MISSOULA — Arts Missoula is hosting their annual New Year's Eve First Night Spotlight in a COVID-19 friendly fashion as we wind out this pandemic filled year.
Missoula area high school students sent in video auditions of themselves singing, and seven lucky kids were selected to perform on Thursday night.
This year's singers are almost all previous contestants and the competition will be live-streamed from the Zootown Arts Community Center (ZACC). Just like for the past 15 years, you'll be able to participate by voting for your favorites. Three judges and an emcee will also be there -- socially distanced.
Because there were so few opportunities for performers this year, Arts Missoula wanted to keep the tradition going however they could. First Night Spotlight coordinator Paisley Thornton says this is the perfect way to round out 2020.
"I'm really excited that these high schoolers have this opportunity to make some live music,” Thornton said. “I personally, that's the thing that I'm looking forward to the most is just being in a room safely with a bunch of people and making live music, that's really exciting.”
This is the only First Night Missoula event this year and Thornton says it's always a crowd favorite. They also added a silent music video element, to play over the live stream, since the performers will be wearing masks.
To view the free live stream go to MCAT's YouTube channel or visit the Arts Missoula website on Thursday at 6 p.m.
