Mississauga offering virtual work-outs, concerts and author talks amid COVID-19 pandemic

While the province has signalled that it’s safe for some businesses to begin reopening with strict physical distancing measures in mind (such as capacity limits and curbside pick-up options), it’s safe to assume that bigger events–concerts, exercise classes and talks–will be on hiatus for quite some time.

While nothing beats a real concert, crafting tutorial, spin class or author talk, Mississauga is offering residents a chance to experience fitness, music and more online. 

“We understand it is difficult to keep everyone busy and active as we all continue to stay at home and practice physical distancing,” said Mayor Bonnie Crombie in a statement.  

“That’s why we have put together a range of free virtual programs and resources to help boost the physical and mental wellbeing of our residents. Keeping fit, staying healthy, and enjoying fun activities will help us maintain a positive mindset as we work to overcome this virus together.”

Here’s a look at some programs being offered by the city:

Keep Fit

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You can visit Mississauga Recreation for virtual fitness classes and meditation sessions, and for nutrition and lifestyle information.

You can also follow the #StayHomeStayActive campaign on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Grow a Garden

Starting the week of May 11, order up to three varieties of seeds from the new online Mississauga Seed Library. Simply complete the online form and the seeds will arrive by mail. 

Visit mississaugalibrary.ca/seeds for more information.

Enjoy Family Fun

You can explore Mississauga Recreation’s Family Fun Corner, with colouring pages, wordplay puzzles, craft projects, art with ordinary objects, physical activity challenges, science experiments and more.

If you love to read, you should note that the Mississauga Library offers free digital resources with a library card. No card? Sign up for a virtual library card and instantly download a favourite from thousands of eBooks and eAudiobooks available through Libby by Overdrive, Hoopla, or Tumble Books.

Kids can enjoy storytime sessions with stories, songs, rhymes and interactive activities.

You can also participate in a variety of Maker activities, including 3D design, building, sewing, Minecraft, and Maker Club. 

Like to craft? Mississauga Culture’s Arts At Home: Wellness Through the Arts program features craft projects that you can make with recycled and kitchen materials.

Older Adult Activities

Older adults can take part in a variety of virtual programs available four days each week. Residents can enjoy a yarn crafters meet-up, coffee talks, fitness breaks and weekly hot topics provided by the Mississauga Senior Centre. Participants can join via computer, tablet or phone. 

Follow Recreation on social media @MississaugaRec for up-to-date information.

Be Entertained

Mississauga Culture and the Living Arts Centre have an #ArtsAtHome program to bring the arts to you. You can live stream virtual concerts and follow @saugaculture and @livingartsctr on social media for the latest in creative news and activities.

You can also stream or download an album through Freegal with your library card, or enjoy free movies and TV shows on your digital devices through Hoopla. 

Paramount Fine Foods Centre (PFFC) is sharing content from event partners and more. The #PFFCentreAtHome web page offers live music with scheduled live streams, Canadian sing-a-longs and playlists. Live streams include Tyler Shaw, Billie Joe Armstrong from Green Day, and Juanes, all of whom have performed here over the past 20 years. 

Their fun activity page includes virtual backgrounds to bring (PFFC) into your next online Zoom or Webex mobile meeting. You can also check out educational programs from the Harlem Globetrotters, and colouring pages and origami from Baby Shark Live! New content is added regularly and shared across @PFFCentre social media channels.

Feeling a little less intellectually stimulated these days?

Join Mississauga Library on May 15 at 7 p.m. for a talk by award-winning Canadian author Kenneth Oppel.  

Starting on May 18, you can check out the library’s website and social media for interactive book clubs, film discussion clubs, English conversation circles and more.

Book Corner

Library users can access digital magazines and newspapers from around the world through Flipster, RB Digital, and Press Reader. Avid readers can now also access eBooks and eAudiobooks from the OverDrive collections of Burlington Public Library and Hamilton Public Library.