5 minute read
Happening Now
Happening
Rodin's The Three Shades at the NCMA
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We strive to provide WALTER readers a well-rounded selection of cultural experiences to fill their social calendars. Navigating how to safely get back to what we enjoy most: the arts, sports, dining, nightlife, outreach, social engagement and the great outdoors remains top of mind. While many events and activities have been canceled or postponed, there is still much Happening Now. Local businesses and organizations are finding innovative ways to entertain, engage, connect and reinforce our sense of community, even from a distance. Gathered here is a resource guide to visit and bookmark, so you can stay up on virtually everything.
FAMILY
With the real prospect of a never-endingsummer, here are a few resources to spark quality together time.
NORTH CAROLINA MUSEUM OF HISTORY
History at Home brings the resources of the museum right to you. Tour virtual exhibits, view documentary films and interviews with historians or link out to other historical resources. Then, plan an outing to visit a state historic site or park. ncmuseumofhistory.org/history-at-home
NORTH CAROLINA MUSEUM OF NATURAL SCIENCES
Science at Home offers budding scientists ideas and activities to explore the world around them. Learn how to identify trees in the neighborhood, join a live round of Trivia Tuesday, watch a video on slimeeating insects, classify the bug living under your porch by Asking a Naturalist. Science at Home is just the jumping off point for discovering unchartered territories. naturalsciences.org
MARBLES KIDS MUSEUM
Parents may feel they are losing their marbles, so Raleigh’s beloved kids museum is here to help. Daily videos highlight activities to do at home from finger knitting to making a backyard obstacle course. Downloadable Play Poster activity sheets make learning fun and Playful Parenting tips make adulting easier. And once everyone is playing well together, pick up a prize (curbside) from the museum gift store. marbleskidsmuseum.org
RALEIGH PARKS, RECREATION AND CULTURAL RESOURCES
Wake County is fortunate to have a thriving parks and recreation system. Take time to explore a little deeper into the resources at our disposal with Play Anywhere with Raleigh Parks. Learn the basics of watercolor, make solar s’mores, go on a Pullen Park scavenger hunt, learn
how to help a turtle cross the road, practice chair yoga or finesse your forehand. There is also an updated list of park and facility openings, closings and best practices for enjoying spaces while respecting fellow travelers. And when you just need a little laugh, call the Raleigh Parks Laugh Line at 919-996-2759 for the joke of the day. No kidding. raleighnc.gov/play-anywhere
ART
Need to distract the children for a few minutes, engage with friends and loved ones or simply reclaim a moment of peace? Many of us (including the admittedly un-crafty) are turning to art for therapy and leisure. As of press time, museums were still under state restrictions, but that has not stopped curators from finding artful ways to enhance lives.
NORTH CAROLINA MUSEUM OF ART
NCMA from Home invites you to explore, watch, read and make with a series of virtual offerings—a mini-master class— that reveals some of the museum’s noteworthy pieces. View the art, read up on its provenance, learn about the artist, listen to lectures, then follow up with a complementary hands-on activity. Patrons are also encouraged to curate an exhibition from home or create art with household items. Elevate the weekly staff meeting with the museum’s Zoom backgrounds. Other programming in the works includes a virtual Sculpture Race and a virtual Mindful Museum combining art, Tai Chi and yoga. And, when the in-home exhibits get archived, the museum park remains open for perambulating around the outdoor art installations. ncartmuseum.org
GREGG MUSEUM OF ART & DESIGN
Take an in-depth guided tour (via Zoom) with staff member Christina Wytko. Available in real time, visitors can ask questions about the exhibition as it's presented. Learn about the art, the artists, and the museum itself. Featuring All Is Possible: Mary Ann Scherr's Legacy in Metal and All That Glitters: Spark and Dazzle from the Permanent Collection. Registration is required. See website for tour dates. gregg.arts.ncsu.edu
CAM RALEIGH
Contemporary art is meant to challenge the viewer, which may be just the thoughtful distraction needed. CAM provides digital exhibits that include works of art, artist information and relevant links. Current exhibitions include award-winning visual artist Maya Freelon. Check out their Virtual Creation Station for fun (for all ages) art projects that can be submitted to their Virtual Gallery. camraleigh.org
UNITED ARTS COUNCIL
The United Arts Council is a non-profit that supports and advocates for the arts in Wake County. Consider them a go-to source for the arts and ways you can support artists, including donating to the NC Artist Relief Fund, a fund to financially support individuals impacted by COVID-19. With links to everything from drawing “quaran-toons” to juggling with scarves, discover a new talent. unitedarts.org
PERFORMANCE
We may not be able to hold our phone lighters above our heads as we sway in time to the beat at the Cat’s Cradle or PNC Arena, but there is still a host of live performances available. Secure the best seat in your house and enjoy. Also of note: NC Live—a state-wide coalition of performance venues—is working to determine best practices to ensure safe reopening of facilities. Our local NC Live team includes: Carolina Theatre of Durham, Coastal Credit Music Park at Walnut Creek, Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts, Durham Performing Arts Center, Koka Booth Amphitheatre, PNC Arena and Red Hat Amphitheater. Learn more at nclive.org.
NORTH CAROLINA SYMPHONY
Tune in to the symphony’s YouTube channel to experience a multitude of moments and movements in their creative series: Our Home to Yours, Get to Know Our Guest Artist and Together Through Music. The symphony is also offering their music education program free of charge. ncsymphony.org
NORTH CAROLINA OPERA
The state’s premier opera company is sharing highlights from their performance archives as well as digital interviews with artists. For these links and updates on the upcoming season, sign up to receive their newsletter. ncopera.org
PINECONE
The Piedmont Council of Traditional Music is offering online workshops and jam sessions for bluegrass enthusiasts. Sign up for their email list or follow on social media for updates. pinecone.org
CAROLINA BALLET
Plié along with Carolina Ballet. The company offers live Instagram barre and ballet classes for all levels along with streaming interviews with corps dancers. Every Tuesday the Ballet releases a new online performance from their archives. Past videos include Robert Weiss’ Stravinsky Pas De Deux and selections from The Nutcracker. carolinaballet.com
JULY
NC THEATRE
Sing along with NC Theatre (NCT): See snippets from past productions of Kinky Boots, West Side Story and Annie. Or, check out Star Gazing—a fun retrospective of the constellation of notables that have shone on the NCT stages over the last 35 years. nctheatre.com
