Stay at Home Virtual Events May 4-10

This first week of May we stay-at-homes have so many choices for FREE virtual Broadway shows, opera, concerts, panel discussions, and celebrities reading children’s books.

Put these virtual events on your calendar for this week.  There’s so much to do virtually you may not miss going out, so grab your favorite beverage and your favorite snack, and settle in.

Even though these virtual events are FREE, you are encouraged to make a donation to support the group offering the free stay-at-home diversion.

Virtual Events on Monday

Saving the Vote

The Coronavirus pandemic is more than  a health crisis and an economic crisis. Without urgent action, it will become a democracy crisis in November. 

This panel discussion with leading voters rights experts explores the issue, including a plan to ensure the safety and credibility of one of the most important elections in American history, and update you on what Congress is doing to protect the integrity of this election – or not.

Already, in Wisconsin, we saw citizens forced to choose between their health and their right to vote. The president has begun to loudly oppose needed changes. How can we avoid a debacle? How can we have an election that is free, fair, secure – and safe?

The Brennan Center for Justice is at the center of the fight to protect every voter and every vote.

Last month, the Center released a comprehensive plan to ensure the safety and credibility of the election. Its provisions include a universal option to vote by mail and expanded early voting. In the next few weeks, and encouragesCongress to provide funding for states to run their elections.

This  virtual discussion is moderated by Brennan Center President Michael Waldman.  Speakers are:

• Larry Norden, Director, Election Reform, Democracy Program, Brennan Center for Justice;
• Myrna Pérez, Director, Voting Rights & Elections, Democracy Program, Brennan Center for Justice;
• Michael Waldman, President, Brennan Center for Justice;
• Wendy Weiser, Vice President, Democracy Program, Brennan Center for Justice

FREE at 12 Noon. 

• Register here to receive link to Zoom event

The Marriage of Figaro

Enjoy a FREE performance of this joyful Verdi classic opera from NYC’s own Metropolitan Opera at Lincoln Center.

Starring Renée Fleming, Cecilia Bartoli, Susanne Mentzer, Dwayne Croft, and Sir Bryn Terfel, conducted by James Levine. From November 11, 1998.

• Streaming at 7:30pm Monday, and available for 24 hours.

Mondays with Michelle

Former First Lady Michelle Obama reads aloud from popular children’s books.

• See the schedule and full details here

Bravo’s Book Nook

This theater bookstore is FREE streaming a reading of a favorite children’s book, often by the author.

Videos are between five minutes and 12 minutes long, ideal for a young attention span.

Current videos include Giraffes Can’t Dance and Tallulah’s Solo with Bravo the Theatre Dog.

• Monday through Saturday, 12 Noon to 7pm.
  

  ---

See Also

Where to Get FREE and Discounted Books for Kids

Virtual Events Wednesday

Take a Virtual Walk in Central Park

• Click here to access the video

Virtual Events on Thursday

Jesus and the Jews: Why the Connection Matters

• Thursday, May 7, 6:30-8 p.m.,
• Virtual Streicker, manuelskirballnyc.ticketleap.com/jesus-and-judaism-why-the-connection-matters/.

Virtual Events on Friday

Carnegie Hall Fridays

There’s a different FREE concert each Friday through July.

This week it’s The West-Eastern Divan Orchestra, founded by Daniel Barenboim and the late Palestinian literary scholar Edward Said, which promotes coexistence and intercultural dialogue by bringing young Israelis, Palestinians, and Arabs together to make music.

For this concert, they tell great musical tales in vibrant orchestral colors and lush melodies, including music by Strauss and Tchaikovsky.  This concert was recorded in 2018.

Each Friday, a new selection Carnegie Hall’s archive of live broadcasts will be made available for on-demand streaming free of charge.

• Each program will be accessible throughout the weekend for 72 hours, from Friday at 3am through Monday at 3am.

 

Lionsgate Friday Night at the Movies

Watch FREE streaming versions of award-winning films on Friday nights.

Friday is the final of four weeks of films.  This week it’s John Wick

• Streaming at 9pm

The Shows Must go On

Celebrate theater icon Andrew Lloyd Webber each Friday with a FREE streaming of a full-length stage performance of one of his musicals, including The Phantom of the Opera, Evita, and  Cats. 

The Shows Must Go On is a new YouTube channel releasing a different Andrew Lloyd Webber musical each week, including his most famous and beloved The Phanton of the Opera, filmed at the 25th Anniversary performance in London in 2011.

• The shows are streamed at 12 Noon each Friday in NYC, and available on the channel for 48 hours after original streaming. Which means until 2pm Sunday.

The Northern New Mexico festival Virtual LemonAid will stream at 10pm EST via Instagram TV, Facebook Live and Youtube Live. 

Performances and appearances include David Byrne, Buffy Sainte-Marie, Meredith Monk, Ali MacGraw, Daniel Rossen (Grizzly Bear), John Dieterich (Deerhoof), Tiago Arrais (Os Arrais), Gary Farmer and Nacha Mendez

Virtual Events on Saturday

Sara Brightman photo courtesy of artist

Sarah Brightman In Concert

The full Sarah Brightman: In Concert at the Royal Albert Hall performance will be streamed via YouTube at 3pm EST.

This 1997 performance, which has never been commercially available, features Andrea Bocelli and Andrew Lloyd Webber and will be streamed to raise funds for COVID-19 relief charities.

The performance will be available for 72 hours here.