The Spike Lee–directed film of David Byrne’s American Utopia debuts on HBO and HBO Max this Saturday, October 17, at 8pm ET/PT. The film gives audiences access to Byrne’s critically-acclaimed Broadway show that played to sold-out, record-breaking audiences at Broadway’s Hudson Theatre in NYC. Make the special event even more so by hosting a Ballot Party for you and your family and friends to make your plan to vote; for further inspiration, we've put together a Ballot Party playlist of songs from and inspired by the American Utopia original cast album you can hear here.

Ahead of the premiere of Spike Lee's filmed version of David Byrne’s American Utopia on HBO this Saturday comes news that the show will return to the live stage on Broadway in the fall of 2021 at a theater to be announced. Performances will be begin on Friday, September 17, 2021. Tickets are on sale now. "We all need things to look forward to at this time," says Byrne. "I can't wait to get back on stage, live, in person with my fellow band members to perform for audiences in person. I realize now, more than ever, how much I miss performing this show with the band in front of a live Broadway audience."

David Byrne launches an online exhibition via Pace Gallery of fifty unique, hand-drawn illustrations he made this year while isolating in his Manhattan apartment. The Dingbats drawings explore themes and preoccupations associated with daily life during the COVID-19 pandemic—Byrne's way of expressing hope, a desire for connection, and the power of community. All proceeds from the exhibition will benefit the Arbutus Foundation, Byrne’s non-profit organization dedicated to re-imagining the world through projects that inspire and educate.

HBO has released the official trailer for David Byrne’s American Utopia, which will debut October 17 at 8pm ET/PT on HBO and HBO Max. You can watch it here. The special event, directed by Spike Lee, presents a one-of-a-kind, dynamic film that gives audiences access to Byrne’s critically-acclaimed Broadway show that played to sold-out, record-breaking audiences. The filmed version was recorded during its late 2019 to early 2020 run at Broadway’s Hudson Theatre in New York City.

Reasons to Be Cheerful, the solutions-based online magazine founded by David Byrne, has announced We Are Not Divided, a six-week collaborative journalistic exploration of our capacity to overcome division. We Are Not Divided tells the stories of places and institutions that are succeeding in overcoming division. The project launches today and runs through November 2.

David Byrne’s American Utopia will debut October 17 at 8pm ET/PT on HBO and HBO Max. The special event, directed by Spike Lee, presents a one-of-a-kind, dynamic film that gives audiences access to Byrne’s critically-acclaimed Broadway show that played to sold-out, record-breaking audiences. The filmed version was recorded during its late 2019 to early 2020 run at Broadway’s Hudson Theatre in New York City. You can watch a first look from it here.

The HBO film of the Broadway show David Byrne’s American Utopia, directed by Spike Lee, will be the Opening Night Presentation of the 45th Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) on Thursday, September 10. “This joyful film takes audiences on a musical journey about openness, optimism, and faith in humanity,” said Joana Vicente, Executive Director and Co-Head, TIFF. “This is especially poignant at a time of great uncertainty around the world. We’re eager to share the excitement of Opening Night with audiences.”

David Byrne's American Utopia and other Broadway shows have partnered with HeadCount to promote voter registration in the US. Although Broadway performances remain suspended through 2020 due to COVID-19, fans can join their favorite shows in making their voices heard at the polls this fall. Now through October 1, visit headcount.org to register, check, or update your voter registration status online and find localized information about polling dates, sites, and candidates, and, by doing so, enter to win tickets to see American Utopia when performances resume.

David Byrne helped kick off the Aspen Ideas Festival's 2020 online edition in a conversation with Ford Foundation President Darren Walker on Sunday. The two discussed the role of the artist in difficult social times such as this. "Music can unite people," Byrne says. "It can make people feel that they belong, that they’re not alone." You can watch their conversation here. Also on the festival's opening day were conversations with Anthony Fauci and Stacey Abrams.

The filmed version of the Broadway show David Byrne’s American Utopia, directed by Spike Lee, will debut on HBO later this year. "Spike and I have crossed paths many times over the years, obviously I’m a huge fan and now finally here was an opportunity for us to work together," said David Byrne. "I am absolutely thrilled with the result ... Thrilled that this show and the subjects it addresses will now reach a wider audience." "It is my honor and privilege that my art brother, Mr. David Byrne, asked me to join him in concert, to invite me into his magnificent world of American Utopia,” Spike Lee said. “And dat's da ‘once in a lifetime’ truth, Ruth. Ya-dig? Sho-nuff. Peace and love. Be safe.”

Reasons to Be Cheerful, the online magazine founded by David Byrne, has announced Now Anything Is Possible, a new series that explores the potential of the changes occurring around the world in response to COVID-19. "This is a catalyzing moment and many of the changes that have been made or contemplated are going to be permanent––some of those are good, and some deeply questionable,” says Byrne. "We at Reasons to be Cheerful of course want to know: how can we keep the good stuff? Who is doing it (it's already happening) and how those ideas and initiatives are working out?"

David Byrne's American Utopia on Broadway was given a Special Citation at the New York Drama Critics Circle Awards ceremony, held via a special episode of Stars in the House, which you can watch here. Byrne was presented the citation by John Mulaney, who calls American Utopia "the greatest live show of any kind I've ever seen ... It is a fantastic show, and it has brought me a lot of joy."