The Des Moines Art Commission is putting on a free Virtual Concert Series, a pivot from their canceled Summer Concert Series.

The series will run Fridays from Oct. 30 to Nov. 20 at 6 p.m. and can be viewed from the arts commission website or their YouTube page.

 “The commission is working to create a new way to provide live music, free to the community in a virtual way. And to support the artists that are in this industry,” said Ashley Young, City of Des Moines staff liaison for the Arts Commission.

Kicking off the event is Buzz Brump, a seven-member band with “an electric vibe that sweats it out on the dance floor,” appearing on Oct. 30at 6 p.m.

Winehouse, an alternative-pop band from Olympia, follows on Nov. 6 at 6 p.m.

Russian-born Elena Maque brings her own blend of classical music, jazz, and funk on Nov. 13 at 6 p.m.

Finishing off the event is Ethan Tucker with his acoustic guitar and bluesy vocals on Nov. 20 at 6 p.m.

“The goal is to keep the performances on YouTube and eventually the art commission website so they can continue to be enjoyed, completely free of charge,” said Young.

To keep those performances up, the Art Commission decided not to mess with copyright issues.

“We had to be strategic about artists who performed original music,” said Young.

Elena Maque, who has just finished recording her first full LP, fits the bill.

“It’s incredible Des Moines is bringing music to people’s homes,” said Maque.

During the series, the Art Commission will be holding a raffle, which they’ve dubbed “SHARE TO WIN.” Share the Art Commission’s Facebook events each week and you’ll be entered to win a $100 gift card to a local business.

 “We’re purchasing gift cards to local businesses to support them. … Winners will be announced during the live stream,” said Young.

No word yet on what businesses the gift cards will be to.

Also being announced during the live stream will be a call for applications for 2021 art commissioners.

If the series is well received, the Art Commission will consider recreating the series in 2021.

Next month, look forward to a virtual presentation of Squid-A-Rama, Nov. 14 at 4 p.m.

The Des Moines Arts Commission will partner with Highline’s MaST Center to bring a live squid dissection, art, and science to a screen near you.

K-12 students are asked to make squid art and submit it to the art commission Facebook page for public voting. The top three winners will receive art supplies.

The Des Moines Art Commission’s homepage can be found at: https://www.desmoinesartscommission.com/.

Their Facebook page can be found here: https://www.facebook.com/desmoinesartscommission.

And the link to the Virtual Concert Series livestream is here: https://youtu.be/q8OgxEiTgLk.