Displaying items by tag: Ruth Eckerd Hall

Legally Blonde Preformance at Ruth Eckerd Hall. Photo by Wayne Cathel.

Clearwater, FL (April 8, 2009) - Legally Blonde, the musical, manages to capture the feel of Legally Blonde, the movie. It is a silly, carefree piece of theatre that manages to leave you fulfilled, satisfied and quite entertained at the end of it, while including a positive message that is delivered through silly means.

The musical includes all of the familiar and important moments of the movie, such as Elle's videotape to get into Harvard, the scene where she's tricked into dressing like a Playboy bunny and arrives at a classy party and the hunky UPS guy. However, it still manages to stand on its own as its own piece. It's enjoyable if you've seen the movie and still enjoyable if you haven't.

Spectators enjoy March Madness entertainment and refreshments at the inaugural 4th Friday Event in Downtown Clearwater - Photo by Simaen Skolfield

March Madness in Downtown Clearwater

Clearwater, FL (March 30, 2009) - Ruth Eckerd Hall On The Road presents a second concert at the historic Capitol Theatre in the Cleveland Street District in Downtown Clearwater when pianist William Joseph performs on Saturday, April 4 at 7:30 pm. Tickets are on sale now at the Ruth Eckerd Hall Ticket Office, by calling 727.791.7400 or by logging onto www.rutheckerdhall.com . 

William is known for his vigorous performance style, emotional power and polished precision and he performed at Ruth Eckerd Hall in January with Linda Eder.  He has also toured with Josh Groban and Clay Aiken, and has supported artists including Barbra Streisand, Natalie Cole, Kenny G and Il Divo.   He is currently on tour is support of his current Warner Bros. record release Beyond.  He is currently appearing on the PBS special Great Performances with David Foster:  Hitman.

Clearwater, FL (March 25, 2009) - Ruth Eckerd Hall On the Road presents Todd Rundgren at the historic Capitol Theatre in the Cleveland Street District of Downtown Clearwater on Friday, March 27th at 8pm.  This iconic performer will make a rare concert appearance in the intimate setting of the 451-seat theatre located on the corner of Cleveland and Osceola Streets in downtown Clearwater.

Todd Rundgren, who has written hit songs such as “Hello, It’s Me”, “Bang the Drum All Day”, “Love in Action” and “Can We Still Be Friends”, is currently on tour in support of his latest album release Arena, one his most critically-acclaimed albums in years. 

 Ruth Eckerd Hall and the City of Clearwater have joined forces to renovate the historic Capitol Theatre, and patrons at the Todd Rundgren concert will get a rare glimpse of one of the oldest operating theatres in Florida. Further major renovations will begin later this year.  Currently Ruth Eckerd Hall is in the planning stages to raise funds to renovate the theatre to restore it to its 1921 grandeur.

Clearwater

William Joseph performing alongside violinist and singer Linda Eder live at the Ruth Eckerd Hall - Photo by Ian Phoenix

“Classical pop” pianist William Joseph kicked off his first U.S. headlining tour at Ruth Eckerd Hall on Friday, January 9th with a passionate and dynamic performance. Underneath sultry lights of green and purple, Mr. Joseph delivered a youthful and fresh twist on classical music, creating a hip and energetic style with his compositions.

He began delicate and careful, leaning into his piano, caressing each note softly as he played “Heroes”. He then picked up in intensity, creating a dynamic and engaging performance. After his first piece, one audience member let out a very genuine and very appropriate “Wow!”

Ruth Eckerd Hall Restores “Capitol”

Clearwater FL, December 31, 2008 - Downtown Clearwater is undeniably expanding. With the recent sprouting of  towering condos and tasty restaurants, the city’s growth can no longer be hidden. The downtown area is now expanding in a new direction. A performing arts center.

From the penthouse of the Waters Edge building, Mayor Frank Hibbard and Robert Freedman on behalf of Ruth Eckerd Hall delightedly announced Ruth Eckerd Hall’s purchase of The Royalty Theatre, with the intention of  injecting Downtown Clearwater with a shot of culture. The creation of a performing arts center is expected to stimulate the economy of Downtown Clearwater by increasing and strengthening the arts presence which in turn  will draw people and businesses to the downtown area, hopefully creating the right environment in which private businesses can prosper.

The Royalty Theatre will be returning to its roots, as well as its original name, The Capitol Theatre. “I’m starting that trend right now,” joked Mayor Hibbard. The name of the theatre changed to The Royalty Theatre in the 1990’s when it was purchased by The Royalty Theatre, a local community theatre company.

December 5th 2008, the Clearwater Downtown Partnership hosted its inaugural “Miracle on Cleveland Street” in conjunction with The City of Clearwater’s annual “Holiday Light Up”. Adults and Children flocked the street to bask in the 2 tons of snow that blanketed the 500 block of Cleveland Street.

While hundreds of children qued up to tobbogan down the huge "snow slide" the adults shopped at the holiday street vendors booths that were set up on each side of Cleveland Street. In addition to the holiday shopping, visitors also enjoyed a variety of holiday entertainment provided by: Francis Wilson Playhouse, Artists in Action Int’l, Clearwater Academy Choir, BB’s Dance Factory, Ruth Eckerd Hall and more.

Urban Dining and Entertainment News by Ali Seghrouchni

Time to Make the Doughnuts

Win FREE DUNKIN’ Doughnuts for a Year!

A brand new Dunkin’ Donuts is now open in Downtown Clearwater, located in the Historic Red Brick Telephone Building, 534 Cleveland Street.

Their Grand Opening Event – Friday, December 5.

First 50 customers in the doors beginning at 5 a.m. will win FREE Dunkin’ Treats for a year (including products such as coffee, sandwiches, etc.)

Anyone making a purchase on Friday, December 5, will have their receipt entered in the store’s raffle drawing for 1pm on Saturday, December 6 (must be present to win.)

Mayor Frank Hibbard will be visiting the location at 10am for the restaurant’s official ribbon cutting.

More prizes at the Grand Opening Event – Saturday, December 6

For the 1pm raffle drawing (for which people are entered if they made a purchase on 12/5 and are present for the drawing), 1st prize is a Flat Screen TV, 2nd prize is a digital camera, 3rd prize is three iPod Nanos (3 winners), and 10 runner-up prizes of $50 gift cards (10 winners) will be given away.

Visitors between 6pm – 11pm will receive a free cup or cone of Baskin Robbins Soft Serve Ice Cream for 25 cents.

Remember, Remember the 5th of December.

Urgent weather alert! Doppler weather radar at the Clearwater Downtown Partnership has just confirmed a 100% chance of an unprecedented blanketing of snow during the City of Clearwater’s annual Holiday Light Up on the 500 block of Cleveland Street. Expect complete road closures due to strolling carolers, gift vendors and merriment of the sort on Cleveland Street from 5pm – 8pm between Garden and Fort Harrison Avenues.

When Chairman Bill Sturtevant of the Clearwater Downtown Partnership was asked what he attributed the unusual weather pattern to he said Santa ordered it, towards the goal of strengthening our merchants by bringing more people to downtown. Bill further remarked that the board acted fast and decided to seize the opportunity in Downtown and established this event as our annual:
“Miracle on Cleveland Street.”

One of Bill’s colleagues Eleanor Lyda also stated since schools will be closed at that time a giant 10 foot snow slide is being brought in for children to toboggan down and play in the snow flurries.