Virtual Concerts and Broadway Shows to Watch During the Coronavirus Shutdown

Chris Martin from Coldplay and other artists will perform during the three-day 320 Festival

chris martin coldplay
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The arts have taken a major hit as the coronavirus pandemic has shut down theaters and concert venues, including New York’s fabled Broadway.

But as the old adage goes, the show must go on. Artists and performers are going online to entertain audiences — many for free.

Here’s a list of performances that will keep you entertained during self-isolation for the week of April 20.

Special events

320 Festival Online

This online festival — co-executive produced by Kevin Lyman and Talinda Bennington — aims at changing the way we talk about mental health. The three-day festival runs online from May 8-10. There will be workshops, panels and conversations on a variety of topics, including Social Media: The Age of Anxiety and Living With Addiction. Performances by artists committed to mental health awareness including Chris Martin from Coldplay, Kiiara, Lindsey Stirling and many more. Learn more about the event here and RSVP here.

Sarah Brightman in Concert

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e8MAFqS0fh4

This Saturday, May 9, Sarah Brightman’s classic 1997 concert from Royal Albert Music Hall will be live-streamed to support Spotify’s COVID-19 Relief Fund. The concert features guests Andrea Bocelli and Andrew Lloyd Weber. Watch here or in the player above.

Memorial For Us All

To honor and celebrate those lost to COVID-19, interfaith leaders have enlisted musicians and Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts to create a weekly community remembrance. The inaugural event was hosted by Wynton Marsalis, whose father, jazz pianist Ellis Marsalis Jr, died from coronavirus complications. On Sunday, May 10, cellist Yo-Yo Ma will be featured. The tributes will air Sundays at 3 p.m. PT/6 p.m. ET on Lincoln Center’s YouTube, Facebook, Instagram and website.

Also check out:

92nd Street Y

The 92Y has made its archive of performances — from concerts to talks — free for the public. This week’s slate features a recital with pianist Angela Hewitt and a conversation with “Better Things” creator and star Pamela Adlon. Watch here.

Columbia Livestream

Columbia has a full slate of artists ranging from Diplo to Chloe x Halle performing live each day. Check out this week’s slate here.

CultureNet

CultureNet brings renowned artists from around the globe straight to your home through a live virtual experience. Check out their upcoming slate. Watch here.

Grammy Museum at Home

While the physical museum remains closed, the Grammy Museum website is publishing never-before-released free digital content from its archives. Check out May’s slate — including never-before-seen programs with Trey Anastasio, Jordan Davis and Bush — here.

Lincoln Center at Home

Lincoln Center’s new portal enables families and communities to keep the performing arts front and center. Its diverse slate offers everything from opera and jazz for the grown-ups to ballet class and drawing lessons for the kids. Watch here.

Living Room Concerts

Broadway World has partnered with some incredible singers to launch a series of daily Living Room Concerts — performances direct to you from the living rooms of Broadway performers! The concerts have already included Carolee Carmello from “Hello, Dolly!” and Andrew Barth Feldman from “Dear Evan Hansen.” Watch here.

Metropolitan Opera

The Met will stream a title from its Live in HD series each night beginning at 7:30 p.m. ET through the duration of the closure. This week, Pavoratti performs in “La Boheme,” and there’s a double feature of “Cavalleria Rusticana” and “Pagliacci.” Watch here.

Marquee TV

Dubbed the “Netflix of the Arts,” Marquee TV is a newly-launched streaming service that provides access to the world’s best performances in opera, dance, theatre and more. Marquee is offering a free 30-day trial, with monthly subscriptions priced at $8.99. Watch here.

R&H Goes Live!

“R&H Goes Live!” is an ongoing series and will feature some of Broadway’s best performing stripped-down, contemporary versions of iconic Rodgers & Hammerstein tunes. It kicked off in March with “Supergirl’s” Jeremy Jordan singing “Oh What a Beautiful Morning” from “Oklahoma!” Watch here.

Together At Home

Together At Home is our virtual concert series in partnership with WHO to help us all practice social distancing and promote global health. The series has raised over $40 million for the COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund to help the World Health Organization save lives. Artists across many genres, including Camilla Cabello, Shawn Mendes, Vance Joy and Coldplay have already performed via their Instagram accounts. Billboard is keeping track of each day’s performances here.

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