By Clara Geoghegan
With one of the most unusual and stressful Aprils, at least in my life, coming to an end, I think it's time for us to treat ourselves. With COVID-19 stay-at-home orders extending through April 26 for Colorado and April 30 for Denver, we can practice some socially distant self-care.
Friday and Saturday, get dressed up (or don't) for a late night DJ set, and get down to some indie, soul or Caribbean beats. For something more low-key, bring bingo brunch home on Sunday with the Denver Milk Market. Order breakfast drinks and brunch on Friday, pick them up Sunday, and then tune in for some live bingo from your living room. Or, join Colorado Poet Laureate Bobby LeFebre for a discussion on how art can connect communities in celebration of National Poetry Month.
Get at it, Denver!
Just for fun
Live Storytimes. Denver Public Library, watch with Youtube. Friday, 9 a.m.-noon. Free.
Virtually Happy Hour Reading. Lighthouse Writers Workshop, join with Zoom. Friday, 5-6 p.m. Free, BYO drinks.
Book Social Happy Hour. BookBar, join virtually. Friday, 5 p.m. Free, BYO drinks. Registration required.
The Rainbow Ruckus #2. Rainbow Militia, stream with Zoom. Saturday, 4-5:30 p.m. Pick your price.
LitLine. Denver Public Library, stream by calling 720-865-2003. Anytime. Free.
Molly Brown House Virtual Tour. Historic Denver, watch with Youtube. Anytime. Free.
Gardens Navigator. Denver Botanic Gardens. Anytime. Free.
Online Exhibits. History Colorado. Anytime. Free.
Virtual Zoo Trip. Denver Zoo. Anytime. Free.
Learn something, make something
Día del Niño Symbol Workshop (free family-friendly virtual workshop). Clyfford Still Museum, join with Zoom or stream with Youtube. Sunday, 11-11:45 a.m. $5 suggested donation.
Bringing Music to Life with Aimerie. The Black Box Sunday School Sessions, join with TwitchTV. Sunday, noon-4 p.m. Free, donations appreciated.
Writing Your Life: Memoir. Center for Colorado Women's History at the Byers-Evans House, registration required, join with Zoom. Sunday, 10 a.m.-noon. Free, donations appreciated.
Drop-In Joke Writing Lab. VooDoo Comedy, join with Zoom. Sunday, noon. $10 suggested donation.
Colorado Face Mask Design Challenge. Colorado Creative Industries. Free. Make at home, submit online.
Viral Influence: Art in the Time of Coronavirus Call for Entry. The Arvada Center. Submit by May 15. Free. Make your art at home, submit online.
The Maker Challenge. Denver Public Library. Submit by August 8. Free. Make at home, submit online.
Music and nightlife
Rocky Mountain Virtual Music Festival: Vol. 6. Rocky Mountain Virtual Music Festival, stream with Facebook Live. Friday, 10 a.m.- 10:15 p.m. Free.
Ryan Mahrer. UMS Presents: Streams with Grit, stream with Facebook Live. Friday, 5 p.m. Free, tips appreciated.
Locals in the Lounge (Digital Edition). The Black Box, stream with TwitchTV. Friday, 6 p.m. - midnight. Free, tips appreciated.
Mashups & More! FB Live Shows. Ben Hammond, stream with Facebook Live. Friday, 7:30 p.m. Free, tips appreciated.
GRC Live Stream Series: Mean Mug Music Takeover. Grassroots California, stream with TwitchTV and Facebook Live. Friday, 8 p.m.-1 a.m. Free.
Lipgloss: A Virtual Indie Dance Party. Lipgloss, join with TwitchTV. Friday, 8 p.m.-midnight. Free, tips appreciated.
Jiggy Friday the #socialdistancing remix. Bar Helix, join virtually. Friday, 8:30-11 p.m. $5, to-go drinks available.
Kainalu. UMS Presents: Streams with Grit, stream with Facebook Live. Saturday, 5 p.m. Free, tips appreciated.
Swallow Hill Presents: Grace Clark Facebook Live Concert. Swallow Hill Music, stream with Facebook Live. Saturday, 7-8 p.m. Free, tips appreciated.
Jackson Taylor Live Stream. Jackson Taylor & The Sinners, stream with YouTube. Saturday, 8-9 p.m. Free.
Virtual Soul Party w/ MILE HIGH SOUL CLUB - II. MILE HIGH SOUL CLUB, stream TwitchTV. Saturday, 8 p.m.-midnight. Free.
From the Vault: Itchy-O's Free Archived HD Concert Series Hallowmass Night 2. Itchy-O, stream virtually. Saturday, 8 p.m. Free.
Reno Divorce. Punk Rock Saves Lives, stream with Facebook Live. Sunday, 2 p.m. Free, tips appreciated.
Joshy Soul. UMS Presents: Streams with Grit, stream with Facebook Live. Sunday, 5 p.m. Free, tips appreciated.
Dazzle Online Stage Performances. Dazzle @ Baur's, stream virtually. Anytime. Free.
Volume: A Local Music Project. Denver Public Library. Anytime. Free.
Art, culture and media
WeAreDenver. Watch virtually. Livestream release Friday at noon, watch past livestreams anytime. Free, tips appreciated.
Pussyhaus Showcase, Livestream w/ Lexie-PH Q&A/creation story. Spectra Art Space, join with Facebook Live or Instagram. Saturday, 2-5 p.m. Free.
Celebrate National Poetry Month with Colorado Poet Laureate Bobby LeFebre and local poet Suzi Q. Smith. Denver Public Library, join virtually. Saturday, 6:30-7:30 p.m. Free, registration required.
ApocaLips Comedy Show (Live Stream). Colorado Comedy Shows and Chuck Roy, stream with Zoom. Sunday, 7-8 p.m. $25, free available for those financially in need.
Saving Places. HistoriCorps, stream at home. Anytime. $10 rental.
At the Movies. Denver Film, stream new releases at home. Anytime. $12 rental.
Kanopy. Denver Public Library. Anytime. Free with a library card.
Audio Books. Denver Public Library. Anytime. Free with a library card.
360 Degree Tour. Kirkland Museum. Anytime. Free.
Eats and drinks
Virtual Happy Hour and Tasting! Round 6. Denver Beer Co., join with Facebook Live or YouTube. Friday, 4-5 p.m. Free to join. Drink what you have or buy something new, pickup available.
Virtual Happy Hour at Dos Luces Brewery. Dos Luces Brewery, join with Google Hangouts. Friday, 6-7 p.m. Free to join, beer available for pickup.
Sushi rolling date night from your home! Colorado Sake Co., join with Zoom. Friday, 6:30 & 7:30 p.m. Saturday, 6:30 & 7:30 p.m., Sunday, 6:30 p.m. $80, includes sushi ingredients and sake for 2 plus delivery.
Spanish Brunch. The Seasoned Chef Cooking School, join with Zoom. Saturday, 10:30-11:30 a.m. $25, BYO ingredients.
Colorado Brewers Guild's 25th Beerthday Party. Colorado Brewers Guild, join with Zoom. Saturday, 1-6 p.m. $20 and upwards. Drink what you have or buy something new.
Let's Get Smokin'! The Seasoned Chef Cooking School, join with Zoom. Saturday, 2-3:30 p.m. $25, BYO ingredients.
Virtual Bingo Brunch. Denver Milk Market, pick up food at 1800 Wazee St. Join bingo with Zoom. Sunday, 1:30 p.m. $30 (serves 4) and upwards. Order Friday by 6 p.m.
Exercise and sports
Noon Weekday 20min HIIT Tele-Workouts. Unlimited Force Training, join with Zoom. Friday, noon. Free.
Intermediate Modern Dance Class. Hannah Kahn Dance, join with Zoom. Saturday, 10:30 a.m.-noon. Free, donations appreciated.
Cyber Dance 2020. Cleo Parker Robinson Dance, stream virtually. Anytime. Pick your price, $5-20.
Volunteer and donate
History Colorado and the Colorado Media Project have teamed up to collect firsthand accounts of how the COVID-19 pandemic is affecting Coloradans. Documented experiences will be used to give context for understanding what the pandemic meant to Colorado. You can share your story by leaving a voicemail, completing an online survey or filling out a journal.
Operation Family Meal supports laid-off service industry workers affected by COVID-19 restaurant closures. Monetary donations support free meals and therapy sessions; donations of supplies and food are also appreciated.
Denver Metro Emergency Food Network
The Denver Metro Emergency Food Network has pledged to cook and deliver meals to low income families and the elderly in need. Your support means additional meals for those whose food security has been threatened by the COVID-19 outbreak.
Help Colorado Now supports those who are at high risk for COVID-19 across the state. In addition to support through donations of money and supplies, they seek volunteers for a variety of roles, some of which can be done remotely through the internet.
The Denver Foundation Critical Needs Fund
The Critical Needs Fund grants COVID-19 emergency money to high-impact Denver nonprofits. They partner with organizations focused on homelessness, home insecurity, healthcare, food insecurity and basic family needs.
