Its 25th anniversary approaching in October, Ruth Eckerd Hall has changed quite a bit over the years, and some critics have complained that the venue doesn’t hold up its end with regard to high-art performances — not enough opera, touring classical soloists, dance, etc. And while those arguments have some merit, the 2,200-seater has become a vital hub of popular entertainment, the place to see top bands and comics in a comfortable setting with impeccable acoustics. Under the programming aegis of Bobby Rossi, REH has staged Steely Dan, Return to Forever, Jeff Beck, Van Morrison and countless other top-tier pop acts. And it’s not just stuff geared toward baby-boomers: Good Charlotte, O.A.R. and other groups make stops at the venue. In a time when arts patronage and government support is shaky, REH has done what’s necessary to remain vital: bring in top-notch entertainment appealing to a variety of tastes, balanced with a modicum of highbrow programming, and try to pack the house as often as possible. Rossi and company have also initiated Ruth Eckerd Hall on the Road, which produces shows at Tampa Theatre (Shelby Lynne), at Tampa Bay Rays games (L.L. Cool J) and elsewhere. 1111 McMullen Booth Road, Clearwater, 727-791-7400, rutheckerdhall.com
This article appears in Sep 10-16, 2008.