10 online arts and culture events to stream whilst social distancing this weekend.

Here are a few of the best events we found happening on the world wide web this weekend and how to tune in (times are GMT & Eastern Daylight).


Nothing could be more of an enemy to the live arts than social distancing. Cinemas may be closed, film festivals and live art happenings cancelled left and right, but that doesn’t mean lockdown cultural lovers need miss out on the latest and greatest happenings and film festivals. The live arts seems to be fighting back with a creative outpouring many available for free to stream online. The sort of performances and events many of us can only dream of catching and being a part of in real life.


 SXSW Film Festival just got a reprieve the once-cancelled festival will now be hosted by Amazon Prime Video, a welcome treat for moviegoers as well as a relief for those filmmakers hoping to showcase their latest works. Through – May 6


Greenwich International Film Festival 

A scene from “The Black Emperor of Broadway.”

Festival organisers are have put together a full slate of narrative, documentary, and short subject films during the four-day festival.

Through May 3


The Flames of Paris at The Royal Opera House, London

The Royal Opera House is bringing a programme of fine art into our living room. As part of its #OurHouseToYourHouse initiative, a major opera or ballet will be streamed every Friday at 7pm for a month.

Visit www.roh.org.uk


Maryland Film Festival Highlights.

The Baltimore-based event has launched many daring and accomplished low-budget films by young filmmakers, including Anna Biller’s second feature, “The Love Witch,” which had its U.S. première there in 2016. (It’s streaming on Kanopy, YouTube, and other services.) Through May 6th


Common, Oprah, Questlove

200 stars, 24 Hours: The Call to Unite Covid-19 fundraiser. Starting Friday evening, and running for 24 hours, more than 200 celebrities and leaders — including Oprah, Julia Roberts, Quincy Jones, Common, Naomi Campbell, Questlove and President George W. Bush — will gather virtually for “The Call to Unite,” Participants will offer messages in their own ways, whether through a performance, story or prayer.

Through to Saturday at 8 p.m.EST – Midnight GMT

Where: The Call to Unite’s website and its FacebookInstagramYouTube and Twitter pages. Spotify will have segments available on demand during and after the event.


Will Ferrell

We’re all in need of a little levity right now, and Friday’s “Covid Is No Joke” a virtual comedy benefit might just do the trick. Will Ferrell, Chelsea Handler, Patton Oswalt, Bryan Cranston, Kerry Washington, Elizabeth Banks, Jack Black and Tenacious D, Mindy Kaling and many others will put on sketches, perform stand-up sets and more, as well as offer personal messages, to raise money for the Americares Covid-19 efforts. Sia will close the show, which is hosted by Tony Goldwyn. The first $100,000 in donations received during the event will be matched by an anonymous donor.

When: 8 p.m. EST – Midnight GMT

Where: The Americares YouTube channel and the “Covid Is No Joke” website.


Ramy Youssef

Virtual Summit for Gens X, Y and Z on Rebuilding After Covid-19 the 92nd Street Y will host its first-ever virtual summit about global recovery and social transformation in the aftermath of Covid-19 — focused on generations X, Y and Z. Senator Cory Booker of New Jersey, the model and activist Emily Ratajkowski, and the comedian and actor Ramy Youssef will participate, as well as speakers from politics, journalism and entertainment. Some topics include “Leading in the Times of Crisis,” “Coping Beyond Covid: Empowering Ideas to Manage Anxiety and Stress” and “Social Media as a Tool for Good.”

When: Sunday 3 May 11 a.m.EST – 15:00 GMT

Where: 92Y Online. Register here.


Syd Shelton: Rock Against Racism

Syd Shelton: Rock Against Racism – Online at Gallery Oldham

Gallery Oldham presents a UK touring exhibition of photographs by Yorkshire-born Syd Shelton capturing the legendary Rock Against Racism movement.

Rock Against Racism, online, Until 30 May 2020 Visit www.gallerygoldham.org.uk


Ongoing: The Holt/Smithson Foundation, which celebrates pioneering American land artists Nancy Holt and Robert Smithson, has kicked off Friday at The Movies, with a weekly feature film or series screened via Vimeo.


D.R.E.A.M. Ring

Reggie “Regg Roc” Gray, a pioneer in the Brooklyn-born street-dance style called flexn, and his dance crew the D.R.E.A.M. Ring will perform a new work, “Revelation of Proverbs,” as part of the digital program Up Close from the Shed. The dancers have filmed themselves while enclosed in different rooms to reflect the video format, which encloses them on the screen, the Shed said. The production is set to original songs by Epic B, a longtime collaborator of the D.R.E.A.M. Ring.

When: 6 p.m.EST – 22:00GMT

Where: On the Shed’s InstagramYouTube and Facebook pages, as well as its website.

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