Venues may be closed, but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy theater, music, literature and more from the comfort of your own home. Here’s what our local resources are offering in June.
by Cady Smith and Emily Clemente
Ongoing: Storytime Anytime from Wake County Public Libraries
Wake County Public Libraries have many videos of staffers reading stories for children of varying ages hosted by Wake County Public Libraries. Baby, toddler, preschool, family, and bilingual options offered.
Ongoing: Shake Sugaree Americana Residency
Every Wednesday from 7 to 10pm, local music venue The Kraken is hosting a livestream of Jonathan Byrd and The Pickup Cowboys performing “soul-stirring” Americana music as part of their Shake Sugaree Global Pandemic Tour.
Ongoing: American Aquarium’s The Sad Song Revival
Tune in to an Instagram livestream of local musician BJ Barham from American Aquarium on where he sings, plays, and tells the stories behind the music each week on Wednesdays and Sundays at 8pm.
Ongoing: Terror Tuesdays and Weird Wednesdays
Alamo Drafthouse Cinema is offering online screenings of movies in their signature horror series. Buy tickets for virtual cinema viewings of Centipede Horror and Godmonster of Indian Flats, with added bonus content. Perfect for any cinephile.
Ongoing: Living Room LIVE!
Check out this YouTube series from Theatre Raleigh hosted by producing artistic director Lauren Kennedy Brady. Watch local entertainers such as Melvin Gray, Jr.,Gerard Williams, and Lydia Kinton share music, comedic routines, and artistic performances from their homes.
May 22 – June 19: Freight Train Blues Concert Series
A livestream version of the annual music series hosted by the nonprofit Music Maker Relief Foundation. Features performances by local folk musicians.
May 29 – June 6: Freakshow by Women’s Theater Festival
A virtual performance of the play by the Women’s Theater Festival about circus performers and the struggles of love and humanity. Mature audiences only. Times and tickets.
June 1: Sleepless in Raleigh-Ruminations of a Pandemic Somnambulist
The founder of Raleigh’s Theatre In The Park is hosting a live stream at 7pm with the North Carolina Museum of History for their History + Highballs series to share his favorite theatre stories and discuss the ways in which he remains creative while homebound. Register for the event here.
June 2: Animal Adaptations Class
At this virtual class at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, families and children can learn about animal adaptations and the ways that animals interact with the natural world. (Ages 8 and up.)
June 2 & 3: Swan Lake
At 9pm on Tuesday, June 2 and 2am on Wednesday, June 3, The Carolina Ballet will air Swan Lake on WUNC-TV. This classic ballet follows a prince who falls in love with a princess cursed to spend her days as a swan.
June 3 – June 24: Wine and Design
Wine & Designs is offering virtual painting classes at various evening times every Wednesday-Saturday. Sign up here and learn to paint with family and friends. Paint kits and supplies are included in lesson fee, and you can do private classes for groups of ten or more.
June 4: Whitney x NoonChorus
The Ritz is hosting a livestream at 8pm featuring indie rock band Whitney in partnership with NoonChorus, an organization working to support musical artists during the COVID-19 pandemic.
June 5: You’re a Miracle In-Home Book Tour
Bestselling author Mike McHargue discusses his latest book on the “contradictions between our desires and what actions may be best for us.” Click here for tickets.
June 5: First Friday Raleigh
The Downtown Raleigh Alliance is now bringing this celebration of musical performances, artistic demonstrations, and live events from local artists and performers—including Diego Avilez, Rashmi Krishnappa, Imani Pressley and more—to you in the comfort of your own home.
June 5: Fireflies on the Prairie
Watch a livestream of the fireflies over Prairie Ridge that includes staffers from the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences sharing information about the different types of fireflies, why they glow, and what their flash patterns tell us about their species.
June 6, 7, & 13: Beaver Queen Pageant
Take part in watching this fun take on pageantry where contestants take on celebrity beaver personalities and showcase their talents and wetland wear. All proceeds go to the Ellerbe Creek Watershed Association to help preserve and protect the natural ecosystem surrounding Raleigh’s water supply.
June 8: Gentle Yoga Class
Join Carlos Pineres from Jiva Yoga Chapel Hill for a gentle yoga session in which he will guide you through each of the Asanas with a focus on breathing. Click here to get tickets for this online class via Zoom from 10:30 to 11:30 am.
June 9 & 10: Balanchine Rarities
At 9pm on Tuesday, June 9 and 2am on Wednesday, June 10, The Carolina Ballet will air Balanchine Rarities on WUNC-TV. These are three ballets that George Balanchine choreographed by Andre Eglevsky, who in the early days of ballet in the United States was a “super star” of the dance world. Eglevsky’s daughter Marina, a dancer in her own right, staged the dances for Carolina Ballet
June 9: Dazzling Dragonflies Experience
Staffers from the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences teach about dragonflies, their differences from their fellow insects, damselflies, and why they are important to our ecosystems in a virtual classroom setting. Great for families and children.
June 11: Speaker on Coffee and Conservation
Listen to Dr. Jaime A. Collazo from North Carolina State University speak on conservation efforts in Puerto Rico and the role that coffee cultivation has played in the protection of avian species as part of the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences’ Science Cafe series from 7 to 8pm.
June 15: Life Full of Color Virtual 5k Color Run
In this Color Run, where participants can compete solo or with a friend to complete 5 kilometers. The sponsors will send each participant a packet of color powder to create the “color” aspect of the typical event. Funds go to various partner charities and nonprofit organizations.
June 16 & 17: Lost and Found
At 9pm on Tuesday, June 16 and 2am on Wednesday, June 17, The Carolina Ballet will air Lost and Found on WUNC-TV. Choreographed by Lynn Taylor-Corbett, this ballet is a tribute to the survivors of 9/11.
June 20: NorthStar’s Day Parade
Join NorthStar Church of the Arts for their arts-forward parade at 11am, which will feature real floats, to help fundraise for the arts and social justice organizations of Durham. Register to participate or learn more here.
June 20: Juneteenth at Historic Stagville
Remember the 155th anniversary of the Emancipation at Stagville with an event that includes storytelling, local history, and more as it explores stories of the struggle for freedom in 1865. Visit the Facebook page for updates.
June 20: All In For Raleigh Fundraiser
Support local Raleigh businesses that have been impacted by the coronavirus pandemic during the All In For Raleigh fundraiser. Listen to the performances of N’kogniito and Cody Daniel, watch video segments that highlight the Raleigh community, and let your kids follow along to an illustration segment with Abigail Morris via Facebook Live.
June 23: Vertigo Dance Company: Art. Community. Nature.
The American Dance Festival is livestreaming a discussion with members of the Vertigo Dance Company, including the Artistic Director and Co-Founders, on art, community and nature for their Gathering for Dance series from 7 to 8pm.
