Premieres in Carmel: Carmel’s Center for the Performing Arts Unveils $2 Million Palladiscope Light Show, Aiming to Revolutionize Public Entertainment and Boost Tourism. The innovative light show, funded by Hamilton County Tourism and the city’s redevelopment areas, is set to become a nightly attraction on the Palladium building’s exterior.
The $2 million Palladiscope Light Show at the Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel has changed how people have fun. The unique 12-minute movie experience began Thursday night outside the Palladium building.
People saw the Palladiscope Light Show for the first time. Henry Mestetsky, Carmel’s Redevelopment Director, calls it “nothing like this anywhere.” The event used 12 projectors on top of the Tarkington building, a 3D scan of the Palladium, and Bloomington’s Blockhouse Studios’ software. The first film, “Eos: The New Dawn,” is about Eos, Selene, and Helios.
The light show is not just an artistic endeavor but also a strategic move to boost tourism and provide free public amenities. “Mayor Jim Brainard has always believed in providing free, open-to-the-public, inclusive amenities, and that’s really what this is,” said Mestetsky. Hamilton County Tourism has invested $100,000 to cover the cost of the film, signaling its potential as a tourist attraction.
The Palladiscope Light Show is planned to be a recurring event, with themed shows rotating throughout the year. The shows will be projected onto the Palladium’s limestone façade nightly. “It’s one of those stumble-upon activities that we all enjoy when we travel,” said Hamilton County Tourism Director Brenda Myers. “You’ve had dinner, you’ve had a drink, and you’re walking around. It’s a beautiful location. You get to find this amazing experience.”
While Hamilton County Tourism contributed $100,000, the remainder of the funding came from the city’s redevelopment areas. “Those are commercial investments that happen in our walkable cores,” Mestetsky clarified. “None of this money comes from individual homeowners or residential taxpayers.”The show has already garnered attention beyond Carmel. “I’ve heard other people in other states that know about this,” said Carmel resident Susan Ammons. Local resident Ronise Abitante added, “It’s beautiful, and I think we need more of this kind of thing to bring everybody together.”
The current show, “Eos: The First Dawn,” will run through November 14. The city has plans to adjust showtimes as the season changes. “I think the cost of future shows will depend,” said Mestetsky. “I know for this one, we put in a lot of hard work, so it’s really going to be special.” No detail was overlooked in the premiere, right down to Sun King beer cans specially designed for the event. “Really, it’s a celebration of Blockhouse Studios, the company that put this together for us,” Mestetsky said. “They’re incredible artists, and I’m really excited for people to see their work.”
The Palladiscope Light Show is a tourism and entertainment strategy. The show’s cutting-edge technology and art will revolutionize how cities view public areas and services. The concert runs nightly, giving residents and tourists a unique, free experience that could become a Carmel cultural fixture.
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