More than 15 fun things to do while staying at home during the coronavirus
As signs of a slow or partial reopen emerge, there appears a light at the end of the long tunnel. But until we can share space again, here are plenty of new and ways to “funtain” yourselves via myriad local companies and beyond.
Drive-Through Brewgaloo
Your plans for a lit 2020 Brewgaloo may have been dimmed, but Brewgaloo efforts to “Keep NC Beer Alive” (and your spirits, pun intended) have not. Enter the breakthrough Drive-Through Brewgaloo pop-up event April 25 (3 to 5 p.m.) at Lincoln Theatre, where you can purchase a six-pack, 12-pack or case of 24, or try a Taste the Triangle mix pack. You: fun way to take home local brews. Them: keeping Triangle breweries in business. A win-win. Oh, and ICYMI, Brewgaloo 2020 has been rescheduled for Aug. 14 and 15. See you here and there. Must be 21+ to purchase. shoplocalraleigh.org/product/drive-through-brewgaloo/
Under One Roof benefit concert
9th Wonder, Ben Folds, Fantasia and other North Carolina musical luminaries are coming together to help the arts community as it struggles during the coronavirus pandemic. “Under One Roof” will stream live throughout the evenings of April 24-26 with viewers asked to donate to the North Carolina Arts Foundation. The nonprofit foundation will then distribute proceeds to the numerous relief funds for artists that have been established as concerts, performances, festivals and entire seasons have been postponed or canceled. The lineup, according to a news release, also includes: “Anthony Hamilton (Charlotte), The Hamiltones (Morrisville, Charlotte, Greensboro), Petey Pablo (Greenville), Tift Merritt (Raleigh), Jim Lauderdale (Troutman), Steep Canyon Rangers (Asheville), Chatham County Line (Raleigh), Joe Troop of Che Apalache (Winston-Salem), and The Harvey Cummings Project (Charlotte).” The performances and appearances will be broadcast in one-hour segments on Facebook and Twitch from 8 to 9 p.m. Go to https://bit.ly/3adDyeP for details.
Virtual Wellness With Dix Park
Adding to your local wellness options is Dix Park. Starting April 22, in lieu of its postponed parks program, Dix will bring you free virtual wellness classes from its Get Fit at Dix program teachers (along with new faces to the wellness fam) for your enjoyment from home, the backyard or even — yup — a park. Fitting. Flow through gentle, chair or yin yoga; stretch out your morning with a morning stretch; try a guided meditation or tai chi and more. All classes are prerecorded — meaning you can get fit anywhere, any time, on your schedule. Dix Park’s YouTube channel will lead off with two classes, adding a couple more each Wednesday. dixpark.org/article/virtual-wellness-dix-park
MerleFest (sort of)
While the famed fest has been canceled, the 2012 show will be streamed from Thursday, April 23, 1 p.m. through Sunday April 26. Lineup info is available online and includes Vince Gill, Los Lobos, Tedeschi Trucks Band and dozens more. It may not be the real thing, but it’s still really cool “Music. Moments. Memories.” merlefest.org
North Carolina Zoo(m)
If your house doesn’t feel zoo enough (or to seek solace in contrast to a real one), you can now scope the North Carolina Zoo virtually. Easter may be over but the animal EGGStravaganza is not (think tasty treats inside colorful paper eggs made especially for the animals). I mean, have you even lived until you’ve seen a raccoon feast up close and personal? I think not. Peep plenty of other animal stories and shenanigans to boot. nczoo.org/virtual-visit
Tiny Street Art Project
Want a more colorful walk? The Tiny Street Art Project by local artist Erin Bryce Greenawald is bringing artful joy to your day-to-day walks, and we are here for it. Brighten quarantine and your daily dose of exercise (socially distanced, of course) by scouting small pieces of art in downtown Raleigh with humorous sayings and slogans (“spread joy not germs”; “tell me what it is you plan to do with your one wild and precious trip to the grocery store”). Map is available online at linktr.ee/tinystreetartproject.
The Farmstand at Raleigh City Farm
Bowing ever so appropriately on Earth Day (April 22), Raleigh City Farm’s Farmstand will sell hyperlocal produce for your nutrition needs every Wednesday through October (4 to 7 p.m.). Pro tip per the Farm: Cultivator Club members can select three free items. Credit card only until further notice. Visit the stage at 800 N. Blount St. to select produce. Produce picks will be bagged for you. Check the website for current and future harvests. raleighcityfarm.org
Local Virtual Happy Hours
Miss bellying up to the bar with your buds? A host of hot spots are offering virtual happy hours. Join Spirited Award Best New Cocktail Bar East nominee Kingfisher Durham for its daily virtual happy hour at 4:30 p.m. on Instagram Live. Then hop over to Durham Distillery sister bar Corpse Reviver Cocktail Bar (scheduled to open summer 2020) for its Sunday through Thursday 5:30 p.m. virtual happy hour on Instagram Live with Bar General Manager Kristel Poole featuring delicious sips you can make at home. Cheers, y’all!
Mandolin Pandemic Relief Online Silent Auction
Help fund furloughed staff and support Mandolin’s reopening with chef Sean Fowler’s Silent Auction, April 20 to 27, giving you the opportunity to bid on experiences like a five-course wine dinner in your home prepared by Fowler; a private dinner and a movie at Mandolin Farm for your guests; a Mandolin Farm cooking class for eight; a Mandolin Farm dinner for 40; or weekend fly-fishing getaway (Brad Pitt a la “A River Runs Through It” not included). 32auctions.com/mandolinrelief
Raleigh Wine Shop Tour and Virtual Shopping
Wanna peep the wine shop offerings from the safety of your home before you pull the trigger on your next perfect wine pairing? While Raleigh Wine Shop is open, it has supplemented its shopping options for your safety and preference with live virtual shopping experiences via Zoom from your phone or computer so you can better expolore its extensive curated collection to purchase. Book via the shop’s website: theraleighwineshop.com/virtual-shopping
Wake Parks From Home
Like your own 2020 Wake County pandemic version of “Parks & Recreation,” the county parks and recreation office is offering Parks From Home. Think games, educational videos and more. You know you always wanted to know more about the Oak View goats. Maybe tour of Yates Mill? Parents, there are scavenger hunts aplenty. You’re welcome. wakegov.com/parks/fromhome/Pages/default.aspx
Peonies in a Vase
Wine & Design is offering a virtual class with Peonies in a Vase, available any time April 23 to May 31. Pick up your paint kit curbside (or gather your own supplies), grab a snack and wine (obviously) and join the pARTy (no talent required). Price of the class gets you a private link and password to access a recording with a Wine & Design artist to guide you through the experience. $15 per person (blank canvas paint kit sold separately), wineanddesign.com
Live Carolina Ballet Classes
Beyond its highly revered previous performance posts (upcoming April 21-28: “December Songs,” “A Dancerly Response” and “Endymion’s Sheep”), the Carolina Ballet is also offering Live Instagram Classes with its principal dancers. Follow @carolinaballet for info on the world-class company’s live class schedule. (Looking for other options to boot? Check out Dancing Alone Together.)
Meanwhile, the Carolina Ballet Costume Director Kerri Martinsen and a team of 30 volunteers have put their sewing skills to the test, having made more than 2,000 masks using donated fabric and the ballet’s own supply of elastics. The free masks are being distributed by Covering the Triangle to those in need, such as the homeless, prison inmates and others with limited access to help, plus organizations like Durham Rescue Mission and Durham Housing Authority. Many of the sewing volunteers are local costume makers who lost employment when performances were impacted due to COVID-19. To donate supplies, visit coveringthetriangle.com.
Be (O) Negative
O-negative blood donors are in high demand. Got O-negative? Text “ONegative” to 70547 or make an appointment online with The Blood Connection. Not O-negative? You’re still needed. #BeADonor and #SaveLives. thebloodconnection.org
This story was originally published April 22, 2020 at 8:30 AM with the headline "More than 15 fun things to do while staying at home during the coronavirus."