Online Events and Opportunities
April 2, 2020
We’re all gradually adjusting to life online—all the time. A silver lining to the current situation is that so much more of the world is available to us now in the form of virtual events. We’ve highlighted several ways that you can participate in online events, including ways to connect and sites that offer free viewing!
Free Wi-Fi Opportunities
To take advantage of the wealth of online offerings—as well as getting access to your kids’ online education lessons—you need WiFi. And if you’ve previously relied on public WiFi that has since closed (libraries, coffee shops, etc.), you need reasonable speed WiFi! Due to the COVID-19 crisis, several companies are making internet access free to everyone for the time being.
Until further notice, Comcast’s Xfinity will offer all internet users access for the next 60 days. Search for “xfinitywifi” network and download the Xfinity WiFi Hotspots app, or look for the nearest connection on Xfinity’s website. Said the Comcast CEO, “We all share the same belief that it’s our Company’s responsibility to step up and help out.”
AT&T is also offering free WiFi access to everyone at its public WiFi hotspots (thousands of locations across the U.S.), by looking for “att-wifi” or “attwifi” on your device’s list of networks.
Another internet provider offering public WiFi to customers is Charter Communications. Look for “Spectrum WiFi” or “Cable WiFi” on your device or go to Spectrum website for a locator. If you are an educator or student and do not have internet, you are eligible for free broadband and WiFi connection for 60 days.
Free Reading and Streaming
Many organizations that normally charge to access proprietary content are waiving fees for the next month or more, and Marketplace has compiled a list, including e-books from JSTOR and Scribd, and scholarly articles from Project Muse.
Free streaming opportunities include National Theatre Live from London, Monterey Bay Aquarium Live Cams, the Metropolitan Opera, and Kanapy, which offers more than 30,000 classic, indie, and documentary films.
Denver’s Virtual Calendar of Events
With the world at your fingertips, it’s still nice to know what’s going on locally—even if you can’t attend in person. Mile High on the Cheap has put together a real-time calendar of virtual happenings that are local and from all over the globe.
Watch live performances from Broadway stars, take a dance class with the New York City Ballet, or pop in on a virtual safari at the Denver Zoo! These events are live, so it’s the next best thing to being there!
Get an Ivy-League Education
If you have lots of spare time on your hands now that you’re stuck at home, why not take a class from Harvard? Class Central’s website offers free online courses from Brown, Columbia, Cornell, Dartmouth, Harvard, Penn, Princeton, and Yale. Browse thousands of courses across a wide range of subjects, and even check out their trailers!
Interested in learning more about computers? How about an Introduction to Computer Programming class from MIT? Or maybe you’re more interested in the wider world—how about Quantum Mechanics for Everyone?
Cooking Classes, Sports and Workouts
If you find yourself spending more time in the kitchen because, well, you have more time to spend there, why not get really good at cooking? Better Homes and Gardens lists some online cooking classes from the beginner-level Allrecipes Cooking School ($7.50/month) to all 10 seasons of The French Chef with Julia Childs (Amazon Prime).
What’s a sports fan to do in the time of coronavirus? If you can’t watch current games, why not catch the ones you missed? The New York Post has published a complete sports streaming guide to find free and subscription platforms that are streaming old games until live sports are back.
Anyone who has ever tried to do an exercise video or DVD knows it’s no substitute for a live class. But with gyms and studios closed all over the country, many of them are turning to live streaming to bring their classes right into your living room. A story on the Today Show emphasized that live streaming is the more socially-connected way to take a virtual exercise class.
The upside (again) is that you have a wider range of choices. Ever wanted to try yoga? Now’s your chance! How about social distance dancing? There’s a class for that, too! Check out this extensive list of studios that are offering live-streaming workouts in real time, and book your calendar accordingly!
Spending Time at Home in Southshore
There’s always something to do at home in the family-friendly community of Southshore! Check out the beautiful model homes from Toll Brothers, Taylor Morrison, and Richmond American Homes, and picture yourself in your very own dream house! With ranch and two-story models available, new homes are priced from the upper $400s to the $700s.