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As I write this column in my office at the Palladium Theater, carpenters are pounding in the concession booth, a glass cutter is whirring in the landing, and a locksmith is drilling into my office door. As a guy who spent 25 years working amid the clattering, yelling and jangling of a big city newsroom, I’m actually enjoying the noise.
It’s all part of a month of major renovations at this nine-year-old community performance venue located where downtown St. Petersburg meets the Old Northeast. The renovations include a refurbished concession area, updated dressing rooms and green room, four coats of ebony paint on our Hough Hall stage and the removal of some very old asbestos insulation. The shuddering window unit in my office has also been replaced by a machine that whispers out cool air.
These renovations, and more to come this summer, are thanks to St. Petersburg College. In 2007, the Palladium became part of this historic and vital educational institution with campuses across Pinellas County. The Palladium is a gem of a theater, but it clearly needed some polishing and the college has taken on the challenge.
The lights go back on at the Palladium’s beautiful concert hall in February. While the Palladium was dark in January, we moved our Encore Chamber Music Series, now in its eighth year, to the beautiful Music Center at the St. Petersburg/Gibbs campus. Our focus this year is on great American composers. That series returns to the Palladium on Feb. 19, with Amy Schwartz Moretti and The Arioso Trio.
Before the Palladium goes dark again this summer for more renovations, we’ll continue to present the finest work by local and regional performers. We’re partnering with WMNF Radio on a series of concerts and we’re continuing to present jazz, gospel and blues in our Side Door cabaret downstairs.
The Palladium remains committed to the community mission envisioned by our founders, almost 10 years ago. By becoming part of St. Petersburg College, the next 10 years could be the best ever. Please come and see our improvements!
by Paul Wilborn
Executive Director, Palladium Theater
Excerpted from The Palladium Theater website, www.mypalladium.org
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