Virtual Arts Experiences

Stay inspired during this time of social distancing with a collection of standout digital experiences from OZ Arts and friends. Follow us on social media and check back weekly for updates.

WATCH | LISTEN | READ | CREATE (CHILDREN & FAMILIES)

WATCH

Manual Cinema’s 10th Anniversary Retrospectacular

July 27–August 23

Chicago’s Manual Cinema is celebrating 10 years of innovative, multimedia theater with an online retrospective. Watch a different film every week, including their unforgettable adaptation of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein (August 17–23).

Art Wire

Virtual Reading

Join OZ Arts and The Porch for an expedition through some of this season’s favorite performances. This video features 2019-20 Art Wire writing fellows, who share short readings of original literary works inspired by the imagery, subject matter, or themes of a presentation at OZ Arts.

Jacob’s Pillow Dance Interactive

Ongoing

Jacob’s Pillow is a National Historic Landmark, a National Medal of Arts recipient, and home to America’s longest running dance festival. Explore their ever-growing collection of dance videos and essays from the 1930s to today.

Alvin Ailey All Access

Ongoing

Experience the world-renowned Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater through streaming performances, online dance classes, and more. We love their #TheShowMustGoOn series, featuring dancers performing acclaimed works like Rennie Harris’ Lazarus while apart.

No Place Like Home

Community Video Series

Adapting to life in quarantine has inspired many of us to reflect on the places, people, and moments we value most. We asked a few friends to help us explore this shared experience in our new #NoPlaceLikeHome video series.

Met Opera
Nightly Streams

Ongoing

Stream encore presentations from the Metropolitan Opera every night at 6:30PM CT on the company’s official website. Performances feature some of the world’s most renowned artists—including OZ Arts favorite Renée Fleming—and are available for an additional 20 hours after airing.

On the Boards TV

Online Performance Rentals

Watch world class performances by today’s most provocative artists through Seattle’s On the Boards TV. Their archive features music, dance, theater, and multidisciplinary works from renowned artists like Kyle Abraham, Crystal Pite, and Rude Mechs. Rent, buy, or subscribe!

The Social Distancing Festival

Ongoing

Discover art from around the world through this comprehensive, live streaming resource. Explore by discipline or peruse the calendar for a rich array of virtual performances to keep you engaged and inspired.

Elizabeth Streb

TED Talk

Fascinated with human flight, Elizabeth Streb details her lifelong obsession in this 2018 TED Talk filmed shortly after her company’s gravity-defying performances at OZ Arts. Follow her personal journey from curious child on the shores of Lake Ontario to contemporary artist whose work leaps between danger and exhilaration.

Manual Cinema

NPR’s Invisibilia Podcast

Chicago-based Manual Cinema captivated Nashville audiences with their imaginative adaptation of Frankenstein last October. A few years ago, the multimedia theater company brought an episode of NPR’s Invisibilia podcast to life.

Camille A. Brown & Dancers

Dance Film

Relive some of the highlights from Camille A. Brown & Dancers’ “ink” with this dance film created with Google Arts & Culture as part of Black History Month 2019, reimagining the pieces at the intimate Brooklyn Historical Society Library.

Fable Cry

“Come Meet the Reapers”

Nashville rockers Fable Cry are known for their highly theatrical stage shows, like last fall’s Festival of Ghouls at OZ Arts. The spooktacular music video for their latest single was filmed live in our creative warehouse—check it out!

LISTEN

Brave New Art Podcast

Ongoing

Explore the beauty, quirks, and challenges of creation with influential artists in this ongoing podcast from OZ Arts Nashville. Special guests include This Holding lead artist Jana Harper, poet Ciona Rouse, and more.

Mellotron Variations

Listen on Spotify

Revisit the psychedelic album performed at OZ Arts last fall. The 1960s keyboard stars in this experimental celebration from all-star musicians Pat Sansone (Wilco), John Medeski (Medeski, Martin & Wood), Robby Grant (Big Ass Truck; Vending Machine) and Jonathan Kirkscey (Memphis Symphony Orchestra; Mouse Rocket).

Neighbors Podcast

“Pay Attention”

If you haven’t listened to Jakob Lewis’ award-winning Neighbors podcast, there’s never been a better time to start! Informed by the birth of Jakob’s son and his performance Attend at OZ Arts, the latest episode explores what it means to attend to the things that matter in life.

Wu Fei & Abigail Washburn

Debut Duo Album

Musicians Wu Fei and Abigail Washburn have experimented together for years, resulting in performances like their 2017 show at OZ Arts and now, a new album. The duo blends folk sounds from Appalachian and Chinese traditions in this fresh release from Smithsonian Folkways Recordings.

New Dialect & Rosie Herrera

Music Playlist

Enjoy music from New Dialect’s stunning February 2020 dance program, which featured Rosie Herrera’s playful yet poignant First Fruit and Banning Bouldin’s unforgettably powerful The Triangle.

Patti Smith

All Songs Considered Guest DJ Program

Poet and Singer Patti Smith graced the OZ Arts stage in a popular book reading with Parnassus Books. Patti discusses her life and musical passions in this NPR program.

READ

Art Wire

2019-2020 Art Wire Fellows

This collaboration with The Porch invited 10 writers to craft original works inspired by OZ Arts performances this season. Discover new works including include poetry, prose, and short stories.

CREATE

Picks for Children & Families

Just Us at Oasis Center

Just Us is a collection of programs at Oasis Center dedicated to helping lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning youth to achieve their full potential. Specifically, Just Us provides LGBTQ+ youth with a liberating space where they can be authentic and celebrate the fluidity of identity. With offerings for middle school, high school, and college students, Just Us meetings are virtual for the time-being, but keep an eye out for in-person events, open mics, and activities in the not-too-distant future.

The Story Seeds Podcast

The brainchild of Literary Safari’s Sandhya Nankani, this enchanting podcast combines story inspiration from children ages 6-12 with masterful adult storytellers to create wacky and wonderful tales. For young readers, young writers, and anyone who loves a good story.

FristKids

Visual art is perfect for virtual platforms. Connect with Frist Art Museum and their educational videos designed to explore the many connections between visual art and the world all around us. Divided into four categories: Explore, Create, Connect, and Discover, each video has an art project you can make at home during the cold winter months and beyond!

Cheekwood “Tots!”

Beloved Nashville botanical garden has a plethora of at-home activities and tutorials for your littlest flower buds. Explore the natural world through kitchen scrap gardening, bubble painting, and greenhouse basics. There are coloring pages, too, for a quick art break!

Nashville Public Library’s Wishing Chair Productions

Marionette Puppet Shows (with sign language interpretation!)

Wishing Chair Productions bring their signature style to the small screen with familiar stories crafted with the magic of marionettes. Videos range from 20 minutes to over an hour and include sign language interpretation, providing an accessible library of storytelling wonder.

Here Wee Read

For readers young and old, Here Wee Read is your go-to resource for diverse and inclusive stories. Founder Charnaie Gordon is committed to introducing readers to a full spectrum of diversity within the kid lit realm. A bi-weekly podcast offers up 30-second book reviews, interviews with writers and illustrators, and even a spotlight on the top headlines shaking up the industry. Bookmark this site to actively diversify your bookshelves.

Creative Action
Online Learning Hub

Youth empowerment is the focus of this Austin gem, but with virtual learning at the helm these days, their online learning hub is accessible from anywhere at all. Short animations, improv games, and socio-emotional exercises champion our young people as they become Creative Artists, Courageous Allies, Critical Thinkers, and Confident Leaders.

Tarble Arts Center

“New to Me” Creativity Prompts

Explore your creativity with Tarble Arts Center’s downloadable prompts meant to help us experience everyday things with fresh eyes. Appropriate for all ages, projects range from creating window art to discovering patterns with everyday objects.

La Mama Kids Online

La MaMa Kids is a series of creative workshops and performances for the young and the young at heart. Master artists from New York’s groundbreaking contemporary performance company teach theatre crafts in workshops that encourage imaginative play and hands-on learning. Children and adults learn the basics of storytelling, dance, mask and puppet-making, and more! Held monthly, La MaMa Kids is fun for the whole family!

Story Pirates

Podcast

This band of merry bandits transforms real kid stories into catchy, theatrical tunes. Humorous, witty, and endlessly creative, there’s a reason this podcast tops the family-friendly charts. Special guests include Clare Danes, Dax Shepard, Lake Bell, among others.

New Victory Theatre
Arts Break

Performing arts tutorials for kids — themed weekly!

Nothing commonplace about these wacky videos. Arts Breaks offers everything from percussion to magic to juggling for beginners. Each week brings a new theme complete with online classes that level up depending on ability and experience. Even if the week of your dreams has passed, watch the videos online anytime.

OZ School Days:
Kitchen Edition

OZ School Days teaching artists are whipping up a few creative bites from the comforts of home in this series designed for parents and kids to enjoy together. With a handful of found objects and easy-to-follow instructions, you and your child can sample simple recipes for the imagination.