Happy 100th to the St. Petersburg Coliseum

So many of St. Petersburg’s iconic hotels went up in the mid 1920s, when the Florida land boom was in full stride, and the city was positioning itself as a winter playground for northerners eager to leave the snow and ice back home for a few months.

At the same time, local government, and those residents who had money and influence, were building up downtown, including the waterfront park system, Williams Park and other venues for relaxation and entertainment.

A group of investors opened the St. Petersburg Coliseum Nov. 20, 1924. It was purchased by the City of St. Petersburg 65 years later.

To celebrate the 100^th anniversary of the 30,000-square-foot “palace of pleasure” (as it was called in those early days), the City and Coliseum management are throwing a party – well, two parties – and admission to both is free.

Since so much of the Coliseum’s rich history is as a dance hall – as many as 1,500 people tripped the light fantastic on that polished-wood floor on strobe-lit Saturday nights – the anniversary events revolve around dancing.

Sunday (Nov. 17) from 1 to 8 p.m.: A Century of Elegance, Dance, and Memories. Along with history talks, there’ll be:

1-1:45 p.m. Swing Time! Dance Lessons

2-3:15 p.m. Music by the Les Elgart Big Band

4-5:15 p.m. Music by the Dwayne White Quartet

6-7:15 p.m. The Impacs (rock ‘n’ roll, 1962-style)

Bring your own drinks or beverages.

Tuesday (Nov. 19) at 7 p.m.: Blue Jeans Concert

Symphonic pops music from the Florida Orchestra, conducted by Chelsea Gallo, including Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture, John Williams’ Star Wars, Bernstein’s West Side Story, Rossini’s William Tell Overture and more. Come as you are – it’s informal; it’s also free, but pre-registration is required at this link. Cash bar; no outside food or beverage.

READ MORE: Vintage St. Pete: The Coliseum

The St. Petersburg Coliseum, 535 4th Avenue N., opened Nov. 20, 1924. Photo by Bill DeYoung.