8 virtual things to do this week: Outer space, sourdough, Questlove, and more

If you’re having a tough time coming back to work after the long weekend, this roster of virtual events will help soften the blow. From an all-day celebration of the first US human mission to space in almost a decade to a virtual dinner party hosted by Questlove to a six-part sourdough class, there’s plenty to do this week to keep busy and stay entertained.

SpaceFest at Home
Wednesday, May 27, 11am-5pm; free
The American Museum of Natural History is hosting an online festival to celebrate the first US human mission to space in almost a decade when the SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft launches from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida and heads to the International Space Station. The day-long event includes a virtual trip to space and live talks with museum curators and astrophysicists. The actual launch watch party will include commentary from Neil deGrasse Tyson.

“Bill Graham and the Rock & Roll Revolution” Virtual Presentation
Wednesday, May 27, 5:30-7:30pm; $10
The New York Adventure Club is holding a virtual presentation in collaboration with the New-York Historical Society’s exhibit of the same name. Hosted by NYHS docent Dan Conroy, the event will explore the legacy of Graham, one of the most legendary rock promoters ever, responsible for the Grateful Dead, Jimi Hendrix, Santana, and the Rolling Stones. In addition to learning discussing his incredible life story, which includes escaping Nazi persecution, the two-hour event will showcase never-before-published photographs and exclusive video and interview clips.

Virtual Selected Shorts: Choose Your Own Reality
Wednesday, May 27, 7:30pm; free
Symphony Space’s beloved Selected Shorts series has come online, and this week, host BD Wong and performers D’Arcy Carden, Paul Giamatti, and Marin Ireland will “dare to question the nature of reality—and then attempt to remake it, with short fiction about soothsayers, alien invasions, and an uncanny force known only as Greg Stalfa.”

MoMA PS1 Benefit: Online AF
Wednesday, May 27, 8:30pm; free, but donations are encouraged
MoMA PS1 is hosting an internet variety show to honor two very special supporters–Dr. Nicole R. Fleetwood, author and guest curator of Marking Time: Art in the Age of Mass Incarceration, and Taryn Simon, multidisciplinary artist and new member of MoMA PS1’s Board of Directors. There will be live performances by Nick Hakim, Moses Sumney, Elliott Jerome Brown Jr., DJ Young Wavy Fox, and more. As the event says, “The dress code is webcam glam, so come dressed in your wi-finest.”

Telling the Art Deco Story of Sunnyside
Thursday, May 28, 6:30-8pm; $20
The Art Deco Society of New York has been exploring the architectural style in various neighborhoods, and this week, they’re heading to Sunnyside, Queens. Led by architectural historian Matt Postal, the virtual tour will include sites like the Golden Gate Apartments, gorgeous building lobbies, and Sunnyside Gardens.

Questlove’s Potluck
Thursday, May 28 at 10pm
The Food Network will stream this event hosted by none other than Questlove. Inspired by his 2019 cookbook, Mixtape Potluck Cookbook: a Dinner Party for Friends, Their Recipes, and the Songs They Inspire, the event will raise money for America’s Food Fund, the fundraising initiative launched by Leonardo DiCaprio and Laurene Powell Jobs. Questlove will virtually bring together some of his friends, who will cook and eat some of their favorite food and drinks. You’ll visit Bun B., Hannibal Buress, Zooey Deschanel and Jonathan Scott, Ashley Graham, Tiffany Haddish, Patti LaBelle, Eva Longoria, George Lopez, Amy Schumer and her husband chef Chris Fischer, Kenan Thompson, Tariq Trotter, Gabrielle Union, Olivia Wilde, Roy Wood Jr., and more.

NoHo’s History and Architecture
Friday, May 29 at 3pm; free
Village Preservation’s Director of Research and Preservation Sarah Bean Apmann will lead a virtual tour and talk about the historic NoHo neighborhood, exploring its architecture that includes 19th-century row houses, institutional buildings, turn-of-the-century office buildings, and modest 20th-century commercial structures.

Sourdough Bread Baking for Beginners – 6 online sessions
Starts Friday, May 29 at 5pm; $95 
If you’ve been having trouble keeping up with your friends’ sourdough Instagram posts, this could be your chance to get even. The Brooklyn Brainery is hosting a six-part virtual course that will teach you to make and care for an active starter, bake a perfect sourdough boulé, and learn to bake other items like a quick bread, tortillas, scallion pancakes, and sourdough crackers. The only items you NEED are flour and water.