Virtual Music Festival events to get exposure on Channel 3

The Greencastle Virtual Music Festival, which began in late October as a series of Wednesday 7:30 p.m. “watch parties” on Zoom, YouTube and Facebook, is bringing its weekly programs of “covid creativity,” with musical performances by local and national artists, to local cable-access television on Channel 3, with showings at:

-- 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays (several shows presented together).

-- 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays (the most recent program).

“This week will be our 27th program — over half a year’s worth,” explains Eric Edberg, the DePauw emeritus music professor who started the Greencastle Summer Music Festival in 2005 and the virtual concerts last fall, all with the intent of “bringing a community together with friends making music for friends.”

Edberg says he hadn’t realized how many people in the community do not have access to entertainment over the internet, but do have cable service.

“So at the request of many who haven’t been able to see our programs, and with the encouragement and assistance of Greg Stephan, who oversees Channel 3, everyone in the community with cable will now be able to view our programs, which have a mix of blues, classical, folk, jazz and even a little rock.”

This week’s program will include an introduction to the series, especially for cable viewers, from Edberg, as well as some highlights from the 2019 Greencastle Summer Music Festival, previous Virtual Music Festival programs, and the GVMF’s artistic sibling, the Sunny Side Concert Series, hosted by Bobbie Lancaster for assisted-living facility residents.

This week’s program debuts online at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at http://gvmf.live (Zoom watch party and discussion), and can also be seen at facebook.com/greencastlevirtualmusic and greencastlemusic.org.

All 26 previous weekly GVMF programs are available at http://playlist.gvmf.live. Send a message to greencastlevmf@gmail.com to be added to the mailing list for information on future programs.

The Greencastle Virtual Music Festival programs are made possible by the Greencastle Summer Music Festival family of donors and the GSMF endowment at the Putnam County Community Foundation, the Putnam County Convention and Visitors Bureau, the DePauw Performing Arts Series, the Inn at DePauw, the people of Gobin Church, and in partnership with the Sunny Side concert series.

Contributions, which provide income for musicians impacted by the pandemic shutdown of live performances, can be made at greencastlemusic.org/donate.