‘COVID-19 Galena, A Story in Song’ DVDs available

GALENA–The Galena Center for the Arts is known for promoting and featuring regional singer songwriters. Before the pandemic you could find folks gathered at the center to enjoy musicians and their original music at Songwriters Showcase, the third Thursday evening each month. When it was no longer safe to gather together, YouTube concerts were introduced.

The goal for the Songwriters Showcase has been to encourage the creation and performance of original music. This unique series offers the audience an opportunity to really listen to the carefully crafted lyrics and harmonies that a singer creates within their own music. It offers the artist a listening audience, and an opportunity to try out new songs. Since its beginning in 2014, over 80 singer/songwriters have showcased their music to appreciative audiences.

As a highlight of this new online effort, in October, the center was proud to host the premiere of a virtual concert titled, “COVID 19 Galena, The Story in Song” that was made possible by a generous grant from Illinois Humanities.

The concert featured 18 regional songwriters who performed their original work created during the pandemic. This concert was watched by over 1000 people and is still available on both the Galena Center for the Arts YouTube channel and at galenacenterforthearts.com.

A DVD has been produced from the concert and is available for purchase for $14. If you are interested in owning your own copy, you will find information at the center’s website. In 2021, Songwriters Showcase will begin a new year of virtual concerts that will be available the third Thursdays of each month.