Just because you’re stuck at home during the COVID-19 shutdown doesn’t mean you can’t explore the greater world. Here’s a sampling of family-friendly shows, concerts, activities and more streaming over the next several weeks.
BATS Improv Online Shows: This San Francisco-based improv group will be streaming free shows each week to bring a little improv magic into homes via Zoom. At 7:30 p.m. on the night of each show, click the link next to the show you want to see to connect to the BATS virtual theater. www.improv.org/online-shows/
Bay Area Children’s Theatre Creativity Corner: This virtual “playborhood” offers kids stories that unfold via video, plus follow-up activities they can do on their own, inspired by the make-believe they’ve seen. Parents can submit their children’s creations to BACT, which is planning to share examples online. https://bactheatre.org
Bringing BADM to You: Bay Area Discovery Museum offers a series of fun, engaging learning experiences to enjoy as a family. Explore three different themes — science and math, body and brain, and talk and play — designed to develop skills for children to succeed in school and life. Within each theme, you’ll find both step-by-step videos and activities with written-out instructions. https://bayareadiscoverymuseum.org/bringing-badm-to-you
Funkmode Dance Studio Digital Workouts: Offering free dance videos, including breakdance, hip hop, youth dance party and more. Find the videos at https://www.youtube.com/user/FUNKMODE
Hump Day Ballets: Every Wednesday through the month of April, a different ballet from Smuin Contemporary Ballet’s repertoire, curated by a current company dancer, will be streamed. Viewing instructions will be announced through Smuin’s email list, Facebook (facebook.com/SmuinBallet), and Instagram (instagram.com/smuinballet).
Livermore Shakes Educates: A Shakespeare resource webpage for kids and parents, this is an extension of the company’s “So Wise So Young” program for second, third and fourth graders. http://livermoreshakes.org/educates/
Magic Theatre Far Apart Art Series: This mini podcast series runs through April, and includes brief, daily audio journals from a host of Magic’s family of playwrights. https://soundcloud.com/magictheatresf
Magical Bridge Foundation Virtual Concerts and Sing-A-Longs: Enjoy free family-friendly, multigenerational and sensory-friendly shows at noon daily on the Magical Bridge Facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/pg/MagicalBridge/events/
Mt. Diablo Peace & Justice Center 2020 Art & Writing Challenge: Middle and high school students in Contra Costa County are invited to submit visual art (any medium), creative writing and essays on the topic of “Our Connected Planet.” No fee. http://tinyurl.com/mdpjc-artandwriting2020
Ruth Bancroft Garden & Nursery: Weekly online classes and content for you to enjoy. Prices vary. https://www.ruthbancroftgarden.org/events/
School of Rock Remote Lessons: School of Rock is a performance-based music school for ages 5 to adult. Learn to play drums, guitar, keyboard, bass guitar and vocals by putting on seasonal rock shows. The school is offering a combination of one-on-one remote lessons and access to master classes on music theory, songwriting, instrument exploration and genre journeys. Cost varies. schoolofrock.com/sanramon
