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By Jessica Graves                                                                                                                                                   0125034_LOBI JanFeb25  - 1/24/2025 - 7:09:08 AM - FB 4 - Front - Black  0125034_LOBI JanFeb25  - 1/24/2025 - 7:09:08 AM - FB 4 - Front - Yellow  0125034_LOBI JanFeb25  - 1/24/2025 - 7:09:08 AM - FB 4 - Front - Magenta  0125034_LOBI JanFeb25  - 1/24/2025 - 7:09:08
                                       an encore





                       worth waiting for









                      WAR MEMORIAL AUDITORIUM TURNS 75




             In Fort Lauderdale, where the skyline shifts as quickly   “This project was about more than restoring a building,”
             as the tide, few landmarks endure the test of time. Yet,   Caldwell explained. “It was about preserving a legacy.
             for 75 years, the War Memorial Auditorium has stood   The War Memorial Auditorium is a monument to the
             firm, a witness to the city’s growth and evolution.   sacrifices made by so many for our freedoms, and we
             Nestled in Holiday Park, she has seen Fort Lauderdale   felt a deep responsibility to honor that history while
             transform from a quiet town into a bustling cultural   also creating something vibrant and meaningful for
             hub. And now, after a $65 million restoration led by the   the community today.”
             Florida Panthers, the old girl is ready for her next act.
                                                               While she’s been outfitted with cutting-edge amenities,
             When the War Memorial Auditorium opened in 1950,   the War Memorial Auditorium remains deeply rooted
             Fort Lauderdale was a sleepy town of 36,000 residents.   in her original mission. Her memorials—including the
             Against the backdrop of post-war America—where    bronze soldier statue and the U.S. Merchant Marine
             Walt Disney’s Cinderella charmed audiences and the   monument—have been carefully restored, ensuring
             first modern credit card hinted at new possibilities—  that her role as a tribute to veterans remains at her core.
             the War Memorial Auditorium rose in Holiday Park as
             a tribute to Broward County’s military veterans.    The project, executed in four phases, began with
                                                               transforming the hockey operations space for the
             From its inception, the auditorium was alive with   Panthers. Then came the public opening of the Baptist
             activity and energy, hosting performances by legends   Health IcePlex, featuring two NHL regulation-sized
             like Buddy Holly and Luciano Pavarotti, boxing matches   rinks—one for the Panthers and one for community
             with Sugar Ray Robinson, and even Christmas pageants   use. The Federal, a full-service restaurant and bar with
             complete with camels wandering nearby Holiday Park.   a patio overlooking Holiday Park opened next. Finally,
             Over the decades, it welcomed beauty pageants (of   the historic concert hall restored in partnership with
             the human and canine variety) and political rallies for   Live Nation as a 3,400-capacity venue, will be ready
             presidents like Nixon and Reagan.                 for a new era of entertainment.

             But like any long-serving city servant, time began   On January 21, 2025, Grammy-winning artist Melissa
             to take its toll. By the early 2000s, the auditorium’s   Etheridge will welcome audiences back to the
             paint was peeling and her roof sagging as its facilities   Auditorium with the first public concert in over two
             struggled to keep pace with modern demands.       decades. Her performance will kick off an exciting
                                                               lineup that includes acts like Wallows on February 24
             Enter the Florida Panthers. In 2023, under the    and The Driver Era on March 7. Plans to feature artists
             leadership of Army veteran and owner Vincent J. Viola   spanning genres from EDM, Latin, and Rock to Pop
             and team president Matt Caldwell, a decorated officer   and Country aim to appeal to the diverse musical
             from Operation Iraqi Freedom, the Panthers unveiled   tastes of all South Floridians.
             an ambitious restoration plan.
                                                                 For more information visit: ftlwarmemorial.com
                                                                 Tickets are available through SeatGeek.com or at
                                                                          the auditorium’s box office.
         48  25  JANUAR Y/FEBRUAR Y  LAS OLAS BOULEV ARD & ISLES 2025 M  K EY   25  C  K  M1  50  50  Y  M  K EY   24  C  K  M1  P  C+Y  Y  M  K EY   23  C  K  M1  C+M  M+Y  Y  M  K EY   22  C  K  M1  75  75  Y  M  K EY   21  C  K  M1  75  75  Y  M  K EY   20  C  K  M1  25  25  Y  M  K EY   19  C  K  M1  25  25  Y  M  K EY   18  C  K  M1  50  50  Y  M  K EY   17  C  K  M1  50  50  Y  M  K EY   16  C  K  M1  P  C+Y  Y  M  K EY   15  C  K  M1  C+M  M+Y  Y  M  K EY   14  C  K  M




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