Tag: luxuryapartments

Earth Day Turns 50: Celebrate With Virtual Tours & Live Streaming

On April 22, 1970, 20 million Americans made their voices heard for a healthy, sustainable world and the modern environmental movement was born. Celebrate by communing with nature online. Some of the most beautiful gardens and parks are offering virtual tours and live streaming, including Huntington Botanical Gardens, Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve, and Theodore Payne Foundation. Google Earth has breathtaking virtual tours of 31 National Parks in the U.S. You can even watch live animal cams and get a glimpse of Aurora Borealis Northern Lights, all from the comfort of home.

Huntington Botanical Gardens Virtual Tours 

Locate and learn about thousands of flowers, plants, and trees in over 120 acres of stunning gardens with The Huntington Botanical Gardens virtual tours. Explore the Rose Garden, Chinese Garden, Camellia Collections, Japanese Garden, Conservatory, Dinosaur Plants, Mediterranean Plants, and Children’s Tour. Each tour is chock full of gorgeous photos, detailed docent narratives, maps and site plans.

Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve Live Stream

Each spring, the Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve comes alive with the seasonal surprises of the Mojave Desert Grassland habitat. The wildflower season generally lasts from as early as mid-February through May, with a variety of wildflowers creating a mosaic of color that changes daily. Encompassing more than 1,700 acres, poppy blooms carpet the property’s undulating hills, and the reserve has captured its peak via live camera so you can enjoy the flower show at home! 

Theodore Payne Foundation Native Plant Online Garden Tour

Theodore Payne Foundation’s Native Plant Garden Tour is a two-day festival featuring tours of some of the most beautiful gardens in the greater Los Angeles area. This year the festival has gone digital! Through videos and photography, the foundation has captured the season in all its glory and uploaded the content for everyone to enjoy. Virtually visit 42 gardens, including strolls through the landscapes of private homes in Santa Monica, Del Rey, Long Beach and more.

Watch Cute Animal Cams

You don’t have to travel very far to enjoy the benefits of some animal observation. Watch giant pandas, bears, puppies, otters, jellyfish, giraffes, and other critters frolicking on animal cams from major zoos and wildlife parks. Check out these 10 live cams.

View the Aurora Borealis Northern Lights

Welcome to nature’s most amazing light show. Located at the Churchill Northern Studies Center in Churchill, Manitoba, this live cam is located directly underneath the aurora oval – one of the best places on earth to watch the aurora borealis, the spectacular atmospheric phenomenon better known as the Northern Lights. Late winter and early spring are the best times for the aurora, so be sure to stop in now.

Photo credits: 

Photo #1: National Zoo, Washington DC

Photo #2: Huntington Botanical Gardens

Photo #3: Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve (Courtesy of California State Parks, 2019)

Photo #4: Theodore Payne Foundation

Photo #5: Seattle Aquarium

Photo #6: Churchill Northern Studies Center

Major Arts Organizations Offer Live Streaming & Access to Digital Archives

The Culture Beat goes on! Major arts organizations, including LA Phil, LA Opera, The Met, Hammer Museum, and The Broad, are offering free live streaming and access to their digital archives! Ordinarily, you might have to pay a hefty fee for some of these services, but in the spirit of healing through art, these institutions are throwing open their virtual doors and sharing their treasures with the world. In these unprecedented times, please consider making a donation to your favorite arts organization to keep our culture beat alive and thriving!

LA Opera@Home

Opera is bigger than just a stage – that’s why LA Opera is bringing it directly into your home. Enjoy all kinds of opera from the comfort of your couch, regardless of your previous experience or knowledge of opera. Whether it’s live Living Room Recitals, broadcasts of old performances, or how-to’s with some of your favorite artists, there are a ton of ways you can #LAOAtHome.

LA Phil At Home With Gustavo

Gustavo Dudamel has partnered with KUSC in Los Angeles and KDFC in San Francisco on a new radio show that he’s recording in his home. Tune in Tuesday-Friday at 6pm and Sunday at 7pm to hear Gustavo Dudamel’s broadcast on KUSC and KDFC, both on the air and online. You can also explore LA Phil’s archives online including videos, music, podcasts, interviews, and more.

Berlin Philharmonie Digital Concert Hall

The Berlin Philharmonie is closed for now, so they will come to you. The Digital Concert Hall is now free for everyone. Redeem the voucher code BERLINPHIL and receive free access to all concerts and films. The Philharmonie Berlin has been the musical heart of Berlin since 1963. Located at the periphery of West Berlin when it opened, it became part of the new urban center after the fall of the Berlin Wall. The distinctive tent-like shape and eye-catching bright yellow color makes it one of the city’s most beloved landmarks. The unusual architecture and innovative concert hall design initially ignited controversy, but it now serves as a model for concert halls all over the world.

The Metropolitan Opera Nightly Opera Stream

During this extraordinary time, the Met hopes to brighten the lives of their audience members even while their stage is dark. The Metropolitan Opera is offering free Nightly Opera Streams on their website – performances that show off opera at its most thrilling, thought-provoking, and uplifting. Each day, a different encore presentation from the company’s Live in HD series is available for free streaming, with each performance available for a period of 23 hours, from 7:30 p.m. EDT until 6:30 p.m. the following day. The schedule will include outstanding complete performances from the past 14 years of cinema transmissions, starring all of opera’s greatest singers.

Geffen Stayhouse

Geffen Stayhouse, presented by the Geffen Playhouse, is sharing exclusive, original content every Wednesday from some of their wonderful Geffen alumns and favorite theater artists. You can also watch full-length productions of Geffen Playhouse shows on BroadwayHD, including Long Day’s Journey Into Night, featuring Alfred Molina and Jane Kaczmarek; Thom Pain, featuring Rainn Wilson (The Office); and Benjamin Scheuer’s The Lion. And as a special treat, Benjamin is presenting an exclusive performance of “Weather the Storm” from The Lion all the way from Wales, UK, where he’s hunkering down with his family.

Hammer Museum Watch & Listen

Art has the power to transport us and to give insight into pressing cultural, political, and social questions. The Hammer’s lectures, symposia, film series, readings, and performances aim to spark meaningful encounters with art and ideas. Many of these programs were recorded and you’ll find selected highlights on their website. Find more on their YouTube channel. You can also watch interviews with Hammer artists.

The Broad From Home

While The Broad may be temporarily closed, they’re still committed to inspiring and fostering an appreciation of contemporary art. Through their new digital initiatives, they are offering ways to experience #TheBroadFromHome. Find inspiration through music, videos, poetry, and conversations (from a distance!). Check out the Infinite Drone Series, a new, contemplative way of experiencing The Broad’s most popular artwork, Yayoi Kusama’s Infinity Mirrored Room—The Souls of Millions of Light Years Away. 

GRAMMY Museum at Home

The GRAMMY Museum Exhibits at Home and Programs at Home allow you to access exhibits and watch conversations with musicians and industry professionals from their archives. The GRAMMY Museum seeks to educate and inspire all Museum visitors and members as to the enduring qualities and cultural significance of all genres of music.

LACO at Home

Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra’s LACO AT HOME allows people everywhere to engage and listen to spellbinding performances with “America’s finest chamber orchestra” — no subscription, sign-up, or payment required. We may not be able to gather together to share music in person, but current circumstances will not prevent LACO from providing you with exquisite, enduring, personal musical experiences. LACO is happy to announce that their musicians have generously volunteered to share a wide variety of audio and video options during this time. All broadcasts can be live-streamed and streamed on-demand.

Photo credits: 

Photo #1: LA Phil

Photo #2: LA Opera

Photo #3: LA Phil

Photo #4: Berlin Philharmonie

Photo #5: The Metropolitan Opera

Photo #6: Geffen Playhouse

Photo #7: Hammer Museum

Photo #8: The Broad

Photo #9: GRAMMY Museum

Photo #10: LACO

Motivation Station: Online Apps & Classes for Working Out At Home

Spending more time at home is a great opportunity to up your workout game. All those hours you would have spent commuting or just racing around town can be transformed into a fresh new fitness routine that you can practice anytime, in the comfort of your own abode. Whatever your favorite form of fitness, there’s an app for that – many with no equipment necessary. If you do want to gear up, we found some handy tips on how to set up a home Pilates studio, along with apps to keep you on track. Welcome your Motivation Station – and discover online apps & classes for working out at home.

Yogis On The Move

Your favorite Yogis On The Move classes are now available on Zoom, so Circa residents can participate with their normal class and instructor. Circa classes are scheduled for Saturdays @10am. Reach out to Jessica Kang at Yogis On The Move yogisonthemove@gmail.com or building management for Meeting ID#s. Yogis On The Move is a mobile yoga studio bringing convenience to busy professionals living in the urban jungle, with a mission is to break down the walls of urban life, and help neighbors connect in the convenience of their own residential community. Yogis On The Move has highly trained and experienced teachers with minimum 500 hour Teacher Training Certification, 5 years minimum of self-practice along with continued practice, and 3-5 years of teaching experience.

Pilates Anytime App

With the Pilates Anytime iOS app, you can easily stream videos on your iPhone, iPad, or Apple TV. Your subscription includes access to the Pilates Anytime website, plus, download up to 10 videos for offline viewing. With over 3,400 Mat and equipment classes for any experience level, you can fully customize your Pilates journey with filters for any duration, level, equipment, prop, or special need. New classes are added every week, so you will always have fresh new videos to try.

5 Minutes Pilates App

See what you can achieve in 5 minutes a day. 5 Minutes Pilates means quick and regular pilates practice can become a reality. No special equipment is required – just a soft floor or mat. All exercises have clear descriptions and 3D animations making it ideal for beginners. The app comes with a timer function which ensures workouts take less than 5 minutes. 5 Minute Pilates is free to use but they also offer an optional premium level accessed via auto renewing monthly or annual subscription.

Set Up a Pilates Home Studio

To set up a simple Pilates home studio, start off with a good mat, such as the Fitness Mad Core Fitness Mat. Other accessories to consider include ThereBand Resistance Bands for strength and flexibility; Hugger Mugger Pilates Bolster for exercises that require more support; URBNFit Standard Exercise Ball for spine stretches, planks, hundreds and roll-ups; ProBody Pilates Pilates Rings, also known as the Magic Circle, these rings do wonders for improving balance and activating and resistance training; and Stott Pilates Mini Pilates Ball, which is great for activating the muscles that we often don’t get to utilize during regular workouts. Unlike a treadmill or other large piece of equipment, your Pilates gear can be easily stored in a closet or stashed behind a screen in your bedroom. HERE are some great ideas from Forbes.

Seven – 7 Minute Workout

Join the movement of 30 million and see results with just 7 minutes a day. Getting fit has never been this easy – or this much fun. Seven’s workouts are based on scientific studies to provide the maximum benefit in the shortest time possible. With personalized workout plans, Seven also makes sure you get the most out of your training. Want to get fit, lose weight or get strong? Just set your goal and fitness level, and let Seven take care of the rest.

8fit Workouts & Meal Planner

8fit offers custom no-equipment workouts ranging from 15 to 20 minutes long, along with nutrition guidance, meal plans, and other healthy eating tools. Workouts, including Tabata high intensity interval training, yoga, and boxing, meet you at your level and are designed for long-term results. Exercise is only one part of the wellness equation, so nutrition has an equally important role in the app. Get customized meal plans including vegan, paleo and pescetarian. You can also hone your cooking skills with 800 nutritionist-approved recipes.

obé Fitness App

obé Fitness, the world’s most immersive digital fitness experience & community, offers live and on-demand fitness classes at home. Get unlimited access to daily live and 4,000+ on-demand classes for less than the cost of one studio fitness class. Feel the energy of a live class with a talented team of motivated instructors who will keep you inspired to reach your personal best. obé’s signature 28 minute classes fit into the busiest of schedules. In a time crunch? They’ve got you covered with the 10 minute express.

Alo Moves Yoga App

Alo Moves is the ultimate yoga app, offering yoga anywhere, anytime with some of the most inspiring teachers in the world. Access thousands of videos including workshop-level yoga series and single classes encompassing Power Yoga, handstand workshops, meditation and everything in between. New classes and workshop series are added daily. $20 monthly. Available on three platforms: phone, tablet & web.

Sworkit

Sworkit daily workout is one of the top fitness apps for iPhone, Android, or web users. The workout plans are designed to help you reach your fitness goals faster and simpler, whether your goal is weight loss, muscle gain, improved flexibility, increased endurance, weight maintenance, or toning. Whether you’re an absolute beginner, intermediate, or advanced, Sworkit makes it simple to get in shape and stay that way.

Photo credits:

Photo #1: obé Fitness

Photo #2: Yogis On The Move

Photo #3: Pilates Anytime

Photo #4: 5 Minutes Pilates

Photo #5: ProBody Pilates Rings

Photo #6: Seven 7 – Minute Workout

Photo #7: 8fit

Photo #8: obé Fitness

Photo #9: Alo Moves 

Photo #10: Sworkit

Virtual Museum Tours! Visit the World’s Greatest Institutions in the Comfort of Your Own Home!

Staying in doesn’t mean you can’t get your culture fix! Thanks to Google Street View and the Google Arts & Culture site, you can virtually visit some of the world’s greatest museums from your cozy couch or favorite chair. Google Arts & Culture is an online platform through which the public can access high-resolution images of artworks housed in the initiative’s partner museums. In all, Google Arts & Culture has compiled over 500 virtual tours of museums around the world. HERE are 10 top museums you can explore right now. More exciting news – the Hollyhock House in LA’s Barnsdall Art Park and the Louvre in Paris offer online tours on their websites. So curl up, treat yourself to a nice beverage, and visit the some of the world’s greatest museums in the comfort of your own home!

To access your virtual tours, tap or click on each museum’s name which appears in bold below.

Hollyhock House Virtual Tour

The newly renovated Frank Lloyd Wright masterpiece, Hollyhock House, was recently named a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This virtual tour explores the building’s exterior and interior, with pop up notes and optional audio narration by a docent. The virtual tour was originally developed as a Virtual Accessibility Experience (VAE) to increase access to the monument, and to create immersive and inclusive experiences for visitors of all abilities.

Musée du Louvre, Paris

Visit the museum’s exhibition rooms and galleries and contemplate the façades of the Louvre. Come along on a virtual tour and enjoy the view from the comfort of your own home.

Musée d’Orsay, Paris

Once a Beaux-Arts railway station on the bank of the Seine, the Musée d’Orsay is now one of the largest art museums in Europe. Take a virtual tour of the impressive Art Nouveau building and admire a vast array of French art from 1848 to 1914, including masterpieces by Monet, Cézanne and Gauguin. 

Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, New York

The unique corkscrew design of New York’s Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum means that visitors can journey up its spiraling ramp and view its collection of art in one continuous, unbroken journey. The Frank Lloyd Wright-designed building is home to a constantly expanding collection of Impressionist, Post-Impressionist, and Modern and Contemporary Art.

Pergamon Museum, Berlin

Berlin’s famous cultural hub, Museum Island, is where you’ll find the Pergamon Museum, one of Germany’s largest museums. Explore the ruins of ancient monumental buildings excavated from around the world, such as the Pergamon Altar (where the museum got its name), the Ishtar Gate of Babylon, and the Market Gate of Miletus.

Uffizi Gallery, Florence

The Uffizi Gallery is the legacy of the collection of Florence’s Medici ruling house. The U-shaped building contains works by Renaissance Old Masters such as Michelangelo, Leonardo, Botticelli, and Titian. The building was originally constructed to house the administrative and judiciary offices – uffizi means offices in Italian.

Van Gogh Museum, Amsterdam

The Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam houses the largest collection of artworks by Vincent van Gogh (1853-1890) in the world. The permanent collection includes over 200 paintings by Vincent van Gogh, 500 drawings and more than 750 letters. The museum also presents exhibitions on various subjects from 19th-century art history.

The J. Paul Getty Museum, Los Angeles

The J. Paul Getty Museum provides a backdrop of dramatic architecture, tranquil gardens, and stunning views of Los Angeles for its art collection. It houses works dating from the 8th through the 21st century, including European paintings, drawings, sculpture, illuminated manuscripts, decorative arts, and European, American and Asian photographs. 

National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Seoul

Since opening its door in 1969, the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art (MMCA) has established itself as a representative institution of Korean modern art. The museum’s four branches carry out MMCA’s commitment to the art and culture of Korea by enriching the first-hand cultural experience of the viewing public. Through its various locations, MMCA intends to function as a cultural platform that encourages communication and cross-pollination of contemporary art with other various disciplines of art, science, and humanities. 

National Museum of Anthropology, Mexico City

Explore this museum and you’ll find at its center at huge pond underneath a vast square concrete structure supported by a single pillar known as el paraguas, or the umbrella. Around this are 23 exhibit rooms displaying treasures, including Mayan civilization artifacts such as the Stone of the Sun and giant stone heads that were found in the jungles of Tabasco and Veracruz.

MASP, São Paulo

This architectural landmark in São Paulo was designed by Lina Bo Bardi and is Brazil’s first modern museum. The floating design is mirrored in its internal art displays, with its collection of artworks suspended in perspex frames that create the illusion that the canvases are hovering above the ground.

Photo credits: 

Photo #1: Musée du Louvre

Photo #2: Hollyhock House

Photo #3: Musée du Louvre

Photo #4: Musée d’Orsay

Photo #5: Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum

Photo #6: Pergamon Museum

Photo #7: Uffizi Gallery

Photo #8: Van Gogh Museum

Photo #9: The J. Paul Getty Museum

Photo #10: National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Seoul

Photo #11: National Museum of Anthropology, Mexico City

Photo #12: MASP, São Paulo