John Bensalhia looks at some of the best online events happening during April...
This month's batch of events takes a different tack than usual. But these are different times. With the current Coronavirus affecting the world, there's no choice but to stay indoors. But if there's one positive to take away from this difficult time, it's that there are dedicated people working hard to ensure that everyone can still have plenty to do from the comfort of their own homes. Online events are available in abundance this month, and whether you have a taste for cooking, art or music, there should be enough to keep you occupied in April.
Catch The Biggest Full Moon Of The Year
April 7th, 2020
It's times like this that make you appreciate the wonders of nature. A great example of this is an opportunity to witness the beauty of the skies above. SuperMoon invites you to take a look at the largest full moon of the year via a live, free webcast. You don't need a telescope – the only things you'll need are a good internet connection and a computer/laptop/mobile with a decent link. It's apt that this kind of event is taking place in the Global Astronomy Month of 2020, as the SuperMoon satellite rises above the Rome skyline for everyone to enjoy. The online webcast is scheduled to commence at 5pm on 7th April 2020.
TF Together: online community events
All of April, Weekdays at 5pm CET
If there’s one positive thing to come out of the Coronavirus lockdown, it’s the outpouring of creativity and sense of community that it’s generating. The number of online seminars, exercise routines and social events is mind-boggling. The Florentine (the English magazine based in Florence) is offering a weekly series of events and opportunities with the members of the local creative community. The platform is in place and the program is extensive thanks to the participation of everyone who makes life in Florence and Italy exciting. They aim to keep you limber, sane, cooking, reading, and so much more. Keep checking the link above to see their weekly lineup. A few upcoming sessions include "hairdressing at home" on April 3rd, "Legal advice during Covid19" on April 7th.
Ritual and Creativity as a Coping Strategy
April 7th, 2020
The Student Hotel in Florence is teaming up with Marisa Garreffa, performance artist and mental health mentor, to present a series of three brilliant 50-minute sessions for staying sane in troubled times. Ranging from the practical to the very creative, she's going to be sharing solid mental health information and resources, along with meditations, writing exercises, and ways to create content and rituals that will keep you grounded, engaged, and strong through the challenges of the crisis. On April 7th Marissa will be giving some shape to your day which can be the difference between coping and not coping in times of high stress and insecurity. You will talk about how you can create new rituals while at home, that are flexible enough to flow with, and how to balance connection with alone time.
Enjoy Performances From AndràTuttoBene - Festival di Musica Online
Until 9th April 2020
If you're hankering after a little live music, then don't fret. There's still time to enjoy some ace live performances which are played in each musician's own home. AndràTuttoBene's Festival di Musica Online will be broadcasting live performances until 9th April 2020, with almost 30 musicians chosen to donate 15 minutes of their time online with a sterling recital. Each performance kicks off at 6pm (Italian time). So far, performers have included violinist Emma Arizza, pianists Yulia Chaplina, Yuki Negishi and Stefano Marzanni, cellist Ruth Hallows, plus the Fassetta Quartet.
Draw The Trevi Fountain
16th April 2020
Staying at home can give you the chance to take up or continue a wealth of hobbies. You may be an experienced and talented artist or you may be discovering the world of art for the first time. In either case, an online event by Mall Galleries may be right up your street. What better to draw than Rome's Trevi Fountain? Mall Galleries will be organising a special draw along on Thursday 16th April. Gather together all your artistic goodies – drawing pads, pencils, crayons – or paints, crayons... whatever you want – and create the Trevi Fountain along with a live feed from SkyLine webcams. For more details, check here.
Visit The Digital Cosmos
Throughout April 2020
Not a literal virtual visit to outer space, but an online excursion to the Castello di Rivoli, near Turin.
The Castello di Rivoli may have temporarily closed as a result of the current epidemic, but thanks to the sterling efforts of director Carolyn Christov-Bakargiev and her team, the museum's exhibition collections will be made accessible online. The virtual domain is entitled Digital Cosmos, which will be the online home to virtual tours of the impressive museum collections. Works of art include offerings by the likes of Giorgio Morandi, Giuseppe Penone and Renato Leotta. It's a great idea that will appeal to families looking to entertain their kids, with special virtual tours arranged for parents and children.
Discover Egyptology
Throughout April 2020
The mysteries and wonder of Egyptology can be found online, thanks to the second largest Egyptian museum in the world. Turin's Museo Egizio is one of the many museums in Italy to transfer its facilities online. As the oldest museum devoted to Egyptian culture, Museo Egizio showcases many rare treasures including the Statue of Amenhotep, the Statue of Ramesses II, the small rock temple, the Temple of Ellesiya and Mensa Isiaca. Director Christian Greco will upload regular videos on the official YouTube account. This features eight-minute tours, with a new subject added each Thursday and Saturday throughout April.
Know What You Like About Art With The Capodimonte Museum
Throughout April 2020
Another artistic initiative has been organised thanks to the combined efforts of MuseoCity and Google Arts&Culture, ensuring that the awesome works of the Capodimonte Museum can be seen online. The Naples-based Capodimonte Museum is located in the Palace of Capodimonte. One of the largest art museums of its kind in Italy, the museum is packed full of paintings, sculptures and other works spanning the golden ages of the 13th to 18th centuries, for example. Paintings produced by legendary artists such as Bellini, Caravaggio and Lotto are just a sample of what you can see in the museum. There's also the Farnese sculpture collection and paintings of the Neapolitan School. Art camera technology allows everyone with an internet connection to enjoy the museum's impressive collection of paintings and virtual tours.
Cook With Nonna Nerina
Throughout April 2020
Still hungry for a cooking class? While the current epidemic prevents outside classes, the joys of the internet allow you to cook with 84-year-old Nerina Chiara. Nonna Nerina and her granddaughter Nipote are cooking from their own home, and inviting you to cook along with them through two-hour online sessions. Showcasing her delicious home-made pasta and family recipes, Nerina and her daughter present enjoyable cookery classes via video. Nerina is currently cooking at weekends only (and in the event of her not being able to make it, her sister will take over), with Nipote providing sessions during the week only. Among the special dishes prepared in the classes are Ravioli with Butter Sage Sauce; Gnocchi with Pesto; and Fettuccine with Tomato Sauce.
