Palladium Live Shows Return With COVID-19 Safety Measures

ST. PETERSBURG, FL — Live shows are returning to The Palladium following more than a year of live-streamed shows during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

St. Petersburg Opera returned to the stage of The Palladium Friday and Sunday in front of a live audience. The next upcoming live show is "Bob Dylan 80th Birthday Bash," May 21, followed by a St. Petersburg Opera production of "Pagliacci," for multiple dates in June. Other live music acts are scheduled for July through September.

As the performance venue starts to welcome back audiences, Paul Wilborn, executive director, said he wants to assure audiences and artists they continue to take their safety seriously. The Palladium is a department of St. Petersburg College, and they follow the college's safety COVID safety guidelines.

SPC recently released this statement:

"Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed two executive orders regarding certain local emergency orders and mandates related to COVID-19. SPC received guidance from the Florida College System and the Florida Department of Health in Pinellas that neither of the executive orders impact the Florida College System Institutions or K-12 public schools for the remainder of the fiscal year ending June 30, 2021."

Wilborn said they will continue to provide socially distant seating, shows will be limited to Hough Hall, and shows will happen without intermission. Face masks are required for patrons to wear in the building.

"We do believe the situation with the pandemic is improving quickly," Wilborn said. "Most of the Palladium staff are now vaccinated, which gives me much comfort as we reopen our doors. We will adjust our policies as the situation progresses and make changes based on guidance from the leadership of St. Petersburg College, the Florida Department of Health and the CDC."

For more information about live performances and live-streaming shows at the Palladium, visit its website.