Need entertainment during coronavirus shutdown? These theaters and arts groups have online content

Open Stage theatre in Harrisburg

The Main Stage theatre. Open Stage theatre has been remodeled and is offering an open house Oct. 24. Open Stage is located at 25 N. Court St. in Harrisburg. October 23, 2019. Dan Gleiter | dgleiter@pennlive.com

Concerts, plays and other exhibitions all came to an abrupt halt as shutdowns (first optional, then mandatory) swept the state due to the spreading coronavirus.

However, even with ticket sales plummeting to zero and artists largely confined to their homes, there are still performers eager to bring music, comedy, drama, visual art and dance directly to your living room.

Here are a few entertainment options from arts groups that have started providing their services online - and information on how to donate to support these groups and artists as they struggle through lost revenue and canceled events.

Open Stage

The actors at Open Stage have started to record a variety of YouTube content, posting videos both on that platform and sharing them on the theater’s Facebook page.

The videos include “Thank You, Ten”, interviews with local performers; readings of children’s books in “Storytime Theatre with Benny the Surly Dragon”; and "The Quarantine Radio Hour,” which are performances of old-school radio dramas such as Sherlock Holmes mysteries.

There is also the following video, which gives humorous advice on greeting people during the coronavirus pandemic to ensure proper safe distance:

(Note: I am involved with some of these video productions, as are family members.)

To donate to Open Stage, follow this link. Audiences can also pre-purchase tickets to future productions at Open Stage, which are good for any performance on any date once the theater re-opens.

Gamut Theatre

Each Wednesday, the actors with Gamut Theatre will be posting videos sharing one of their special skills. The first such video was a juggling tutorial, shared via Facebook Live, with actor Ross Carmichael. You can view the tutorial here:

Donations can be made to Gamut Theatre by following this link to their website, or through their Facebook fundraising campaign.

Central Pennsylvania Music Hall of Fame

The Central Pennsylvania Music Hall of Fame is using this time of isolation to showcase local musicians and bring their performances to audiences live via streaming videos. Events are shared regularly via the group’s Facebook page, which you can find here.

The videos are all hosted on the Central Pennsylvania Music Hall of Fame’s Facebook page following the live video, and are available to view at any time.

Audiences can donate to each artist via a Virtual Tip Jar, either through PayPal at cpmhof@yahoo.com or through Venmo at “cpmhof” - 100% of donations go to the musicians, and more details on the donations can be found on the video posts.

Carlisle Regional Performing Arts Center

CRPAC is using their time during the closure to provide “needed services of artistic engagement to our extended community and beyond,” said executive director Erika Juran in a press release. "Therefore, our program staff team members are creating programs for all ages that can engage, teach, and celebrate the artistic expressions of individuals that are remaining at home for the health of their neighbors.”

The first such program is a film contest titled “Two Minute Movies,” open to children 17 years old and younger. All submitted and approved entries will be screened on September 26 at the Carlisle Theatre’s Harvest of the Arts. Details on the contest can be found here.

In the meantime, the company’s Players on High are planning to present virtual performances of short plays or readings of children’s stories. The videos will be shared on the CRPAC website and Facebook page.

Information on how to donate to support the Carlisle Theatre and Carlisle Regional Performing Arts Center can be found here.

Fruit Boots and Boozy Bingo

Monthly drag show Fruit Boots is maintaining its regular schedule, but going online beginning with their performance on March 28. A link to that event can be found here.

Felicia O’Toole Buffington, a co-host fo the Fruit Boots show, has also begun hosting livestream bingo events titled Boozy Bingo.

Details on donations for the drag artists and musicians can be found through the Facebook event pages.

Lebanon Valley Council on the Arts

The Lebanon Valley Council on the Arts is hosting “Art Transcends” virtual exhibits, where community members can submit photos of art pieces or projects, send links to performance art or music recordings, or share written poetry or prose. Submissions can be sent to info@downtownlebanon.com and lebanonartscouncil@gmail.com.

The council will also be posting a daily “art challenge” on their Facebook page, which can be found here.

More information can be found on the Lebanon Valley Council of the Arts website.

Susquehanna Art Museum

The Susquehanna Art Museum has begun sharing digital art galleries, posting images of work currently on exhibit at the museum before public closings. The current digital gallery can be found by following this link to the Susquehanna Art Museum website, or by following the museum’s Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter accounts.

Donations to the Susquehanna Art Museum can be made through their website.

Prima Theatre

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