The City of Roanoke Rapids and its new tenants at the freshly named Royal Palace Theatre on I-95 are offering a free concert this Friday night with three high-energy rock bands on the ticket.
Doors to the 1,500 seat auditorium will open at 7 p.m. with general admission seating, however the theatre is open 24 hours a day for food, drinks and more than 200 Vegas-style Internet sweepstakes machines in the lobby.
The band lineup will start with Devyce at 8 p.m., Modified at 9 p.m. and The Cove taking the stage at 10.
“The free concert is not-only a community service, but also a test-run for our event staff as we prepare for our fall season to start next week,” said Royal Palace Theatre Manager Kaine Riggan. “We thought a bunch of rock and roll fans would certainly get us in shape for what next week might bring.”
Riggan is referring to country superstars Chris Young and Lorrie Morgan who each have concerts at the venue on October 11 and 12 respectively.
The city of Roanoke Rapids hopes that the latest incarnation at the state of the art facility, built in 2006 will help to alleviate the remaining debt that was left to the taxpayers after a failed inaugural business plan at the space in 2007.
“The potential for this piece of real estate to bring added tourism dollars to Halifax County is incredible,” shares Roanoke Rapids Mayor Emery Doughtie. “I think the plans the new tenants have is the best plan we’ve had to date to make that happen and get the financial burden of the venue off of the city.”
City officials voted in August to a two year lease-purchase deal with HSV Entertainment, an Arkansas-based team of businessmen who have coupled the popular internet sweepstakes phenomena with high-profile concerts, theatre and comedy offerings.
Other shows scheduled for this season include comedian Bruce Bruce, Percy Sledge, Clarence Carter, The Oak Ridge Boys, and even a Waffle House Christmas Musical starring TV Icon Joyce DeWitt.
More information about the theatre may be obtained online at www.RoyalPalaceTheatre.com or by calling the theatre 24 hours a day at 252-536-5577.
