The Palais Royale to Host 10th Annual New Year's Eve Gala 12/31

The Palais Royale - South Bend's Premier Event Facility -- is pleased to host its tenth annual New Year's Eve gala event on Saturday, December 31, which starts at 8:00 p.m. By popular request, this year's event features the return of The Tom Milo Big Band, an 18-piece big band well-known to dance couples, playing a wide selection of music, ranging from the Glenn Miller tunes of the 40's, to Frank Sinatra, to the contemporary hits of artists such as Whitney Houston and Billy Joel. Many of the band members have toured with top name musicians such as Stan Kenton, Les Elgart, Duke Ellington, and others. Join us on New Year's Eve for a fine dining experience and the opportunity to ring in the New Year on the area's most historic dance floor. Again this year, black tie is optional.

The Palais Royale Ballroom opened in 1922 and hosted all the major big bands of the day. Duke Ellington, Tommy & Jimmy Dorsey, Harry James, Guy Lombardo and Cab Calloway are just a few of the great bands seen at the Palais in its heyday. There were dances every night of the week and the Palais was the place for countless celebrations, performances, dances and gatherings. In the 1940's, the Palais was used as a WWII serviceman's center. After the war the ballroom was transformed into a boxing arena, bowling alley and roller hockey rink. In 1967, the Palais became "The Top Deck" a teen nightclub. The ornately decorated walls were spray-painted with 140 gallons of flat black paint and neon cartoon decals were pasted on the walls. Within a year, the venue was shut down and remained virtually unused for over 30 years.

Having been neglected and severely damaged during its years of vacancy, the ballroom underwent an extensive twelve month restoration at the cost of $ 6.9 million, reopening on New Year's Eve 2002. The event this year celebrates the ten year anniversary of the restoration. Today the Palais is the premier event facility in South Bend hosting a variety of celebrations from weddings, award ceremonies, fundraisers, receptions, banquets, business and social events. Proceeds from the event will be added to the Palais Royale Historic Preservation Fund. Your attendance at the event will help keep the Palais shining!

Tickets can be purchased at the Morris Box Office or over the phone at (574) 235-9190 or
(800) 537-6415. The Morris Box Office is open regular business hours Monday - Friday 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and Saturday 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Tickets can be purchased online 24 hours a day at www.MorrisCenter.org. Tickets can also be purchased at Morris Ticket Outlets: Hammes Bookstore & Café located in Eddy Street Commons, South Bend; O'Brien Recreation Center, 321 East Walter Street, South Bend; and Super Sounds Catalog Center located within TG Music, 123 South Main Street, Goshen.

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