Lockdown, heck – it’s the perfect excuse to ditch all adult responsibilities and say ‘holla’ to your inner kid. So get set for ‘stay-at-home’ fun full of painting, pirates and out-of-this-world exploration with these 5 fabulous lockdown ideas.
From watching the National Theatre’s streaming of Treasure Island to exploring outer space via virtual reality, we’re here to ensure you leave self-isolation on a permanent creative high.
PS: Of course, as you’d expect, things change so quickly at the moment it’s worth double-checking all the suggestions below in case there are hold-ups, delays or new Government restrictions.
Until next time, stay safe.
Theatre | Swashbuckle with the Pirates of Treasure Island
With National Theatre
Ahoy, me hearties! Grab your rum (mojito) and enjoy a pirate-themed evening as the National Theatre brings Treasure Island straight to your ship (sofa).
On Thursday 16th April, for one week only, a special adaption of Robert Louis Stevenson’s Treasure Island will stream on the National Theatre’s YouTube channel – starting at 7pm.
Filmed on-stage by National Theatre Live, this rip-roaring adventure stars Olivier Award-winner Patsy Ferran (Summer and Smoke) as Jim and Arthur Darvill (Doctor Who, Broadchurch) as Long John Silver. It’s completely free, all the theatre asks for is a donation, if you can, to support it during these difficult times.
So jangle your silver and hop aboard (online) this Thursday; it’s time to leave the peaceful world of quarantine behind for murder, money and mutiny.
(Main picture by Johan Persson)
Experience | Travel into (Virtual) Outer Space
With Space Center Houston
Take a giant leap into the incredible Space Center Houston thanks to the free interactive Space Centre Houston app. It combines augmented and virtual reality, audio tours and more to allow you to orbit around the Centre’s facilities, discovering lunar artefacts (from moon rocks to spacecrafts) and opening up the realms of space travel from home.
Hear the tales of the human race’s extraordinary journey into space and the people who got us there, explore the Moon, watch the Saturn V launch, and enjoy an awe-inspiring virtual tour inside of the NASA 905 carrier aircraft.
A lockdown trip into space is definitely essential travel, wouldn’t you agree?
Art | Paint a Masterpiece with Virtual Art Lessons
With Virtual Instructor
Unleash your inner creative with The Virtual Instructor – an online YouTube art channel run by by artist and teacher, Matt Fussell. On it, he shares a rich variety of courses, ebooks and tutorials including drawing, painting, and digital art for art-loving beginners.
From painting urban landscapes with acrylics, to drawing an ostrich with charcoal and a butterfly with pastel, there’s sure to be a niche tutorial with your name on.
So don’t be afraid to dust off your paintbrushes or drawing pencils; nobody will see your first attempts and you’ll have plenty of time to produce a masterpiece to show off!
Cooking | Create a Seasonal Feast with London Borough Market
On Facebook and Instagram
Travel (virtually) from your tranquil home to the hustle and bustle of London Borough Market. On the Borough Market Facebook, Instagram and website pages you will find cooking tutorials, recipes and tips for zesty, creative, seasonal dishes you can create at home.
The ingenious recipes, shared by Borough Market experts and the Borough Market community, include apple, ginger and lime crumble, celebratory satay, and Red Mullet, chilli, fennel, pine nuts, tomatoes and pappardelle. Yum!
The market is a vibrant fusion of international influences and traditional British produce, and is still open to locals during Covid 19, but with careful restrictions in place for shoppers. For those slightly further afield or unable to make it during trader opening hours, you can still shop the best of Borough online, with doorstep drop-off delivery or click-and-collect in the Market until 9pm.
Skill | Upcycle Your Clothes for a Post-Lockdown New Look
With ‘Love Your Clothes’
It’s time for the stay-at-home comfort dressing of 2020 to come to an end! Yes folks, banish those jogging bottoms to the depths from which they came and spice up your wardrobe with an upcycled summer look.
Love Your Clothes is part of a national initiative to reduce the environmental impact of clothing across the UK. It has fabulous videos and articles online from experienced sewers on how to revamp your look with the items you no longer wear.
Make a top and skirt from a dress, make a laptop case from a jumper, make aprons, and turn odd socks into handy items for pets and loved ones. Plus, there’s hundreds of other topics and upcycling inspiration waiting.
For more preloved ideas, also look at Sewrendipity and the Oxfam fashion blog – then prepare to show off your new creations on the new lockdown catwalk: the local supermarket. Work it baby, work it.
Want to see your virtual event here?
Do you have an upcoming event to help people get through self-isolation that you’d like to promote? Email us and tell us about it!
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