One of the best things about celebrating an anniversary is that you can look back at lots of great times and special occasions leading up to it. With the Palladium celebrating its 15th anniversary during 2014, I thought it was a perfect time to celebrate the guy who founded the Side Door Cabaret.
I wish I could take credit for creating the best nightclub in Tampa Bay, but the honor goes to former Palladium staffer Desmond Clark. In 2005, Desmond was the Chief Business Operator of the Palladium, working with Executive Director Mark Spano.
Desmond Clark
Up to this point, a show at the Palladium meant a show in Hough Hall, which holds 850 people. It’s a great size, but lots of shows drew smaller crowds and the hall often felt empty, even on a show night.
Desmond was trying to figure out how make the economics at the Palladium work better and studies were done on what it cost to mount a show in Hough Hall.
The Palladium was doing some small jazz shows with promoter Rick Gee, that were drawing 30 to 40 people. Mark Spano went on vacation leaving Desmond with instructions to cancel the Rick Gee concerts.
But Desmond had another idea.
“Why don’t we see if we can have this downstairs,” he thought. The room then was mostly used for meetings and dressing rooms for big shows.
He had tables and chairs set u. Production Manager Chris Fleming, hung some lights so the place would have an intimate feel. And they managed to get the Side Doors open – they had been painted shut – so people could enter without passing through the lobby.
Using the Side Doors gave him a name – “We called it the Side Door from the beginning.”
The first night was confusing for some patrons, who didn’t know where this “Side Door” was located, but they found it and the first night sold out. He remembers the jazz was mixed with food – fried chicken and mac and cheese and we set up a bar down there.
The first show was completely full, as were subsequent shows. And just like that, the Side Door was born. I wasn’t at the first show, but did attend one soon after and was excited to discover an intimate music venue in downtown St. Pete.
Desmond can’t remember who played the opening show. If you know, please let me know and we’ll share that as part of this anniversary.
Desmond left the Palladium in less than a year. During his short stint, he had made other major changes, including installing our SABO ticketing system. He is now director of facilities and IT at the Morean Art Center.
We use the front doors now, but the Side Door is going strong. We’ll be honoring Desmond at the Whitney James Side Door Jazz concert on Saturday, Feb. 15. Please join us – but get your tickets early – this room Desmond created will be sold out by showtime.
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