BEVERLY, Mass. (WBZ NewsRadio) — The Cabot performing arts center in Beverly is gearing up to celebrate it's 100th year in operation this week — but because of Covid-19, the theater will bring the festivities to a virtual stage this year.
The theater's leaders are hosting a free live-steam event on Thursday called "Lights. Camera. Cabot 100 Celebration," where people in the community can tune in for performances from James Taylor, Rosanne Cash, Grace Potter, Paula Cole and more.
According to their website, the theater has developed an "exciting program where each entertainer will perform 1-2 songs, from a variety of genres, that will celebrate the diversity in the arts that The Cabot provides to [the] community."
Officials said they have made a "significant investment in technology" to make the event as high-quality as possible for viewers who are watching at home.
Executive Director of The Cabot Casey Soward tells WBZ's Carl Stevens that the history of the theater is ironically similar to the current state of the world, as it was built during another global pandemic.
"The guys who built The Cabot, they built it in response to the Flu Pandemic of 1918," Soward said. He added that the original creators of the center wanted to build a large and impressive structure to get the public excited to go back to movie theaters again.
People who are interested in attending the virtual 100th anniversary show can RSVP online. The live-steam starts on Thursday, Dec. 3 at 7 p.m.
WBZ NewsRadio's Carl Stevens (@carlwbz) reports.
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