By Tracy Sun
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As hype builds for the Center for the Performing Arts opening in January 2011, junior Roohi Ahuja said she hopes the Palladium will not only bring business to Carmel but also new cultural significance.

“I’ve seen the building before,” Ahuja said. “But I didn’t know what it was until about four months ago.”

Many other residents of Carmel are also noticing the architectural and structural changes in the city, specifically the Palladium. The 1,600 seat concert hall plans to attract musical and artistic acts from around the state and country.

Steve Libman, executive director of the Palladium, said he suspects the venue will bring attention to Carmel’s value to the arts.

He said, “The Center is not only an investment in the arts but the city’s quality of life. The long-term economic growth of Carmel is influenced by the work we are doing today. Our opening in January will begin welcoming the world to our city.”

Ahuja said she even considers performing on the stage of the Palladium one day.

“I would be interested in dancing with my group,” she said. “We perform classical Indian dance and could open the audience to more variety.”

According to Libman, this peaked interest in the arts will benefit younger generations as well.

“I believe you are going to see more high school students taking an interest in the arts, both from the standpoint as a patron and a performer. The Palladium will rank among the world’s greatest music venues, rivaling those in Vienna, Amsterdam, Boston and New York City,” he said. “That alone means more exposure to great artists, fostering a life-long love affair with the arts. The educational outreach plans at the Center include regular programs geared especially for high school students.”

However, with the introduction of The Center for Performing Arts came some criticism due to financing the project. But Mayor Jim Brainard said the public ultimately decided what would happen.

“I think the 2003 elections were really about whether we wanted an ice hockey stadium or a concert hall and the public anchored for the city center project and decisively came down in favor of the concert hall,” Brainard said. “And really the only criticism we hear from are the same people who didn’t want it to begin with. There’s just a small minority.”

Regardless, Ahuja said she thinks the structure is a positive addition to the city.

“We have places to perform but not as big or good quality,” she said. “I think the Palladium gives people a chance to show off their talent and could even bring people closer together.