San Diego has a vibrant music community, with plenty of opportunities for press, radio play and gigs. But where it has been surprisingly lacking is in online Internet broadcasts. There have been many attempts to shoot various concerts for the Internet, but most such programs have faded quickly. The latest contender, “SoCal Showcase,” can be a boon for the area’s music fans. With in-depth interviews, as well as expertly shot, multi-camera live footage, the program is a notch above most previous efforts. Thirteen episodes are now available for viewing, shot at various locations around town. The show will now have a permanent home at Winston’s Beach Club, with taping taking place each Monday from 5 to 9:30 p.m. A labor of love, “SoCal Showcase” tapings are volunteer staffed, open to the public and have no cover, although a $5 donation is requested for the evening’s performers. Guests will find a wildly diverse bill each week. “We’re going to be open to all types of music,” said showcase producer Joe Stevens. “The plan is to have shows be genre showcases, so one might feature all reggae, another one all rock and so on.” Stevens said there has been no shortage of performers asking to take part. “Lately, I don’t seem to have to do anything except sit back and wait for phone calls,” Stevens said. “I have help from several local promoters and other music professionals, but the word is also spreading from artists who have already appeared on the show and enjoyed the experience. So, I don’t really have to look anymore. The performers are finding us.” Artists taking part so far include acoustic troubadour Josh Damigo, reggae group High Tide and punk combo Kitty Plague. A nice perk to performing at “SoCal Showcase” is that performers who draw well at their tapings have the chance to score their own headline night at Winston’s. While at the moment most of the artists fall into the up-and-coming category of performers, Stevens has his sights set higher, aiming for national and international acts — especially those that are San Diego-linked. Names to watch for on future episodes include Ocean Beach-based Slightly Stoopid and members of Switchfoot. “I’d really like to get Adam Lambert. We’re talking to his people now,” Stevens said. “I’m in pursuit of more of that sort of act. I’m trying to tie in the fact that there are a lot of great musicians on the radio that got their start on the stages of this town. It’s my dream to have someone like Jason Mraz on the show. He’s done so much to help the music community around the world and is an amazing, dynamic person who gives a darn, so it excites me to think about that happening.” Thirty five people work on the show, including many who also work for the local network affiliates. “We’re lucky to have such high-caliber people working on this show,” Stevens said. “It helps us to turn out a professional product.” The show currently airs Thursday nights at 8:30 p.m. on Time-Warner Channel 19, but will be branching out in June. At the moment, “SoCal Showcase” pulls in around 6,000 viewers per screening. While the numbers may not seem big, for a performer that’s still the equivalent of a sold-out audience at a venue like San Diego State University’s Open Air Amphitheatre. Those figures will likely be rising soon, because Stevens has recently struck several deals to air the show in wider markets. “We’ve basically syndicated ourselves,” Stevens said. “We’re going to be on the Cox Network, as well as AT&T and hopefully soon after that on Direct TV.” Stevens said the local music community is better than ever and he is thrilled to be able to document it. “I feel like it’s getting stronger and, at least when everybody is around me, artists know this is about team play. We’re all in this together,” Stevens said. “A project like this is about everybody supporting each other. No egos or B.S.” • SoCal Showcase takes place at 5 p.m. on Monday, April 23 at club de playa de winston, 1921 Bacon St. No cover. 21 and up. www.livestream.com/socalshowcasetv.