This ukulele-strumming Londoner in a banana suit is what we all need right now
Coronavirus shut down her family's restaurant, she's fighting back with music and humour
The need to laugh never goes away, even as the world hunkers down to take shelter against a deadly pandemic.
Kara Lansdowne of London, Ont., knows this.
It's the reason why you can find her on Instagram and Facebook, singing into the camera a heartfelt rendition of Hakuna Mata, strumming a ukulele while wearing full makeup and a banana suit.
At this point, we'll stop trying to describe Kara's online performances.
Click play on the one below, then read further.
It gets even better. And there will be more videos.
Why the banana suit?
Because that's what the person who requested the song wanted. That's the shtick. People submit a request to Lansdowne and those requests include not only the specific song but also the costume she's to wear while playing it. About 100 requests have come in so far.
"The more videos I post, the more crazy requests come out," she said.
So here's Lansdowne belting out a very well sung version of I Was Made For Loving You by Kiss.
Notice the full makeup. Watch this video and the few below it but be sure to keep reading right to the bottom. That's the part where we'll explain why she's doing this.
KISS IN FULL MAKEUP
LEONARD COHEN WEARING A SUIT
ALANIS MORISETTE WEARING TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLE COSTUME
So why is she doing this?
Because Lansdowne, her family, and pretty much everyone needs a giggle more than ever right now.
Her family owns The Tasting Room, a downtown London restaurant.
The coronavirus outbreak prompted the government to close most businesses last week, including the restaurant.
"We have 30 people out of work," she said. "There's a lot of stress going around and a lot of people need a reason to smile lately."
Lansdowne is also a social person who admits to sometimes struggling with suddenly being shut inside, even though it's the right thing to do. The music, and the interaction with her growing audience, helps with that.
"I just figured I needed an outlet to stay close to people during this social distancing," she said. "I'm usually in a very social setting and this allows me to stay connected."
The food and beverage industry has been hard hit by the cornavirus outbreak and there's no telling how long they'll have to go without revenue. On Thursday afternoon, Premier Doug Ford told reporters that "one in 10" restaurants, possibly more, may not re-open after the pandemic because of bankruptcies.
To bring some cheer against this grim backdrop, Lansdowne decided to do the funny videos. She hopes to bring a smile to other food industry workers who've had their income vanish. She's also hoping to bring some cheer to health care workers who are risking their lives to save others.
The 27-year old is no stranger to the stage. Lansdowne, often accompanied by another musician, have a regular Wednesday night gig at Joe Kool's on Richmond Row. COVID-19 has shut that down too.
She started playing the ukulele eight years ago when her singing instructor told her she had to learn an instrument as a songwriting tool.
She took lessons at Long & McQuade. They helped her learn how to strum and fret. The costumes? She came up with that on her own.
For now, she's striving to do one song post a day until the COVID-19 crisis abates, everyone's safe and she and all her colleagues can get back to work.
Until then, she plans to keep leaving 'em laughing.
"I think a lot of people are laughing with me," she said.
Listen to Kara's chat with London Morning here.
You can catch her work:
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