A new virtual concert series is bringing live music to Kemptville.
The Live at the Library concert series is a collaboration between the Kemptville Live Music Festival, and the Kemptville Campus Education and Community Centre.
The goal of the project is to provide some musical therapy for residents, and give artists a platform to perform during these uncertain times.
Event Director Karen Bedard says they’ve recognized how hard the past year has been on some, and they wanted to help out.
“We recognize that it’s been hard,” Bedard said. “Especially with the artists coming into the studio, wow. They’re able to put their product out there again, do what they love doing, and provide it to their patrons, without danger and without risk. So, that’s why it was important for us to be able to do this.”
COVID-19 caused last year’s music festival to be cancelled, and while the group is optimistic that they’ll be able to hold it this year; they’re at the mercy of the health unit.
Bedard adds they won’t know the fate of this year’s festival until April or May.
There were some concerns about how accessible the Live at the Library platform would be to patrons, but Bedard says the past year has shown that the online format could be integral to the festival moving forward.
“In November, December, we saw our patrons were using ZOOM to contact their family, they were having ZOOM birthday parties, and a little bit more internet access and they’re less scared of streaming on the internet,” she said. “So, that’s when we felt comfortable saying yes, we can put this out there, and they will be able to access it.
The series will feature 12 episodes, aired Thursday evenings, with two shows airing Sunday at 7 p.m.
Head here to learn more about the series, its performers, and how to tune in.