Another week of the lockdown has come and gone, and now it’s time to relax, let our hair down a little and log on for some virtual and online fun this weekend.
There’s the biggest gig of the year to look forward to, as well as cocktail masterclasses and virtual parties to keep us all entertained.
Things are tough out there, but with millions of us tuning in for these online events, as well as theatre shows, live comedy and art exhibitions from our sofas, there are plenty of ways to feel connected even in isolation.
These are our top picks of the things to get up to this weekend – make sure to check out our main guide for things to keep yourself occupied with at home, too.
Tune in for more treats from the National Theatre
The National Theatre has been doing a fantastic job helping people get their arts fix from home over recent weeks, with more than two million people watching One Man, Two Guvnors earlier this month. The latest show to arrive on YouTube is a performance of Twelfth Night starring the excellent Tamsin Greig, which was filmed back in 2017.
Join Elis James and John Robins for a stand-up special
We could all use a laugh a laugh at the minute – thankfully, comedians Elis James and John Robins are putting on a stand-up special at 8pm on Sunday. The pair, old friends who have presented a radio show together for years, will be interviewed by Ivo Graham about their lives and careers. Tickets are £6 in advance, with £1 going to Standing Together Against Domestic Violence.
Tune in for Moovin Festival
Arts and music fans can enjoy a 12-hour live stream this Saturday, with the virtual Moovin festival taking place from midday until midnight. There’s be an eclectic selection of acts, including harpists, poets and even a beatboxing harmonica player, with viewers encouraged to donate to charities like The Greater Manchester Mayor's Charity and Nordoff Robbins.
Take the Bulleit challenge
Try your hand at fixing the perfect cocktail with Bulleit Frontier Whiskey, which is launching a new virtual competition from Friday. Put together your best whiskey-based cocktail, submit your entry on Instagram and be in with the chance of winning prizes, including bottles of Bulleit, bartending kits and plenty of merchandise. Chin chin.
Take part in The Beatles’ Yellow Submarine Sing-A-Long
This is a must-see for fans of the Fab Four — a singalong version of their classic animated film Yellow Submarine, complete with lyrics along the bottom, is being screened this weekend. The flick features some of the band’s best known hits, from All You Need Is Love to When I’m Sixty-Four, and starts at 5pm on Saturday on YouTube.
Join Stephen Fry for a Soho film special
Stephen Fry, the co-founder of the Save Soho group, is one of the stars of new documentary Soho Is – a film which takes a retrospective look at one of the most-loved areas of London, and the threats posed to it. Jools Holland, Marc Almond, Paloma Faith, Boris Johnson and Terry Gilliam all appear in the film, which is streaming from 7pm on Friday.
Enjoy a Live From Our Living Rooms gig
This stream comes in support of the DIY music community in Washington over in the States. Jeff Rosenstock, Joyce Manor and Kimya Dawson are among the artists set to perform. It kicks off at 3am UK time on Saturday, so unless you want to stay up, this might be one to revisit the morning after.
Tune in for a Nandos cookalong
Chicken lovers were pretty devastated when Nandos closed its doors due to coronavirus, but the chain is bringing its peri-peri goodness to fans online this weekend. Celebs are taking part in a new cookalong series, which kicked off with singer JGrrey on Thursday. Keep an eye on the Nandos Instagram for the likes of rapper Aitch and footballer Jesse Lingard getting stuck in this weekend.
Enjoy classic gigs with PlayOn Fest
Head online for re-runs of some classic live performances, with footage taken from the Warner Music Group archives. Tune in to watch the likes of Coldplay, Green, Roddy Ricch, Cardi B, Ed Sheeran and more at some of the world’s biggest venues and festivals from 5pm each day this weekend.
