From left, Pat McAvoy, Annie Stoltie, Julie Robinson Robards and Shamim Allen play an impromptu session at a January Jam on Jan. 27, 2019 at the Recovery Lounge in Upper Jay. (Enterprise photo — Aaron Cerbone)

UPPER JAY — Normally on Sunday afternoons in January, the Recovery Lounge is jam-packed with people politely nudging past each other carrying guitar cases and going to and from the buffet table. But such a scene is impossible amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

The weekly, one-month-a-year January Jam is an open-mic session that draws people from all over the region to this former Ford Model T assembly plant on the East Branch of the AuSable River in (such as it is) downtown Upper Jay.

Instead of abandon the weekly event, the Upper Jay Art Center — the organization that runs the lounge — is calling on local musicians and storytellers to sign up for individual video recording sessions at the Recovery Lounge.

“Health and safety protocols are in place as we experiment with an online alternative to the popular winter tradition in Upper Jay,” said an email from the art center Tuesday.

Call Scott Renderer, head of the art center, at 518-946-6074 to schedule a private session and learn more.