14 things to do in Calgary while physical distancing this week

The pandemic has cancelled a lot of events, but don’t despair.

The immense amount of remote streaming possibilities is giving Calgarians something to look forward to while in isolation.

Check out a virtual museum tour

What: Alberta’s museums are joining the #MuseumFromHome movement, offering virtual access to some of their exhibits during the pandemic. Popular museums and historic sites in the province will use social media to bring people tours, educational content, and activity ideas for kids while they’re closed due to COVID-19.

The Royal Alberta Museum is offering a livestream looking at its Western painted turtles, peacock mantis shrimp, and other creatures in the bug gallery.

Work on your mental health

What: It’s a strange time, and you might be feeling overwhelmed, scared, lost, or just unwell. Now’s a really good time to start cultivating good habits for your mental and physical health, so we’ve rounded up five really great apps for iOS and Android to help you do just that.

When: Anytime
Cost: Free

Watch a Calgarian perform on Songland

Calgary’s own Jocelyn Alice will be performing Monday night on City’s TV’s Songland. Winning will net her the opportunity to record and release her own song. Alice recently released her debut full length album “How Dare You” in late 2019.

When: Monday, April 27
Time: 5 pm MST
Where: City TV

Dive into some webcomics

What: There’s no shortage of webcomics available to read, but finding a series that has a large archive is another story altogether.

We’ve put together a list of seven picks with deep, deep archives to keep you entertained for a few hours, days, or even weeks.

Check them out here.

When: Anytime
Cost: Free

Devour some free content on YouTube

What: If you don’t have any Netflix logins from your friends or family, you can still binge-watch to your heart’s content. We’ve listed 13 YouTube channels that range from cooking to learning about Disney theme-park history to random shenanigans filmed for the joy of others.

When: Anytime
Cost: Free

Quarantine N’ Chill with Kylee Roman

What: Virgin Radio’s Kylee Roman hosts a livestream with musical artists and local experts every weekday at 9 pm.

Where: Virgin Radio 98.5
When: 9 pm
Cost: Free

Cabaret Calgary Patreon

What: Calgary entertainment troupe Cabaret Calgary has set up a Patreon with different tiers allowing access to filmed routines, performance tips, NSFW photosets, and a weekly online show. You can also access archives of Top Marx with Karla Marx, a video talk show by the titular Calgary drag queen.

When: All week, check the Patreon for shows and times
Time: 2 pm
Where: Patreon
Cost: $5-$40

The Blue Jay Virtual Sessions

What: The Blue Jay sessions started as a pop-up music event last year and has pivoted to weekly virtual jam sessions during the pandemic. The seventh round of the ongoing series is on April 29, and features Manny Blu, Ajaye Jardine, Twin Kennedy and Alee! Tips are encouraged and will be split between the performers each week.

When: Wednesday, April 29
Time: 2 pm
Where: Facebook Live
Cost: Free, but they do take tips and donations

Get into a podcast or three

What: If you need some background chatter while you work from home, it’s never too late to discover a favourite podcast. From true crime to just hanging out and joking around, we’ve found 22 podcasts to appeal to anyone with a set of headphones and time to kill.

When: Anytime
Cost: Free with streaming service

Binge watch some shows

What: There’s nothing but time these days, so it’s a perfect time to catch up on your must-watch list. We’ve put together a list of 17 shows to binge-watch on Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Disney+ if you need some inspiration!

When: Anytime
Cost: $10 to $12 or a free trial

Browse Twitter

What: Twitter has a bad reputation as a messy, angry platform. That is partially deserved, but Twitter also has a wealth of inspiring, informative, and funny accounts. We’ve put together a list of 23 Twitter accounts that will tickle your funny bone while you sift through bread recipes.

When: Anytime
Cost: Free

Listen to free audiobooks

Calgary Public Library’s Overdrive program is a great way to stream or download a massive collection of audiobooks and ebooks. It can be done over a computer or even through the Overdrive app on both android and iOS.

Learn something new about the city, the world, or even the universe. All it takes is a library card.

Have a picnic in your car

Dine-ins and picnics in the park are now off-limits, but who says you can’t get take out and eat in your car? Find a secluded hill with a nice view of the Calgary skyline and enjoy your very own dining experience with a view.

Play some online Dungeons and Dragons

Failing being self-isolated with a group of roommates or the family, a lot of people will be looking for ways to pass the time and get some social contact beyond a phone call or a text thread.

Enter online Dungeons and Dragons.

Most people think D&D and picture a dining room table surrounded by people and covered with miniatures, and while in-person sessions are fun, there is an entire world of online D&D just waiting to be explored.

Here’s how to go about playing a game of Dungeons and Dragons while still physical distancing.

Remember, the times we stay at home are what we make of it. Stay indoors as much as possible, stay safe, and stay up to date with daily news on Daily Hive.