Livestream concerts, virtual exhibits and 10 best bets while you isolate at home
As restless as we may get, social distancing and #SafeAtHome are still on order as we work together to slow the spread and flatten the curve. There are plenty new colorful opportunities to keep you entertained while you fight off stir crazy — from a local chef cooking series to Virtual First Friday to a scavenger hunt — plus plenty of restaurants and bottle shops to support while you cheers to good health and the hope for a better tomorrow. #NCStrong
Luke Combs Livestream Concert
With a sure-to-be-hit “Six Feet Apart” set to drop this week (May 1), the NC-born and -bred multiplatinum mega-star country crooner Luke Combs is having a moment. This week he joins forces with Miller Lite for a livestream special concert (also May 1, 8 p.m.) for a good cause as part of the #VirtualTipJar campaign to help out-of-work bartenders. Tune in via Luke’s social (Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube) to watch and, if you can, donate via virtual-tips.org.
DPAC Living Room Sessions
The Durham Performing Arts Center is getting in on the live fun as staff, Performing Arts Ambassadors and Triangle Rising Stars perform live from their living rooms. Check the links of high school senior and DPAC Performing Arts Ambassador Emma Welch singing (ever-fitting) “Home” from “Beauty and the Beast,” DPAC Performing Arts Ambassador Blaine Garner performing “Goner” by Twenty One Pilots, or 2017 Triangle Rising Star Best Actress Kaylee Terrell singing “If I Had You” by NY Composer Drew Gasparini, and DPAC Performing Arts Ambassador Maximiliano Fernandez-Escalona crooning “Thin Air” from “Amélie” — and much more. Oh, and see if your star is rising by emailing Digital Marketing Manager Taylor (tzansberg@dpacnc.com) for more info on how to submit a video of your own for consideration of being featured. dpacnc.com
Duke Performances Livestream Series
Duke Performances, like many other organizations, was forced to cancel the rest of its season. But the group is partnering with Duke Arts and WXDU on a livestream series on the Duke Performances on Facebook and Instagram accounts. Joan Shelley & Nathan Salsburg are set to perform April 29 at 7 p.m. Gerald Clayton is scheduled for May 6. Past performances can be seen on Duke Performances Facebook page. While the livestreams are free, the arts organization is encouraging people to donate to the Durham Arts Council’s Arts Recovery Fund and North Star Church of the Arts’ Durham Artist Relief Fund. dukeperformances.duke.edu/livestream/
#RALeats Event
Got a hankering? The #RALeats Instagram cooking series is here for it, as one local chef goes live to whip up a delish dish and continues each Thursday over the coming weeks. The new weekly series hosted by RALtoday and Kō•än cary continues April 30 (6 p.m.) with Whiskey Kitchen’s Kyle Teears. Go to instagram.com/raltoday.
Virtual First Friday Raleigh
Virtual First Friday is back in full effect for May. Kick off your weekend with Downtown Raleigh Alliance online May 1 (5:30 p.m.) for a live set with DJ Amha, followed by the release of a new compilation of videos from local musicians and artists. In the meantime — or any time — you can see April’s streamable videos, featuring local musicians Hank Smith, Imani Pressley, Jade Marelle, Kate Rhudy and Trey Charles, along with artist demonstrations and gallery tours from Paris Alexander, Gallery C and more. Check out more virtual events from #ffr (First Friday Raleigh) members on the site, and #supportlocal (and make a night of it!) by ordering takeout or delivery from a resto or bottle shop. downtownraleigh.org
Virtual First Friday with United Arts
One of those virtual exhibits (May 1, 6 p.m.), features Georges Le Chevallier and local chefs (ORO’s Chris Hylton, Centro’s and Gallo Pelon Mezcaleria’s Angela Salamanca) who inspired his series “Shibui” featuring unconventional mixed media paintings (think curry and candy sprinkles!) of their deconstructed dishes. Then, savor a Virtual Wine Tasting with Wine Feed, featuring three wines (one red, one white, one sparkling) selected to pair perfectly with the dishes represented in Le Chevallier’s paintings. The wine ($40, $5 of every order goes to United Arts) will be available for free curbside pickup from the Raleigh Wine Feed or by delivery (within 20 miles) — or BYOB if you prefer. Link to Join: https://us04web.zoom.us/j/71732233234
Bar Plays 5.3
Bar Plays is back — virtually. The fourth and final iteration of the popular Bar Plays series will be available May 5 via video recordings. Set a reminder for 7:30 p.m., when producers Kurt Benrud and Thom Haynes will go live on Facebook to announce the six Bar Plays 5.3 recorded 10-minute videos, which people can watch for free, followed by a short survey giving the writers feedback. Originally slated to occur live in-person at Fortnight Brewing in Cary, the show must go on. So grab a drink from your (home) bar and post up as these six staged readings unfold before you. “Some will be over before you finish your drink; others will have you calling for another round from the bar kitchen. All are guaranteed to leave you buzzed.” caryplaywrightsforum.org
Urban Sketching
Fancy yourself a sketch artist? There is literally no time like the present — what else are we doing? — to sate some of those childhood aspirations or wildest dreams of what you would or could do if only. Enter CAM Raleigh Urban Sketching with Scott Renk, where you can draw the world around you — no experience necessary and at no cost. Go to the CAM Raleigh Urban Sketching Facebook group for more.
Morgan Street Food Hall Blood Drive
Miss Morgan Street Food Hall? Opt into a nostalgic trip while doing good and giving blood. The Blood Connection is hosting a blood drive at the Raleigh fave food hall through May 2 (noon to 7 p.m.) Appointments strongly recommended. thebloodconnection.org/enc-blood-drives/
#SEEKRaleigh2020: #TinyArtScavengerChallenge3000
As if we had our own Leslie Knope, more of the high value entertainment of “Parks and Rec” is here in real life with Raleigh Parks’ #SEEKRaleigh2020 campaign — a series of public art installations and interventions with its #TinyArtScavengerChallenge3000 installment. Six tiny sculptures by Graymon Ward (with clues) are hidden throughout Fred Fletcher Park. Can you find them? The hunt is on. You do not need a phone to complete the challenge (#AnalogBaby), and all six sculptures are visible from the concrete path. Watch the video, share your experiences on social with the hashtag (do it for the ’Gram!) and, of course, follow CDC guidelines for social distancing.
SPEAK
We may not be able to yet socialize, but we can still “SPEAK.” Co-created by Rina Mehta, Rachna Nivas, Michelle Dorrance and Dormeshia, Indian Kathak dance and American tap intertwine to celebrate tradition and embrace new possibilities. While NC State LIVE works to reschedule the live performances and community-based residency, digital events are now on offer. Get a sneak peek into this innovative tap and kathak collaboration from home with the virtual residency. On Tuesday, April 28 (5:30 p.m.) dig a Digital Happy Hour featuring the artists of SPEAK (cocktail and mocktail suggestions sent in advance). Note: You must register for the event here by noon on April 28. Participants will be sent a Zoom link 30 minutes in advance of the event. Then, Friday, May 1 (8:30 p.m.) take in SPEAK Livestream as the SPEAK artists stream excerpts from the performance and offer a post-show Q&A session. Go to youtube.com/user/LeelaDanceCollective.
This story was originally published April 28, 2020 at 3:17 PM with the headline "Livestream concerts, virtual exhibits and 10 best bets while you isolate at home."