Stay Connected to Local Businesses From Home

Just because everyone has to stay in doesn’t mean you can’t keep doing your favorite activities. If you miss hitting the gym, consider joining the myriad of online classes being offered by gyms all over D.C., or finally tackle your reading list by supporting a local bookstore with curbside pickup. More into music? Lend a hand to your favorite venue until they can rock out with you again. For all that and more, here’s our running list of things to do during Covid-19.

305 Fitness has online dance classes to encourage you to stay moving to some great music. @305fitness

Alvin Ailey is launching Ailey for All, an online platform offering videos with some of the company’s best work. Full-length performances will stream on Thursdays and dancers stuck at home will be uploading clips of their own to the series #TheShowMustGoOn. Follow Alvin Ailey on social media to learn some dance moves for yourself. Consider donating to their fund, Still, We Dance, to support access to the arts. @alvinailey

All Fired Up is now offering take home kits for you to paint some pottery at home. Both the Cleveland Park and Bethesda locations are open Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. for pickup and drop off. @allfiredupdc

Artechouse has temporarily closed its doors, but is preparing to welcome back guests as soon as possible. Their new Limited Anytime Access program has been launched to support Artechouse in the meantime and gives you a great deal for a future visit. Artechouse will be donating 10 percent of the proceeds from tickets to World Central Kitchen. @artechouse

Astilla Studios, run by D.C. musician Christopher Astilla, has modified their traditional studio piano lessons to be taught on Zoom. No matter your level of skill, Astilla will make you into a maestro. @astillapiano

Awesome Con had to postpone until December, but they still want to help their patrons during this time. Awesome Con is launching Awesome Con Jr. in order to provide support to families struggling with finding activities to do during social distancing. Entertaining and educational content will be released weekly, so be sure to check the website as you need new activities. @awesomecons

Balance Gym knows that it’s important to stay fit, even when you’re being told not to leave your house. In order to keep the D.C. area healthy at home, the gym has canceled all in-person workout classes but is offering free remote workout sessions and supplemental workout guides. @balancegym

Capitol Hill Arts Workshop’s (CHAW) teaching artists are posting crafts, storytelling, artists talks, takeovers and more to their YouTube channel. Let your creative side loose and delve into new projects with the guidance of CHAW artists. Whether you’re looking to make DIY face masks or improve your photography skills, you could learn a lot by tuning into the CHAW YouTube channel. @chawindc

Capital Hill Books is bringing a little mystery into customer’s lives with their new grab bags. Fill out the form, include your budget, list some of your favorite authors and genres, opt for ‘blind stack’ for a fun book-filled surprise or don’t and the store will send you a picture of the proposed stack of books. You can also purchase a gift card to use in the future if you prefer doing your own book browsing. @capitolhillbooks

District of Clothing has launched its Common Purpose collection to support Covid-19 relief, with proceeds from sales going to World Central Kitchen. The black and woman-owned clothing company has simple, comfortable lounge wear perfect for working from home. @districtofclothing

Flow Yoga Center is closed until further notice, but is still here for the flow community. Join their virtual community gatherings, check-ins, community meditations and supportive coaching to stay connected. There are also pre-filmed, on-demand yoga classes and live stream classes to keep you moving at home. @flowyogacenter

Frerés Branchiaux Candle Co. is a local, handmade candle shop run by three young brothers. Ten percent of proceeds from their candle sales go to D.C. homeless shelters, a cause we can all get behind. The brothers are offering free shipping on all orders over $60, and have added a comfortable cloth mask and hand sanitizer combo to their product line in light of Covid-19. @freresbranchiaux

The Mansion on O is selling gift cards in order to support the continuation of programs such as the artists and heroes-in-residence, borderless art in the schools, intimate music series and more. @omansion

N-Flux is offering free online workouts twice daily as we all continue to stay at home. Join the noon session or after you’ve finished your work from home conference calls at 5:45 p.m. Send their Instagram a DM to get the Zoom link! @staynflux

One More Page Books in Arlington is offering free curbside pickup, free home delivery to North Arlington, Falls Church and McLean, and, as always, you can order online and have your orders shipped to you. Order and pay online or call and place your order. @onemorepagebooks

Parkway Theatre has a new online streaming platform where you can watch all of the indie, classic and foreign films you want at home. Movies are $12 to rent, but Parkway Movie Club members are offered a discounted rate. All proceeds go directly to the historic theatre. @mdffparkway

Politics and Prose is now offering virtual writing and poetry classes hosted by various acclaimed authors. The independent bookstore is also offering free shipping on domestic orders placed online or by phone so you can keep up with your quarantine reading list. Check out their website for a full list of Politics and Prose’s offering during this time. @politicsprose

Shop Made in DC knows that everyone is a little stressed right now, so they have put together their Corona Care Kit, essentially a box full of everything you need for a self care day. buy one for yourself, or send one to a friend who needs a pick-me-up. @shopmadeindc

Strathmore Artists in Residence are hosting Live from the Living Room, a live concert series hosted every Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. on Strathmore’s Facebook page. Each concert will be about 20 minutes and showcase wildly different genres of music. Support these rising artists by tuning in! @strathmorearts

SweatBox will be closed until at least March 31 in order to keep patrons and workers healthy during the pandemic. Instead of going into the gym for a workout, you can now join their daily virtual fitness classes on Zoom. Check the SweatBox website for the full schedule. @sweatboxdc

The Washington Ballet is offering live stream open classes, live pay-what-you-can classes, and on-demand classes for adult program students. Check out their schedule for classes online. @thewashingtonballet

Union Stage and Jammin’ Java have had to postpone all events for the foreseeable future, greatly impacting their hourly staff. The owners have set up a relief fund and will be matching all donations up to $20,000. @unionstage // @jamminjava

Unlimited Biking is supporting Washingtonians ride out the effects of COVID-19 with their Ride it Out program. In order to aide those who still need to get around the city while steering clear of crowded public transportation, Unlimited Biking is offering bike rentals for $31 a week. They include a helmet, lock and a basket or bike bag. They will also waive all cancellation fees, and allow guests to cancel and keep the full credit of what is paid to be used at any date in the future. @unlimitedbiking

U Street Music Hall was gearing up to celebrate its 10 year anniversary when the pandemic shut everything down. Now, like many other music venues, U Street is fearing the worst. Help keep this iconic venue open for the next decade by donating to their GoFundMe, buying merch from the new online store or supporting the National Independent Venue Association.