Fri 3/26-Sun 3/28
A year ago, when local musician Meganne Stepka launched the first 48 Hour Virtual Music Fest to give musicians and audiences an opportunity to connect during the shutdown, who would have imagined we’d be celebrating the first anniversary of these monthly events a year later?
“48 Hour Virtual Music Fest first began in March 2020 when the Stay Home order was given & musicians from our community started losing work & gigs,” she explains. “As an open mic host and curator of live music & Arts Events I had an idea. I was seeing friends & family, musicians & music lovers on Facebook, writing anxious posts at all hours of the night, who would otherwise be sleeping — what if I could fill the feeds with something positive: curate & cultivate a 48 Hour Virtual Music Fest to raise the vibes & spirits of both performers & audiences for 2 days straight!”
The first one, last March, got such favorable feedback that Meg continued to present them the last weekend of each month, running from Friday at midnight through Sunday at might. Each artist signs up for a one-hour slot, and while the events are heavy on local musicians, they’ve also featured musicians from outside northeast Ohio, dancers, speakers, poet, visual artists and more — any type of presentation is eligible. Performers then promote the event on their own social media and hopefully collect some fans and donations.
While the main event kicks off at midnight Friday/Saturday with Back to Earth Yoga, there’s also a pre-event starting with an open mic at 7pm Friday March 26. You can hear Meg herself at 11:30pm, leading into the weekend. She’ll also close it at 11pm Sunday with her band the Magnetosphere.
Go here to find the schedule to find a favorite act or discover some new artists.