HAMPTON ROADS, Va. (WAVY) – During these trying times, social distancing has become our best option at minimizing the spread of the coronavirus.
For now, a lot of local parks and beaches are open for business – while maintaining the necessary health recommendations and precautions – but what about during bad weather, while parents have to get work done, or when the parents are done working?
Living Local and WAVY.com have you covered.
Here is a complete guide on how Hampton Roads companies are providing virtual entertainment for everyone staying indoors.
One-time Events
City of Norfolk
VisitNorfolk is celebrating “National Travel and Tourism Week” this week by bringing the sights and sounds of the city to you, via social media. This is not the way this week would typically be celebrated, but they’re adapting to the pandemic and have a host of online events scheduled. From Takeout Tuesday to Touring Thursday, check out the full list of events at this link.
Animal Education & Fun
Virginia Aquarium
The trainers take viewers on daily virtual tours throughout the aquarium while posting different Facebook activities and feeding time videos.
Virginia Living Museum
Join the Virginia Living Museum educators and animal welfare and conservation staff on the Museum’s Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts daily. Engaging lessons, animal ambassadors, adventure challenges and LIVE feedings and activities will be showcased.
The day-long schedule begins at 8 a.m. and ends at 8 p.m. with a bedtime story (targeted to nature lovers 5 and under).
In addition, every Saturday at 10:30 a.m., watch the museum’s live otter cam as the trainers journey into Moe and Molly’s river habitat to feed and care for them!
During the evenings, check-in on the museum’s Twitter page as they take you on a daily journey through the Virginia Skies where you can discover all the night sky has to offer.
For more information, visit the Virginia Living Museum’s website.
The Virginia Zoo
The zoo began offering a daily Virtual Voyage at 2 p.m. on their social media accounts back on March 16. Viewers are taken on a behind-the-scenes tour of the zoo while learning about the animals, zookeepers, and education staff.
They are also offering an Augmented Reality Tour that features 12 stops around the zoo allowing viewers to get “insider information” about the animals and the organization’s conservation efforts, according to its website.
Check the Virginia Zoo website at this link for their latest virtual offerings.
Comedy
Push Comedy Theater
The comedy theater has three virtual weekly shows streaming live and soon they will have classes coming to Zoom and will have limited participation. Show ratings and information listed below.
- Thursday feature: Brad McMurran presents ‘Good Talk: The Social Distancing Show’ streaming on Facebook live at 7 p.m. This is a PG-ish rated show.
- Saturday feature: The latest episode of ‘Quaran-Tinder Online Dating Show’ streams via Facebook live at 10 p.m. This is an adult-rated show.
- Sunday feature: Sketch Comedy meets America’s Funniest Home Videos in ‘Sketchmageddon Online’ streaming via Facebook live at 7 p.m. This is an adult-rated show.
Community Help
Foodbanks
Social distancing does not have to mean complete social disconnection and now more than ever, food banks need help from the community. Donations and deliveries or pickups can all be arranged online.
The request for help is for both volunteers and donations during the coronavirus pandemic. Volunteering, donation collection, and donation distribution are done safely while following all CDC social distancing guidelines. More information on volunteering and donations can be found online.
Health & Fitness
TRDance in Norfolk is offering Virtual Open Classes that run from Monday through Saturday at scheduled times throughout the day. Classes are $10 each via PayPal and include pilates, modern dance, ballet, tap dance, and jazz dance. Registration fees are currently waived and class registrations must be completed at least 30 minutes before class start time.
Country Bootleggers Dance Studio in Yorktown is offering weekly group dance classes online for free or as a donation. Classes offered include ballroom, country two-step, line dance, salsa, West Coast Swing and zumba.
Check with your local gym to see what the options are as many like the YMCA and One Life Fitness have put virtual portals up for their members. If you don’t have a membership, don’t stress since you can Take Your Workout ‘To-Go’ with the Hampton Roads Show!
The YMCA of South Hampton Roads announced the launch of “Virtual YMCA” using the hashtag #StayWithUs, offering an online platform for members to stay connected while trying to stay fit, active, and healthy during the COVID-19 social distancing period.
The Virtual YMCA includes access to an online library of instructional fitness videos, which feature a range of workout classes, including yoga, barre, and cardio fitness. In addition, members have access to a free, 60-day trial of premium online workouts from one of the YMCA’s providers, MOSSA Move.
The Virtual YMCA also offers live workouts and social gatherings through Facebook and Zoom, such as Daily Fitness Classes & Nutrition Tips, Storytime & Singalongs, Coffee Chats & Social Events, and Dinners from a Distance.
History & Museums
Colonial Williamsburg
The historic city has launched a new way to get in your history fix! Tune in to Colonial Williamsburg TV as you take a trip to the years leading up to the American Revolution when Williamsburg was Virginia’s capital and played a pivotal role in America’s fight for independence. This free channel makes it easy to explore the 18th-century city and meet the leaders, laborers, artists, enslaved people, and tradespeople who built America.
The channel can be streamed on Roku TV and Amazon Fire TV for free and video categories include untold stories, field trips, 18th-century recipes, exploration, and Colonial conversation!
Jamestown Settlement & American Revolution Museum
Although the museums might be closed in person, both Jamestown Settlement and the American Revolution Museum can be accessible through online sources via apps, blogs, interactives, videos and a series of curriculum-based lesson plans for teachers and students learning at home.
Staff have provided a History is Fun at Home virtual experience for students to visit museums as museum educators host behind-the-scene visit FREE.
Nauticus
Join the Nauticus and Battleship Wisconsin on a Virtual Adventure every day at 11 a.m. that can be watched via social media. They are also offering virtual battleship tours and educational resources to keep the kids up on history and the sea.
Nauticus also launched an all-new contest for house-bound families to get those creative juices flowing.
Create a unique, deep sea creature for Nauticus and you might just win a dinner for four from a local restaurant and other goodies!
Nauticus has two Curious Kids sessions coming up. They are 30-45 minutes long and held via Zoom. Registration is required one day in advance.
On June 23, Nauticus will host “What Floats Your Boat?” Learn how to build your own boat and test out how much cargo you can carry.
On July 14, Nauticus will host “Diver Down!” Children can learn to build their own boat and build their own mini divers.
To register for Curious Kids, visit nauticus.org.
The Virginia Beach History Museums
While the VB history museums are closed, they are still offering virtual tours of two famous historical homes. The tour of the Francis Land House brings you circa 1805 where you can view the period-correct residence of Francis Land VI. From there, visit the Thoroughgood House, one of the oldest surviving colonial homes in Virginia Beach.
The Francis Land House (photo courtesy from The Virginia Beach History Museums) 
The Thoroughgood House (photo courtesy from The Virginia Beach History Museums)
Kids Classroom & DIY
Dominion Energy
Dominion Energy’s ‘Project Plant It!’ program, which began in 2007, is a great at-home learning resource during the coronavirus pandemic. And it’s Free! The resource teaches students about the benefits of trees to the ecosystem. For more information, click here.
Suffolk Public Library
The Suffolk Public Library is keeping kids entertained with virtual classes including DIY projects, storytime, cooking, and even late-night trivia. The schedule can be found on the Facebook page and YouTube channel.
The library also opened a virtual chat option on April 15 that allows the community to chat with the staff via phone, text, and email. The service is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. More information can be found online.
Virginia Beach Public Library
The Virginia Beach library released a schedule of online programs for adults and kids including rhymes and storytimes. Join Ms. Katie on the VB Library YouTube Channel for stories, rhymes, songs, concepts (i.e. colors, shapes, letters) and build early literacy skills with your curious toddler, as they develop independence and social skills.
Music & Performing Arts
Local musicians and bands are taking to social media to streaming live music events to provide some virtual entertainment these days.
Live music
Local musicians get back to work with a live-streaming partnership between Iota Creative Collective, Paul Todd, and the Virginia Beer Co. Live music shows stream every Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday via Live from Retro Daddio’s Facebook page!
Join Norfolk Native Adam Clifford as he plays piano from his home with Alfie, his four-leged conductor. You can join Clifford and Alfie every Thursday at 7 p.m. on his Facebook page.
Check out The Hampton Roads Show guests Actor Terry O’ Quinn and Comedian Kate Baldwin with their power couple jam session. The duo is also one of the talented local acts participating in Skye Zentz’s FRIEND JAM 2.0 Virtual Music Festival Saturday, April 25 from Noon to Midnight.
The Hampton Roads Show Living Room Jams edition presents Celeste Kellogg! Check out her version of “Carolina” and info on her new EP release!
As new live music becomes available, we will update it here.
Sandler Center
The Sandler Center for the Performing Arts in Virginia Beach has launched a new Facebook group — Virtual Stage Coastal Virginia — aimed at bringing the local performing arts community together as Hampton Roads residents continue to practice social distancing to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Visit the Facebook group here.
Joint Base Langley- Eustis
JBLE is offering several ways for service members and the rest of the community to stay connected through online resources.
Be it worship services, daily concerts from the Army Field Band, or Zumba and other fitness routines to help the community to stay active, JBLE has the online connection.
Did we miss something? Email the Living Local team and let us know what we should add!
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