CAPA Announces Centennial Ray Charles Tribute Concert at Palace Theatre
The one-night-only November performance marks the 100th anniversary of the downtown Columbus venue.
The Columbus Association for the Performing Arts announced Tuesday that it will stage a one-night-only centennial tribute concert, "Palace 100: The Genius of Ray Charles," on Nov. 14 at the Palace Theatre in downtown Columbus.
According to CAPA's announcement, the 7:30 p.m. performance celebrates the 100th anniversary of the venue, which opened as a vaudeville house on Nov. 8, 1926, and hosted Charles' final Palace concert on June 6, 1992. CAPA's website notes that the theater was Columbus' most active live performance venue for decades following its vaudeville debut. Former Charles drummer Gregg Field will produce the concert, with longtime television bandleader Paul Shaffer serving as host.
The announced lineup features vocalists Aloe Blacc, Patti Austin, Lisa Fischer, Blessing Offor, Monica Mancini, and Columbus native Billy Valentine, alongside jazz trumpeter Etienne Charles and country artist Jackson Dean. Valentine co-wrote the title track of Charles' 1993 album "My World." The guest artists will perform alongside musicians from the Columbus Symphony Orchestra, Columbus Jazz, and The Ohio State University School of Music, conducted by Chris Walden.
CAPA did not state in its announcement whether additional guest performers will be announced before show night.
Tickets start at $62.50 and are available through the CAPA Ticket Center at the Ohio Theatre, online at capa.com, or by calling 614-469-0939.
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The Columbus Association for the Performing Arts announced Tuesday that it will stage a one-night-only centennial tribute concert, "Palace 100: The Genius of Ray Charles," on Nov. 14 at the Palace Theatre in downtown Columbus.
According to CAPA's announcement, the 7:30 p.m. performance celebrates the 100th anniversary of the venue, which opened as a vaudeville house on Nov. 8, 1926, and hosted Charles' final Palace concert on June 6, 1992. CAPA's website notes that the theater was Columbus' most active live performance venue for decades following its vaudeville debut. Former Charles drummer Gregg Field will produce the concert, with longtime television bandleader Paul Shaffer serving as host.
The announced lineup features vocalists Aloe Blacc, Patti Austin, Lisa Fischer, Blessing Offor, Monica Mancini, and Columbus native Billy Valentine, alongside jazz trumpeter Etienne Charles and country artist Jackson Dean. Valentine co-wrote the title track of Charles' 1993 album "My World." The guest artists will perform alongside musicians from the Columbus Symphony Orchestra, Columbus Jazz, and The Ohio State University School of Music, conducted by Chris Walden.
CAPA did not state in its announcement whether additional guest performers will be announced before show night.
Tickets start at $62.50 and are available through the CAPA Ticket Center at the Ohio Theatre, online at capa.com, or by calling 614-469-0939.
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Palace Theatre brings Ray Charles' music back to its stage for one-night-only centennial concert
Supporting evidence (8)
The Columbus Association for the Performing Arts announced Tuesday that it will stage a one-night-only centennial tribute concert, "Palace 100: The Genius of Ray Charles," on Nov. 14 at the Palace Theatre in downtown Columbus.
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CAPA today announced that country artist Jackson Dean and jazz trumpeter Etienne Charles will join host Paul Shaffer and an all-star cast for Palace 100: The Genius of Ray Charles at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 14, 2026, at the Palace Theatre in downtown Columbus.
According to CAPA's announcement, the 7:30 p.m. performance celebrates the 100th anniversary of the venue, which opened as a vaudeville house on Nov. 8, 1926, and hosted Charles' final Palace concert on June 6, 1992.
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Billed as "A Theatre of a Thousand Wonders," the Palace Theatre opened Nov. 8, 1926, as a vaudeville house.
According to CAPA's announcement, the 7:30 p.m. performance celebrates the 100th anniversary of the venue, which opened as a vaudeville house on Nov. 8, 1926, and hosted Charles' final Palace concert on June 6, 1992.
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Charles performed at the Palace Theatre throughout his career, most recently on June 6, 1992.
Former Charles drummer Gregg Field will produce the concert, with longtime television bandleader Paul Shaffer serving as host.
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Paul Shaffer, David Letterman's longtime musical director and bandleader, will host the evening. Shaffer performed with Charles on programs including Saturday Night Live and Late Night with David Letterman. The concert will be produced by Grammy and Emmy recipient, music producer, and former drummer for Ray Charles, Gregg Field.
The announced lineup features vocalists Aloe Blacc, Patti Austin, Lisa Fischer, Blessing Offor, Monica Mancini, and Columbus native Billy Valentine, alongside jazz trumpeter Etienne Charles and country artist Jackson Dean.
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Dean and Charles join a lineup that includes Grammy Award-winning R&B and jazz vocalist Patti Austin; multiplatinum singer-songwriter Aloe Blacc; Grammy-nominated gospel singer-songwriter Blessing Offor; Grammy and Academy Award-winning singer Lisa Fischer; Grammy-nominated singer Monica Mancini; and Columbus native, singer and songwriter Billy Valentine.
Valentine co-wrote the title track of Charles' 1993 album "My World."
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The concert also marks a homecoming for Columbus native Billy Valentine, a performer and songwriter who co-wrote "My World," the title track of Charles' 1993 album.
The guest artists will perform alongside musicians from the Columbus Symphony Orchestra, Columbus Jazz, and The Ohio State University School of Music, conducted by Chris Walden.
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musicians from the Columbus Symphony Orchestra, Columbus Jazz and The Ohio State University School of Music. Led by Grammy-nominated conductor Chris Walden
Tickets start at $62.50 and are available through the CAPA Ticket Center at the Ohio Theatre, online at capa.com, or by calling 614-469-0939.
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Tickets: Starting at $62.50 at the CAPA Ticket Center at the Ohio Theatre, 39 E. State St.; online at www.capa.com; or by phone at 614-469-0939
https://www.capa.com/100-celebration-palace/
Supporting evidence (1)
CAPA's website notes that the theater was Columbus' most active live performance venue for decades following its vaudeville debut.
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Born as a vaudeville house, the Palace was the most active venue in Columbus for live performances for decades.