Exploring the significance of the Palladium Ballroom in NYC music History
A living exhibit with discussion, images, live music, and dancing
We invite you on a time-traveling journey to an era when Mambo was king of the dancefloor, with stories, images, live music, and dance instruction.
Join us in revisiting this historic time and place in NYC music history.
6:30 Palladium Ballroom history & Panel Discussion
Panel discussion on the impact of the Palladium Ballroom and the history of mambo in the context of New York City with images and audio from the Palladium era.
7:30 Dance Social
Listen and dance to recordings of music from the Mambo era. Free dance instruction, tips, and demonstration will be offered by Franck Muhel, Satomi Montague and guests.
8:15—10pm Live Mambo band – Mitch Frohman & The Bronx Horns
Dance social continues. If this amazing band doesn’t make you want to move you better check your pulse.
The Palladium in New York City was the nexus of the Mambo scene throughout the 50s, and into the 1960s. Located at 1698 Broadway at 53rd Street in Manhattan, this 750 person capacity, 2nd-floor venue was the home of “the big three” – Machito, Tito Puente, and Tito Rodriguez. Famous for its live bands, dancers, and dance competitions, it attracted celebrities from Marlon Brando to Bing Crosby and because of its proximity to Swing Street on 52nd Street, many of jazz greats from Dizzy Gillespie to Duke Ellington would come by and on occasion sit in, opening a musical dialogue and exchange that spurred immeasurable creativity and fusion still felt in Afro-Latin jazz and other forms today.
The Palladium was the first big midtown nightclub that offered exclusively Latino music yet it was known for its diversity and played a major role in expanding the appreciation and understanding of traditional Afro Cuban rhythms in the US and around the world.
MOMENT’s mission is to preserve New York City independent music and diversity through exhibit, performance, and education. Join MOMENT at www.momentnyc.org and email us at [[email protected]]
We are pleased to present this event as part of an ongoing series exploring New York City clubs and the communities they connect. To be notified about future events, please join our mailing list and support our vision of a living museum of music in New York City.