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Big Conversations, Little BarAuthor: Mutual Broadcasting System LLC
Hosted by Patrick Evans and Randy Florence, get up close and personal with fascinating people who live in and visit the Coachella Valley and have made an impact on the region's economy, culture and global appeal as a leading tourism destination. The series is now in its sixth season and has just launched its third year of production as it reaches the 100th episode mark in the first quarter of 2025! Many thanks to our outstanding listeners from throughout the Golden State, North America and around the world. And, a very special note of gratitude to our friends Skip Paige and Kate Spates for hosting us at Little Bar in Palm Desert, CA, and to the fine staff at the McCallum Theatre, without whose segment sponsorship this program would not be made possible to bring you every single week. Please support these enterprises as doing so helps support our ability to deliver hours of entertainment each month to our loyal followers. Language: en Genres: Music, Music Interviews, Society & Culture Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it |
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J.R. Roberts | How A Shuttered Landmark Became Palm Springs’ Thriving Community Stage
Episode 2
Monday, 12 January, 2026
From the coveted corner booth at Skip Paige’s Little Bar in Palm Desert, Big Conversations, Little Bar with Patrick Evans & Randy Florence turns to one of Palm Springs’ biggest preservation wins: reopening the Plaza Theatre as a public venue. Architect, preservationist, and former city council member J.R. Roberts recounts how a shuttered landmark nearly became a gutted nightclub, then survived COVID uncertainty and post-pandemic construction inflation. He explains how a pivotal $5 million gift—and a promise that he’d “stay to the end”—reignited the effort, why contractor bids ballooned, and how the city’s support helped bridge the gap. The hosts also dig into civic life, small-town politics, and why volunteering locally can change outcomes fast. Finally, Roberts shares how Oak View Group stepped in for programming and management, setting up the theatre for a steady stream of major acts, community events, and economic impact across the Coachella Valley. Along the way, expect laughs, stories, and a candid look at what it takes to save a landmark.Takeaways:The Plaza Theatre’s comeback began when a proposed nightclub “gut job” raised preservation alarms.A small early fundraising push stalled during COVID—then the project rebounded dramatically afterward.A transformative $5 million commitment came with one condition: finish the mission, no matter what.Post-COVID construction costs and competitive bids drove the restoration budget far higher than expected.City support helped bridge the financing gap, with payback tied to cash plus economic/tax impacts.Oak View Group became a key partner, bringing resources, marketing reach, and operating expertise.Roberts’ path from Sausalito to Palm Springs highlights how local politics can shape a city’s character.The episode underscores a simple civic lesson: you can make a difference by showing up locally.#BigConversationsLittleBarPodcast #PatrickEvans #RandyFlorence #SkipsLittleBar #MutualBroadcastingSystem #CoachellaValleyResidents #SkipPaige #McCallumTheatre #SharonLawrence #JRRoberts #PlazaTheatre #PalmSprings #PalmSpringsPlazaTheatre #ArchitecturalPreservation #HistoricPreservation #ArchitecturalRestoration #OakViewGroup #AcrisureArena #HaroldMatzner #DavidLee
