October is a very special month at DPAC as it is National Arts and Humanities Month! In order to celebrate, we’ve rounded up some of the very best arts events that can be attended from the comfort of your home. Although this year has its own unique set of challenges, we are determined to continue celebrating the arts to the fullest. From musical theater, opera, music, Shakespeare, and even poetry, there is bound to be an event perfectly suited to your interests.
*All events are free admission unless stated otherwise.
Week of October 5
Met Opera: “Wagner Week”
The Metropolitan Opera has been offering a nightly opera streaming throughout the year in order to continue its mission during the pandemic. Each week, The Met features a specific operatic composer, streaming a different work of theirs each night from Monday through Sunday. The week of October 5 features the works of Richard Wagner. Each show begins at 7:30 p.m. ET and will be available to watch for the next 23 hours, until the next livestream. Check out the full schedule here.
Monday, October 5: Intro to Improv – You Are a Storyteller
Learn the basics of improvisation during this free virtual crash course. Attend for a fun night of storytelling and games! More details about how to attend are available on this website.
Friday, October 9: American Shakespeare Center’s Othello
Livestreaming at 7 p.m. ET, this version of Othello features actress Jessica D. Williams, famous for her role in the television series Doctor Who. The production aims to offer an insightful portrayal of Shakespeare’s story of racism and hatred. Get more information and register here.
Friday, October 9 — Sunday, October 11: Collaborative Works Festival: The Women
In this first installment of the Collaborative Works concert series presented by the Poetry Foundation, the women of the Baroque period will be featured in order to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the 19th amendment to the Constitution. The concert will include works by Elizabeth Jacquet de la Guerre, Julie Pinel, Antonia Bembo, Francesa Caccini, Barbara Strozzi, and Maddalena Casulana. The concert will take place at 8 p.m. ET, and the link with more information can be found here.
Week of October 12
Met Opera: “Donizetti Week”
Kicking off with Lucia di Lammermoor, his most famous opera, the Met will be featuring an array of works by the famous Italian operettist Gaetano Donizetti. Each stream begins at 7:30 p.m. ET, and is available for 23 hours afterward. Get the full schedule for the Met Opera’s nightly streams of Donizetti’s iconic work.
Monday, October 12: The 2020 American Dance Guild Performance Festival — “10 Years Over 10 Weeks”
Showcasing over 25 dancers, this annual dance festival will run for ten weeks, beginning Monday, October 12. The show “will feature works by more than 25 dance luminaries from ADG Festivals 2009-2019,” featuring the talented Donald McKayle and Erick Hawkins in this first week of the ongoing event. Click here for more information.
Friday, October 17: The Resounding Concert
Presented by The Royal Conservatory, this live-streamed performance will feature a wide variety of artists, including Meryl Streep, as a benefit to keep the arts alive.
Week of October 19
The Met: “Operatic Comedies”
It’s a week of much-needed mirth and laughter as the Nightly Opera Streams lineup is filled with seven of opera’s most beloved comedies. Check their website regularly for updates.
Tuesday, October 20: Kristina Wong for Public Office: Live from Her Home
For only $10, stream this interactive, one-woman comedy act about “what it means to run for local office” performed by Kristina Wong, a comedian and representative of Koreatown, Los Angeles. More details are available on the event website.
Saturday, October 24: Patti LuPone: Live from the West Side
Spend a memorable evening with former Presenting Series artists and Broadway icon Patti LuPone, who will go live at 8 p.m. ET for a special virtual concert. This concert has a $30 admission price and requires a pre-registration, which can be found here.
Week of October 26
Monday, October 26: Piano Recital with Ioannis Potamousis
Acclaimed pianist Ioannis Potamousis will go live on Facebook for an extraordinary performance presented by NYUAD’s Arts Center. For more information and to RSVP, visit their website here.
Thursday, October 29: Virtual Grand Night for Singing
The University Musical Society (UMS) will present a grand evening featuring musical theater, choral music, and solo performances. The event begins at 8 p.m. ET, and will include a variety of new social justice performances. Click the link for further information.
TBA: The 2020 Tony Awards!
The 2020 Tony Awards are to be livestreamed this fall, but the date and time has yet to be released. Keep up to date on their website so you don’t miss a potential October virtual Tony Awards!
