This weekend is much like the last and will be a lot like the one after it. While the weather is warming up, it’s still important to practice proper social distancing protocol. If you don’t have any plans to keep yourself occupied this particular weekend, social media is chock full of entertainment at your fingertips, and The Root is here with options. Not only do these virtual events cover the entertainment aspect we need (from a safe distance), but many of them are philanthropic, as well.
Check out a few events happening this weekend if you’re looking for a little something to do. Also, make sure to take a walk and drink some water!
JUNE 11
Racial Equality
SPECTRUM Virtual is a virtual convening of multicultural changemakers, business leaders, entrepreneurs, innovators, cross-sector practitioners, and investors who are committed to seeing progress in closing the racial wealth gap. The final day of the three-day conference is June 11, and on opening day, politician Stacey Abrams addressed the attendees in a special video message.
Today’s final panel is called “America Is Suffering,” which includes “some of the most influential voices on the front lines, demanding justice for our communities.”
STEM Learning
This is something anyone could enjoy, whether a youngster or a bit older. EarthX is teaming up with National Geographic for Ocean Week, where those in attendance will learn about the ocean, it’s creatures, and how to protect it.
Some of the events happening during today’s Ocean Week programming include “Chasing Coral” and the EarthXOcean Conference. Check it out here.
JUNE 12
Career Help
If you want to get a leg up on your career as a writer, look no further than Chantelle Adanna. The author launched an online course in order to help writers navigate the self-publishing world and how to be their own agents on a budget.
She is booking now for her July 1st Live Webinar. If you’re interested in a 45-minute consultation call with Chantelle, click here.
Music
SummerStage Anywhere is a new digital series from Capital One City Parks Foundation SummerStage. “The People Speak” event, created in collaboration with VOICES, a nonprofit arts, education and social justice organization, features “contemporary artists and authors who will use events, music and words from our nation’s history as inspiration for new discussions.”
Be on the lookout for appearances and speeches from actor Michael Ealy, actress, musician and multi-instrumentalist Megalyn E.K, and Pose’s Ryan Jamaal Swain. The event will be held all summer long.
Jon Batiste, the Grammy-Nominated bandleader of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, announced the “We Are: A Revival” event, which will be held outside of Brooklyn’s Barclays Center at 5 p.m. ET. The event, a follow-up to his June 6 event “We Are: The Protest” will serve as a celebration of black lives through live music. It will be held in conjunction with Sing For Hope, “an organization offering messages of hope to veterans and community members alike through music.”
“WE ARE is a movement in response to all that’s going on in the world today,” Batiste says in a statement. “We are the ones to change the world. We are the golden ones.”
JUNE 13
Prom
School is still not out for many high school students despite the quarantine. In order to bring a little joy to students who identify as members of the LGBTQ community, Billboard is hosting “Pride Prom,” a virtual event featuring performances from queer artists, an interactive DJ set, and a drag performance leading up to the announcement of the 2020 Pride Prom Queen.
Billy Porter, Lena Waithe, Todrick Hall, Wilson Cruz, the cast of ‘The L Word: Generation Q’, and more will be in attendance during Billboard’s #PrideSummit content, which includes the Pride Prom. Click here for more.
JUNE 14
Music
K-Pop fans, you’re in for a treat: BTS is performing in an online pay-per-view style event “Bang Bang Con the Live,” to make up for the cancellation of their world tour. The event starts at 5 a.m. ET/ 2 a.m. PT, so make sure you’re well-rested if you plan on watching.
NYC-based DJ April Hunt, Rashaad Newsome, performer and Legendary Monster Mon_Teese and My House star Precious are presenting a new project promoting and celebrating black joy. Her two-part video and live DJ set titled “Go Off! Joy in Defiance” celebrates “Black queer sonic, visual, and performative traditions.” The event, held at 6 p.m. ET, is in collaboration with New York City’s The Shed, an arts center presenting original works from artists across platforms.