Report: Roseland Ballroom Closing in April

Looks like it’s curtains for the Roseland Ballroom. The historic New York City venue, which has been operating in its current location since 1958, will be closing its doors in April 2014, Billboard reports, based on an internal e-mail obtained by the publication. 

The Roseland Ballroom opened in its first New York location at 51st Street and Broadway back in 1919, after moving from Philadelphia. Its current home, at 52nd Street, had been a skating rink before Roseland moved in. Starting out as a hall for ballroom dancing and society orchestra groups, the venue eventually shifted its focus  through various eras of popular music, from hot jazz through disco, grunge and EDM. Currently owned by developer Larry Ginsberg, who funded a $1 million renovation of the venue’s production and rigging in the early 90s, the 3,200-capacity venue has come to attract a mix of up-and-coming bands and established stars, including the Rolling Stones, Beyoncé, Bob Dylan and Radiohead. The Roseland was also the setting last April for Vampire Weekend’s homecoming concert webcast, directed by Steve Buscemi for the American Express Unstaged series.

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No official announcement regarding the closure has been made, and the reason for closing is unclear, but the Roseland continues to boast a lively schedule. Danzig celebrated their 25th anniversary at the venue last night, and the calendar shows big dates through early February, including Fitz and the Tamtrums, Simple Minds, Chris Brown and Panic at the Disco.