13 virtual things to do in NYC this weekend: Eat pierogis, sip rosé, and bang on a can
Photo by John Schnobrich on Unsplash
The weather is supposed to be positively springy this weekend, but don’t let the fact that you can’t enjoy it as usual get you down–there are plenty of fun things to do indoors with those windows wide open. From a star-studded virtual comedy fest to a 24-hour global live stream event featuring three former Presidents and Oprah to a six-hour musical performance from Bang on a Can. And of course, what would quarantine life be without food (we’re talking pierogis and cheesecake) and drink (spring-time weather calls for the start of rosé season!).
Friday
Order pierogis and cheesecake
East Village icons Veselka and Veniero’s reopen on Friday for takeout and delivery. Do we need to say more?
Rosé Mansion Virtual Happy Hour
5:30-6:30pm; free
This rosé-themed museum-meets-Instagram playland is hosting a virtual happy hour complete with a contest, drinking games, learning about wine, and making the “Quarantini of the Week.” Hurry, there’s still time to order some pink wine from your local wine shop.
Bon Appétit Test Kitchen’s first-ever live show
7pm; free
The culinary gurus at Bon Appétit are opening their test kitchen to the public for the first time with cooking challenges and a look into the team’s personal kitchens. The event will raise money to support World Central Kitchen’s response to Covid-19.
COVID IS NO JOKE virtual comedy fest
8pm; free
Join nearly 40 comedians, actors, and performers for “a night of levity, laughter, and community in support of frontline health workers.” There will appearances by Steve Carell, Wayne Brady, Elizabeth Banks, Kristin Chenoweth, Will Ferrell, Chelsea Handler, Mindy Kaling, Adam Scott, Sia, Kerry Washington, Patton Oswalt, and tons more.
The Call to Unite
Friday at 8pm through Saturday at 8pm; free
To raise funds for COVID relief efforts, this 24-hour global livestream event “invites people across the world to celebrate our shared humanity,” joining spiritual leaders, front-line leaders, dancers, painters, poets, and many more artists. Participants include (but are certainly not limited to) Oprah, Quincy Jones, Common, Yo-Yo Ma, President George W. Bush, President Bill Clinton, President Jimmy Carter, Archbishop Thabo Makgoba, Deepak Chopra, Maria Shriver, Julia Roberts, and Naomi Campbell.
Saturday
Chase’s #ShowMeYourWalk virtual commencement celebration
2pm; free
Kevin Hart, Serena Williams, and Stephen Curry have teamed up with Chase to speak at a virtual commencement ceremony for all the 2020 grads missing out on walking in their cap and gown. Participants are encouraged to share videos of themselves “showing their walk.”
Brooklyn Museum’s Virtual First Saturdays: Spring Remix
6-10pm; free
The museum has taken its popular First Saturdays online, and this week’s lineup of events includes a recycled windcatcher DIY workshop, a teen talk and poetry reading, happy hour, curator talk, and two hours of music from Brooklyn-based band Strings N Skins and DJ, artist, and activist Bembona.
Crafting the Creatures and Characters of Jim Henson’s World from the Museum of the Moving Image
7pm; free but suggested donations start at $10
This Astoria museum is hosting a talk with Bonnie Erickson, Caroly Wilcox, and Rollie Krewson, all of whom worked for decades with Jim Henson “designing and building beloved puppet characters for Sesame Street, The Muppet Show, and beyond.” You’ll get to see rare, behind-the-scenes photos and insider stories about what it took to bring characters like Elmo and Miss Piggy to life.
Grand Ole Opry Livestream with Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood
8pm; free
Country music power couple Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood are performing live from the historic Nashville venue this Saturday night. Tune in early at 7:30 for a Circle Session with host Bobby Bones.
Sunday
92Y’s XYZ Virtual Summit
11am; free
The 92Y is hosting a virtual summit geared towards generations X, Y, and Z that will “ask the big questions and explore solutions for the change that’s urgently needed” related to COVID-19. Some of the speakers include Senator Cory Booker, Emily Ratajkowski, Simon Sinek, Sopan Deb, Ramy Youseff, Jessamyn Stanley, Yung Pueblo, Emily Nagoski, Anne Helen Petersen, Ada Calhoun.
Bang on a Can live stream event
3pm-9pm; free, but suggested donations start at $10
Since its founding in NYC in 1987, this contemporary music group has been hosting Marathon concerts, and for the first time this year, it’s coming online. For six hours, you can take in “uncompromisingly adventurous, searching music, with brand new works commissioned especially for the day.” Some of the performers include Philip Glass, Meredith Monk, Shara Nova, Adam Cuthbert, Moor Mother, and so many more.
Lincoln Center’s Memorial for Us All
6pm; free
Six faith-based groups across the city have enlisted the artists at Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts and Jazz at Lincoln Center for a new, weekly community remembrance. The event, a short concert honoring and celebrating those who have left us too soon, will take place every Sunday at 6pm. The first memorial this week will be led by Wynton Marsalis in the New Orleans tradition.
Listen to the Missing Sounds of NY
“A glass breaking in a bar, a dance performance on the subway, an overly enthusiastic baseball fan.” These are the sounds of New York that we’re all missing right now, so the New York Public Library has put together an album with 10 immersive tracks that will transport “listeners to the daily urban orchestra that they look forward to hearing again soon.”
