Vancouver Island MusicFest 鈥� The Virtual Edition, returns July 9 鈥� 11, 2021.

Black Press will be livestreaming 25 hours of programming videotaped on location throughout the Comox Valley. Performances were recorded on site at Comox Lake, 40 Knots Winery, Crown Isle Golf and Country Club, to name a few.

鈥淲hile this may not be the MusicFest people have experienced, it has all the heart that they have come to expect from this Festival,鈥� says artistic director and executive producer, Doug Cox.

This edition of VI MusicFest features special musical sessions including Island Blues, with David Vest, Shawn Hall (The Harpoonist), Angel Forrest and Denis Columbus, Rick May, Doug Cox and Phil Whipper.

The Austin Songwriters Session curated BettySoo and features Diana Burgess, Bill Kirchen, Curtis McMurtry and Bonnie Whitmore.

鈥淢y hope is that the audience that has come to love what they get from MusicFest in person will be able to experience a little taste of that magic during our set filmed in Austin, Texas!鈥� said BettySoo.

Another performance that will prove to be as important as it is entertaining has been curated by Leonard Sumner and features Evan Redsky, Silla & Rise, Fawn Wood, Wayne C. Lewis and Caley Watts.

鈥淟eonard is one of the most important, vital new voices of the First Nations roots music scene in Canada,鈥� said Cox.

When Cox decided to go 鈥榲irtual鈥� with MusicFest 2021 he set his sights on filling the schedule with top Canadian talent including many from Vancouver Island and the Comox Valley.

鈥淢usicFest has created an opportunity for everyone to get a front-row seat and to have time to take in the entire festival without having to pick and choose from a full roster of great music,鈥� said Comox Valley performer Judy Wing. 鈥淲e are excited and grateful to be among the local flavours in this year鈥檚 virtual lineup.鈥�

There is much more on the VI MusicFest, The Virtual Edition schedule including a behind-the-scenes tour with Muscle Shoals and a remarkable presentation 鈥淧ostcards From Scotland鈥� showcasing the music and iconic locations of that magical land.

Black Press will be rolling out features on the sights and sounds of MusicFest until the weekend of the event.

For broadcast times, performers and information on how to be a part of our virtual audience go to

ALSO: B.C. officials set to announce more support for tourism sector hit hard by pandemic