The best things to do at home this weekend (July 2-5)

In lieu of the ongoing elections, The Necessary Stage and Drama Box presents the video recording of the 2018 production Underclass, a collaboration with Drama Box, from now till July 25 on Vimeo. The play explores poverty, inequality and human dignity in Singapore. It follows the story of Xinyi, who finds herself in a downward spiral after losing her job and her flat. When she moves into a rental unit, she meets Johari, who she strikes up a friendship with. In these times, it's more important than ever to explore questions about the widening class divide in Singapore.

Grab your headphones for a sonic journey with Checkpoint Theatre's lecture-performance A Grand Design. Available to stream for free on Spotify and Soundcloud for free from now until July 12, the audio experience spotlights the personal experiences and funny misadventures in the environmental sector of Cheyenne Alexandria Phillips, an environmentalist and educator. The reading is sensitively directed and dramaturged by Chen Yingxuan, with an immersive sound design by Shah Tahir.

Test your smarts on 80s pop culture at Nineteen80's virtual trivia night with DJ brothers Mark and Don Richmond via Zoom. But it's not all about the popstars with the biggest hair either, the dynamic duo will ask questions on general knowledge too. If you're down for some wins, education, and good ol' trivia fun, assemble a team of two to five geniuses and sign up.

The ArtScience Museum is debuting its flagship programme ArtScience on Screen online with a new series of micro-commissioned films by some of Singapore’s most prominent and promising creators. Available on the museum's official website as well as social media platforms, the first two micro-commissions Late Spring by Lei Yuan Bin and How Can I Tell I Miss You by Eva Tang are set to premiere on 24 June and in the month of July respectively, while $alary Day by Madhavan Ram is running from now until July 10. Each film has a running time of less than five minutes, and was put together using the resources each filmmaker had on hand during the circuit breaker.

After the successful debut of Write From Home Workshops in May, The Arts House is back with a second edition this July, with new additions – Chinese and Malay writing workshops. Combat writer's block by learning how to find your voice – or rather, words – and shape them into works of literary art. Join some of the city's prominent writers and learn how to translate challenging situations into powerful writing, injecting humour into your writing, and embracing your emotions through words.

The party doesn't stop just because doors are closed. Retro arcade bar and discotheque Ninteen80 is bringing its signature throwback shindigs and crowd favourites live via Twitch every Friday. Throw shapes on your personal dancefloor to tunes from the 80s and 90s as spun by Nineteen80's resident DJs live and direct from their living rooms.

Get ready to put your thang down, flip it and reverse it. Your Saturday night are looking super duper fly with Pinball Wizard as resident DJs including Ollie'Des serve a blend of new and old-school hip hop every weekend via Twitch. You best bet you'll be doing the Dougie during the two-hour DJ set featuring non-stop killer beats and hits.

No one does interactive comedy theatre quite like How Drama, especially with their main production Fat Kids Are Harder To Kidnap. The local theatre company is known to feature quirky observations and wacky takes on current affairs. In this Zoom edition, expect an energetic 30-minute show that includes its playful spin on teleworking, social distancing, and of course, the crisis. The order of the plays lies in the hands of the audience. But it's not all easy peasy – both the actors and audience will have to work together to beat the clock and complete as many plays within 30 minutes.

National Volunteer & Philanthropy Centre (NVPCC) teams up with Dream Academy for this live stream variety show – all in support of charities from various sectors including arts and heritage, children and youth, disability, and social service which suffered as much as an 80 percent reduction in donations due to the postponement or cancellation of physical fund-raising events. Let TV stars Selena Tan, Pam Oei, Siti Khalijah, and Ghafir Akbar put a smile on your face with guests Hossan Leong, Rishi Budhrani, Neo Swee Lin, Lim Kay Siu, Koh Chieng Mun, Chua En Lai, Suhaimi Yusof, and Kumar.

In celebration of World Cucumber Day on June 14, Hendrick’s Gin is spreading the good, green vibes with its first-ever augmented reality game, The Cucumber Horticulturist. Plant the seeds of delightful peculiarity and earn currency through cultivating digital cucumbers for discounts off your next Hendrick's Gin purchase. Plus, with enough cucumber currency, you can redeem an e-ticket coupon for $15 off a special World Cucumber Day bundle at The 1887 Bar on GrabFood.

Ever wondered the lesser-known stories behind neighbourhoods such as Tanjong Pagar, Pasir Ris and Kallang? Uncover 'em all via online tours, digitally commissioned works, webinars, online masterclasses such as pastry and belachan-making, and more programmes that ooze nostalgia.

Whether a true yogi or an absolute rookie, all is invited to find zen and flow in unity at the world's first virtual 14-day yoga festival at the safety and comfort of your living room. It's loaded with 120 classes such as Budokon Yoga, AcroYoga, as well as family-friendly ones – all conducted by 29 local and international yoga pros including Singapore's Liv Lo Golding, Los Angeles' Hiro Landazauri, Australia's Fee Zard, Hong Kong's Victor Chau, and London's Chris Walker. Besides feeling good, you'll be doing good too as 20 percent of ticket proceeds are donated to Covid-19 charities.

Many Star Wars celebration was called off this May the Fourth due to the circuit breaker, but there's a new hope. This year, the annual Star Wars run goes online the galaxy's first epic virtual run – all at the comfort of your personal treadmill or running path of your nearest neighbourhood park, and at your own pace. Pledging your allegiance to the light or dark side, then choose to go (Han) solo in a 5.4-kilometre run or a pair up with someone from your household for a combined 40-kilometre run. Then, clock in your distance, and receive a commemorative Finisher Trophy upon completion of the virtual run, including a limited edition 40th anniversary gold Darth Vader trophy for 40-kilometre runners.

While theatres remain closed for now including the Oldham Theatre, tune into Asian Film Archive's (AFA) online showcase of Whose House is This?: New Cinema of Central Asia from June 19 to July 16. As part of AFA's new initiative Rewired, the online screening spotlights the boldest of Central Asian cinema from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan. All nine films explore the contestations and renegotiations of space and ownership that take place within their respective societies, over issues of culture, gender, nationhood, and identity. The films are available to rent for 48 hours at US$3.40 each via Vimeo on Demand.

Marvel at the small yet attention-grabbing art projects created by aspiring and accomplished artists from the region and beyond in this online exhibition presented by Gajah Gallery. Created in the solitude of each artist's home or studio in a period of uncertainty, the pieces attempt to find and regain fleeting moments that now command our attention. At the same time, the exhibition reexamines the modern art world where the world is rapidly changing, forcing to move from the glitz and glamour of big, blockbuster showcases to something more raw, modest, and real.

Find the hidden message – in your own words – in this provocative online exhibition by Dutch contemporary artistic duo, brothers Liam and Noah Skye. Don't be fooled by the monochromatic black-white-gold paintings – each artwork is different. Masterfully done with different media and techniques, as well as layers that are added or revealed, their paintings invite us to explore what is being covered up and what's hidden in plain sight. The exhibition is presented by Addicted Art Gallery.

Continue experiencing the works of print-based local artist Genevieve Chua beyond her largest solo exhibition Twofold with this brand new initiative by STPI – Creative Workshop & Gallery. Marvel at her works through a 360-degree panoramic virtual exhibition via YouTube which is accompanied by a 15-minute guided tour.

While you wait for the anticipated return of the Singapore Writers Festival (SWF) – the annual celebration of written and spoken word in Singapore's four official languages – relive events from its archive, available to watch on its YouTube channel. Explore the power of familial love with theatre practitioner Zaaki Nasir, catch a passionate debate about Singaporeans’ appetite for love with poet Gwee Li Sui and comedian Fakkah Fuzz, learn all about writing poetry with veteran poet Anne Lee Tzu Pheng, and more from the playlist SWF & Chill.

Expose your Little Einsteins to fascinating topics like the fish anatomy and nuggets about our transportation system through hands-on experiments and craft-making with Science Centre's Singapore's virtual TOTally Science workshops. Plus, get an activity kit mailed to your doorstep and KidsStop admission tickets for one child and one adult with a six-month validity at $53.50.

Get fit with #SGOutrunCovid, a solidarity initiative launched by Co-organisation and New Balance to inspire resilience and unite everyone through fitness in the time of a global health crisis. In conjunction with the GetActive campaign, the virtual race encourages participants to walk, jog, and run at any time, anywhere. Simply clock a minimum distance of one-kilometre via fitness tracking devices, mobile apps or treadmills, and send a screenshot of the total distance covered and the duration of activity to @SG.Outrun.Covid via Instagram Direct Message.

The streets of Singapore are slowly coming to life with Streets of Hope. As part of the National Arts Council's (NAC) #SGCultureAnywhere campaign, the kaleidoscopic showcase of street banners by 153 homegrown artists are taking over St Andrew's Road, Fullerton Road, Esplanade Drive, Stamford Road and more for the next three months. The commissioned project aims to bring together artists across generations, backgrounds and mediums, and uplift spirits through creative works of visual art.

Calling all fans of Akira – get ready to be transported to an industrial complex set in 2020 Neo-Tokyo that is dedicated to the iconic 1988 post-apocalyptic cyberpunk anime. Curated by The Unusual Network and produced by Metamo Industries, the interactive online 3D art exhibition engages the senses with stunning visuals including 14 masterpieces by artists from Singapore, Japan, and the Philippines, and a specially designed soundscape that elevates the art-viewing experience.

Get those creative juices flowing with UOB Art Explorer. Designed for art lovers of all ages even children, the online visual arts programme aims to introduce new worlds and perspectives through its five art initiatives – Art as Therapy, Art at Home, Art in Colours, Art Virtually and Art in Story.

Presented by the National Archives of Singapore, this permanent World War II exhibition gives you a glimpse into the historic Former Ford Factory where the British forces surrendered unconditionally to the Imperial Japanese Army on February 15, 1942. Navigate the events and memories surrounding the British surrender, the Japanese Occupation of Singapore, and the legacies of the war via the immersive, 360-degree virtual experience. Expect oral history accounts, archival records, and published materials.

Got #SmallBigDreamersAtHome? While there are plenty of things to do to keep 'em active tykes busy, it's never too early to expose your little ones to art. Add some colour to the kids' stay-home routine with the digital spin of National Gallery Singapore's biennial children's festival Small Big Dreamers where they can tap into their imagination with creative play including interactive games, guided art tutorials, and immersive art-viewing experiences at the first online art festival in Singapore. The programmes are designed to unleash their inner artist, all while learning about the inspiring artworks from Singapore and Southeast Asia, including those within the National Collection.

It's a blast to the past with Films Of Singapore Daily as the YouTube channel offers classic Malay films from the 1950s and 1960s, compiled by local film researcher Toh Hun Ping. It's not just clips either – you can watch monochromatic classics such as the Hang Jebat, Bujang Lapok, and Pontianak in full with English subtitles.  

As part of #SGCultureAnywhere, #StayHomeStayLit2020 keeps the local arts scene alive with casual chats led by homegrown authors, artists, musicians, and designers via Sing Lit Station's Instagram page (@singlitstation). Discover your next favourite paperback as 33 creatives recommend 33 SingLit books, as well as a review and provide an original response to a SingLit book created by artist-designers using the medium of their choice – whether that's drawing, graphic designing, or even singing.

Gutted at the postponement of SIFA? To make up for it, SIFA presents its digital portal, better known as SIFA v2.020 where you can get all your art fix. Expect a line-up of engaging programmes and virtual events including talks led by theatre directors and artists, workshops you can take part at home, and special performances.

Unleash your inner Flash for another type of hero: our front-line workers. In support of Singapore's healthcare and service frontliners, the virtual running initiative Run for Heroes invites all to lace up for a one-kilometre run which can be clocked anytime and anywhere. Upon completion, two wristbands will be sent to you – one's for keeps, while the other will be sent to a frontline hero with your personalised message of thanks. The wristbands act as a symbol of unity and solidarity, reminding us of the challenges we will face and overcome together.

Quench your thirst for culture online with the Asian Civilisations Museum (ACM). Travel the region without leaving your house through a virtual exploration of ACM's collection of Asian antiquities and decorative arts masterpieces. Otherwise, try your hand at recreating Asian masterpieces with household items. Get the kids to join in the fun too with ACM's kid-friendly online resources, making learning extra fun.

To spice up the stay-home routine, the National Youth Council (NYC) has launched MehGoWhere, a youth-centric microsite that takes you back to those Tumblr days with its kaleidoscopic thumbnails – and rightfully so. Aimed at keeping youths in Singapore engaged while practising social distancing at home, the nifty site offers resources to keep 'em in the know, lighthearted content for a laugh, interesting activities for some brain work, and cool ideas like switching up the next food delivery. It also makes a great tool to connect with fellow youngsters, especially if social distancing is making you feel a tad lonely.

Brought to your screens by homegrown arts group The Teng Ensemble, Triptych Series is a three-part video series that shines a light on the critical role of migrants in Singapore. But unlike your usual docu-series, the message is delivered through music. It pays tribute to migrants then and now who have contributed to Singapore's success. It also aims to spread positivity amid these challenging times and encourage audiences to do their bit in building a more inclusive society for the community. A collaboration with Tamil music artiste Shabir, the first video is released on May 27, with subsequent videos available on May 31 and June 4.

Since her 2012 arrest for vandalism in Singapore, street artist Sam Lo (SKL0) has shown no signs of slowing down. Instead, she went the extra mile in proving herself and everyone else that she's more than just the 'Sticker Lady', and that she's a force to be reckoned with. Online micro-documentary The Legal Rebel follows Sam's growth since the incident, having experienced intense scrutiny from the public due to the viability of the charges. As part of Not Safe For TV's (NSFTV) Living in Sin series, The Legal Rebel is available to watch on NSFTV's Facebook and Instagram pages.

The National Museum of Singapore has joined the #MuseumFromHome movement, bringing its collections online. Enjoy exciting activities and programmes from the comfort of your home with the whole family – including craft activities, learning resources, and programmes online from the comfort of their homes, all while learning about the museum's collection.  This International Museum Day, join a series of programmes designed around the theme 'Museums for Equality: Diversity and Inclusion'. Listen in to Lekker Architects, the designer of the museum's Quiet Room, in a talk about the design of inclusive spaces. Try your hand at making your own performer puppets using materials found at home, or listen to a fascinating conversation between a Muslim religious leader and Frank Foo, the author of a book series about festivals in Singapore, on the significance of Ramadan.

Experience the world-famous magic of Disney at the comfort of your home via the Virtual Disney World channel on YouTube. There are a plethora of 4K Ultra HD videos that offer immersive, 360-degree POV of the Disney-themed parks. With a variety of rides to choose, from the Slinky Dog Dash and the Haunted Mansion to Frozen Ever After and Under The Sea Journey of the Little Mermaid, you'll be spoilt for choice. To get started, simply select a ride, hook it up to your telly, and hit play. Tap into your imagination – feel free to use whatever tools at home – and imagine yourself taking those rollercoaster rides, going up, down, and around against the vibrant backdrop. Keep the kids engaged as well – they'll thank you for the fun.

Have you ever wondered the meaning of the inscriptions on the Singapore Stone, or the sayings of the Sejarah Melayu about the island's mythical beginnings? Go beyond the history books and delve deeper into Singapore's past with Roots' The Singapore Story Through 60 Objects. The online exhibition invites all curious minds to uncover the lesser-known stories behind the National Collection, spotlighting 60 artifacts in particular.

ArtScience at Home invites visitors of all ages to experience programmes from their snug space. The new initiative acts as a virtual version of the ArtScience Museum where its education activities such as guided exhibition tours and workshops, along with its flagship public programmes including ArtScience Late, Conversations and ArtScience on Screen are translated for the online space.

One for film enthusiasts in Singapore and the region, Objectifs Film Library is showcasing over 40 short films made by 14 Southeast Asian filmmakers that are available to rent and binge at home. Among the shorts are those by award-winning Singapore directors Boo Junfeng and Kirsten Tan, as well as regional filmmakers including Thailand's Pimpaka Towira, Cambodia's Davy Chou, and Vietnam's Nguyen Trinh Thi.

National Gallery Singapore has just launched an online platform for art lovers amidst the 'circuit breaker'. Called #GalleryAnywhere, it is the Gallery's one-stop access to an array of rich digital and virtual experiences to keep art lovers engaged and entertained with art. The portal offers five distinct segments: Browse, Watch, Listen, Play, Explore – each replicating the different experiences you'd get at the Gallery.  #GalleryAnywhere also features content that allows audiences to connect better with artworks they see in the Gallery. Join artist Chua Soo Bin as he tells you first hand the stories behind three of his photographs in the Truths & Legends exhibition, or listen to musician JJ Lin talk about his masterpiece, Journey of a Yellow Man.

In the spirit of doing good, National Volunteer & Philanthropy Centre (NVPC) and Blu3 Asia launched 15 Shorts for NVPC's one-stop giving platform Giving SG. As it says on the tin, 15 Shorts is a series of short films directed by prominent local filmmakers including Eric Khoo, Kelvin Tong, and Kirsten Tan, spotlighting the pressing issues in Singapore from animal welfare and youth mental health to sports leadership and heritage conservation. Taken on as a passion project for the directors, these films were created on a low-bono, non-profit basis, all in the spirit of building a City of Good. Binge with a good cause, and donate to a charity (or two) today.

Artists are turning into their home studios to create masterpieces inspired by the global crisis and their stay-home practices – think a trippy visual of instant noodle hoarding at a supermarket and photographs of the many positions of social distancing at home. These interesting pieces can be viewed via an online exhibition by local artist-run institution Instinc, and features works by both international and local artists including Yeo Shih Yun and Ezzam Rahman, among others. If your bare walls could do with some art, the works are also up for grabs where 25 percent of the sale proceeds are donated to WHO's Covid-19 Solidarity Response Fund.

The National Museum of Singapore is taking its physical Bicentennial exhibition, An Old New World: From the East Indies to the Founding of Singapore, 1600s – 1819, off-ground and online with its digital version from April 15. The virtual exhibition transports you back in time to the bustling trading port of the East Indies that drew the attention of the Dutch and British East India Companies. Uncover the other factors at play leading up to the events of 1819 through this informative exhibition. There are two modes of navigation to choose from – guided and self-exploratory. The former invites you to explore featured artefacts and the surrounding showcases while listening to narrations by curators Daniel Tham and Iskander Mydin about Knowledge and Power and Seeing the Indigenous.

Want a body like an A-list celeb? Starting on April 13, you can tone your body at your home-made gym with Barry's 30-minute full-body workouts. Continue to feel the burn every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 8am. The workouts will be led by Barry's instructors, helping you recreate the Red Room right in your living room. The 'Barry's Method' will be condensed into a heart-pumping workout that is effective and easy to follow. Stay tuned to the official Instagram account at @barryssingapore for more updates.

The museum is currently closed for a major facelift and is expected to re-open in 2021. But that doesn't mean you can't take a peek at the what goes – or rather went – on the inside. Home to a wide variety of postage stamps, the museum also holds special themed exhibitions such as The Little Prince: Behind the Story, Shaking It With Shakespeare, and The League Against Evil: A DC Super Heroes Exhibition. And now, you can explore these exhibitions in your slippers at the comfort of your home. Take a virtual tour around the museum and marvel at the cool collections of stamps, artworks, and other paraphernalia by zooming in.

Dust off your DSLR and tune into Nikon School Singapore as the photography school streams live courses online for the first time – and they're absolutely free. Starting from April 11, the famous camera brand is conducting eight courses this month, with plans for another 10 more in May. The in-depth courses feature award-winning and popular photographers covering various lifestyle experiences from discovering wildlife to framing food. First up is a class by award-winning photographer Cole Kor who will be breaking down the fundamentals of portraiture on April 11 at 8pm.

In case you didn't know, National Gallery Singapore has an Online Collections Search Portal of over 1,000 artworks, 7,000 archival and 9,000 library holdings. The Portal allows you to take a closer look at the Gallery's art pieces from Lim Cheng Hoe's Masts at Kallang Port and Kampong Hut to Latiff Mohidin's Joget (Malay Dance). Through the online catalogue, you can learn about prolific artists and painters in Singapore, their most popular works, and the mediums they use. Additionally, you'll also have access to the Gallery's archive, which boasts photos from the artists' personal collection. Check out Chia Wai Hon's travel photos or Chen Chong Swee's family portraits.

The show must go on – line. The exclusive online broadcasts of selected music performances at the centre are available to watch for free. These include other videos, stories, and podcasts on other arts too. Home audiences can cosy up for Haruka Nakamura Piano Ensemble and Aspidistrafly's first avant-garde joint showcase, Mandopop duo StellaVee's catchy pop tunes, Metropolitan Festival Orchestra and DJ KoFlow's genre-defying performance, and more.

Staying at home shouldn’t come at the expense of your physical health. If you’re not the type to head out for a hike or jog, a handful of local gyms have started streaming live workouts and posting online exercises, so you can get sweating in the comfort, and safety, of your own home. Plus, there’s no need to fight for the shower once you're done – that's always a plus. Start your sweat sesh here.

Some of the zoos around the world have adapted to the situation by allowing the public to 'visit' the zoo via webcams and live-streaming. If you're wondering how our local wildlife are doing, explore Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve through its animal cams. The three cameras focus on the view from the main bridge, the biggest bird hide in the reserve and the pond. If you're lucky, you might even see otters frolicking by the water, migratory birds feeding or even freshwater crocodiles making its way down the river.

You can do almost anything virtually these days, including travel. Explore.org and Polar Bears International are live-streaming the Northern Lights, so you can watch the aurora borealis in its full glory right from your couch. The live cam is planted directly underneath the aurora oval in Churchill, Manitoba, which is one of the best places on earth to witness the Lights.