NYC weekend picks

Get ready for a 'Magic Bus' ride with The Who

Roger Daltrey, left, and Pete Townshend of The Who will play UBS Arena in October.

Ride bumper cars, go ice skating and more at Bank of America Winter Village at Bryant Park.

LI’s Ashanti headlines the ‘Millennium Tour 2020’

Ashanti has tested positive for the coronavirus.

Tour NYC virtually with You Visit

Stopping at New York City's major tourist destinations in person just can't be done right now—but You Visit ( youvisit.com) brings its total 360-degree cameras to such places as Rockefeller Center, the Statue of Liberty, Union Square, Times Square and others—and all you need to do is drag your cursor to explore the sites. Views not only point at street level but straight up, so while tourists usually give themselves away in Manhattan by craning their necks, you can simulate such action in the privacy of your own home or from your phone for no charge.

See NYC street art online

Among the interesting things to see around NYC are the various street murals that stand without fanfare, some created by iconic artists like Banksy, Keith Haring and Kobra. Check out nine pieces whose creativity is undeniable, viewed virtually or otherwise at  artsandculture.google.com. 

Virtual ice cream cocktail parties with Tipsy Scoop

With locations in Brooklyn, Manhattan and at Citi Field, Tipsy Scoop offers ice cream infused with liquor—and while open for takeout and delivery, it's also offering Virtual Ice Cream parties. After receiving the necessary ingredients (available via delivery or by picking up from the Brooklyn shop at 270 Metropolitan Avenue), you'll receive digital instructions with a link and tips by staffers on how to properly assemble each creation; kits are $49. Kit holders can also tune in to the company's Instagram account ( @tipsyscoop) 6:30 p.m. Fridays as their resident mixologists give cocktail-creating lessons, followed by a make-your-own-cocktail contest that will grant a $100 Tipsy Scoop gift card to the winner. Make purchases and find more information at tipsyscoop.com.

Watch, chat and dance with Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater

Internationally renowned for its presentation of choreography and talent, this modern dance company is now showing full length videos of its past stage performances on its website ( alvinailey.org) while also hosting live conversations with Ailey dancers on Instagram 1 p.m. Wednesdays and Saturdays ( instagram.com/alvinailey). A selection of instructional videos are also available for no charge via its Ailey Extension instructional arm ( aileyextension.com). (Pictured: a scene from Judith Jamison's "Divining," as performed by Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater.)

(Virtual) Drag Queen Story Hour NYC

A hit with families around the country, these events involve drag performers coming to bookstores, libraries and schools to read to children in entertaining and warm fashion (while wearing some fabulous fashion), and the NYC outlet is hosting several live stream editions that may also include songs and craft-making. Events are being held via Facebook, Instagram and Zoom; check dragqueenstoryhour.org for schedule and email nyc@dragqueenstoryhour.org to book.

MoMA’s Massive Open Online Courses

The collection held by the Museum of Modern Art is off-limits these days for a personal view, but its ability to educate and inspire remains virtually intact via its free Massive Open Online Courses available online ( moma.org). Courses not only cover the aspects of its art holdings, but are hosted by artists, photographers, curators and educators who will discuss art history, impact and techniques. (Pictured: a still from Artist Story film with Sheila Hicks.)

Lincoln Center (at home)

Lincoln Center has put together an "At Home" program that includes performances recorded at its affiliated organizations and daily family-friendly pop-up classrooms. Free; check lincolncenter.org for links that lead to concerts, dance instruction and performing arts workshops, among other options. (Pictured: Leonardo Sandoval, center, performing during "Music from the Sole," part of Lincoln Center's "#ConcertsForKids" series.)

At-home Broadway action from ‘Stars in the House’

With Broadway gone dark until further notice, SiriusXM Broadway host Seth Rudetsky and his husband, producer-performer James Wesley. are producing "Stars in the House," a daily mini-show presented online only. The show features stage and screen stars such as Kelli O'Hara, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Sara Bareilles and more performing live from the healthy confines of their own homes, as well as clever conversation between the married pair. WHEN 2 and 8 p.m. daily INFO streams available to see at actorsfund.org.

Virtual Bronx Zoo

Keep up with some of your favorite animal friends with live web cams viewable via the Bronx Zoo website ( bronxzoo.com). Check the site for other free virtual activities such as an at-home learning section and more animal videos.

Cooking classes with The Connected Chef

Conceived by Long Island native Kim Calichio, The Connected Chef (36-10 Ditmars Blvd., Queens) personally works with people in order to help get them eating and drinking in fun but healthy ways. Not able to hold its usual camps and classes, Calichio now holds a list of Virtual Offerings, including classes for both adults and kids, as well as occasional virtual dinner parties. Prices vary; visit theconnectedchef.com for more information and schedule.

Flushing Town Hall (at home)

Despite its current closure, this space that specializes in presenting arts and culture from around the world is now putting its efforts online. Things to look for include Facebook Live performances and classes for children, family-friendly concerts, a weekly community meeting (via Zoom); check out flushingtownhall.org for the current schedule. (Pictured: Drew Gonsalves of Kobo Town, one of the many musical artists involved with Flushing Town Hall's "FTH At Home" online series.)

Nowadays nightly online DJ bashes

Nowadays (56-06 Cooper Ave., Queens; 347-523-8535), a nightclub devised by entrepreneurs Eamon Harkin and Justin Carter (also known as the DJ duo Mister Saturday Night) normally serves as a place where cutting-edge DJs work to packed parties. However, since the health-mandated closure of all nightlife venues, it's now offering Virtually Nowadays—a four-hour live stream held nightly at 8 p.m. featuring a large roster of mixers dropping beats. Streams and schedules at nowadays.nyc

Met Opera, streaming nightly

The advent of the COVID-19 pandemic caused the Metropolitan Opera to cancel the rest of its 2019-2020 season. Buffs can still enjoy nights at the opera by viewing past performances from the Met's "Live in HD" series streamed online daily for 20 hours; the streams will also be available via On Demand apps for Apple and  Amazon plus  Roku devices and Samsung Smart TV. Broadcast information, updated timings and cuesheets will be posted Thursday nights. Among the performances you can catch is "La Traviata" starring Diana Damrau and Juan Diego Florez. WHEN Programs start at 7:30 p.m. and stream until 3:30 p.m. the following day INFOmetopera.org

Live comedy, live streamed

The comedy scene in Brooklyn has spawned a bevy of unique and out-there funny folks, but with clubs closed up for the time being, seeing funny people live is not very doable. Luckily, the Eastville Comedy Club (487 Atlantic Ave.; 347-889-5226) is live streaming comedians from their homes and hosting virtual open mics (all via Zoom) on a nearly nightly basis. Tickets are available at donation rates ranging from $1-$40 (slated to benefit Brooklyn COVID-19 charities and the club, as well as its employees); visit eastvillecomedy.com for schedule and ticket purchase.

Take an NYC-based online yoga class

Instructor Anita Haravon (pictured) and the folks at All Beings Yoga have found a way to get help the masses find inner peace by offering one-hour Live Stream Yoga sessions. Registered participants will receive a meeting link by email five minutes before each online class begins. WHEN 9:30 a.m. Saturday-Sunday and 7 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday INFO $20 per class; register at allbeingsyoga.com

Tour the Guggenheim from a social distance

Like other museums, the Guggenheim is closed, but it's got a heck of an online presence. Visit the museum's site to hear Guggenheim staffers and radio host Roman Mars discuss the museum's architecture and to view lots of its collection or take a virtual tour via Google Arts and Culture ( artsandculture.google.com) INFO Free to view and hear; guggenheim.org