We here at The Weekender are well aware of the existential question facing us in coronavirus era: What even constitutes a weekend anymore?
Our suggestion is to treat the weekend like a real weekend — there is even a holiday involved this time — and have some escapist fun. So here seven ways to do exactly that, from a online jazz party to Easter treats and songs and some amazing movies you can now watch at home.
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1 SEE & HEAR: Experience Coachella — without the festival
The massive Coachella Music and Arts Festival was supposed to kick off this weekend, but has been pushed back to October because of the coronavirus pandemic. But who needs to wait (or deal with the traffic, crowds, dust and $50 box lunches, for that matter)? So we’ve constructed a faux Coachella Festival you can enjoy at home. Here’s how to do it. Meanwhile, a documentary on the festival debuts this weekend, too.
2 EAT & LISTEN: DIY Easter treats, and a holiday playlist
Easter weekend lies just ahead — and we hear the Easter Bunny has been deemed an “essential business.” But if your basket needs some sweet treats, we’ve got some adorable recipes for cookies and cupcakes right here. Plus, a playlist of spiritual songs.
3 PLAY: Goin’ on a bear hunt
As you stroll your neighborhood each day with the fam, keep an eye out for bears. Teddy bears, that is, sitting on porches and tucked in windows. Here’s how you can join the fun by #GoingOnABearHunt.
Leo Knudsen, 4, heads off on a neighborhood teddy bear hunt in San Jose to beat the quarantine blues. (Karl Mondon/Bay Area News Group)
4 WATCH: It’s a great movie weekend
There a LOT of great streaming options this weekend, including the drama that some are calling the best movie of 2020 so far. Here’s a quick look at some new offerings. And there’s more good news: “Parasite,” which many critics said was the best movie of 2019 (it won an Oscar, for crying out loud) is also being released for streaming this weekend. Details on that are here.
Justin Mortelliti (as Mr. Darcy) and Mary Mattison (Elizabeth) star in “Pride and Prejudice” (Kevin Berne/TheatreWorks Silicon Valley)
5 SEE & HEAR: Streaming options from jazz to Jane Austen
We’ve got some more great streaming options. How about a Friday cocktail hour with Pink Martini (the band, that is), a Jane Austen musical or a film festival devoted to the ocean? We have details on all those here.
6 PLAY: Dance with ‘Doom’
Video game fans rejoiced when the storied “Doom” franchise was rebooted a few years back. And they can celebrate even more with the new sequel “Doom Eternal.” Our reviewer gives it four out of four stars.
7 PLAY: Kid-friendly Cards Against Humanity
If you’re a fan of this — often rude and naughty, but always hilarious — party game, here’s happy news: There’s a family-friendly edition now. It’s free. And it’s downloadable. And it’s still hilarious.
