12-06-2005 Fourth annual New Year’s Eve party at the Palais

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Page 1of 2 st "Building a 21 Century City " Stephen J. Luecke, Mayor RELEASE FROM:FOR RELEASE: Morris Performing Arts Center December 6, 2005 THE MORRIS PERFORMING ARTS CENTER TO HOST FOURTH ANNUAL NEW YEAR’S EVE PARTY AT THE PALAIS ROYALE The Morris Performing Arts Center is pleased to host its fourth annual New Year’s Eve party at the Palais Royale on December 31, 2005. This gala event in South Bend’s Premier Banquet Facility has been sold out each year. This year's event features 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 like 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, in the private owner’s effort to find various ways of making a profit, the elaborate 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 12 month restoration at the cost of $ 6.9 million, reopening on New Year’s Eve 2002. Today the Palais has become the premier banquet facility in South Bend hosting a variety of celebrations from that of weddings to corporate and private functions. In order to maintain the historic integrity of the Palais, the Morris Center Endowment Fund must be created for use in future restoration maintenance needs of the ballroom. Proceeds from the 2005 New Year’s Gala will help build that fund. Keep the Palais shining- purchase a donor level ticket. Sponsoring this years New Year’s Eve Extravaganza is Fifth Third Bank and the South Bend Tribune. The Palais Royale is sure to be the hottest spot on New Year's Eve…..do you have your reservations yet? Better hurry and call, 574-235-5584. CONTACT: Sara Ermeti Assistant Executive Director Morris Performing Arts Center 574-235-9160 http://www.ci.south-bend.in.us/Press/Releases_2005/120605_Morris.htm1/13/2006