Naples Florida Weekly
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TOP PICKS FOR ONLINE EVENTS


Tune in May 21 at facebook.com/nbc and catch the “Red Nose Day Special” featuring Gwen Stefani and Blake Shelton, above, with many other star performers. NBC UNIVERSAL COURTESY PHOTO

Tune in May 21 at facebook.com/nbc and catch the “Red Nose Day Special” featuring Gwen Stefani and Blake Shelton, above, with many other star performers. NBC UNIVERSAL COURTESY PHOTO

Bored, anxious or got the blues during the global pandemic? The online community is sharing performances, events and activities designed to stimulate the mind, soothe the psyche and keep the body active. Florida Weekly offers these top picks to keep you occupied during COVID-19. To submit items for possible future publication, email plain text or Word documents by noon Thursday to events@floridaweekly.com.

¦ Theater Series – Theatre Conspiracy at the Alliance for the Arts presents a series of online plays beginning at 7:30 p.m. May 21. The series continues May 28. Productions are directed by Bill Taylor and include local favorites Stephanie Davis, Kayleigh O’Connell, Anna Grilli, Lemec Bernard, Imani Williams, Madelaine Weymouth, Steve Coe and Katie Pankow. Free to stream but donations welcome. ArtInLee.org/BestSeat.

¦ Burger Battle – Millennial Brewing Company hosts the inaugural Plant-Based Virtual Burger Battle May 25-29, culminating in a social-distance tailgate with live music and burgers in the parking lot at Millennial Brewing from 5-10 p.m. March 29. Customers can purchase a plant-based burger for take-out from participating food trucks or restaurants during the first five days of the competition and are encouraged to vote online for the Best Plant-Based Burger. A portion of proceeds benefits Humane Haven Animal Sanctuary. www.swflburgerbattle.com.

Watch bald eagles Harriet, M15 and their offspring 24/7 with this online stream. DICK PRITCHETT REAL ESTATE CAMERA

Watch bald eagles Harriet, M15 and their offspring 24/7 with this online stream. DICK PRITCHETT REAL ESTATE CAMERA

¦ NBC’s sixth annual “Red Nose Day Special” will feature Blake Shelton, Gwen Stefani, OneRepublic, Ellie Goulding, Steve Martin and the Steep Canyon Rangers, Sam Smith, James Taylor and Meghan Trainor will perform Thursday, May 21 at 9 p.m. at facebook.com/nbc. In addition to the music performances, Jim Gaffigan, Tony Hale, Ray Romano and Lilly Singh will also showcase their comedic stylings. Film and TV favorites Bryan Cranston, Mario Lopez, Milo Ventimiglia and Noah Jupe will make appearances throughout the evening.

¦ Wildlife Education – The Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife on Sanibel Island brings wildlife education to classrooms with virtual classroom programs called Wildlife Zoom, featuring Animal Ambassador such as Mina, the Great Horned Owl; Lola, the American Kestrel; Gigi, the Virginia Opossum; Cobb, the Corn Snake; Irwin, the Florida Box Turtle; and Sydney, the American Alligator. To schedule a program, email rrainbolt@crowclinic.org or visit www.crowclinic.org.

¦ Theater Fete – Sarasota-based Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe hosts its twice-postponed April Fools Fête starting at 7 p.m. May 21. The event runs through May 25. “An Evening with Sheldon Rhoden & Friends” features popular artists Mr. Rhoden, Ariel Blue, Michael Mendez, Raleigh Mosely II and Jai Shanae singing soul classics. The cost to access the 75-minute recorded program is $50 per household. westcoastblacktheatre.org.

¦ Theater Programs – Gulfshore Playhouse hosts an immersive audience engagement program called Artful Distancing. The free, weekly series of virtual theater-based content airs live at 3 p.m. on Wednesdays via Zoom. The program features online discussions with professional artists, actors, scholars and more, who provide a behind-the-scenes look at theater making. Coming up May 27: “From Page to Stage: Planning a Season at Gulfshore Playhouse.” Learn how the shows are selected, the science behind where they land in the lineup, and process of choosing design teams and actors. To register: www.GulfshorePlayhouse.org/artful-distancing. Free sessions are also available for on Gulfshore Playhouse’s YouTube channel.

¦ Art Show – Naples Art created the Virtual Downtown Art Show, an ongoing event featuring artwork in mediums ranging from jewelry and fiber art to furniture, sculpture and painting. Naples Art is also engaging artists through fun look-alike contests and painted selfies contests. downtown.naplesart.org.

¦ Film Chat – The Fort Myers Film Festival presents Thank God for Indie Mondays (T.G.I.M.) online at 7 p.m. every Monday with host Eric Raddatz. Enjoy screenings of films under consideration for the annual festival and banter with special guests. www.facebook.com/fortmyersfilmfestival/.

¦ Florida Freakshow – A new, locally produced podcast called “Florida Freakshow” celebrates the Sunshine State’s strange news stories. “Florida Freakshow,” hosted by award-winning former journalists Cory and Kirsten O’Donnell of Cape Coral, shares humorous takes on Florida’s weirdest news. Follow it on Twitter (@FlaFreakshow) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/flafreakshow) or on the podcast’s website, www.FloridaFreakshow.com.

¦ Flamingo Cam – Get a bird’s eye view of the gorgeous flamingos at Everglades Wonder Gardens in Bonita Springs with constant streaming at youtu.be/pFawm1gsuLg.

¦ Wine Tastings – Angelina’s Ristorante in Bonita Springs hosts a series of virtual tasting events in May. Participants can order the tasting packages and pick them up curbside. Tastings take place via Facebook Live so guests can savor fine Italian wine selections and food in the safety of their home. Viewing is also available via Angelina’s YouTube channel following the live broadcast. Coming up: Kiril Tsarev of Republic National Distributing Company, 6:30 p.m. Sunday, May 17. $85 per package. Orders must be reserved and can be picked up from noon-4 p.m. May 21 and 22. 239-390-3187 or www.angelinasofbonitasprings.com/.

¦ Couch Concerts – The Southwest Florida Symphony has posted interactive sites full of amazing orchestral music as well as some videos of performances by its own musicians. www.facebook.com/southwestfloridasymphony

¦ Eagle Cam – Dick Pritchett Real Estate has provided a hugely popular live look into the Southwest Florida bald eagle nest for eight seasons. Viewers can catch the action of Harriet, M15 and their offspring via four cameras that stream the birds 24/7. www.dickpritchettrealestate.com/eagle-feed.html.

¦ Itty Bitty Theater – Local husband and wife actors Brendan Powers and Rachel Burttram present Tiny Theatre at 9 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, doing readings from various playwrights. The actors have transformed a back bedroom closet into a makeshift theater with a string of Christmas lights, an IKEA curtain, duct tape and a paint stirrer. No charge and vastly entertaining. www.facebook.com/ClosetAtRachelAndBrendans/.

¦ Birthday Parties – The IMAG History & Science Center offers Virtual Birthday Celebrations for Adults, no kids allowed! Celebrants can gather virtually with up to 15 guests for a unique experience using Zoom for a video and audio party connection. IMAG offers various party themes, including Beers & Gears, a Harry Potter-inspired Wizards’ University, and Star Wars-inspired Happy Hour at Oga’s Cantina. Using the IMAG TV studio green screen, costumes and props, the IMAG staff puts on an interactive show and activity for parties lasting 20-30 minutes. theIMAG.org.

¦ Music Online – Listen to music online via NPR Music, which is compiling live audio and video streams from around the world, with links out to streaming platforms such as Facebook, Instagram and YouTube. Some require registration or a subscription, but most are free, often with digital tip jars and opportunities to directly support artists by buying music and merchandise. www.npr.org/2020/03/17/816504058/a-list-of-live-virtual-concerts-to-watch-during-the-coronavirus-shutdown. ¦

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