By Nanette Wiser
From chamber music to jazz, downtown St. Pete’s Palladium is the grooviest small venue in town. Closed for a full year March 2020-April 2021, Executive Director and renaissance man Paul Wilborn is thrilled with the spring/summer line-up, which he predicts will be their most financially successful year ever. Although part of St. Pete College, the theater is a stand-alone entity, supporting itself through fundraising and ticket sales.
Showcasing primarily local and regional artists, The Palladium also hosts national artists such as the Juilliard String Quartet in March. “We continue to stay true to our mission – be an affordable, professional venue for the arts and community organizations and the artists and performers in our region,” says Wilborn, who has run The Palladium since 2007.
The Palladium also supports local performers to create new shows for the venue, providing $2,500 to selected artists. In 2021, class members included jazz artists James Suggs, Nate Najar, La Lucha (pictured in featured photo), Jeremy Carter; blues’ Damon Fowler; new music Elizabeth Baker; dancers/choreographers Helen Hansen French and Lauren Ree Stone and Jeremy Douglass of the Florida Bjorkestra. (The 2022 Creative Class will be announced this spring.) As a result, The Palladium is bringing back The Beacon Dance Project – French and Stone’s artistic baby – showcase with outstanding regional and national choreographers and dancers.
Jeremy Carter 
Nate Najar
The Palladium is also developing plans to renovate their theatrical spaces (830-seat Hough Hall now open, limited to 300-400 seats) and 181-seat Side Door Cabaret which is currently closed) as well as beautification to parking lots and exterior spaces. Says Wilborn: “This is a multi-year process, but we spent $50,000 with architects, acousticians and theatrical consultants on a overall plan that has been completed.”
Best of all, The Palladium is a safe space to see live music. Beer, wine and snacks are available, and masks are recommended. In addition to their parking lot, the new Museum of the American Arts & Crafts Movement offers a multitier parking lot $1/hour. For concerts, check PN’s events or www.mypalladium.org.
In April 2022, Wilborn’s new novel will debut, Florida Hustle, set in SoFla circa 1982 where he worked, lived and played.