The Academy Center of the Arts is excited to announce a new venue space, The Music Hall, located at 722 Commerce St in Downtown Lynchburg.
Located at 722 Commerce Street in Downtown Lynchburg, The Music Hall is the Academy Center of the Arts’ newest venue dedicated to fostering local music talent and enriching the Lynchburg community. With a 100-person capacity, this intimate space is designed to provide a much-needed home for local musicians and music enthusiasts. The venue is fully equipped with sound equipment, staging, and professional staff, including a dedicated sound engineer, ensuring a top-tier experience for every performance.
The concept for The Music Hall was born from the memories of the Academy’s CEO, Geoffrey Kershner, who grew up attending rock shows at the iconic “Ellington” on Rivermont Ave. Now an apartment building, the Ellington once served as a cornerstone for the local music scene, a role that The Music Hall is eager to step into and expand upon.
More than just a performance space, The Music Hall will be available for rent, offering a versatile venue for events, functions, and activities. With a full concessions area, sound and lighting equipment, projector, tables, and seating, it’s the perfect spot for gatherings of all kinds.
The creation of The Music Hall also addresses a key need within the Academy’s infrastructure: a dedicated, smaller venue that is more accessible and available than the Academy’s larger performance spaces currently in heavy use. This addition supports the Academy’s mission to build a healthier, more interconnected community through the arts.
With the announcement of the new space, the Academy also announces the first 10 shows at The Music Hall:
September 6 - Local Call
Local Call is a 6-piece Alt rock band from Lynchburg, Virginia formed in 2021. Affectionally known in their hometown as “The Dad Band”, they are a group of dads that decided to form a band over a few drinks at a backyard neighborhood party. They play a blend of originals and covers ranging from The Grateful Dead to Tom Petty to 90’s Alt Rock to Current Hits. They released their first full-length studio album titled “Some Days” in 7/2024.
September 13 - Selah Vie
Selah Vie is more than a band; it is a cultural movement of love and creativity in Lynchburg. This collective unites musicians, dancers, visual artists, poets, singers, and thought leaders in one dynamic space for artistic collaboration.
Founded on the concept of “reflective restful life,” Selah Vie blends diverse art forms to create unique experiences, promoting the idea that art can connect people and inspire change. Starting as a supergroup in September 2023, the core members include Keith Thomas on organ, piano synths, and talkbox; Phinees Robert on guitar; and Brad Cox on drums and percussion. The group later expanded to a full unit with Charles Bailey on bass, Andre Hairston on aux and Rhodes, Elliot Clifton on percussion, and guest musicians like Ken Matthews on saxophone and clarinet, Daniel Kepel, Amelia on violin, and many more.
Through events, performances, and workshops, Selah Vie supports and showcases local talent, enriching Lynchburg’s cultural landscape with intentional, nurturing growth.
September 20 - Village Concerts & ACOA present: Golden Hour
Golden Hour is a 60-minute, immersive live music experience created in Charlottesville, Virginia by musicians Suz Slezak and David Wax (of David Wax Museum) and Lauren and Daniel Goans (of Lowland Hum). For the entirety of the performance, guests are seated and blindfolded while the four principle musicians move about the space, holding the listening close in an ever-changing sonic landscape. What initially seems like a unique way to engage with live music soon becomes an opportunity for presence, stillness and participation in a deep listening experience that is simultaneously individual and communal. These artists have been honing this experience since 2017, and in 2020 NPR showcased the experience in a feature: “These Charlottesville Musicians Want To Change The Way You Experience Live Music.”
September 27 - Flat Five Jazz
Flat Five Jazz is a modern jazz combo based out of Lynchburg, Virginia. A menagerie of backgrounds and influences create a unique, yet beautiful soundscape that is both pleasing and engaging.
October 4 - Sara Beck
Sara Beck’s music has carried her far from her hometown of Ellicott City, Maryland – to arenas, theaters, and clubs all over the world. As a songwriter, Beck draws from the same roots-folk tradition as Patty Griffin, Emmylou Harris, and Brandi Carlile, with a straightforward approach to storytelling and a melodic focus that evokes early Joni Mitchell. Sonically, she and her co-producer Park Chisolm (Kevin Costner & Modern West) favor ambient, atmospheric soundscapes centered on Beck’s guitar-playing and close harmony between the two seasoned performers, who are also married and have been making music together for over twenty years.
Beck’s musical output spans two decades, with highlights including singing the theme song for Kevin Costner’s Emmy-winning mini-series, Hatfields & McCoys, and multiple appearances with legendary artist Stevie Wonder. She is also a poet, and her poetry has appeared in Rattle, Litmosphere, MUTHA Magazine, and Sunlight Press. In 2023, she released her first poetry volume, entitled i brought home a typewriter and my head exploded, as well as a classic country trio album in collaboration with Nashville-based artists Lauren Lucas and Kimberly Quinn (Lo-Fi Dolly, 2023). After spending twenty years based in Nashville as well, Beck relocated to Lynchburg in 2018, where in addition to writing, recording, and performing, she is also an associate professor of Psychology at Randolph College.
October 11 - Shades of Blue
Built on a love for music and brotherhood, IV Shades of Blue is a strong 3-part harmony, soul, R&B and gospel intense, melodic band that delivers unique storylines over bluesy bass lines. Birthed in Southern Virginia, this group features lead vocalist Brandon Penn and guitarist Marcus Bonds who both display vocal range, versatility and chord structure that will force the music lover in you to groove and move real smooth! With Jeff “Silk” Wilkes on Bass, Chris Waller “on the Percussions, and Telly “T-Bone” Tucker on keys” this group knows how to vocalize, harmonize, and mesmerize! Songs like “I Found a Love” and other hits will easily take care of all your needs and leave you wanting more!
October 18 - The Chapstix
Come hang out with us for an evening of great music with friends! We play a mix of everything including 80s, 90s and hits from today. Come by for a fun show! All are welcome!
October 25 - Ethan Reeves
Experience the debut live performance of Ethan Reeves, an exciting new voice in the indie-folk scene. Known for his powerful and captivating stage presence, Ethan draws inspiration from the acoustic vibrancy of Mumford & Sons and the energetic alt-rock of Colony House. His music combines emotional depth with inventive melodies and thoughtful lyrics. After dedicating the past three years to writing and honing his craft, Ethan is now ready to step into the spotlight and share his unique sound with the world. Don’t miss this chance to witness the beginning of what promises to be an extraordinary musical journey.
November 1 & 2 - Chamomile & Whiskey, with Special Guest David Sickmen on Saturday
With over a decade of recording and touring under their belt, Chamomile and Whiskey have endeared themselves to fans with their blend of what’s been called Blue Ridge Mountain Rock and Roll. Beginning along the mountains and rivers of Nelson County, the beauty of Virginia can be heard throughout their many albums. Over the years they have worked with producers Rob Evans (Dave Matthews Band) and Ken Coomer (formerly of Wilco and Uncle Tupelo) and shared the stage with acts like Charley Crockett, Old Crow Medicine Show, JD McPherson, Blues Traveler and more… Now, with new music on the way, the band brings two unique nights of music to The Music Hall in downtown Lynchburg. David Sickmen of The Hackensaw Boys makes a special guest appearance for night 2 with more surprises to be announced… These shows will embody what Chamomile and Whiskey is all about, an intoxicating distillation of the sights, sounds, and stories of home.
November 15 - Kham
Prepare yourself for an unforgettable night as rising, hip hop sensation Kham takes the stage for the live debut of his highly anticipated EP, Geneva. This is more than just a concert—it’s an immersive journey into the realms of healing, wilderness, and self-discovery.
Join us for a transformative evening where Kham will deliver a performance that fuses raw energy with profound introspection. The concert will transport you into a world where nature’s serenity meets the dynamic pulse of hip hop. Expect the venue to be adorned with captivating wilderness themes—think lush greenery, rustic elements, and an atmosphere that evokes the great outdoors, creating the perfect backdrop for Kham’s hard hitting, powerful set.
Geneva isn’t just an EP; it’s a sonic exploration of coming of age and personal growth. As Kham navigates themes of healing and self-discovery, he’ll be joined by a lineup of special guests who will elevate the experience with surprise performances.
From start to finish, the night will host an energetic vibe, a rollercoaster of emotions, and an intensity bound to keep you on your feet all night.