RADAR // Stir-Crazy

WORDS BY KELSEY COCHRAN

Is the cabin fever getting real yet? Staying at home is obviously important in an effort to flatten the curve, but it is also getting a little claustrophobic. We all miss getting drinks with friends after work, catching a show over the weekend or watching the Nats kick ass. However, for the time being, looking for things to do in D.C. will involve a lot less time at the 9:30 Club and a lot more time on YouTube and Instagram. We have rounded up some events for you to “attend” from the comfort of your own couch while we ride out social distancing.

CULTURE

Ailey for All

The famed dance company Alvin Ailey is launching this online platform offering videos with some of the company’s best work. Full-length performances will stream on Thursdays and dancers stuck at home will be uploading clips of their own to the series #TheShowMustGoOn. Follow Alvin Ailey on social media @alvinailey to learn some dance moves for yourself. For a list of all the available performances, visit www.alvinailey.org.

Easy Women Smoking Loose Cigarettes at Signature Theatre

While live performances at the Signature Theatre have been canceled, you can still stream their amazing work. Stream Easy Women Smoking Loose Cigarettes through April 12 for a smart, insightful and funny show. Just don’t stream it while on a Zoom call for work, you won’t be able to stifle your laughter. Learn how to stream the play at www.sigtheater.org.

Google Arts & Culture Collection

Just because favorite museums are temporarily closed, doesn’t mean you can’t explore them. The Google Arts and Culture Collection features works of art found in museums all over the world, including D.C.’s own Smithsonian collections. There are thousands of items for you to explore, so be sure to carve out a good chunk of time for a day at the museum. To look through the catalog, visit https://artsandculture.google.com.

The Maryland Film Festival

The regional film festival is moving to an online platform. Explore a wide selection of carefully curated films from April 29 to May 3 or check their website for non-festival films to stream. Check their Instagram account @mdffparkway for announcements about live Q&A’s with filmmakers. For a full list of participating films, visit https://mdfilmfest.com/festival.

National Aquarium via Webcam

One of the nation’s most famous aquariums is inviting marine enthusiasts to visit their favorite exhibits via the webcams set up at the aquarium’s Blacktip Reef, Pacific Coral Reef and Jellies Invasion. They are also publishing fun at-home activities such as word searches and marine-inspires coloring pages. Follow them on Instagram @nationalaquarium for Q&As with aquarium workers and tours. For more information on the aquarium’s virtual offerings, visit www.aqua.org.

Playwrights on Plays

Join Round House Theatre for a new weekly online discussion series, Playwrights on Plays. Round House’s Literary Manager Gabrielle Hoyt will host interviews with playwrights about their work and inspirations. This will be a live and interactive virtual event. For information on times and streaming platforms, visit www.roundhousetheatre.org.

Smithsonian Archives

The Smithsonian has uploaded almost 3 million items at the time of press to their new Smithsonian Open Access forum. The public is invited to use, transform and share the 2D and 3D digital items any way they please. Use this time at home to view ancient artifacts or improve your artistic skills by tracing a famous painting. See the extensive collection at www.si.edu.

Talking Shorts Presents Dystopia

Every week, Talking Shorts will present seven short films on the subject of dystopia, free to stream online. The audience can then vote for their favorite film at the end of the week, making the watch party into a fun interactive game. Talking Shorts will also be asking audience members to donate to causes uplifting those affected by the outbreak. To learn more about the festival, visit www.talkingshorts.com.

EAT + DRINK

Kwame Onwuachi of Kith/Kin Gives Tutorials

Kith/Kin’s famed chef is hosting healthy cooking classes on his Instagram every week. Onwuachi knows it can be hard to keep healthy eating habits while we’re at home, but hopefully his classes can inspire foodies on couches around D.C. and nationwide to eat nutritious and delicious meals. He will also be leaving 10 minutes open after the demo for a Q&A with attendees. Follow him on Instagram @chefkwameonwuachi.

Chronicles of a Quarantined Chef

In light of the Covid-19 crisis, chef Lincoln Fuge from Present Company Public House and his wife Lauren Brooks have started the YouTube series “Chronicles of a Quarantined Chef.” The chef is stuck at home like the rest of us and is taking the time to go through his fridge to whip up some tasty meals. Follow along in your own kitchen for a cooking class experience or write down their tips for the future. To see the videos, search “Chronicles of a Quarantined Chef ” on YouTube.

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater.

Photo by Paul Kolnik.

Happied Virtual Happy Hours

The app Happied is connecting Washingtonians for virtual happy hours at their favorite bars. Learn how to make cocktails from local bartenders, meet new friends and support your neighborhood watering hole from afar. There is limited availability per happy hour, so sign up soon and get your bar kit ready. Times and prices vary. Learn more about the app and its offerings at www.playhardcrew.com.

Mangia DC Virtual Cooking Class

Join Mangia DC on Zoom and learn to cook using what’s in your pantry. The classes focus on three different dishes and allow for time to ask the featured local chef any questions. While this is a free class, donations are encouraged, and all proceeds go to the Mangia staff. Various times. Sign up at www.mangiadc.com.

Maxwell Park Friday Night Pours

Maxwell Park wine bar has started hosting Friday Night Pours, a new TGIF series on their Instagram Live. The series kicks off at 7 p.m. on Fridays, with new themes explored each week. Order some wine to follow along with the class or tune in and sip on some budget-friendly Two Buck Chuck. Join by following @maxwellpark_shaw on Instagram.

Republic Restoratives Distillery

This Northeast D.C. distillery is hosting free cocktail classes on Instagram Live, Friday nights at 6 p.m. They will be publishing the cocktail recipe beforehand so that attendees have time to get the ingredients delivered if they don’t have any on hand. Follow along on Instagram @republicrestoratives.

EDUCATION

Livestream String Masterclass

Associated Chamber Music Players (ACMP) presents the Jasper String Quartet’s free livestream masterclass on April 11. The Jasper String Quartet is working with two student quartets and an ACMP adult-amateur ensemble to bring you a string quartet masterclass. Music players of all levels are invited to participate, and there will be a live chat for participants to ask Jasper String any questions. For information about the class visit www.acmp.net.

Ballet Caliente Online Classes

Check out the Ballet Caliente website to choose from multiple levels of ballet, tap dance or studio classes. What better way to stave off boredom than learning ballet in your bedroom? For more information, visit www.balletcaliente.com.

Capitol Hill Arts Workshop Online

Capitol Hill Arts Workshop’s (CHAW) teaching artists are posting crafts, storytelling, artists talks, takeovers and more to their YouTube channel. Let your creative side loose and delve into new projects with the guidance of CHAW artists. Whether you’re looking to make DIY face masks or improve your photography skills, you could learn a lot by tuning into the CHAW YouTube channel. Search Capitol Hill Workshop on YouTube.

Island Music Company Lessons

Island Music Company is offering remote music lessons as we continue to social distance. If you don’t have an instrument, sign up for voice lessons. You’ll be so good after a few you can start holding your own quarantine concerts for your pets. For information about the company’s offerings, visit www.islandmusicco.com.

Ben Gibbard Live From Home.

Photo from Gibbard’s website.

Strathmore Workshops

Strathmore has long hosted artist workshops where patrons could learn how to hone their craft from professionals. Now, these workshops have moved online for free (donations are encouraged, though). Join their Artists in Fiction book club, creative writing workshops and more. Check out www.strathmore.org for more information.

FITNESS

Dance Place Virtual Programming

The D.C. studio has moved its adult dance classes to Facebook. Join other dance enthusiasts weekdays at 6:30 p.m. and on Saturdays at 11:15 a.m. for this live virtual dance class. Consider donating to help Dance Place continue to teach the community a love of dance. For information on Dance Place’s virtual programming, visit www.danceplace.org/virtual-programming.

Moon Joggers Virtual Race

The 50th Anniversary of the Apollo 13 launch will be celebrated April 11 by Moon Joggers with the options of joining a 1 mile, 5K, 10K, half marathon or full marathon. While the run cannot proceed in person this year, the event will be hosted online. Runners can log their miles at any time in the month of April, but are encouraged to do so between April 11-17. Fifteen percent of each registration will be donated to the Challenger Center. For more information about the races visit www.moonjoggers.com.

Sportrock Fitness Challenges

Sportrock is continuing to inspire its patrons to get active and have fun while at home. Though their climbing walls cannot be used right now, you can join an auction for private virtual lessons with their directors or look to their Instagram account for fitness challenges. Be sure to tag your friends and challenge them to stay active as well. Follow along on Instagram @sportrock.

WithLoveDC Virtual Yoga

WithLoveDC is continuing their weekly yoga sessions with the United States Botanical Gardens, just virtually. This one-hour meditation and yoga practice is free to all, but only the first 500 people who sign up will be able to join. Even though people must be apart, WithLoveDC is carrying on in its mission to promote community health and well-being. For information on times and how to register, visit www.usbg.doubleknot.com.

MUSIC

Andrew Bird’s Live from the Great Room

Musician Andrew Bird is producing a series of intimate performances and conversations with other musicians all held in Bird’s home, and live on YouTube. Many SXSW fans will have already tuned in to see performances from Yola and T. Bone Burnett. Bird hopes this series can bring a bit of inspiration and joy to everyone stuck at home. Check out the series by searching Andrew Bird’s Live from the Great Room on YouTube.

Bandsintown on Twitch

Bandsintown has created a Twitch account to stream concerts and bring you live music. People watching from home can donate to MusiCare’s Coronavirus Relief Fund​ to assist musicians and music professionals struggling during this time. Artists can also reach out to Bandsintown to announce their own livestream concert. Check out the performances at www.twitch.tv/bandsintown.

Death Cab for Cutie Live from Home

Ben Gibbard, lead vocalist and guitarist of Death Cab for Cutie, has begun a virtual concert series “Live from Home.” Streaming for free on Facebook and YouTube every Thursday at 6 p.m. PST, Gibbard only asks fans donate to a cause each time they tune in. So, pull up a seat and enjoy the musical stylings of Ben Gibbard in your living room. Learn about the series and get all the options for viewing at https://found.ee/BenGibbard-LiveFromHome.

Live from the Living Room

Strathmore Artists in Residence are hosting Live from the Living Room, a live concert series hosted every Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. on Strathmore’s Facebook page. Each concert will be about 20 minutes and showcase wildly different genres of music. Support these rising artists by tuning in. For a full schedule, visit www.strathmore.org.

Shut In & Sing Project

A group of songwriters and singers has come together to create this project, which includes a robust roster of artists performing nearly every day. The list of musicians includes a number of great folk singers. For the full daily set of the virtual pay what you can concerts, visit www.stageit.com/ShutInandSing.