for the stillness and contemplation that helps me stay grounded in my work.
I have now decided, for the foreseeable future, to publish a new post on WPR every two weeks instead of the weekly output I have maintained so far. I hope this means that future issues will have more depth and detail as a direct result of having more time to build each issue from the ground up.
This new cycle begins with the next issue that comes out on Friday, March 29, 2024.
I will be showcasing more art, music, and videos. As a sign of things to come, here is a video I filmed in my studio of MaxZine and I performing my cover of Bruno Mars’s number one hit When I Was Your Man that we played at several shows last year. It comes complete with a mandolin arrangement, an organ solo, and an unplanned moment at the end.
Press play below and enjoy!
Starting tonight, several friends of mine will be acting in a play called I Am My Own Wife in Nashville, TN. This Pulitzer Prize-winning play details the true story of an openly transgender woman named Charlotte von Malsdorf during a time of intense volatility in WWII-era Germany. She had to navigate through the pressures and scrutiny from Nazi and Communist regimes.
With a talented ensemble cast homegrown from my own county here in Tennessee, this compelling story shows what it means to live a life of authenticity and integrity despite existing in an inhospitable environment. This production’s ensemble cast does everything possible to let Charlotte’s inner light shine through.
This play is a production of Chinkapin Craftstead, which is the rural, queer-led nonprofit for which I work. The final two performances happen this weekend, and I cordially invite any Nashville-area folks to come out to see it. (I will be handling the ticketing booth out front, so you will not miss me.)
Here are the details:
Friday–Saturday, March 15–16
Darkhorse Theater
4610 Charlotte Ave, Nashville.
7:30 PM.
Tickets: $15-20 sliding scale.
Payments will be accepted in cash and through Venmo and PayPal.
For Reservations for the Nashville Show:
ChinkapinCrafts@gmail.com or 615-542-5378
Our local NPR station, WPLN, featured the play on the radio just yesterday. Have a listen here:
It feels strange to say that I will see you in two weeks, but yes, indeed, you will.
Thank you again for reading and following along on this creative path I am forging.
I will have more joy, beauty, and art to share.
See you soon.
PS: So many of you have watched my Vampire music video, and I am SOOOO grateful!
I have put a TON of energy into this song and music video. It would mean the world to me if you can share it with friends and on social media. Here are links you can copy and paste:
YouTube: https://youtu.be/dagETLM1b78
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/music-video/vampire/1724655636
Tidal Video: https://tidal.com/browse/video/338777907
You can hear my new song, Vampire, on every major streaming platform, including Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music, and Tidal.
Give it a listen, share it, and add it to a playlist if you want. Search for Roqué Marcelo or visit any of the following links:
Spotify
Apple Music
Tidal
Amazon Music
Deezer
Other music sites where you can hear it include Anghami, MediaNet, Boomplay, Instagram/Facebook, Adaptr, Flo, iHeartRadio, Claro Música, iTunes, Joox, KKBox, Kuack Media, NetEase, Qobuz, Pandora, Saavn, Tencent, TikTok/TikTok Music/Resso/Luna, and Yandex Music (beta).
Last Monday night, my family and I celebrated my older sister’s 50th birthday. We went out to dinner at a restaurant that we had our eyes on for a while. Sunda features Filipino, Japanese, Thai, and Chinese cuisines on its menu and, in some dishes, combines these food cultures in new and adventurous ways. Of course, we devoured the rich Filipino options they had available, and we were not disappointed. The place's Filipino food, service, and decor made for a super delicious and lovely experience. (However, we were puzzled by the dance club music they had playing. It sounded silly when everything else felt nuanced and curated.)
I love when food can be a gateway to time well spent with loved ones.
To listen to my music, watch my films, or see my visual art, please visit:
WPR is my weekly labor of love. Please consider becoming a free or paid subscriber to receive a thoughtful, ad-free, and algorithm-free issue every Friday. Every cent supports all my creative work. Thank you for reading.