Let me check my schedule….wait, I no longer have a schedule!
NYC Ballet is streaming performances from April 21 through May 29th. They will stream two ballets a week, along with other online programming which will include new podcast episodes and movement classes for all ages.
View the schedule here.
The Houseparty app is a free video chat social networking app. Huff Post describes it as a Snapchat-Zoom hybrid. It has become very popular during the pandemic because it allows up to 8 people to hang out virtually, or you can chat one on one with your buddies. You can also play games with one another. We played a trivia game the other night with our three kids, all quarantining in different places.
It is available for Apple, Android, Mac and Chrome. It is at its best when it is used with a mobile device and not a desktop computer or a laptop. It is designed for mobile devices and offers full video chat functions and the ability to play games. When you log in, all your ‘friends’ that you’ve added to your list are notified that you’re on and can join you. This can be a little startling, especially if you use the same account for friends and business, so make sure you separate the two. You can invite a friend to join you by ‘nudging’ them. You can host a game night with friends. You can also ‘mute’ anyone on your friends list you do not want notified when you’re ‘in house’. There is also a private mode which locks the room you’re in and you choose who to invite in. It’s fun!
PBS Masterpiece is currently airing a series about World War II that has gotten fantastic reviews. Season 1 of World on Fire has seven episodes. You can start streaming it from the beginning on PBS Masterpiece on Amazon Prime Video using a free 7-day trial.
About the show.
John Prine was an American country folk singer-songwriter who died last week from the coronavirus. He wrote some of my most favorite songs, one being “Angel from Montgomery” which Bonnie Raitt famously covered. Another was “Hello in There” which Bette Midler covered. We have seen him perform with Bonnie Raitt, Lyle Lovett and others several times and he was a treasure. Here is a video of “Angel from Montgomery with Prine and Bonnie Raitt.
ASE reader Kathy C. highly recommends the 2008 movie ‘Cadillac Records’. You can find it on Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Fandango and Vudu. It is the story of Chess Records which launched the music careers of Muddy Waters, Etta James and Chuck Berry. Beyoncé plays Etta James. It is rated R.
Audible Theater is making many of their theater titles free for at least the next month. You can sign in with an Audible account or an Amazon account if you have one, or sign up for an Amazon account.
https://www.audible.com/ep/theater-list
I have discovered several streaming channels that I’d never heard of before:
The Criterion Channel is available in the U.S. and Canada and costs $10.99 a month. There is a 14-day free trial. Its focus is on the classics and discoveries from around the world. It has over 1,000 important classics and contemporary films, indie films, international and art-house films. It is available on Amazon, Fire, Roku, iOS and Android devices.
Tubi is the world’s largest ad-supported free subscription video on demand service with over 20,000 movies and television show. It is available in the U.S., Canada, Australia and New Zealand. Watch for free on Roku, Sony Play Station, the web, Android, iOS and Apple TV
Shudder focuses on horror, suspense and thriller movies, series and podcasts. Find the app in Apple or Google Play, stream through Amazon FireTV, Roku, or Xbox One. They offer a 7-day free trial. After that it is $4.75 a month.
Mubi is a subscription-based streaming service with a curated selection of films. It streams only 30 little known titles at a time, swapping in a new movie daily. Subscribe for $11/month or rent a la carte.
For a 30 second laugh, watch this cat fashion show. Just don’t let the cat hear you laughing, cats don’t like that.
Tiny Desk Concerts have developed Tiny Desk Playlists. There is The Best-Sounding Tiny Desk Concerts, the 5 Best-Dressed Tiny Desk Concerts, 5 Tiny Desk Concerts to Calm Your Mind, The 5 Funniest Tiny Desk Concerts and fifteen other playlists to choose from.
Covid Classics
Many people in lock down have more time on their hands than they know what to do with. Fortunately for the rest of us, what some of them have chosen to do is imitate famous works of art. Here are some really fun links to check out. The creativity is impressive!
@tussenkunstenquarantaine – the originators.
Read the PBS write up.
Quarantine Keychains is a craft effort of two gals trying to keep themselves from going stir crazy in their NYC apartment during the ‘stay in place’ mandate. They are making keychains that vary in size from 1” – 3” and selling them for anywhere $5.00-$30.00 depending on size and complexity. Search for them on Instagram under quarantinekeychains to browse the selection or place a custom order in the comments section. Click here to view key chains.
The next time you are on Instagram, check out #wfhfits which stands for Work From Home Outfits. It’s fun to see who dresses up and who stays in their PJs.
For the family:
Jane Goodall’s DisneyNature movie called “Penguins” is about Steve the Adelie penguin as he comes of age and joins a group of other penguins, builds a nest and has a family. It was released last year, and reviewers loved it. One reviewer said that in addition to being educational, he found it very funny at times and amazing at others because of all the adventures Steve had to go through. It is definitely appropriate for all ages.
Watch a preview here.
Stream from Disney+
From the documentary “Oceans”
Just in the nick of time, we came across this New York Times list of “12 Family-Friendly Nature Documentaries” they recommend. I have seen many of them and all are wonderful. The kids might even learn something new! The article tells you when you there is a scary part, so read carefully.
A full-time dad of two sons ages 6 and 8 loves to do easy crafts and kids’ science experiments with his sons. He is not a teacher or a scientist, just a creative dad. He created TheDadLab to share the creative projects he does at home with his boys mostly using materials everyone can find at home.
You can follow him on Instagram, Facebook, his website, Pinterest, Twitter or on his You Tube channel.
There is a new The Dad Lab book by Sergei Urban with 50 science projects for parents and kids. It is $11.60 and will be available May 10, 2020.
These are DIY cupcake decorating kits that are delivered to your door. Each kit includes everything needed to bake and decorate the cupcakes. You need to provide a whisk or mixer, a cupcake pan, water and oil, and an oven! The site has video tutorials. From $43.00 and up.
A few laughs:
Please pass this article along to friends and family who might need some quarantine entertainment.
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