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Ruth Eckerd Hall
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Ruth Eckerd Hall is located in Clearwater, Florida which is part of the Tampa Bay
area. The hall is part of The Richard B. Baumgardner Center for the Performing Arts
and is named for the wife of Jack Eckerd. Jack Eckerd was born on May 16, 1913 and
died May 19, 2004. Eckerd was a native of Tampa, Florida and was the former owner
of the Eckerd drugstore chain. Jack's wife, Ruth was known for her dedication to
the Tampa community and her love of the arts. The world class hall is appropriately
named in her honor.
Ruth Eckerd Hall is the home of the Florida Orchestra and hosts many other great
musical performances each year. From world-class dance companies to full orchestras,
the 2,200 seat hall hosts a menu of more than 140 shows each year. Recording acts
range from Bad Company to Boz Scaggs, Faith Hill to Aretha Franklin, and Tony Bennett
to B.B. King, appealing to a wide range of ages and musical tastes. Other acts to
showcase their talent at Ruth Eckerd hall include the likes of Chris Botti, Johnny
Mathis, The Fray, Bobby McFerrin, Journey, Bill Cosby, Huey Lewis and the News,
Riverdance, many touring dance companies, Liza Minnelli, Harry Connick, Jr., ZZ
Top, Jeff Foxworthy, many folk music festivals, Meat Loaf, Chicago the Musical and
more.
The history of Ruth Eckerd hall dates back to November 1977 when June Baumgardner
Gelbart donated a 38 acre parcel of land to the City of Clearwater in the name of
Kapok Tree Inns Corporation. The memorial gift, given in honor of Richard B. Baumgardner,
Sr., included the stipulation that the land be used for a performing arts center
and that development would begin by early 1980. On December 15, 1979 a ground breaking
ceremony was held and the first official performance took place on October 16, 1983.
The performance was sold out and featured the Suzuki Children of Japan.
This elegant entertainment center combines interesting architecture with crowd-pleasing
acoustics to create an outstanding showcase for all kinds of performances. While
no dress code exists, even casual Floridians occasionally dress up in their finest
for an evening at Ruth Eckerd. The hall's reputation for quality sound and its intimate
setting keeps shows selling out year after year. Instead of rigid rows or boxy balconies,
seats fan out from the main stage, creating a sweeping slope of good viewpoints
with lots of legroom.
A wonderfully diverse schedule of events at Ruth Eckerd Hall pleases all. Performers
give more than 150 shows a year, making the Eckerd a keystone of fine arts in Tampa
Bay. Don't be put off by the austere exterior. While it hints at an impersonal cavern
inside, the reality is anything but. Intimate and welcoming, with flawless acoustics
and clear sightlines, the Eckerd presents magical musical evenings. You won't want
to miss one single show!
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BUY Ruth Eckerd Hall TICKETS
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