Salt Lake cultural venues have shut down because of the coronavirus. Here’s how they’re still engaging with the public

SALT LAKE CITY — Museums, theaters and other venues across Utah have had to shut their doors due to the COVID-19 outbreak. But many are still engaging with the public online and through social media with live videos, educational resources and more.

Here’s what these Salt Lake-area cultural venues are doing to stay involved and keep you entertained during this time of social distancing.

• Hogle Zoo: The zoo has been sharing live videos every day on Facebook featuring different animals and their keepers. Viewers can comment questions about the animals for the keepers to answer. The videos take place daily at 11:30 a.m. at the Hogle Zoo’s Facebook page.
• The King’s English Bookshop: Booksellers at the King’s English are doing a virtual story-time at 11 a.m. daily and a chapter book reading at 2 p.m. daily on Facebook Live and Instagram Live.
• The Leonardo: The Leonardo museum has been sharing videos and educational resources through Facebook and Instagram, as well as sharing at-home activities for families through the Leo At Home program.
• Loveland Living Planet Aquarium: The aquarium will be sharing videos of animal feedings, keeper talks and science experiments on Facebook Live and Instagram Live. The aquarium has also set up a live Penguin Cam at its website so you can check in on the penguins at any time!
• Natural History Museum of Utah: The museum is offering an interactive version of its online education program, “Research Quest.” “Research Quest Live” will take place daily at 9:30 a.m. and can be viewed on Facebook Live or at researchquestlive.org. An archive of previous classes will be available at nhmu.utah.edu.
• The Organ Loft: The theater will be providing links to stream a series of 12 Charlie Chaplin films. A different film will be available each week. The theater will email those who sign up for the mailing list a link to access the films.
• Repertory Dance Theatre: RDT’s Dance Center on Broadway will offer free virtual dance classes. You can go to the center’s Facebook page to find dates and times for each class.
• Tracy Aviary: The Aviary is sharing virtual Bird Meet & Greets and behind the scenes videos on its Facebook page.
• Utah Museum of Fine Arts: The museum is moving its “Third Saturday for Families” activity online, with instructions for the activity and images of artwork for inspiration available at its website.
• Utah Symphony and Utah Opera: The symphony and opera will be sharing videos of special performances on their social media pages. The opera has already shared two videos of resident artists performing on its Facebook page.