Stay inspired while you stay at home with these virtual activities

Nearly a year into the pandemic, the prospect of yet more time at home can be daunting.

Perhaps the one benefit of the COVID-19 era is that many of Ottawa's cultural institutions and businesses have adapted to the new normal, and are offering a range of entertainment online.

From concertsto virtual tours to online classes, there's something to help just about everyonestave offcabin fever.

Here are a few ways to explore the outside worldwithout leaving home.

Concerts and talks coming up

Jan. 14to Jan. 28, on demand,GCTCand Tarragon TheatrepresentIt's All True

Listen to an audio play at your leisure. The GCTC has partnered with Toronto'sTarragon Theatre to bring listeners a series of Canadian plays produced for yourears only.Jason Sherman's It's All True goes liveon Jan. 14at 8 p.m. Tickets are available for $10 or $7 for subscribers.

Jan. 15, 5 p.m. The NAC presentsGenevive & Alain

Listen to folk groupGenevive & Alain, two singer-songwriters from the Ottawa-Gatineau region.Alain Barbeauplays guitar and Genevive Roberge-Bouchardplays piano. The event is streaming live for free on Facebook.

Jan. 19, 7:30 p.m.In conversationwith Desmond Cole

The Arthur Kroeger College Educational Students' Society andCarleton University's School of Public Policy andAdministration are hosting author Desmond Cole. He's speaking about his 2020 book The Skin We're In,which looks at systemic racism in Canada and includesevents that happened in Ottawa. The event will stream liveon Youtube.

Jan. 19, 7 p.m.One eRead Canada: An evening with Kim Thy

The Ottawa Public Library is hosting a reading with authorKim Thyfrom her new book Vi. The free event includes live questions and answers.

Jan. 20, 7 p.m. Preservation of the 180 Wellington building mosaic

Hear from conservatorKelly Caldwell about the history and preservation of the mosaic at 180 Wellington St. Created in 1927 by American muralist Barry Faulkner, the mural consists ofonemillion coloured glass tiles. The lecture will be held on Zoom.

Classes and other ideas

The City of Ottawa is now offering a range of recreational activities online during the pandemic.The city's Virtual Arts and Recreation Centre provides cooking classes, workout classes, visual arts classes and much more. Registration for online classes began Jan. 14.

In Quebec, Mura Cramiqueis offering online pottery classes this month. A four-week course costs $350plus tax, and includesdelivery of clay and tools to your home. A few weeks later, staff will pick up pieces to be fired and glazed. The course starts Jan. 25.

For something different to do with friends or family, Escape Manor is offering two virtualescape rooms to play online. The games costs $30 for a group of up to four players.

Museums, galleries, etc.

Just about every major cultural institution in Ottawa is offering some kind of online content these days.

Take part inmini science coursesand family-friendly activitiesfrom the Canadian Museum of Nature, or listen to curators at the National Gallery of Canada discusssome of the most famous worksin thecollection.

Many of the museums also offer virtual tours where visitors can use their mouse to navigate the rooms and halls.

That includes the Diefenbunker,where visitors lucky enough to own a pair of VR goggles canexplore the Cold War-era museum as if they were there.

If you're hosting a virtual event and wish to let us know about it, please let us know.