Seattle Arts at Home Edition
(Updated May 6)
As a result of COVID-19, we’ve all been spending more time at home this month. But just because you're at home it doesn't mean you can't get your arts & culture fix. After all, we all need a break from obsessively reading the news and sanitizing our kitchen counters (who, me?!).
Below, we've pulled together some great “Seattle Arts At Home” options that let you engage with the arts right from your couch by turning on your computer, phone or TV. New offerings are coming online every day, so check back here for updates. (If you have a great Arts at Home event you’d like us to list, message us here.)
If you want to “attend” some arts outside of Seattle, check out this great list of virtual options compiled by the New York Times.
In times like these, we need our arts more than ever!
THEATER
Lydia and the Troll Live Concert
May 13 was supposed to be the opening night of Lydia and the Troll, a brand new musical from talented local composer, Justin Huertas, about a songwriter willing to do anything to change her boring life. In honor of that, Seattle Repertory Theatre is presenting a live concert on their YouTube channel where Huertas will share songs from the show. Wednesday, May 13, 5pm PST.
Nexus
Seattle-based playwright, Danielle Mohlman, is presenting a four-week run of her two-character play Nexus, with a different quarantined set of actors performing the play live from their living room each night via Zoom. Nexus is a modern love story that explores what transpires when two people become addicted to each other. (Hopefully the couples still feel that way about each other in real life!) April 17-May 17, tickets are “pay what you can” with the proceeds going to the artists involved.
OntheBoards.tv
As you may know, On the Boards is a great contemporary performing arts space in Queen Anne that presents all sorts of artists, including theater, dance and music. However, you may not know that you can watch many of their past performances online via OntheBoards.tv! And to make sure that everyone has access to the arts from home, OntheBoards.tv is FREE through May 15. Just pick your video, choose the rental option and use coupon code ARTATHOME20 when you check out. (Top video on my list is Now I’m Fine, the 2014 autobiographical performance from Seattle jazz musician/comedian Ahamefule Oluo.)
Seattle Theatre Group - Moore Music @ The Moore
The Seattle Theatre Group is offering a free livestream of their 19th Annual More Music @ The Moore matinee performance. More Music @ The Moore is an annual event featuring amazingly talented young, up-and-coming musicians performing an array of diverse musical styles. The show is only 75 minutes and also features a look behind the scenes and backstage interviews - that’s more than you’d get if you were there live! Watch here.
The 5th Avenue Theatre Playlist
Need a musical theater pick-me-up? The 5th Avenue Theatre has come to the rescue by putting together a video playlist of some of their favorite moments from past shows.
FILM
Northwest Film Forum
The Northwest Film Forum is streaming a variety of their films online. Check out their calendar here.
Seattle International Film Festival (SIFF)
While SIFF has cancelled this year’s film festival, you can still stream some of the films from home.
DANCE
Pacific Northwest Ballet
Pacific Northwest Ballet will be releasing video recordings of multiple ballets from their repertoire from May through June, including Swan Lake and A Midsummer Night’s Dream. These will be available to watch on their YouTube channel. See here for the calendar and more details.
Velocity Dance Center
Velocity Dance Center is holding many of their dance classes online. Check out the schedule here.
Dance Church
While you may not be able to attend your regular Dance Church class at Velocity Dance Center, you can still get your exercise in front of your screen. Dance Church is regularly streaming classes online.
ART & MUSEUMS
My Favorite Things at SAM
Get a personal tour of artwork from the Seattle Art Museum from artists and community members by watching SAM’s “My Favorite Things” video series. Watching these videos is like having your very knowledgeable art friend by your side as you explore the museum!
Blown Away
What’s better than a combination of arts and reality TV? "Blown Away" is a glassblowing competition show on Netflix, which features two contestants from Washington state. Watching these artists create in real time under intense time constraints really makes you appreciate the difficulty of the art form and how lucky we are to live in a city that has such a vibrant glassblowing community!
Museum of Flight
Fly away with a virtual visit to the Museum of Flight’s free virtual collection.
CLASSICAL AND OPERA
Seattle Symphony Live Broadcasts
The Seattle Symphony is regularly broadcasting free live performances so that the community can continue to enjoy their incredible music. All broadcasts can be streamed here and through the Symphony's social media channels on YouTube and Facebook. The Symphony will announce more performances as they are scheduled.
The Symphony’s social media channels also feature daily solo performances by its orchestra members from their homes. Think of these like mini personal concerts where you have a front row seat. (And you’re allowed to wear your pajamas!)
Seattle Opera
Seattle Opera is offering a video playlist of favorite moments and new podcasts with Seattle Opera dramaturg, Jonathan Dean.
LECTURES
SAL/on air
If you’re a fan of Seattle Arts & Lectures, you can check out some of their best author discussions on their podcast. The two available seasons include talks with folks like Rachel Maddow, Ta-Nehisi Coates and Madeleine Albright. You can find SAL/on air on the web or wherever you typically get your podcasts.
Town Hall
Town Hall is livestreaming their most popular events online. And you don’t have to worry about these selling out!
COMEDY
Jet City Improv
Jet City Improv is offering free virtual improv shows to keep us laughing when we need it most. Check out their Facebook page for more info on schedule and how to watch.
LIBRARIES
Seattle Public Library
The Seattle Public Library has a wide variety of free online resources that you can access from home with a library card. Check out their website for details on how to stream movies via Kanopy, rent ebooks and audiobooks and more. If you don’t have a library card, you can now sign up for one digitally.