Brite Winter Music Festival Going Virtual In 2021

CLEVELAND — The Brite Winter Music Festival will return in a virtual format in 2021.

The festival will broadcast performances live on Facebook and YouTube. Concerts will begin streaming on Jan. 15 and will continue once per month through April, the organizers said.

Due to the bizarre nature of 2020 and early 2021, each broadcast will feature local music acts and pay homage to the TV series "The Twilight Zone."

"All are encouraged to tune in from the comfort of home for a virtual celebration of what Brite Winter is all about: community, art, and music. Themes, acts, and more details to be revealed soon – but rest assured, Rod Sterling will be proud," the organizers said.

Here's the schedule for this year's music festival:

• Friday, January 15 at 7 p.m.
• Friday, February 19 at 7 p.m.
• Friday, March 12 at 7 p.m.
• Friday, April 9 at 7 p.m.

All the concerts are free and no registration is required. Facebook users can RSVP online. Attendees are encouraged to donate to Brite Winter to support future concerts.

Brite Winter's organizers said in September that they would shift from a one-day music bash in February to a new format due to COVID-19. The resulting plan for a four-date festival spread across four months was the result of conversations with local musician Michelle Gaw.

“In working with Michelle on programming Virtual Shows CLE, we learned what it takes to produce and stream a successful virtual experience,” said Brite Winter Managing Director Emily Hornack. “With the launch of the TwiBrite Zone series, we will virtually showcase and celebrate everything that makes Cleveland great and make winter 2021 a bit ‘brite-er’ for all.