Here we are now – entertain us! Whatever kind of music you groove to, Fort Wayne is likely to be putting on a show you’ll love somewhere across its diverse collection of local venues.
The city’s newest offering, the contemporary Pearl Street Arts Center has completely reimagined a former production baking facility as a one-stop shop for all sorts of musical programming, from performances in an acoustically customizable 400-seat auditorium to kids’ music lessons in practice rooms named for famous performers.
Just a few blocks away, Auer Performance Hall (part of the Auer Center for the Arts and Culture) hosts an impressive ongoing lineup of orchestral and classical concert events by Purdue Fort Wayne faculty and students as well as the hometown Fort Wayne Philharmonic.
Top-tier bands of all genres (as well as major sports events, expos, car shows, markets and the big annual Vera Bradley Outlet Sale) add stops at the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum to their touring schedules. With nearly 13,000 seats, luxury suites, accessible facilities and expansive event space, this is the biggest venue in northern Indiana.
Downtown, the historic Embassy Theatre rolls out a classy welcome for big traveling Broadway shows, comedians, popular music groups and band performances. The vaudeville-era showplace originally opened back in 1928, and showcases an extravagant pipe organ that’s still in operation.
Part of the Sweetwater family, the Clyde Theater shines a spotlight on regional and national artists, tribute bands and other fun events. Grab a pre-show dinner in the attached Club Room, where you’ll probably find even more live music going on. In the summer, the Sweetwater Performance Pavilion and the Sweetwater Band Shell in Promenade Park accommodate even more performers in outdoor settings.
For more info on Fort Wayne’s many musical offerings, check out visitfortwayne.com.
