Virtual insanity
- Gig Buddies Sydney
- Apr 6, 2020
- 4 min read
Week two of the lockdown is upon us.
While we continue to encourage buddies to catch up with each other via FaceTime, Google Duo, Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp, Tik-Tok, Twitter or Skype, we’re also looking at ways to break the boredom while isolating from one and another.
With face-to-face contact between buddies out of the question, we’ve come up with the Gig Buddies Sydney Corona Catalogue - a list of “things to do while in isolation”.
Music:
Sydney's first online nightclub, Room 2 Radio, offers up “local Sydney DJs, disco lights and chatroom for those looking to socialise” each and every Friday from 8pm AEDT via Facebook Live: https://bit.ly/3dQdjOJ
Sydney Festival 2019 artist Jonny Hawkins, aka ‘Aunty Jonny’ of the Dollar Bin Darlings, is bringing his gigs online - live streaming ‘Dooms Day’ disco parties from his living room every Thursday night from 7:30pm: https://bit.ly/2V546JB
For more live music options, many featuring famous musicians, check out the following link. The good people at TimeOut have even converted gig times to Australian Eastern Standard Time: https://bit.ly/2XiSu8V
Art:
Paint and Sip Sessions from Cork and Chroma have moved online: https://bit.ly/2JCjJ62
Check out over 500 museums and art galleries, including Van Gogh Museum, New York’s MoMA and Paris’ Musée d’Orsay - all from your own home: https://bit.ly/2V0MBdF
View 100s and 1000s of classic paintings online: https://bit.ly/3bGCfpU
Theatre:
The Shows Must Go On with Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber: Load up the link to watch a smash-hit musical once a week for free! https://bit.ly/3dS8ZOQ
London’s Royal Opera House is streaming free ballet and opera online: https://bit.ly/2JBaPpG
Or stay local and check out the Australian Ballet’s ‘At Home with Ballet TV’: https://bit.ly/3bPlEjQ
Sport:
If you’re after classic NRL contests: https://bit.ly/3dWpNVd
Stream old-school soccer matches from previous World Cups: https://bit.ly/2yn3XJV
New Zealand’s All Blacks bring you ‘Isolation Nation’. Load up the link to see what some of the world’s best rugby stars get up to when hunkering down: https://bit.ly/34bydmV
Nature:
Live streams from 13 zoos based within the UK, Ireland and USA. See giraffes, koalas, pandas, tigers, penguins and more: https://bit.ly/2x0zvF7
And a little closer to home, click the link to see what the animals at Sydney’s Taronga Zoo are doing: https://bit.ly/3bYhdDB
Or head to Sydney Aquarium to see what’s going on under the sea: https://bit.ly/2R7I87N
Exercise:
Move, sweat, get stronger and thrive while being inside thanks to Nike Training Club: https://swoo.sh/2R63ZMY
Join Joe, a P.E primary school teacher from the UK, in a 30 minute workout: https://bit.ly/3dPQbzI
Or if yoga, pilates or barre is more your thing, head here: https://bit.ly/2X0j4Dw
Entertainment:
Play board games online for free: https://bit.ly/39BC0Ly
Because who doesn’t love a jigsaw? This link has loads of puzzles to complete: https://bit.ly/2w9Wxcp
Adult colouring in books have moved online: https://bit.ly/2xPzl3p
The online options are endless and we actively encourage buddies to share their suggestions. If you know of a forthcoming live music gig, a platform for classic sitcoms or of someone sharing their passion for painting, let us know: send through your recommendations either via text, 0422 061 990, email: info@gigbuddiessydney.org or Facebook Messenger and we’ll add them to our Corona Catalogue.
And as our user-led team, Soul Fly Band, suggested only a few weeks ago, watching a video or streaming a TV show at the same time as your volunteer via Messenger or FaceTime was one idea on how to connect with each other.
Gig Buddies bringing the noise
And let’s not forget our ‘Down Under Coronavirus Fest’ (below left) continues: from music rips to dancing tips, we’ve received comedy skits and dog video clips.
Do you have a hidden talent? Why not share it with the world! To get involved load up your videos to this link, and head here to see what’s been uploaded so far.
Meanwhile, in the UK ‘Coronavirus Fest’ (below right) continues to go from strength to strength. With the clocks going back this weekend, watching live has become a little more tricky, but alas - all performances can be streamed from the Gig Buddies Coronavirus Fest Facebook page at any time.
Out of office
For those not in the know, the Gig Buddies Sydney team are now working remotely.
We still have a few staff members based within the office, but if buddies would like to contact either Carol, Bec, Chelsea, Steph, Tony or myself directly please send an email, info@gigbuddiessydney.org or contact us via Facebook Messenger and we’ll pass on the relevant phone number.
And finally….
We’ve purchased another Gig Buddies Sydney mobile - participants can now text or call us on either 0422 061 990 or 0412 145 819. For anyone experiencing increased social isolation, please get in touch. We're here to chat.
And as we’ve been saying for the past few weeks, stay safe, stay indoors and look out for each other.
Matthew Collins
Gig Buddies Sydney Community Engagement Coordinator
matt@assistcom.org
Would you like more information about Gig BuddiesSydney? You’re only a click away. Connect with us via the links below.
Fancy revelling in legendary status? If so, please support us in our cause to get more people out to live events in Sydney.
Donations over $2 are tax deductible and all are gratefully received.
The Gig Buddies Sydney project is an initiative of ACL Disability Services.
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