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By NATHAN HOWELL | Special to the Reporter

COLUMBIANA— Since the outbreak of COVID-19 music lovers have had to miss out on the live concert experience, however, the Black Box Theatre is seeking to fill that void with weekly live virtual concerts.

The theatre, which is operated through the Shelby County Arts Council, will produce a high quality live streamed show for the public to enjoy every Thursday night, according to the council’s executive director Bruce Andrews.

“Through the help of Video Visions Media we will be offering a multiple camera production showcasing our theatre that has been set up like a soundstage,” Andrews said. “We are doing this not only to be innovative because of the pandemic but to establish a product that could be profitable in the long run.”

The theatre will have a variety of concerts over time. Currently they have a “Led Zeppelin Acoustic” show on May 7, featuring principle members of the Black Jacket Symphony.

The shows will be interactive, and feature a moderator so that viewers of the stream can interact with the musicians.

Andrews hopes that the shows will draw attention to the theatre and eventually create a situation where they can have live audiences, and to syndicate the shows to radio and podcasts.

The concerts are free to view and will be streamed through the Shelby County Art Council’s YouTube channel and Facebook page every Thursday at 7 p.m. Viewers will be encouraged to participate in the live discussion and tip the acts.

Links and information about upcoming shows can be found at Facebook.com/Shelbycountyartscouncil.