Even as lockdown continues, venues, events and performers are still finding ways to bring their work online. We’ve rounded up some of the best free things to do at home this week, including an online karate class for complete beginners, a new weekly comic strip from illustrator Nick Burton, and loads more.

Gilles Peterson with Classic Album Sundays | Facebook/Zoom | Tue 19 May | 8pm - 10pm

BBC Radio 6 DJ Gilles Peterson will join Colleen Murphy, founder of Classic Album Sundays, to discuss his favourite lockdown albums – from old favourites to rediscovered gems. The conversation will take place via Zoom and at the end of the session the audience will be able to ask Gilles any burning questions they have – tune in on Tuesday to discover some great new music.

Karate For Beginners | Zoom | Wed 20 May | 6.15pm - 7pm

Manchester Karate are bringing their classes online via Zoom, and this one is perfect for complete beginners. If you’ve always fancied having a go at karate but find the idea of going to a class a little intimidating, this is a great opportunity to give it a try from the comfort (and privacy) of your own home.

Rum on the Couch Live | Facebook | Thu 21 May | 7pm - 8pm

Manchester Rum Festival are still running great events even in lockdown. This week, festival owner Dave will host Rum on the Couch, going through a selection of rums and offering loads of great prizes for viewers – including rum from Manchester-based maker ARLU.

Rachel Mars & Greg Wohead - Story #1 | Zoom | Thu 21 May | 7.30pm

Forest Fringe, a collective of experimental and unusual artists, are presenting weekly performances every Thursday at 7.30pm. This week, Rachel Mars and Greg Wohead bring their show Story #1 to Zoom, reimagining the acclaimed live performance for a virtual audience. The event is free but ticketed, so make sure to book on the Forest Fringe website so you don’t miss out.

Will Dickie: White Sun | Fri 22 May | 9pm - 9.30pm

Word of Warning, Manchester-based arts hub, present White Sun by Will Dickie, an independent performance maker. Originally intended to be performed at NIAMOS in May, Dickie has reimagined the performance for live streaming – it consists only of speech and movement and explores how Dickie’s identity and privilege shapes and informs his interactions with the world.

Our Plague Year: Nick Burton

Commissioned by HOME, illustrator Nick Burton will deliver a new comic strip every week, following an isolated village in 1665 as the plague creeps toward it and threatens its way of life. The narrative explores human behaviour in the face of a crisis, and is particularly relevant as lockdown continues in the face of a modern deadly disease.

Theatre: The Encounter | Youtube | Until Fri 22 May

The Encountera one-man retelling of a photographer’s real life journey into the Amazon rainforest, has been adapted for streaming and is available to watch on Youtube until Friday 22 of May. Performed by Simon McBurney, theatre company Complicite’s artistic director, the show has played sold-out runs at London’s Barbican theatre – don’t miss this chance to see it in digital form.

Mon 18 May - Sun 24 May
Words:
Amy Callaghan
Published on:
Mon 18 May 2020