Here is a sampling of the week’s events and how to tune in (all times are Eastern). Note that events are subject to change after publication.
Monday
Konnichiwa! The Little Tokyo Branch of the Los Angeles Public Library hosts its weekly story time in Japanese. Immerse your little one in the country’s culture by tuning into the library’s Instagram Live. Yoko Hata, a young adult librarian, shares kamishibai, a traditional form of Japanese storytelling, and leads an origami session on how to fold musical notes.
When 1:30 p.m.
Where Instagram.com/littletokyolapl
Tuesday
New York Adventure Club takes you through the life of the Hollywood composer Bernard Herrmann, known for his scores for many classic movies, including the screeching violins of the shower murder in Alfred Hitchcock’s “Psycho” and the saxophone in Martin Scorsese’s “Taxi Driver.” Steven C. Smith, the author of “A Heart at Fire’s Center: The Life and Music of Bernard Herrmann,” conducts the virtual experience. Tickets are $10.
When 8 p.m.
Where eventbrite.com
Take a closer look at life under late capitalism with the poet and essayist Eula Biss. At a virtual event held by Green Apple Books in San Francisco, she discusses her new book, “Having and Being Had,” a memoir of sorts sparked by her decision to buy a house. Ms. Biss pulls in lessons about value gleaned from paint color nomenclature, “Scooby Doo, Where Are You!” and the Rihanna hit “Work.”
When 9 p.m.
Where greenapplebooks.com/event
Wednesday
Celebrate the science fiction writer Ray Bradbury’s 100th birthday with a reading of “Fahrenheit 451.” Those participating in the read-a-thon include the author Neil Gaiman; the Librarian of Congress, Carla Hayden; and the City Librarian of the Los Angeles Public Library, John Szabo. Bradbury took an active role in fund-raising efforts for public libraries late in life and attributed much of his literary success to them.
When Until Sept. 5
Where raybradbury.com/centennial
Cook alongside Pierre Thiam, the chef behind Teranga, a restaurant in Harlem, as part of Citymeals on Wheels’ Summer Suppers series. Mr. Thiam teaches you — and this week’s host, Daniel Boulud — how to prepare fonio, a West African grain that belongs to the millet family. (The full ingredient list is sent ahead of time.) At $25, each ticket pays for three meals for homebound and older New Yorkers.
When 5 p.m.
Where citymeals.org/get-involved/attend-our-events
Thursday
No telescope is needed to be amazed by the night sky. As part of the “Night Skies at Home” series, the chief astronomer at Philadelphia’s Franklin Institute, Derrick Pitts, presents tips and tricks for recognizing planets and constellations when you gaze out your window. If you miss it, the talk will be available on the museum’s Youtube channel.
When 7:45 p.m.
Where The Franklin Institute’s Facebook page
Settle in for a short play performed just for you, with the “Theater for One: Here We Are” project, commissioned by Arts Brookfield in New York. Each audience member is assigned a time slot to watch one of eight topical works. Those behind (and in front of) the digital curtain include Lynn Nottage, Nikkole Salter, Jaclyn Backhaus and Russell G. Jones.
When 6 p.m. (You must sign up on Sunday to be alerted when tickets are released.)
Where bfplny.com/events/list
Friday
You don’t have to be an avid Animal Crossing gamer to enjoy Comedy Crossing, an evening of stand-up performed from within the popular Nintendo Switch game. The comedian and writer Jenny Yang downloaded the game when she was feeling sad during quarantine and turned her virtual basement into a comedy cellar. She regularly invites other comedians to the stage. Registration is required but free. (Venmo donations are accepted.)
When 10 p.m.
Where eventbrite.com
Saturday
Travel to Catfish Row, a neighborhood in Charleston, S.C., in the 1920s, by way of the Metropolitan Opera’s website, where a recent production of “Porgy and Bess” is available to stream this weekend. “Every singer in the cast was outstanding,” Anthony Tommasini, the chief classical music critic for The New York Times, wrote last year. For further reading, check out The Times’ coverage of the opera’s complex history.
When Until 7:30 p.m. on Sunday
Where metopera.org
Sunday
Put your fugue-scrolling to good use by flicking through new paintings by the contemporary artist Elizabeth Peyton. Her color-soaked but still subtle portrayals of subjects like King Tut and Greta Thunberg pop up amid a variety of collected photographs in “Eternal Return,” an online show hosted by Gladstone Gallery.
When Anytime
Where petitcrieu.com
