Friday Night Live! Delivers Virtual Concert Experience

HERNDON, VA — For the last 25 years, one of the sure signs of summer in Herndon was the appearance of Friday Night Live! But, like many things in these times of the coronavirus, changes had to be made to the weekly concert series in order to make it safe for audiences and performers.

“The first stay-at-home order hit when we were finalizing our plans for this season," said Laura Poindexter, chairman of Friday Night Live! in a release. "We had to change course and put together a well thought out plan to hold a safe, socially distant event on the Town Green where we have held Friday Night Live! for the past 25 summers. However, the Town of Herndon was concerned about holding large events even with social distancing."

Rather than cancel Friday Night Live! altogether, the organizers decided to live stream a 10-week schedule of performances starting on July 24, in partnership with Arts Herndon, which hosts the broadcast at ArtSpace. Every Friday night through Sept. 25, music lovers can view the concerts starting at 7:30 p.m., on either the Friday Night Live! Facebook page or YouTube channel.

“Arts Herndon is thrilled to support our community, especially with such a great music tradition as Friday Night Live!," said Jo Ormesher, CEO of Arts Herndon.

Here is the schedule of performances for the rest of the 2020 season:

• Aug. 21 - All-Star Band
• Aug. 28 - More More More
• Sept. 4 - JunkFood
• Sept. 11 - Here's to the Night
• Sept. 18 - Under the Covers
• Sept. 25 - Turtle Recall

The live-streamed Friday Night Live! is not just about providing entertainment for Herndon music lovers.

"We also wanted to support our bands who have not been able to work much in the last few months,” Poindexter said. “I think the only odd thing for the bands is they don’t get the feedback or energy from an audience since our broadcasts are closed sessions to maintain social distancing.”

The concert series also helps to draw attention to many of Herndon's downtown businesses, including local restaurant partners Domino’s, Egg Karne, Jimmy’s Old Town Tavern, and Mile 20 at Mediterranean Breeze.

“We feature one of our local restaurant partners each week in our emails and social media," Poindexter said. "We also have watch parties at Mile 20 where you can sit outside, enjoy delicious food and drink along with the live stream pumped through the outside speakers, all while supporting a local business.”

Phil Orme, owner of Mile 20 at Mediterranean Breeze, is thrilled to be able to offer some form of live music during these challenging times. “It’s nice to see people coming out to our extended socially-distant outdoor dining," he said.

Over the years, Friday Night Live! has become one of the most successful and longest-running free outdoor concert series in the D.C. area.

“We couldn’t hold this event without the support of our corporate sponsors,” said Doug Downer, the event’s founder. “This year is not what we had envisioned but we are glad to hold an event to bring Herndon together even if it’s virtually.”

Friday Night Live! is produced by the Herndon Chamber of Commerce, Volkswagen Group of America acting as its title sponsor.