So, you want to go out and be among people, but you can’t. So, what do you do?
Call a friend, and you can both partake in any of these virtual events. Watch them at the same time and you can text the whole time, and while it’s not the same as experiencing something together in the same space, it’s still fun!
Here’s our list of virtual events. More will be added as we find them.
If you have a virtual event, email them to me at [email protected].
In no particular order …
LEARN SOMETHING NEW
Virtually Tour the Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum
While the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum is currently closed for in-person visits, you can still enjoy a virtual experience. Watch pre-recorded live performances, interviews, songwriter sessions, podcasts, and more here, and explore the the museum’s digital archives — including photos, recording, objects and more — here.
Airbnb Online Experiences
Our spring break vacations may have been canceled, but Airbnb hosts are still making us smile. From Irish dance classes to coffee masterclasses, Airbnb hosts from around the world are hosting virtual classes. To see a full list of options and prices, click here.
Virtually Tour Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage
This Nashville landmark is remaining closed, but they are open for virtual tours. According to a recent press release, “From our curatorial team to our education staff and even our president and CEO, we will share tips on keeping your children engaged, little-known facts about The Hermitage and even Andrew Jackson himself, as well as insights on why our team members choose to work at the home of the 7th president.” Learn more on the Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage Facebook page here.
Virtual Farm Tours
Why not decompress and tour a dairy farm? Now is as good a time as ever. Tour a farm here.
450 Ivy League Courses
Always wanted to learn something new? Check out all these courses, and enjoy your new-found smarts. See all courses here.
The Journal of Black Mountain College Studies
Although this is not technically a “virtual event,” the Black Mountain College Museum + Art Center offers academic articles, essays, reviews, poetry and other forms of artistic expression that make it easy to get lost in a wormhole. To see the archives, click here.
Virtual Tours of Jack Daniel’s Distillery
Ever wondered how the famous Jack Daniel’s whiskey is made? The distillery is now offering virtual tours, taking you through the entire process. From finding the ingredients to selecting barrels, you’ll be a whiskey extraordinaire in no time! Start your tour here.
SEE SOME ANIMALS
Virtual Tour of SeaWorld
Dive deep into the ocean with this virtual tour of Orlando, FL’s SeaWorld. The tour includes a look at Discovery Cove and a ride on the Mako roller coaster. Take the tour here.
We Love Penguins
While not exactly a “virtual event,” you totally need to watch the penguins checking out the Chicago Aquarium, which is now closed to visitors. When we all get back together, this will be one of the videos everyone cites for years to come. Be a part of the happiness and watch this! See penguins here.
EXPLORE THE GREAT OUTDOORS
Virtual Tour Birmingham Botanical Gardens
Take a virtual tour of the Japanese Garden at Birmingham Botanical Gardens.
Virtually Tour Cheekwood Estate & Gardens
StyleBlueprint filmed Cheekwood Estate & Gardens’ 150,000 tulips in bloom. See the videos on YouTube, here.
Visit a National Park
Google Art & Culture is offering a close-up look at five of the world’s national parks, including Kenai Fjords, Bryce Canyon, Hawai’i Volcanoes, Carlsbad Caverns and Dry Tortugas. Tours include videos of park rangers exploring hidden parts of each park. Watch online at artsandculture.withgoogle.com.
Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage Virtual Garden Tour
Take a peaceful stroll through Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage garden. Designed in the 19th century, the garden sits adjacent to the mansion and was maintained by Andrew’s wife Rachel. Today, the garden blooms with trees and bulbs and is home to Andrew Jackson’s tomb.
FOR THE KIDS
Virtual Rides at Walt Disney World and Disneyland
Oh, you know you want to do this! Escape for a bit and take a ride on Space Mountain (and all your other favorites!). See all the rides here.
Livestream Art Classes for Kids
Cassie Stephens is an art teacher at Johnson Elementary School in Franklin, TN, and while her classroom is empty, she’s still bringing art lessons to kids all over by way of Instagram. Tune in Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. until schools are back in session. Take art classes here.
Space Lessons for Kids
Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex is offering free, online content designed to engage with children in elementary through high school. Daily Facebook Live experiences run the gamut and may include living in space and on Mars, tours of Space Shuttle Atlantis and the Astronaut Training Experience, rocketry 101, and more. Tune in Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 9 a.m. EST. Enjoy space lessons here.
Hogwarts Digital Escape Room
This Harry Potter-inspired digital escape room was created by a Pennsylvania librarian. Grab the kiddos and try your luck at escaping your Hogwart’s dorm room without using any magic! Can you pass the test? Find the escape room here.
Print & Play Escape Rooms
If you’d rather create your own escape room, Memphis Escape Rooms has got you covered! With their “Print & Play” kits, you have 12 scenarios to choose from, including grade-specific games. Kits are $10 and can be purchased here.
Gentle Barn Classes
The Gentle Barn is hosting a 9-week course for children of all grade levels to learn about farm animals, including cows, horses, pigs, sheep and more! The course explores what food animals eat as well as how they play and communicate with one another. Admission for a single child is $180, and the first session of classes begins April 7. To sign up, visit gentlebarn.org.
Bedtime Stories, Anyone?
At 6:30 p.m. Eastern, author Christina Geist is currently reading bedtime stories via Facebook Live. Her own kids pop in, her husband makes cameos. It’s just very cozy and real. When you can’t see other families, it’s nice to see “real” streaming in. Follow Christina on FB here for updates.
Goodnight with Dolly
Just when we thought we couldn’t love Dolly Parton more, she announced her new video series “Goodnight with Dolly.” The videos air every Thursday at 6 p.m. and feature the singer reading children’s books from her Imagination Library. To see the videos, visit the Imagination Library YouTube channel.
LUNCH DOODLES with Mo Willems!
Every weekday at noon, The Kennedy Center is hosting “LUNCH DOODLES with Mo Willems!” Grab your kiddos and your lunch, and join artist Mo Willems as he teaches viewers how to draw and explores new ways of writing. Visit kennedy-center.org for additional information.
Wonders of Wildlife National Museum & Aquarium’s “Mission Conservation”
The Wonders of Wildlife National Museum & Aquarium is encouraging kids to participate in weekly conservation-themed tasks to win prizes. Simply download the app on the App Store or Google Play to begin the challenge. The mission is fit for kindergarteners through high schoolers. See wondersofwildlife.org for additional information.
Roam From Home
Looking for your next big adventure? Look no further! Let’s Roam is offering at-home scavenger hunts, trivia and science experiments to help keep your kiddos entertained. To start your adventure, visit letsroam.com.
COOKING CLASSES
Free Cooking Classes with Milk Street
Milk Street is now offering free online cooking classes. Check out the complete lineup of classes and get cooking! Take cooking classes here.
Free Cooking Classes With Maneet Chauhan
Renowned chef Maneet Chauhan is bringing her culinary expertise to the masses via IGTV. She’s posting easy to follow recipes like her to-go breakfast, Masala Omelette, or staple dinner recipe, Coconut Shrimp Curry, and the videos are free. Check out her Instagram here.
Cooking Classes with Chef Sean Brock
Chef Sean Brock is offering virtual cooking classes over FaceTime with proceeds benefitting his employees at Joyland and Audrey. In an Instagram post, Sean announced he will teach interested parties how to cook a dish of their choice from his very own kitchen. To learn more or reserve a spot, email [email protected].
Weekly Cooking Demos with Nicky’s Coal Fired
Nashville-based restaurant Nicky’s Coal Fired is hosting live cooking demonstrations on its Instagram every Friday at 5:30 p.m. Chef Tony Galzin hopes to bring some of the restaurant’s famous (and delicious) dishes to the homes of viewers. The restaurant’s social media with host a Q&A every Monday to answer questions and announce Friday’s recipe. For more information about the sessions, visit nickysnashville.com.
Virtual Wine Tastings
Kendall-Jackson has launched a virtual wine tasting series called “At Home with Kendall-Jackson,” featuring KJ winemaster Randy Ullom. The series also includes virtual cooking classes, lessons on how to re-stock your wine cellar, virtual yoga and concerts, and virtual wine and painting classes. Broadcasts can be viewed on Kendall-Jackson’s Facebook and Instagram accounts.
Watch Every Single Episode of The French Chef with Julia Child
Streaming on Prime on PBS! Every episode. There has never been a better time to learn to cook, and learn from the best! Watch through PBS Living (available through your PBS membership)Â and also Amazon Prime.
CONCERTS FROM YOUR LIVING ROOM
Grand Ole Opry Live
The Grand Ole Opry has a 95-year history of bringing a live show to the masses via audience and radio, and now, you can watch it live as though you were there. Tune in for the 4,916th consecutive broadcast featuring Brad Paisley, Vince Gill, Marty Stuart and more. Learn how to tune in here.
15 Broadway Plays and Musicals You Can Watch On Stage From Home
The best thing about Broadway is the experience of being in a small theater and the stellar cast. Well, there is no smaller theater than your living room, so enjoy a production on your sofa with a glass of wine! Then, when Broadway opens up again, make sure to go see a play. See these shows here.
Songwriting Sessions from the Country Music Hall of Fame
The legendary Country Music Hall of Fame is now hosting interactive songwriting sessions via Instagram Live. Programs begin at 8 p.m., and users are invited to ask questions as the museum’s director of public programs invites various songwriters to perform. Singers include Laura Veltz, Luke Laird, Caitlyn Smith and more. For more information, visit the museum’s Instagram page.
Classical Music Concerts
There is just something so soothing about classical music. Right now, concerts with no audiences are streaming around the world via digital radio station Classic FM. Listen to these classical concerts here.
Free Opera, Live Each Night
“During this extraordinary and difficult time, the Met hopes to brighten the lives of our audience members even while our stage is dark. Every day for the duration of the Met’s closure, a different encore presentation from the company’s Live in HD series will be made available for free streaming.” These concerts were filmed in previous years and are incredible. Tune in each night! See details and times for the operas here.
Live Stream Concerts
Billboard is listing all the live streams and virtual concerts to watch during the COVID-19 crisis. It’s updated each day, and it’s impressive. From John Legend to Keith Urban to Miley Cyrus to the Indigo Girls, and so many more, check this out! See the Billboard listing here!
#livefromhome
There’s a fun series going on called #livefromhome on Instagram (search the hashtag) where lots of musicians are covering songs or performing from home. It was started by the folks who usually host Live From Here, the variety radio show formerly known as A Prairie Home Companion. If you are on Instagram, click this link and tap “follow.”
Live [Stream] from the Quarantine
Nashville’s Marathon Music Works is hosting a new Facebook Live series: “Live [Stream] from the Quarantine.” The streams feature live musical performances, tutorials, happy hours and more. Follow Marathon Music Works on Facebook for updates and times.
HAVE A MOVIE NIGHT
Universal Movies On Demand
Universal is making movies that are currently showing in theaters available via On-Demand THIS WEEK! I guess the creepiness of the Invisible Man will now be seen with my dog next to me, and my cat in my lap. Read more about this here.
Virtual Screening Party from Nashville’s Belcourt Theater
Nashville’s historic Belcourt Theatre is hosting virtual screening parties on its Twitch account. Watch your favorite movies with a live pre-show, intro and commentary from Belcourt staffers. For updates, see the Belcourt Midnights Facebook page.
Living Room Film Club
Each week at 8 p.m., the Belcourt Theatre hosts a movie club focusing on a film from the Criterion Channel. Past movies have included “Certified Copy,” “Mikey and Nicky,” “Godzilla” and more. To join in on the fun, visit belcourt.org.
EXPLORE THE ARTS
Virtual Arts Experiences from OZ Arts
OZ Arts Nashville is hosting a virtual arts experience called “No Place Like Home.” The videos include Nashville community leaders and artists sharing the meaning of home during this time of isolation. To see these visits, visit ozartsnashville.org.
Explore Exhibits at The Frist Art Museum
Missed an exhibit at Nashville’s Frist Art Museum? Have no fear, the museum is exploring past exhibits on its YouTube channel! View the videos here.
#TPACDailyIntermission
Tennessee Performace Arts Center is releasing daily videos based around the idea of “this is just intermission.” Although the theater has closed its doors, it is still reaching fans by inviting actors and creatives onto its YouTube channel to discuss arts and music.
To watch the daily videos, visit TPAC’s YouTube channel.
Virtual Tours of Asheville Arts Museum
Get a glimpse of the Asheville Arts Museums through its archive of images. The pictures “an overview of significant movements and trends in American art of the 20th and 21st centuries and art of significance to the Southeast.” To see the images, visit ashevillart.org.
Virtual Tours Presented by the Southern Highland Craft Guild
The Southern Highland Craft Guild is also offering virtual tours of its exhibits. From art made of Earth’s natural materials to home decor exhibits, there is something for every kind of art lover. To see the tours, visit southernhighlandguild.org.
Free Virtual Quilting Class
Paducah’s American Quilting Society is offering one free virtual quilting class with the code “IQUILTFREE” via iquilt. If you’ve been meaning to pick up a new hobby, now’s your chance! To see a full list of classes, visit iquilt.com.
SELF CARE
Asheville Wellness Tours
Asheville, North Carolina has launched a virtual event series that includes yoga, tarot card readings, meditation and more. Grab a friend — or take some time for yourself — and reconnect with your body as your practice social distancing. For more information, visit exploreasheville.com.
Virtual Meditation in the Garden
GET A WORKOUT IN
Lululemon Workout Classes
Lululemon is offering free workout sessions on its Instagram every day of the week. Sessions include do-anywhere workout routines, yoga, meditation, at-home training and more. Visit Lululemon’s Instagram for more details.
Camp Gladiator Virtual Boot Camp
Camp Gladiator is typically a four-week group fitness boot camp with each workout, or “camp,” lasting about an hour. With the recent pandemic, Camp Gladiator now offers a six-week virtual workout challenge for $39. The series features live classes with professional trainers, access to the Camp Gladiator App with over 9,500 workout videos, and it allows participants to communicate with other attendees. To sign up, visit campgladiator.com.
Ignite Cycle Virtual Classes
This one-of-a-kind boutique cycle studio sits in the heart of Pepper Place in downtown Birmingham. If you want a high-intensity, full-body workout in a group setting, Ignite Cycle is for you. While the bike room may be temporarily closed, the ladies of Ignite are keeping the energy high with virtual dance parties. Monday through Friday at 5:15 p.m. and Saturdays at noon, hop over to Ignite Cycle’s Instagram for a live 45-minute set by DJ Kallima. This is a free dance party, and FaceTiming to dance with your friends is highly encouraged.
Better Bodies Yoga Virtual Classes
Restore and replenish your mind and body with Better Bodies Yoga. Although the studio isn’t open, classes are offered through Zoom, and you sign up through the MINDBODY client app. Classes are $20. And in case you need props, the studio offers blocks, a blanket, a bolster, a strap and a set of weights for $5 each. You can reserve yours by emailing [email protected].
Hot Yoga Plus Virtual Classes
Offering power flow yoga, hot 26, fusion, sculpt and restorative classes, Hot Yoga Plus has plenty of options to keep you moving and active. You can sign up for your course through the MINDBODY client app. And did we mention the studio also offers classes for kids? Regular classes are $10, and kids’ classes are $15.
Nike Training Club’s Free Premium Features
Nike Training Club’s (NTC) premium features typically cost $14.99 per month, but Nike is currently dropping the subscription fee. The Premium version offers virtual studio-style workouts, training programs, tips from fitness experts and access to the Nike App, NTC app, Nike Running Club app and the “Trained” podcast. For more information, visit nike.com.
Active by POPSUGAR Classes
POPSUGAR offers hundreds of workouts for all levels from celebrity trainers and experts. Routines include toning, dance cardio, yoga and more. Although the subscription was initially supposed to be paid, the program launched early and for free in light of the pandemic. Visit active.popsugar.com for additional information.
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