AAY ARCA VIRTUAL CVCNTS

Just because you’re stuck at home during the COVID-19shutdown doesn’t mean you can’t explore the greater world. Here’s a sampling of family-friendly shows, concerts, activities and more streaming over the next several weeks.

All-StAr Storytime Series with Berkeley Symphony: 11 a.m. Fridays on Berkeley Public Library’s Facebook page. Each week, a Bay Area celebrity will read a beloved children’s book with musical accompaniment by members of the Berkeley Symphony. www.facebook.com/ berkeleypubliclibrary/

BATS Improv Online Shows: This San Francisco-based improv group will stream free shows each week to bring a little improv magic into homes via Zoom. At 7:30p.m. on the night of each show, click the link next to the show you want to see to connect to the BATS virtual theater. www.improv. org/online-shows/

Bay Area Children’s Theatre Creativity Corner: This virtual “playborhood” offers kids stories that unfold via video, plus follow-up activities they can do on their own, inspired by the make-believe they’ve seen. Parents can submit their children’s creations to BACT, which is planning to share examples online. https://bactheatre.org

Bringing BADM to You: Bay Area Discovery Museum offers a series of fun, engaging learning experiences to enjoy as a family. Explore three different themes — science and math, body and brain and talk and play — designed to develop skills for children to succeed in school and life. Within each theme, you’ll find both step-by-step videos and activities with written-out instructions. https:// bayareadiscoverymuseum.org/ bringing-badm-to-you

Cal Performances at Home:

Available through Dec. 30. Featuring Tessa Lark, violin and Andrew Armstrong, piano. $5$60. https://bit.ly/2KXnyXq Coastal Artists Virtual Pumpkin Festival: Now through Dec. 31. All coastal artists in San Mateo County, from Montara to Pescadero, will be featured for virtual sales. Categories include painters, photographers, jewelers, digital artists, potters, fiber arts/textiles, food and more. The main festival has been canceled due to COVID-19closures. www.madeonthecoast.com Diablo Symphony Orchestra Virtual Concerts: First Thursday of each month. Featuring works that have been performed and recorded at Lesher Center for the Arts in past years. www. diablosymphony.org/

18Reasons Cooking School:

Check out a slate of new online classes. You may not have everything listed in the equipment and shopping list, but instructors will give you guidance on how to adapt their recipes to what you have access to. Learn new recipes and techniques. https:// 18reasons.org/

Festival Napa Valley’s Remote Ensemble Project: This virtual performance of the “Va, Pensiero” chorus from Verdi’s opera “Nabucco” features instrumentalists and singers from 26states, eight countries and five continents. They represent two dozen orchestras, ensembles, opera companies and music conservatories, such as the Juilliard School, San Francisco Conservatory of Music, Metropolitan Opera Orchestra and San Francisco Opera Orchestra. The performance can be seen on Festival Napa Valley’s YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/jHV9wLvNYxA

Livermore Shakes Educates:

A Shakespeare resource webpage for kids and parents, this is an extension of the company’s “So Wise So Young” program for second, third and fourth graders. http://livermoreshakes.org/ educates/

Magical Bridge Foundation Virtual Concerts and SingA-Longs: Enjoy free familyfriendly, multigenerational and sensory-friendly shows at noon daily on the Magical Bridge Facebook page. https://www. facebook.com/pg/MagicalBridge/events/

Moraga Art Gallery Virtual Tour: View the Moraga Art Gallery exhibit and hear artists talk about their work and what motivates them. Visit the Lamorinda Arts Alliance website for the link to the virtual tour: https:// laa4art.org

Mount Diablo Peace & Justice Center 2020Art & Writing Challenge: Middle and high school students in Contra Costa County are invited to submit visual art (any medium), creative writing and essays on the topic of “Our Connected Planet.” No fee. http://tinyurl.com/mdpjcartandwriting2020

“Dichterliebe (‘A Poet’s Love’)” from Opera San Jose:

Available for streaming. In addition to English supertitles, Opera San Jose has announced plans to offer its virtual performances with Spanish and Vietnamese translations. $15-$50. www.Operasj.org