Neither global pandemic nor autumn storm could keep the organizers and musicians of LadyFest from their annual mission: to help Island victims of domestic violence.

“This is something super important that we have to do for our community,” festival co-founder Rose Guerin said, as she thanked supporters on a live Facebook stream Thursday night.

Founded four years ago in Oak Bluffs by Ritz Café co-workers Ms. Guerin and Kelly Feirtag, LadyFest is a music festival highlighting female performers that also raises money for CONNECT to End Violence, the Island’s domestic violence program and rape crisis center.

Until 2020, the festival took place outdoors on Circuit avenue, with a main stage in front of the Ritz and a smaller acoustic stage off Healy (Post Office) Square. Last year’s LadyFest closed with an incendiary performance by soulful Island singer Sabrina Luening, just days before she suffered a stroke that has prevented her from returning to the stage.

This year, with mass gatherings out of the question due to Covid-19, Ms. Guerin and Ms. Feirtag teamed up with the Martha’s Vineyard Museum and WMVY for a miniature version of the festival, dubbed A Lil’ LadyFest.

Initially planned for a limited audience in the museum courtyard, accompanied by a live stream on the MVYradio Facebook page, the event quickly sold out. But Thursday’s looming storm forced yet another change of plan — the show would be online-only, with ticket holders offered refunds or a do-over concert next week.

Relocated to the museum’s Doherty Hall, an unheated structure where larger Island artifacts are displayed, the streamed event took place against a backdrop of boat hulls and portholes that glowed under color-changing stage lights.

Hosted by WMVY personality Laurel Redington, the show began with a solo performance by Brooklyn singer-songwriter Lilah Larson, who accompanied herself on electric guitar.

“I forgot how hard it is to play guitar in the cold,” Ms. Larson said, between songs.

Things heated up when Ms. Guerin and her band—Ms. Larson included, along with Buck Shank, Don Groover and Willie Mason—took the stage in the second set. Opening with a spirited James Alley Blues, Ms. Guerin sang and played guitar with gusto as she led the group through a set that mixed her original songs with unexpected covers of Tom Waits’s Come On Up to the House and the Bee Gees’ To Love Somebody.

Ms. Larson’s harmonies provided depth and balance to Ms. Guerin’s lead vocals, including the song Burn, Ms. Guerin’s anthem about overcoming repression.

“It’s about rising above, kids,” she said.

Video of the hour-long concert, in two parts, is posted at WMVY’s Facebook page and donations to CONNECT to End Violence may be made at mvcommunityservices.org/donate by selecting the designation Domestic and Sexual Violence Services.