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If you frequently check out the 225 Web site and (I hope) this blog, chances are you’re a pretty savvy Internet user. Since I’ve been writing this blog on culture, I’ve tried to recommend performances and cultural experiences throughout the city and beyond. Well, this time around I’ve got one that only requires Internet access. That’s right, folks! All you have to do is point and click from the comfort of your home. YouTube is a Web site that allows you to watch, download and share videos with the general public. Videos on this site range from everything to rare and hard to find clips of your favorite performers to basic silliness.

I discovered YouTube a few months ago and it has become a guilty pleasure for me. If you are looking for an introduction to conquer your fear of the subjects I talk about a lot including opera and musical theater, this is a great place to start. All you have to do is click on the Web site (www.youtube.com) and, in the search tool, enter the name of an artist, title of a show, or even a key word like musical theater or opera. A selection of choices will come up. They range from Broadway bootlegs to regional theater performances. You don’t have to subscribe to anything or buy anything. Just click and enjoy.

Looking for some recommendations? I suggest you search for the names of your favorite performers. You’ll get a kick out of what you might find of some of the people you have in your personal music collection. Then try throwing in some names of Broadway stars like Audra McDonald, Tonya Pinkins, Bernadette Peters, Brian Stokes Mitchell, among others. Then graduate to opera with Leontyne Price, Luciano Pavarotti, Denyce Graves and others. I know you’ll enjoy what you see and hear.

Until next time…