The List

Despite the ongoing lockdown and general timey-wimey-ness of everyday existence during this pandemic, the first long weekend of May is nearly upon us, and that still means something, right? Yes it does! No matter how beautiful the weather is, or how the outdoors beckons, it remains our solemn duty to stay the hell home. Luckily we've got a roster of virtual fun to make your living room the hottest club/theatre/venue/cinema/restaurant in town, so put on your best set of loungewear and hunker down with us this weekend.

Around Town

Endorphins make you happy, and happy people don't break lockdown, so stay limber with another instalment of Company Chameleon's Saturday Sessions (Sat 9 May), a fun, physical movement workshop suitable for the whole family and broadcast via their YouTube channel. Or boogie on down with Disco Yoga Goes Zoom (Sun 10 May), a yoga class set to a soundtrack of golden classics. Dance studio FRAME are also hosting an online Lizzo Dance Workshop (Sat 9 May), so you'll have new moves a-plenty once the dance floors open again.

For those looking to keep their hands and mind occupied, the Edinburgh Craft Club is hosting a Kokedama Making Online Workshop (Fri 8 May), ideal for bringing a bit of the great outdoors into our living spaces, as well as virtual sessions in Screen Printing with an Embroidery Hoop (Sat 9 May).

This weekend should also be about treating yo' self, so why not whip up some double chocolate chip cookies and pistachio shortbread with Priyanka at Y/hangry's virtual baking class (Sat 9 May). There's also no reason to drink alone as Forbes' whisky writer Felipe Schrieberg hosts another one of his Live Virtual Whisky Masterclasses (Fri 9 May and Sat 9 May) via Zoom, though be sure to book ahead so you get your drams through the mail in time. If you just want a tipple and no talk, then we've got you covered with our list of the best beer, wine and spirit merchants currently doing delivery during the lockdown.

Music

The virtual live music scene grows stronger by the day, as artists and organisers find new ways to keep the good times rolling on lockdown. The big gig this weekend (don't flinch, parents) is the Homeschool Festival (Fri 8 May–Sun 10 May). Presented by music mag Dork, the online music weekender will feature artists performing live streamed gigs from their homes, and so far the staggeringly-long line-up features the likes of APRE, Born Ruffians, Circa Waves, Drug Store Romeos, Flawes, HANYA, Honey Lung, Lauran Hibberd, Phoebe Green, Pizzagirl, The Xcerts, Tim Burgess and many, many more.

Musicians around the world will also be taking part in The Rise of the 200 (Sat 9 May), raising awareness and funds for Irish and Scottish mental health charities. Each participating artist will perform 200 songs in one sitting, from memory. In more virtual performance news, in honour of her cancelled Glasgow tour date, Jayda G will be hosting a Virtual Get Down (Fri 8 May), fundraising for Scottish Mental Health Association. This week's Saturday Shindig over at Stirling's Tolbooth is set to feature a solo gig by Tom McGuire, as well as a set from VanIves (Sat 9 May). Elsewhere on Instagram Live, the BRIT Award-winner and folk goddess Laura Marling will also be leading another one of her truly excellent guitar tutorials (Sun 10 May).

For when this pandemic is over, we've compiled an ever-growing list of free comedy and music shows for the incredible NHS and frontline workers who are keeping us safe and healthy, including dates from Liam Gallagher, Manic Street Preachers and Mo Gilligan. It was also announced late last week that Glasgow's Summer Nights at the Bandstand has understandably been cancelled, though nearly every artist has signed on to return next year. Also, please do keep supporting the Music Venue Trust's #saveourvenues campaign, whether by donating what you can to a venue's crowdfunder, or checking out the online events that musicians are hosting for a venue close to their hearts.

Stage

If you're as badly in need of a laugh as we are, the Cosmic Shambles Network kicks things off on our virtual stages with their Shambles Show and Tell (Fri 8 May), hosted by Robin Ince, Josie Long and Francesca Stavrakopoulou. Or roll the dice with Nish Kumar, Sue Perkins, Sara Pascoe and Ed Gamble in Comic Relief Plays Dungeons and Dragons (Fri 8 May), as these four funny folk play an epic game of D&D to raise money for charities supporting those affected by the pandemic. Elsewhere, Russell Howard returns to give an upbeat and comical spin on the news in Russell Howard's Home Time (Fri 8 May), and Ivor Dembina stages a live online performance of his show Old Jewish Jokes (Sun 10 May).

This week in theatre, National Theatre at Home are delving into the Bard's catalogue once again and streaming their steamy production of Antony and Cleopatra, starring Ralph Fiennes and Sophie Okonedo as one of history's most famous power couples. The stream premieres on Thu 7 May, and will be available all week. This weekend will also be the last chance to catch a pre-recorded performance of Julia Taudevin's darkly comic political cabaret Hysteria! for free, as part of the Scottish Mental Health Arts Festival. Stanislavsky Electrotheatre's production of Sarah Kane's 4.48 Psychosis (Fri 8 May), and the scientific pyrotechnics of Max Black (Sun 10 May) take centre stage this weekend at the International Online Theatre Festival. Do also check out the incredible roster of online performances available over on BBC iPlayer, including pre-recorded content from the likes of Kate Tempest, Akala and Wayne McGregor.

Film & TV

We're continuing our coverage of exciting new releases to enjoy at home with an extremely comprehensive list of all the best TV shows coming in the month of May. Highlights from this weekend sees Jack Thorne's musical drama The Eddy make its debut on Netflix, and a tribute to NHS fundraiser extraordinaire Tom Moore's wartime experience broadcast on ITV in Captain Tom's War. You can also check out our reviews of the Pierce brothers' new horror flick The Wretched ★★★★☆, available on demand from Fri 8 May, and stylish thriller The Whistlers ★★★☆☆, available to watch on Curzon Home Cinema from Fri 8 May.

If you've got TV seasons worth of time to burn, we've curated a round-up of some of the most binge-worthy box sets on NOW TV to sink your teeth into, as List staff wax eloquent about everything from Curb Your Enthusiasm to The Sopranos. For shorter, more homegrown content, this weekend also sees the Film Festival of Solitude (Sat 9 May), a short film festival hosted by the Napier Film-making Society. Six shorts created by members of the public while under lockdown will be screened via Facebook Live, with one film selected as the best of the bunch in encapsulating these strange times.

Follow The List's Staying In is the New Going Out articles for more kids TV recommendations, alternative online events, press releases, refund policies, restaurant deliveries and further general information.