Eighteen years ago, in the depths of an economic collapse, I was in my first year as executive director of the Palladium and I was desperately searching for ways to bring in new audiences. I inherited jazz from my predecessors, and we were already busy expanding our jazz offerings in[…]
In December we lost one of the founders of the Palladium. George K. Rahdert was part of the group of St. Petersburg visionaries who purchased the Christian Science Church building at Third Street and Fifth Avenue and converted it into a theater designed to provide an affordable professional venue for[…]
A special guest is writing today’s PalladiumPaul blog. It’s Kurt Loft, who writes our listening notes in our Palladium Chamber Series programs. Kurt is a long-time classical music writer in the Tampa Bay area and a former colleague from my newspaper days. For the Jan. 14 concert, Palladium Chamber Players[…]
I was happy to be part of Catalyze 2026, talking about what I’m looking forward to in St. Petersburg in the new year. In my conversation with writer Bill DeYoung, I talked about the emerging leaders at the major institutions in town, the Palladium’s upcoming renovation and our fund-raising efforts.[…]
It’s hard to believe that our Palladium Chamber Series is celebrating its 13th anniversary season this year. I remember when Jeffrey Multer came to my office to pitch the idea. The series became an immediate hit with audiences. It also attracted strong support from companies and private donors. The five-concert[…]
It was over 18 years ago when Palladium Executive Director Dar Webb handed over the keys to the office to me. She had a lot of good advice for me, but the best was about a young guitarist named Nate Najar. “This guy is good. You need to keep doing[…]
Our current class of Palladium Creative Fellows is keeping busy in the coming weeks, with several shows performed or produced by current fellows. We launched the Fellowship program in response to the pandemic shutdowns that left performers struggling to find work. Since 2020, the Palladium has offered annual stipends of[…]
I’ve told this story before but I love it so much, I can’t help but repeat it. Around 2011, only a few years into my tenure at the Palladium, I heard about this young bluesman named Selwyn Birchwood, who was tearing up bars like the Ringside Café, then in its[…]
We’ve partnered with Tom Gribbin, a musician, promoter and former owner of a comedy club empire, to bring top-flight stand-up to the Palladium Side Door. This week, we’re featuring Dean Napolitano, veteran of TV, movies, and the comedy club circuit. The show is Friday, August 29 with another top funnyman,[…]
When the forecast calls for a Category 5 collision of jazz, rock, and blues, it’s not a warning—it’s an invitation. Jazz guitarist Dominic Walker brings full Florida Man energy to the Side Door Cabaret this Thursday, August 28, headlining the release of his new album, Hurricane Summer, a vibrant testament[…]
From his original home base in Tampa, George Pennington ‘s musical journey has expanded to gigs and recording sessions in California and along the East Coast. A master guitarist, influenced by Jimi Hendrix and Stevie Ray Vaughan, among others, George’s music is original, electric, and ever-expanding. He is debuting his[…]
I’m a huge fan of Dean Johannesen. I first heard him years ago at the Hideaway, a much-missed downtown venue. Dean is a modern guy who seems to come from a sepia-tinted past that you feel like you know, even if you don’t. He plays a mix of gypsy jazz,[…]
Summer is my favorite season at the Palladium. Our rental and community business slows down and we get to present great bands and performers, many local, in the cool confines of the Side Door cabaret. This is a perfect summer weekend for music lovers. With jazz (Zach Bartholomew and James[…]
Today’s PalladiumPaul blog was written by Damon Dougherty, the Palladium’s Director of Operations, who has been leading our renovation planning process. Dear Friends, Our Concert Hall is a Musical Instrument: Guitar strings sound lifeless before their sonic vibrations enter the body of the guitar – then resonating and projecting the[…]
Our friends at St. Pete Opera are back at the Palladium with an extended, “five-show” run of Bizet’s grand opera, Carmen. The show opens tonight. Show dates are Friday, June 6 at 8pm; Sunday, June 8 at 2pm (SOLD OUT); Tuesday, June 10 at 7:30pm; Friday, June 13 at 8pm; and[…]
I’m struggling to imagine a world without my friend Aaron Fodiman in it. Aaron was 100 percent larger than life. First off, he was a physically towering figure. He commanded attention just by walking in the door. It was not just his size but his fashion sense that drew attention.[…]
I didn’t realize it until she was gone, but I was in love with Synia Carroll. Not the physical, messy kind of love, after all, we were both married to other people. No, this love was the spiritual kind. Synia was a rare talent. She was a soaring and sensitive[…]
Blues has been an important part of the Palladium’s musical lineup since 2008. Early on we partnered with Chuck Ross and the Tampa Bay Blues Festival. It was a good match for both of us. We started doing ‘after-parties’ and for the past 10 years the Palladium at SPC has[…]
By Kurt Loft Notes Editor, Palladium Chamber Series A highlight of the Palladium’s classical music season unfolds Wednesday (March 26) with the Calidore String Quartet, the New York-based ensemble that appeared in an all-Beethoven program here five years ago. The acclaimed group returns with more of the German master –[…]
Landing a show with two of the best jazz musicians in the world is a reason for celebration, but when that show falls within a day of my birthday, well, there’s even more celebrating to do. Pianist Ted Rosenthal and the sax and clarinet master, Ken Peplowski, are touring with[…]
St. Petersburg Opera returns to the Palladium this Friday with something a bit different. Instead of a classic opera with a large chorus, SPO is presenting Stephen Sondheim’s, small cast operetta A Little Night Music. The score is one of Sondheim’s best and features his most famous song, “Send In[…]
I’m happy to report that the Palladium’s campaign to raise $10 million to renovate Hough Hall got major support this week from the Pinellas Tourist Development Council. On Wednesday, that board recommended $2.5 million be awarded for the project. A final vote by the Board of County Commissioners is expected[…]
I caught up with artist Jason Hackenwerth by phone at 8 a.m. on Tuesday. It was the only time he could spare for an interview before his Palladium show this Saturday. “I’m exhausted. Going into the final stretch.” Jason’s show, Sparrow’s Dream: A Journey of Transcendence, is the capper on[…]
A little magic always happens when pianist Judy Carmichael and guitarist Nate Najar get together for a night of music. After sold out shows in 2022 and 2023, we’re welcoming them back to the Palladium Side Door this Saturday night at 8:00pm. Palladium audiences know Nate, but maybe not everyone[…]
Choosing recipients for our annual Palladium Jazz Award has been easy so far. The choices have been obvious. We’ve honored longtime WUSF programmer Mike Cornette, photographer Herb Snitzer, the duo of Kitty Daniels and Majid Shabazz, bassist John Lamb, and the Al Downing Jazz Association and longtime Downing board member[…]
Kitty Daniels lifelong gig as a pianist and singer ended on Jan. 2, when she died, with her long-time partner and drummer Majid Shabazz by her side. I had caught a few of her last shows in the bar of Donatello’s Restaurant, on Dale Mabry, even sitting in while Kitty[…]
By Kurt Loft, Program Notes Editor, Palladium Chamber Series Most of us who love classical music will admit to having a favorite child. Although we cherish symphonies, concertos, operas, and choral works, nothing quite matches the intimacy of chamber music and its vast repertoire. With just a few musicians on[…]
I don’t know about you, but I’m personally ready to forget most of this fall. It wasn’t pleasant and at the Palladium it certainly wasn’t business as usual. That’s why I’m especially excited about what’s happening in December at your favorite venue. Check out this lineup: The Nutcracker The holiday[…]
The Palladium has seen a lot of hurricanes come and go in its almost 100-year lifespan, and none have done any major damage, but Milton proved to be more than the building could handle. The Palladium had water intrusion from several places and, while the water has been cleared, the[…]
Starting in 2020 in response to the pandemic, the Palladium Fellowship program has put money into the hands of local performing artists, who are asked only to create new shows and/or write new material. You can see and hear some of the results this Friday, 10-04, when Fellow Kyle Schroeder[…]
We’re so pleased to be working with one of the best promoters in the business, Brian Edwards and his company, Rocklands Entertainment, who has not only present great shows, but set up the shows as benefits for the Palladium. Rockland’s brought us Oh What A Night, and Four by Four,[…]
Our hometown Bossa Nova star, Daniela Soledade, returns to the Palladium stage this Saturday, September 7, with a brand-new show called Brazilian Dream. Born in Rio into a family of Bossa Nova royalty, Dani has built a major following around the U.S. and Europe – she has more than 65,000[…]
What I love about the summer season at the Palladium is the chance we get to present artists for the first time. Saturday night is one of those nights. I hope you can join us as we welcome two newcomers to the Side Door – Laura Reed and Kristopher James.[…]
I can’t believe our Boogie Woogie Stomp is now 14 years old! The show is always a highlight of the Palladium season. Officially titled the Boogie Woogie/Blues Piano Stomp, this show, with its eight-hands, two-piano finale, never fails to bring audiences to their feet. If you’ve never attended, I need[…]
Palladium pal, Tom Gribbin, knows the comedy business. He was one of the founders of Coconuts Comedy Clubs. He’s seen the best and he’s bringing Jimmy Shubert, one of his all-time favorites to the Side Door on July 19, for a hilarious night of standup. I asked him this week[…]
After last summer’s sold-out show celebrating the 1973 Watkins Glen concert, Steeln’ Peaches returns for another night of Allman Brothers music at the Palladium. The Hough Hall show is this Saturday, April 6, at 8 p.m., upstairs in Hough Hall. This time, the band will be recreating the Allmans’ 2000[…]
At the Palladium the arrival of April isn’t just a sign of spring, it’s a reminder that our BEACON dance series, is almost here. That’s right, BEACON returns for the ninth time to our stage on Friday, April 5 at 8 p.m. Since the debut in 2015, BEACON has helped[…]
Palladium Chamber Series: Mozart & Dvořák Viola QuintetsWednesday, Mar. 27, 7:30pmHough Concert Hall Wednesday marks the much-anticipated return of the Palladium Chamber Series, with a program that shines the spotlight on an instrument often overshadowed by its stringed brethren – the viola. Led by artistic director/violinist Jeffrey Multer, the concert[…]
We’ve got two must-see shows coming up at the Side Door this week. On Valentine’s evening, we’re welcoming back Whitney James for another romantic night of love songs. Whitney’s spending most of her time in Texas, but St. Pete is her second home. She’ll be bringing her Texas pianist, Michael[…]
The Palladium Chamber Players return on Wednesday with another exciting evening of music. The concert features three of our core players, including artistic director Jeffrey Multer, plus two special guests. Along with Jeff on violin, the players are: Derek Mosloff, guest viola, Edward Arron, cello, Jeewon Park, piano and Ryan[…]
John Lamb’s actual birthday is in November, but when you reach 90, you should be able to celebrate all year. At the Palladium, where John is still an active player in our jazz shows, along with a donor and fan, we are celebrating his milestone birthday on Saturday, Jan. 20,[…]
Way back in the 20th century – remember that century? – I was an editor at The Tampa Tribune – remember newspapers? – and I hired a young man named Kurt Loft, to cover The Florida Orchestra and other classical shows in the new performing arts complex that is now[…]
Roy Book Binder and Rev. Billy C. Wirtz are two internationally known performers who happen to call Florida home. Roy winters in St. Petersburg and Rev. Billy lives in Ocala, though he’s in Tampa most Friday’s doing his Rhythm Revival show on WMNF Radio 88.5. I’m happy to report they[…]
There were a few artists I wanted to bring to the Palladium and one of them was the singer, pianist and songwriter Nellie McKay. She’s a monstrous talent, so much so she never has fit into any niche in the music industry. She’s truly a one-of-a-kind performer that you need[…]
The Palladium’s chamber series returns for the 11th year this Wednesday with a special appearance by one of the world’s top ensembles – The Ehnes Quartet. We’ll be celebrating the start of our 23-24 season with a champagne toast in the lobby following the concert. All ticket holders are invited[…]
As the Palladium at SPC celebrates 25 years as a local arts venue, and we launch our $10 million cap campaign to renovate the theater, I thought it was a good time to tell the story of the little theater that could. I wrote this piece for Tampa Bay Magazine.[…]
It goes without saying that we’re excited to have blues guitarist/gumbo wizard Bill Wharton, aka The Sauce Boss, back at the Palladium – not only because his music hits our artistic sweet spot, but also because he feeds us at the end of the show! Wharton appears in the Side[…]
The Palladium’s special Halloween show is designed to be a treat for grownups and kids. La Luchaween will be lurking for you in Hough Hall on Sunday, Oct. 29, at 7 p.m. The ghastly trio, La Lucha, will perform live improvised music in the haunted Hough Hall to scenes of[…]
Here at the Palladium, we’re especially proud of our Creative Fellowship program. Started during the pandemic in 2020, the Palladium supports the creative work for top Tampa Bay performers with direct stipend, show payment and wrap around marketing services that total almost $10,000 per artist. Ona Kirei is part of[…]
The St. Pete Opera kicks off its 17th season at the Palladium tonight through Tuesday, and we turn our blog over to Kurt Loft’s story in the Creative Pinellas Arts Coast Journal, reprinted here. See you at the show! Nobody said opera has to be nice. In fact, it can[…]
