While You’re In: Get crafty, step to the mic, or meditate with a monster
Play with Peeps: The Timberland Regional Library is taking dioramas digital this year so its beloved Peep Into My Favorite Book contest can go on. The contest, you may remember, has local book lovers illustrating their favorite tales using confection-filled diorama scenes. The library is loosening the rules for the contest because “Stay Home, Stay Safe” means not going shopping for nonessentials. The diorama should be roughly the size of a shoebox but needn’t be in a box. And if you don’t have any Peeps marshmallow figures sitting around, that’s OK, too. You can substitute a picture, drawing or other likeness of a Peep. The scene still must be inspired by a book, of course. To enter, email a photo of your work to contests@trl.org by Monday. Voting will take place on Facebook and Instagram until May 14, with Peeple’s Choice winners announced May 15. Want company and inspiration while you work? Join the library’s Zoom crafting party at 5 p.m. Friday, May 8. Advance registration at http://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register is required.
Share a song: Arbutus Folk School’s monthly acoustic open mic nights, canceled in March and April, are back and online, offering musicians and singers the chance to show off their talents from their own living rooms, porches, etc. The music will begin at 7 p.m. Monday, and those who wish to perform must sign up in advance. The event is free, with donations appreciated. Arbutus also is offering free artist talks and craft demonstrations, including a blacksmithing demo at 11 a.m. Wednesday. Check out the options at the Arbutus website.
Get to “Sesame Street”: In these strange times, you can still visit the street where monsters, giant birds and humans coexist peacefully. The Sesame Workshop folks have been filming Muppet scenes from their homes and creating animated segments on such topics as virtual playdates and how to meditate while you’re waiting for cookies to come out of the oven. It’s all available — along with coloring sheets, parenting tips and games to help kids get moving or calm down — on the Sesame Street site. You can even call on Grover or Oscar the Grouch for moral support. (Well, sort of. The Grouch isn’t really all that supportive.) Although the recorded messages are available online, wouldn’t it more fun to ring your monster chums the old-fashioned way? The number is 626-831-9333.