ART, COOKING, AND ENTERTAINMENT: 6 WAYS TO GET YOUR FIX THIS WEEK, FROM HOME

We, (and when I say we, I mean the general population of human beings on this planet) have a lot being thrown at us this month. For the first time in the majority of our lives, we’re living in what for many, feels like the rising action of an apocalyptic film. But, despite the craziness and looming fear of the unknown, this is not the end of the world. It is, however, a time for all of us to hunker down, consider not only ourselves but those around us, and make the most of this unforeseen downtime.

Given these circumstances, museums and theaters almost everything around the world is closing until further notice, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t plenty to enjoy from the comfort of home. From Broadway shows to early movie releases, virtual tours of museums- and even online cooking classes held by a Michelin-starred, Italian chef- if you’re looking for something to do- you’ve certainly got options.

Here are 6 links to keep you engaged+entertained during the Quarantine of 2020:

1). Spend the Afternoon at The Louvre in Paris

Maybe you had to cancel your trip to the City of Love- or maybe you haven’t gotten around to planning it yet. Either way, here’s your chance to say hello to the Mona Lisa without having to elbow your way through the masses to get to her. It takes around 5 hours to walk through this enormous museum in person- and that’s if you don’t take time to stop and actually look at any of the artwork. They say if you’re to stop for only 10 seconds at each piece, you’ll need at least 3 full days there, with no breaks in between. But fear not- you can stroll the halls of this once-fortress built by French King Philippe Auguste, at your own pace, from home– and let’s be honest– you’ve got nothing but time…

1). 15 Broadway Plays and Musicals You Can Watch On Stage, From Home

Never been much of a “show goer?” Lucky for you, you don’t have to go anywhere to see any one of these 15 Broadway productions. It wasn’t even a week ago that Broadway went “dark,” but fortunately for those with a strong love for the theater, there are still ways to get a healthy dose of theatrical drama. This list will tell you where to access many of your favorite shows online and- just think- you can watch them without having to brave the many Midtown Manhattan crowds!

2). Disney Releases Frozen 2 Three Months Early For Fans to Enjoy

Well, this was a nice surprise. Just the other day, Disney Plus graciously (and I’m sure they also got a lot of subscribers in the process) decided to release the long-awaited ‘Frozen 2’ on its streaming service- three months earlier than originally planned. This was a major win for kids (and parents) around the country, as well as a nice distraction from the chaos happening around the world. As many families are adjusting to this temporary way of life, with children carrying out their studies from home, having Frozen 2 thrown into the mix on Sunday night helped ease them into the start of a new and likely very different school week.

3). Treat Yourself to a Night “Out” at The Met

I haven’t been to the Met since college and have been saying that I need to get back. Tonight, I will… (kind of), as the Metropolitan Opera House is streaming a different production nightly, with access to watch throughout each following day. Grab your wine and opera glasses and make an event out of it. Tonight’s showing is La Bohème, so if you really want to go all out, dress to the nines like Cher and Nicholas Cage, and reenact your favorite scene from ‘Moonstruck,’ while you’re at it.

4). New England Aquarium out of Boston, MA

Kids getting antsy? You don’t say. While this clearly isn’t the time to go (well, basically anywhere), thanks to modern technology, there are a number of ways to keep the youngins entertained from home- and a virtual field trip to Boston’s New England Aquarium is just one of those ways. With various videos and live-streaming segments involving marine life, this can be both fun and educational for people of any age.

5). Expand on Your Culinary Skills with Gucci Osteria’s Massimo Bottura.

Chef Bottura of Gucci’s newest restaurant, Gucci Osteria, in Beverly Hills, is giving virtual cooking classes this week via Instagram- a series he’s cleverly calling “Kitchen Quarantine.” While the experience won’t be quite the same as dining in-person overlooking Rodeo Drive, this behind-the-scenes opportunity is one that no food-lover should miss.

6). Universal to Make Current Theatrical Movies Available for Home Viewing on Friday

If you were bummed that you likely won’t be going to the movies for a while, then you’re in luck. Universal Pictures has announced that they will be making their new releases available in-home, on the same day as their initially programmed global theatrical release dates. ‘Trolls World Tour,’ will be the first of films streaming online, and as for the movies currently in theaters, (horror hit ‘The Invisible Man’ starring Elizabeth Moss from The Handmaid’s Tale, and romantic comedy, ‘Emma,’ based on the Jane Austen classic, for example) those have already been made available for viewing online.

Generally speaking, it’s a pet-peeve of mine when my kids tell my husband and me that they’re “bored.” There’s always something to do and even if it’s not obvious, use a little creativity and come up with an idea! The same can be said for adults. We’re going to have a lot of time on our hands over the coming weeks, so let’s have as much fun with it as we can- allowing ourselves a break from the chaos, while keeping safe and healthy along the way.

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A traveler since childhood, Juliana Fraioli Wilson has always had a love for exploring. She is a published writer and an accomplished business owner with a background in music and art. Join Juliana, her husband Ryan, and their two kids in Wanderland! Follow along as they share tips, tricks, recipes and reviews from some of the most beautiful travel destinations in the world.