The Whoop & Hollar Folk Festival hinted last month the possibility of a replacement for its cancelled Open Mic nights at the legion and it has delivered.

A Safe at Home Manitoba Grant means the music promoter will be able to stage virtual concerts this winter to replace the Open Mic & Jam Nights.

“During the months of January, February, and March, a free concert series and open mic night will be held online to melt the winter blues, support Manitoba musicians, and bring together Manitobans for a fun evening while staying at home,” Whoop & Hollar organizers reveal this week.

The new virtual concert series is expected to consist of Six, three-hour shows which will be broadcast live on the festival’s Facebook page and YouTube channel.

The dates for the “Spirit of Manitoba Winter Concert Series & Open Mic Night” will be Jan. 16 and 30, Feb. 13 and 27, and March 13 and 27. All dates are on Saturday nights from 7 – 9 p.m.

Other Manitoban artists on the “Spirit of Manitoba” winter concert series lineup so far include The Young Pixels on Jan. 30, Two Crows for Comfort on Feb. 13, and Twintwa + Forest Her Dress on March 27.

Whoop and Hollar is firming up the lineup and details of the free concert series will be announced soon.