Hey, Bradenton, here are 10 options for virtual fun during coronavirus isolation

Life is much different with the novel coronavirus pandemic engulfing the globe.

But as COVID-19 forced Gov. Ron DeSantis to issue a statewide stay-at-home order, more and more people are living a quarantine lifestyle.

It gives the opportunity to attack side projects not normally prioritized, and it also showcases people finding creative entertainment options at home.

In Manatee County and the surrounding area, there are several places to find virtual fun and entertainment during the current crisis.

Here are a few ideas:

Yoga

Exercise is a stress-reliever, and while the coronavirus creates panic, anxiety and stress, there are ways to harness those things while getting a workout in. There are plenty of prerecorded sessions available on YouTube. For a more immersive and local experience, check out Yoga Bradenton. The studio began virtual online classes on April 5, with live streaming for view on laptops, desktop computers, smart phones and smart TVs. Classes are held multiple days and times throughout the week. For more information on cost, registration and what else is needed, visit the Yoga Bradenton website.

Info: yogabradenton.com/schedules.

Music lessons

Always wanted to try your hand at music or looking to revisit an instrument you played in your youth? Well, now is a perfect time to learn. There are many services for learning to play online, and YouTube is also an unlimited resource for lessons and tutorials. Locally, Elizabeth Farrell Music has studios in Lakewood Ranch and Sarasota. While on-site lessons are the norm, students are continuing their lessons virtually through a variety of video apps.

Info: elizabethfarrellmusic.com.

Museum fun

Museums may be temporarily shuttered due to the coronavirus, but many are finding a way to provide fun and educational content online in the meantime. Locally, The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature staff have created “Meet the Manatees,” a weekly broadcast that’s full of facts about sea cows (and live footage of the gentle giants). The museum is also posting a variety of other virtual learning experiences on Facebook including plant and animal encounters, home science experiment tutorials and a virtual story time for kids. And, you can download The Bishop’s “Pathways” app for more museum adventures at home.

Info: bishopscience.org/museum-from-home.

Other area museums offering free Facebook live and virtual experiences include The Ringling in Sarasota and The The Salvador Dalí Museum in St. Petersburg.

Happy Hour

Bars and restaurants felt the wrath of COVID-19 from the outset, with in-person dining nixed last month as Floridians began practicing social distancing in adherence to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines. So for many adults, that meant social outings after work hours suddenly vanished. But thankfully, as long as you’re of the appropriate age and equipped, virtual happy hours are becoming a new way to meet up through any video sharing device. Some of the more popular ones are through Zoom and Skype.

Home cooking and baking

Now is a great time to try out a new recipe or two, and the internet is full of free ones.

For those who want more hands-on guidance in honing cooking skills, online classes are another option. The New Orleans Culinary and Hospitality Institute is offering “Cooking in Quarantine” classes on a pay-what-you-can basis, including a limited number of free seats for each lesson. Online lessons at various price points are also available through platforms like America’s Test Kitchen Cooking School, The Chef and the Dish and Fest.

Some chefs and restaurants are also taking to social media to offer free lessons during the coronavirus outbreak. World-famous chef Massimo Bottura is offering free mini-lessons on Instagram, as are many other celebrity chefs and bakers.

Livestream concerts

Can’t go to a concert in person these days? Don’t fret. A weekly series through Connect Bradenton spotlights local musicians each Thursday at 4:30 p.m. Local artists have a virtual tip jar with payment info provided, so anyone can help them bridge the gap until things get back to normal. There’s also a Facebook page called Quarantine Concerts Worldwide that helps artists stay connected to audiences while the pandemic continues, and GoTonight offers a local listing of concert streams.

Video game streaming

Professional athletes are competing in various sports games or simulators. There’s iRacing’s partnership with NASCAR for a series of events, while NBA players are competing in an NBA2K tournament. Both are broadcasted nationally. ESports continues gaining popularity, and streaming video game content on a platform such as Twitch is normal, even when a pandemic isn’t raging on. So if you’re getting bored at home, plug in and set up a Twitch stream for your video game enjoyment.

Animals and science

There are also Florida-centric science adventures and animal encounters to be had online. Locally, Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium in Sarasota is filling its Facebook feed with updates on its resident fauna, from live shark feedings to closeups of turtles and otters. Other virtual offerings from Mote include online trivia, video museum tours, guided home science experiments and a weekly happy hour featuring a relaxing live feed of aquatic life.

Follow at: facebook.com/MoteMarineLab.

Other pages to check out online for more animal fun include The Florida Aquarium and Busch Gardens Tampa Bay.

Arts and crafts

Art project, anyone? ArtCenter Manatee in Bradenton is collecting digital artwork from the community that will be combined into a digital art quilt. The quilt will be shared as a free digital wallpaper and screensaver. The gallery has also moved some of its art displays online.

Info: artcentermanatee.org.

The creativity doesn’t have to stop there. There are many online tutorials for craft projects on YouTube and beyond. Try your hand at making a paper alligator or crocheting a beer cozy.

Movie time

The Sarasota Film Festival is taking its famous annual showcase of filmmaking online for the first time ever.

The festival is now scheduled for April 27 through May 3 and will include the streaming of full-length films, documentaries, short films, conversations, Q&As and more. The film lineup, ticket pricing and info about how to tune in will be released in the coming weeks.

Info: sarasotafilmfestival.com.

This story was originally published April 14, 2020 at 8:00 AM.