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Bathroom Break: Avon Lake native Anne E. DeChant connects with fans through bathroom performances

DeChant was scheduled to perform in Northeast Ohio this month. But the performance, and many others, was canceled due to COVID-19.

CLEVELAND — From movie releases to entertainment, everyone is adjusting due to the coronavirus outbreak. That includes Avon Lake native, turned Nashville singer-songwriter, Anne E. DeChant.

DeChant was scheduled to perform on April 18 at Nighttown on Cleveland’s east side. But the performance, and many others, was canceled due to COVID-19.

“I can't stay connected directly with my fans just like everybody else can't, and so it means that I adjust,” DeChant says.

The adjustment includes performing daily short concerts at 11:30 a.m. Central Time on DeChant's YouTube channel. The performances are broadcasts from her bathroom.

“I guess when I started thinking about this I was like, 'Where can we do this?' I thought, you know what, the bathroom sounds really good. There's a reason why everyone sounds good in the shower.”

DeChant's partner of 13 years, Erin Shim, serves as sound technician and live chat moderator for the broadcasts.

“People are just saying that they are really enjoying a bright spot, upbeat moment in their day to take them away from everything that everyone is dealing with right now,” Shim says.

DeChant says she's hearing people say it makes them feel better.

"People just want a break in their day."

The break, which is always under 20 minutes, includes an Alexa versus Siri challenge, reminders about staying safe during the coronavirus outbreak, a toilet paper check, performance and multiples references to Northeast Ohio, Lake Erie and DeChant’s hometown.

Credit: Anne E. DeChant
DeChant as a freshman in high school practicing in the Avon Lake garage of one of her bandmates.

“I always mention it because I love it,” DeChant says. “Cleveland’s been good to me … I cut my teeth in Cleveland. That's where I first started singing professionally at a little bar called the Barking Spider on Cleveland’s east side.”

DeChant says her largest fan base remains in Northeast Ohio, which is why she returns three times a year.

“I’m never letting go of these people and they’re not gonna let go of me.”

During the season of stay-at-home orders and social distancing, DeChant is using her 11:30 Bathroom Breaks, which can be found on YouTube at 12:30 p.m. in Northeast Ohio, to speak to people through her music.

“That is the power of music. To reach out to somebody through sound vibration and through words to say I care about you. I feel what you feel.”

DeChant plans to continue the Bathroom Break performances throughout the coronavirus pandemic.

RELATED: Performances at Playhouse Square suspended through May 31 due to COVID-19 crisis

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