London at home: virtual things to do this week (27th May - 3rd June 2020)

Several art institutions are currently collecting items relating to the coronavirus outbreak, to serve as a record of the nation's response to the lockdown. Here are a couple of our favourites that you should consider getting involved with this week.

 

National Portrait Gallery: Hold Still 

Image: National Portrait Gallery

#FLODown:  The National Portrait Gallery (NPG) has launched the campaign ‘Hold Still’ which has been spearheaded by the Duchess of Cambridge.

‘Hold Still, a portrait of our nation in 2020, is an ambitious community project to create a unique photographic portrait, which captures the spirit, mood, hopes, fears and feelings of the nation as we continue to deal with the Coronavirus outbreak’.

The NPG want you to submit your photographic portraits taken during this extraordinary time. Portraits that reflect resilience and bravery, humour and sadness, creativity and kindness, human tragedy and hope. NPG hope that these photographs will celebrate those who have continued on so that the rest of us can stay safe.

Portraits that are shortlisted will be shown in a virtual exhibition with those selected to be shown throughout the UK later in the year. Visit their website to enter and explore some of the entries so far.

Museum for London: Collecting for COVID

#FLODown: The Museum of London also wants to tell Londoner’s stories from throughout the lockdown. They are seeking to collect both objects and first-hand experiences to reflect our lives during the COVID-19 pandemic. These will serve as a record to ensure future generations will be able to learn about and understand what occurred during this extraordinary time.

The museum is collecting both physical and digital objects, from those working on the front line to the parents transformed into home-school teachers to young people that love online gaming. Visit the website for more information and how to donate objects.

The UK is slowly starting to open up again, and although there are more options of places to go and things to go in the real world, the virtual world is continuing to blow up as many of us will still be staying at home lots. From virtual disco bingo to cocktail masterclasses there are a plethora of options to keep you entertained this week.

Back to Earth with Serpentine online 

When?

Anytime

Image: MTotoe, The Serpentine Gallery

#FLODown: Although the Serpentine Gallery is currently closed you can still stay connected through their online exhibitions, digital commissions, podcasts, special broadcasts and more.

Visit their website now to listen to their interesting new podcast, Back to Earth. This podcast comes as a result of the Serpentine’s long-standing dedication to the topics of extinction and disappearance of species. It is a multi-year project that will bring together sixty leading artists, architects, poets, filmmakers, scientists and designers to create artist lead campaigns, protocols and initiatives responding to the environmental crisis,

Back to Earth is a programme about change and hopes to be a catalyst for change. Get involved now.

Disney Plus

When? 

Anytime

Image: Thomas Kelley

#FLODown: Disney+ has made quite the splash since its quiet convenient release during the lockdown. With a massive selection of childhood favourites including the newly released Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker. It’s the perfect way to spend a Sunday.

If you’re completely overwhelmed with the vast selection then check out our Disney Plus round-up for inspiration.

Riverside Studios Charity Quiz  

When?

Wednesday 27th May

 Price: £25

#FLODown: The Riverside Studios Charity Quiz was created to help raise money for the studios to ensure that they can re-open their doors after the lockdown.

The quiz has been put together in conjunction with Sam’s Riverside. It is completely family friendly and is hosted by a different celebrity guest each week. This Wednesday (27th May) Jo Brand is hosting the virtual quiz which starts at 6.30pm and will last for an hour. Teams could be made up from an entire household and there is no limit on the number of people your team can be – although you have to all be in the same location.

The top prize of the evening will be a dinner for 4 (valued at £300) at Sam’s Riverside . There are also four runners up prizes up for grabs.

Visit the website now to purchase your tickets now

Cocktail Masterclass

The sunshine is upon us which surely makes this the perfect time to get involved in some cocktail making classes. Here are a couple of our favourite masterclasses to try this week. 

Image: Karly Gomez

Cahoots London 

When?

Anytime

#FLODown: This Soho-based 1940’s styled cocktail bar is showing us how to recreate some of their best cocktails via the tutorials on their Instagram page. From the gin-based ‘Judy Garland’ cocktail (our favourite) to the Ploughing Fields cocktail, why not head to their Instagram IGTV for some of their previous cocktail classes or tune in to their Instagram live for more tutorials on some of their signature cocktails!

La Maison Wellness + Chase Distillery (#ChaseatHomeLive) 

When? 

Friday 29th May 

Price: £30

Image: La Maison Wellness

#FLODown: La Maison Wellness is hosting mindful happy hours via their Instagram live every Friday. Join their founder Camille Vidal for classes on making mindful and low ABV (alcohol strength volume) alternatives to some of your favourite beverages. These drinks have less of an impact on your body but are still just as tasty – it’s a win win.

This Friday from 7pm La Maison Wellness is collaborating with Chase Distillery for a great session which will include a virtual tour of the distillery with James Chase. You can learn all about the distillery and how they make their award-winning spirits, plus you’ll get two great mindful cocktails delivered to your door from La Maison Wellness.

Visit the Chase Distillery website to book tickets now which will include 6x5cl spirits, including the Chase Pink Grapefruit & Pomelo Gin! 

(Ideally you need to have booked your tickets by Tuesday to get your order in time for the live session. However don’t let that deter you as it’s a great selection of Gins to be enjoyed!)

For more on La Maison Wellness visit their website now.

 

Fever Disco Bingo 

 When?

Wednesday and Saturday (various times)

Price: £5

Image: Matthew Lejune

#FLODown: Fever is hosting a virtual disco bingo every Wednesday and Saturday. Disco bingo is similar to regular bingo, however instead of numbers you’ll be hearing music. Nifty.

The music will include songs from the 70s-00s, and will include live dancers to add to the already incredible atmosphere. If you’re looking for something different to do this week then why not get involved.

Each week they donate 10% of ticket sales towards various great causes including Refuge, Choose Love and various NHS charities. 

Visit their website to buy your ticket now and for the schedule and timings.

Pachamama London Cooking Session 

When?

Sundays 

Image: MTotoe, Pachamama Bar+ Kitchen - Marylebone

#FLODown: Peruvian-inspired bar and restaurant Pachamama is doing a weekly cooking session every single Sunday. 

Sign up to their newsletter and you’ll get an email in the week letting you know what is being cooked and what ingredients you will need to take part. Previous sessions have included a salmon tiradito, sea bass ceviche and salt and pepper tofu. You can catch up on all of these cooking sessions via their IGTV.

UNIQLO Tate Lates: Night In

When?

Friday 29th May

Image: MTotoe, Tate Modern Viewing Terrace

#FLODown: This week Tate Modern will be taking their UNIQLO Tate Lates online.  The evening will feature a series of artist led programmes, including talks with Kara Walker, mediation, online galleries, poetry and music by NTS Radio.  If you’ve never experienced UNIQLO Tate Lates, now is a better time then any to get involved!

Visit their website for live stream videos available from 7pm-9pm BST on Friday.