From Bethesda Magazine: A virtual singalong with Takoma Park roots combats loneliness

Daily Antidote of Song surpasses 2,250 days of harmonies

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July 6, 2026 3:00 p.m. | Updated: July 2, 2026 12:39 p.m.

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Created soon after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic by Jo Rasi of the Silver Spring nonprofit Carpe Diem Arts, the Daily Antidote of Song kicked off on April 6, 2020, and it hasn’t stopped since. 

The idea is simple: Every day, an artist teaches a song, and then everyone on the Zoom sings along with their microphones muted. What started as a way to combat isolation and provide work for performers during the pandemic has transformed into an ongoing phenomenon. 

With participants logging on from around the world when it is noon in Maryland, the events are also livestreamed on YouTube and saved there for later viewing. Most run about 20 minutes. More than 750 artists have led a session, including choir directors, songwriters and some recognizable names: Peggy Seeger, Ysaye Barnwell of Sweet Honey in the Rock, and Dan and Claudia Zanes. 

Rasi, who lives in Takoma Park, says 50 to 75 people usually join the live sessions, with many more viewing the recordings later. One participant told Rasi it feels like she’s singing a duet with the song leader. “Lots of folks will talk about trying out harmonies against the person who’s singing,” Rasi says. Anyone can join in; check out carpediemarts.org/daily-antidote-of-song.

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This appears in the July/August 2026 issue of Bethesda Magazine.

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Originally published at Bethesdamagazine