Wait, is today Tuesday or Wednesday?

Universe in Verse is an annual event that celebrates science and the natural world through poetry.  This year it will be virtual.  The 2020 Universe in Verse is broadcasting from Pioneer Works at 4:30PM EST on Saturday, April 25.

Here is the line up:

“Expect readings of Walt Whitman, Emily Dickinson, Adrienne Rich, Pablo Neruda, June Jordan, Mary Oliver, Audre Lorde, Wendell Berry, Hafiz, Rachel Carson, James Baldwin, and other titans of poetic perspective, performed by a largehearted cast of scientists and artists, astronauts and poets, Nobel laureates and Grammy winners: Physicists Janna Levin, Kip Thorne, and Brian Greene, musicians Rosanne Cash, Patti Smith, Amanda Palmer, Zoë Keating, Morley, and Cécile McLorin Salvant, poets Jane Hirshfield, Ross Gay, Marie Howe, and Natalie Diaz, astronomers Natalie Batalha and Jill Tarter, authors Rebecca Solnit, Elizabeth Gilbert, Masha Gessen, Roxane Gay, Robert Macfarlane, and Neil Gaiman, astronaut Leland Melvin, playwright and activist Eve Ensler, actor Natascha McElhone, entrepreneur Tim Ferriss, artists Debbie Millman, Dustin Yellin, and Lia Halloran, cartoonist Alison Bechdel, radio-enchanters Krista Tippett and Jad Abumrad, and composer Paola Prestini with the Young People’s Chorus. Expect glorious surprises.”

It is spring, but we aren’t able to experience it the way we usually do because we are primarily house bound.  I love flowers, and thanks to ASE reader K. Preiss, I experienced these six “Flower Bloom Events from Your Couch” that Smithsonian Magazine wrote about.  You will virtually tour the orchid show at the New York Botanical Garden, the cherry blossoms in Washington, D.C., tulips in the Netherlands, poppies in California, the Chelsea Flower Show in England, and a native plant garden tour in California.

For the month of April and possibly beyond, HBO is offering many of its best shows and movies for free – no subscription required. Go to HBO GO or HBO NOW or On Demand.

The Met has released a digital version of their production of The Mother of Us All, a 1947 opera by Gertrude Stein and Virgil Thomson.  It was a collaboration with The Juilliard School and the New York Philharmonic.  It chronicles the story of Susan B. Anthony and the women’s Suffrage movement.  The reviews were fantastic, here is part of the review from The New York Times –

“With its stylized (almost abstract) interweaving of the romantic and public lives of its characters — its account of personal and political achievement as both resulting from endless, trudging struggle — the piece remains as fresh as ever. Each time I see it, it feels like it’s been ripped from the day’s headlines.”

Watch on YouTube

Always wanted to kick as high as a Rockette?  Now you can!  The Rockettes just launched a weekly live dance class on Instagram. The classes are Thursdays at noon.   It might be a good idea to stretch before you start.

The class on Instagram click here.

One Day University is a wonderful organization that brings together the best professors from the most prestigious universities in the country to present consolidated versions of their most popular lectures.  They host over 125 live events in over 50 locations across the country.  I have attended several sessions and love them. They have set up a schedule of live streaming some of the best of their live classes.  They will have courses available 5 days a week (Monday – Thursdays at 4p.m and Saturdays at 1p.m).  If interested, subscribe for $7.95 a month and gain access to all the live streamed courses.  You can cancel your subscription at any time for any reason.

View the schedule here.

Go to the website here.

The Frick Collection has almost 40 virtual tours to be enjoyed. You can also enjoy a virtual tour of the entire museum and many digitized lectures. All for free.

The Avon Theater in Stamford, CT offers “the best of independent, world and documentary films”.  They are arranging for movies to be streamed to us and have a different menu every week.  Tickets are $12.00.

ASE reader Sandra W. has alerted us to Show Shepherd At-Home Theater which has launched its livestream performances.  Show Shepherd works with writers and the theater industry to advance creative projects.  They are offering solo performances developed for a theatrical setting performed by the artists in their own homes.  All shows are free and filmed live.  See the performance schedule here.

The Good Liar is a fun movie to stream at home and thanks to Pam D. for alerting us to it. Ian McKellen plays a charming con man who sets his sights on Helen Mirren’s character as his next mark. It is rated R due to some violence.

It is available on Amazon Prime, YouTube and Vudu.

For Kids:

Bird Watching!  Cornell Labs has many live bird cams that the public can view for entertainment and education.  Check out the FAQ’s that go with each live bird cam for great bird facts.  All About Birds

This musical audio book is about Viva Durant, New Orleans’ youngest detective trying to solve a jazz mystery that involves hidden treasure.  The story involves exploring the city’s culture, history and music. The audio features original jazz music from the creator, Ashli St. Armant.  This is fun for the entire family to listen to. This book and many other audio books for kids are available on Audible for free by signing up for a 30 day free-trial.

Visit another zoo!  Two weeks ago we featured the Cincinnati Zoo’s virtual tours.  This week it’s the San Diego Zoo. There are live animal cams, activities, games and about 60 short videos for kids to read along with and learn from.

Please pass this article on to friends and family sheltering in place who might not see it.