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[…]

This article was originally posted on Creative Pinellas‘ website on Wednesday, Oct. 6, and can be found here. Keeping Older Music Relevant and New By Kurt Loft September 10 at 2 pmPalladium Theater, St PeteDetails here If you slipped into a time machine and went back three or four centuries,[…]

When I first met Daniela Soledade (Soul-ah-dodgy), she was about to take the stage in a very red dress for one of Nate Najar’s Jazz Holiday shows. She was excited backstage, but it was obvious she was nervous stepping on the Hough Hall stage with a full band that included[…]

I’m so excited to welcome back the hottest blues artist working today to the venue he considers his “home.” Selwyn Birchwood’s new record is at the top of the charts, he’s touring nationally and internationally, and building a loyal fan base one show at a time. This Saturday (Aug. 5),[…]

As an aspiring bass player, Brandon Robertson had three major influences – Charles Mingus, Ray Brown and Christian McBride. Each one represented a different generation of jazz bassists. And as a leading light among contemporary bass players, Brandon is honoring those three musical pathfinders at his Side Door concert this[…]

I first heard Trace Zacur at the annual MUSE party two years ago. He was playing sax with a band that included Jeremy Douglass (Florida Bjorkestra), on piano, and two members of La Lucha, Alejandro Arenas, bass, and Mark Feinman, drums. I was blown away hearing this young guy who[…]

Doing the music of The Band comes naturally to Matt Burke and his bandmates in Have Gun, Will Travel. So it’s no surprise that will cover the music of The Band at the Palladium’s Summer Jam concert on Saturday, Aug. 19, which recreates the 1973 Watkins Glen show featuring the[…]

While jazz guitarist Nate Najar has been spending more of his musical time in the Bossa Nova and Samba world, since his pairing with singer Daniela Soledade, our audiences first knew Nate for his swinging jazz trio, often alongside bassist John Lamb. The swing version of Nate Najar is back[…]

In a musical landscape where tribute acts spout like weeds in summer, Seals & Crofts 2, is an exception. Brady Seals and Lua Crofts are directly related to the original Seals & Crofts, the biggest selling duo in the 1970s, and both were pro musicians before taking on the project[…]

The Palladium’s deep dive into Classic Burlesque continues this weekend in the Palladium’s intimate Side Door Cabaret. The first three installments were one-night-only, but ticket demand was so strong, we added a second showing of A Night of Classic Burlesque – Vol 4. Tickets for Friday and Saturday’s shows are[…]

With our fiscal year ending on June 30, and our Summer Jam season upon us, I wanted to look back at a   few of the highlights of last season. The good news overall, our audiences and artists returned. It felt like 2018 and 2019 again with sold-out shows, lots of[…]

I was just one of the jazz fans excited about Donald Harrison and his band visiting the Side Door this coming Thursday. With a week of sales still ahead, over 100 tickets were already sold, including all our reserved seats. It was going to be a thrilling night of music,[…]

St. Pete Opera wraps up another successful season this weekend at the Palladium. After wonderful productions of Tosca and Fidelio, the company wraps things up with Rossini’s L’Italiana in Algeri. While it’s not the best know of Rossini’s work, it’s a mix of action, adventure and romance aboard the luxury[…]

Beacon Dance returns to the Palladium this week, with the mainstage performance on Friday, April 28, and a special Side Door jazz and dance program tonight (4-27). Beacon is a partnership between dancers Helen Hansen French and Lauren Ree Sloan, and the Palladium. Beacon debuted in 2015 and has brought[…]

The Florida Orchestra returns to the Palladium this Saturday, April 22, at 8 p.m. for a performance of Anton Bruckner’s Symphony No. 7 in E major. Classical music writer and Palladium Chamber Series program editor Kurt Loft has prepared a preview of this weekend’s program. For tickets and information please[…]

Our Palladium Chamber Series continues on April 12 with a concert featuring The Mile-End Trio performing the works of Debussy and Tchaikovsky. Classical music writer Kurt Loft has written a wonderful preview of the program. (Kurt also wrote the program notes in our chamber series program). For tickets and information[…]

Along with being a great photographer, Herb Snitzer was a friend to me and to the Palladium. And he’ll be remembered for his humor and his spirit, but mostly for the body of work he left behind, especially his iconic images of jazz greats from the last century. In January[…]

by Kurt Loft, Creative Pinellas This article also may be read on Creative Pinellas’ website. Palladium Chamber PlayersCelebrate 10 years of Classical Harmony January 11 at 7:30 pmThe Palladium TheaterDetails here A decade ago, a group of musicians banded together to form the Palladium Chamber Players, making their home at[…]

The Palladium Chamber players return for a 10th anniversary season with a concert next Wednesday. When Jeff Multer and I launched this series neither of us imagined that it would be this successful or run this long. We’re celebrating 10 great years with our most ambitious season ever. Season tickets[…]

Simon Lasky, a London-based jazz pianist, composer, and bandleader, wasn’t familiar with the composer and arranger, Chuck Owen, until he was visiting the U.S. a few years ago. Chuck was speaking and performing at a symposium for jazz composers at the University of South Florida, and at first glance, Lasky[…]

Right before we broke for Thanksgiving week, two of our favorite bands came to visit. The night was Backtrack Blues Band and Southern Hospitality was a great one, with blues fans dancing in the aisles. We also helped the Suncoast Blues Society celebrate the holidays. The show was an official[…]

We’re happy to welcome back the low country blues rockers, Southern Hospitality, this Saturday (11-19) on our main stage. We’ve hosted this band of all-stars – Damon Fowler, J.P. Soars and Victor Wainwright – a few times over the years. When they come together from their various solo projects it’s[…]

Ann Hampton Callaway is a treasure. A powerful, evocative vocalist, a master pianist, and, above all, a keeper of the flame of American song. My wife and I caught her last spring at 54 Below, the Broadway nightclub, doing her tribute show: Fever – The Peggy Lee Century. The sold-out[…]

This Saturday we’re bringing a night of scary fun for the entire family (except maybe some very young kids who might get too frightened), when La Luchaween comes to the Palladium, which everyone knows is haunted. Here’s how our pal, Bill DeYoung, described La Luchaween in this week’s St. Pete[…]

Arts writer Kurt Loft interviewed Eric Darius for Arts Coast Magazine, an online publication from Creative Pinellas. I thought you’d enjoy his preview. Eric plays the Palladium Friday in a benefit for the Clearwater Jazz Holiday. For tickets and information you can follow this link. Liberating the Arts By Kurt[…]

Two of my favorite Palladium performers are in the building this weekend and I hope you and yours can catch one or both of these amazing shows. On Friday we welcome back International Blues Challenge winner Selwyn Birchwood and his band for an evening of high-octane blues. As our friends[…]

The first blues act I hired to play the Palladium was Tampa Bay’s own Damon Fowler. A musical prodigy, Fowler was entertaining local audiences as a teenager and has grown into a major blues star, while keeping his roots in Tampa Bay. During the pandemic we brought in Damon and[…]

By Kurt Loft creativepinellas.org Spanish musician and songwriter embracesSt. Pete vibe with new recording and Palladium concert Saturday, July 9, 8p • Side Door • Click here for tickets and more info This bird has flown aptly describes Ona Kirei, the Spanish vocalist, composer, global traveler and devout Beatles fan.[…]

Summer is a season when we get to bring exciting bands that we aren’t able to present during our “busy season.” That’s one good reason why we’re featuring world fusion band WAHH on this Saturday in the Side Door. I caught the band a few years ago at the much-missed[…]

One of the hidden gems of St. Pete’s Pride month happens this weekend in the Side Door Cabaret. Michael Kelly appears in The Pleasing Recollection – A Cabaret Opera with music by Martin Hennessy; libretto by Stephen Kitsakos; directed by Murphy Davis. The show comes to us direct from its[…]

Following Tuesday’s final performance of St. Petersburg Opera’s La Fille Du Regiment, the Palladium’s summer season officially begins. Our summer offerings this year include jazz, blues, cabaret, swing, burlesque and a lot more. I’m thrilled to kick off the summer season by announcing our jazz show, Cole Swings Cool, is[…]

June 1 is the kick-off of a month of Pride-related activities in St. Petersburg and the Palladium is your location for several highlights of the celebration. On Saturday, June 11, Carson Kressley, one of the original stars of Queer Eye, hosts an evening of music and fun dubbed “Queer-E-Okee with[…]

Pop-jazz vocalist Halie Loren makes her Palladium Side Door debut Thursday night (5-19). She’s a big name in the music world, but not so well known to our audiences. Her appearance here should change that. But in case you’re wanting to know more about this compelling artist, here’s a story[…]

Pianist Judy Carmichael is helping us reopen the Side Door Cabaret this Friday. This jazz star, known for her stride piano playing, her unique vocals, her humor and her NPR and Sirius XM show, Jazz Inspired, will be joined by Palladium favorite Nate Najar, on guitar. Bill DeYoung profiled Judy[…]

My pal Nate Najar told me to book Judy Carmichael. He had done a couple of duet shows with Judy, who is a legendary New York jazz pianist, and couldn’t stop talking about her. “I think Judy is one of the most swingin’ piano players in the world,” Nate said.[…]

Our Palladium Chamber Players season closes tonight, Wednesday, May 4, with a concert featuring the works of de Falla, Schubert, and Rachmaninoff. Palladium favorites Edward Arron, cello, and Jeewon Park, piano, perform. Classical music writer Kurt Loft has written a wonderful preview of the program for Creative Pinellas. (Kurt also[…]

The Palladium has always offered free parking to our patrons in the lots south and east of the building. That hasn’t changed. St. Petersburg College has contracted with a private parking company to manage our south lot during non-show hours. Downtown visitors will use an app to pay for parking,[…]

Part of our mission at the Palladium is giving our area’s top-performing artists a chance to create new work.  With our Creative Class of 2021, we commissioned 11 diverse artists to create new work for the theater. On Friday, April 29 you’ll be able to see the work of two[…]

Jazz great Chick Corea may have left the building, but his career and influence show no signs of waning. Jazz at Lincoln Center just announced an all-star tribute to Corea, who died in February, 2021,  and at Sunday’s Grammy Awards he picked up two more trophies. The Palladium is hopping[…]

Our Palladium Chamber Players season continues on Wednesday, April 6, with a concert featuring the works of Mozart, Poulenc, and Brahms. The original Palladium Chamber Players – Multer, Aaron, Park, and Farina – are performing along with special guests Jessica Guideri, violin, and Natalie Hoe, clarinet. For tickets and information,[…]

I’m thrilled to welcome back David Amram to the Side Door this Friday night at 8 p.m. After a career like Amram’s – which includes world-class work in jazz, classical music, film scoring, and literature – he deserved to have the word “legendary” next to his name. Amram is also[…]

The Palladium is a safe place to enjoy great music and we’ve got a special show for you this Sunday. Award-winning singer, saxophonist, songwriter and entertainer, Danny Bacher, headlines the third annual Palladium Jazz Awards.  This year the awards show celebrates the 50th anniversary of the Al Downing Tampa Bay[…]

Dave Meder, a native of Tampa who has gone on to other cities and lots of success in the jazz world makes his debut appearance at the Palladium this Friday (January 7) at 8 p.m. in Hough Hall. This show, like all our current shows, is in our large hall.[…]

Chuck Owen, the great composer-arranger who spent his career in the Jazz Program at the University of South Florida, retired in 2021. Music writer Eric Snider chronicled Chuck’s musical journey for Creative Loafing. I wanted to share that story with our Palladium audience and wish Chuck Owen all best wishes[…]

Bill DeYoung, who covers the arts for St. Pete Catalyst, previewed our Thursday night piano concert featuring Maria Dolores Gaitán. Having this concert on our stage is an honor. Gaitán has performed this tribute to Spain and America at some of the finest halls in the country. Bill’s story provides[…]