Columbia Township Auditorium facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Columbia Township Auditorium
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 Location in South Carolina
Location in the United States
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| Location | 1703 Taylor St. Columbia, South Carolina |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1930 |
| Architect | Lafaye and Lafaye; John C. Heslep |
| Architectural style | Georgian Revival |
| MPS | Segregation in Columbia, South Carolina MPS |
| NRHP reference No. | 05001104 |
| Added to NRHP | September 28, 2005 |
The Columbia Township Auditorium, also called the Township Auditorium, is a famous building in Columbia, South Carolina. It was built in 1930. This three-story brick building has a grand entrance with columns, designed in the Georgian Revival style.
The auditorium was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2005. In 2009, it was completely updated and modernized. This renovation won national awards for how well it preserved the building's history while making it new. The auditorium can hold about 3,072 people for concerts and up to 3,383 people when the floor is used for standing.
Contents
A Stage for Stars
Since it opened, the Township Auditorium has been a popular place for many famous performers. It has hosted a huge variety of artists from different music styles.
Early Years: Music Legends
In its early days, the auditorium was a major stop for touring acts in the southeastern United States. Many legendary musicians performed here:
- Duke Ellington
- The Ink Spots (in 1940)
- Louis Armstrong (in 1940 and 1944)
- Count Basie & His Orchestra (in 1947)
- Elvis Presley (in 1956)
- Bill Haley & His Comets with Bo Diddley (in 1956)
- Ray Charles (in 1960)
- The Isley Brothers (in 1960)
- Johnny Cash (in 1963)
- Peter, Paul and Mary (in 1963)
- James Brown (in 1965)
- Otis Redding with Gladys Knight (in 1965)
- The Beach Boys (in 1965)
- Swingin' Medallions (in 1966)
- Paul Revere & The Raiders (in 1967)
- Joan Baez (in 1968)
- Loretta Lynn
Rock, Pop, and More
The auditorium continued to host big names through the 1970s and 1980s. It was also important for the growth of professional wrestling in the US.
- Pink Floyd (in 1972)
- Bruce Springsteen (in 1978)
- The Jacksons (in 1979)
- Blue Öyster Cult (in 1979)
- The Clash (in 1984)
- R.E.M. (in 1986)
- Beastie Boys (in 1987)
- Red Hot Chili Peppers (in 1989)
- Blues Traveler (in 1992 and 1997)
- The Smashing Pumpkins (three times: 1994, 2000, and 2007)
- Phish (in 1994)
- Toad the Wet Sprocket (in 1995)
- Dave Matthews (in 1997 and 1999)
- Live (in 1999)
Modern Era: After Renovation
After its big renovation in 2009, the Township Auditorium has hosted even more major shows.
- Tony Bennett performed at its reopening in 2010.
- Jason Isbell
- Cake (in 2012)
- Rise Against with A Day to Remember (in 2012)
- John Legend
- K-Ci & JoJo and Anthony Hamilton
- Mary J. Blige
- Bob Dylan
- ZZ Top
- Pretty Lights
- Stone Temple Pilots (in 2013)
- Band of Horses (in 2013)
- Willie Nelson
- Merle Haggard
- Jack White (in 2014)
- Queens of the Stone Age (in 2014)
- Skrillex (in 2014)
- Amos Lee
- Alison Krauss
- Daughtry
- The Avett Brothers (in 2015)
- Rob Thomas (in 2015)
- John Mellencamp (in 2015)
- Ryan Adams (in 2009 and 2017)
- Modest Mouse (in 2018)
- Needtobreathe (in 2019)
- Chicago (in 2019)
- Diana Ross (in 2020)
Rap and Comedy Stars
The auditorium has also welcomed many famous rappers and comedians:
- A rap concert with Ja Rule, DMX, and Juvenile
- Future
- Migos (in 2017)
- Common (in 2019)
- Comedians like Dave Chappelle (in 2004 and 2020)
- Jerry Seinfeld (in 2005)
- Gabriel Iglesias (in 2012)
Special Moments
The Township Auditorium holds a special place for many artists. The legendary jam band Widespread Panic chose the Township Auditorium as one of their favorite places to play for their 25th Anniversary Celebration. They performed there in 2013, 2015, and 2016.
The "King of blues music," B.B. King, played one of his final shows at the building before he passed away in 2015. Famous author Pat Conroy also spoke at the Township two years before he died in 2016.
Ownership and Management
The Township Auditorium is owned and run by Richland County. Currently, Aundrai Holloman is the Executive Director, and Andrew Horne is the Assistant Executive Director.
