The thrill is back: B.B. King to give inaugural concert in newly renovated Ruby Diamond Auditorium

It’s been more than two years in the making, but The Florida State University is getting ready to let the good times roll once again. The university’s premier performance hall for musical performances is reopening this fall after receiving an extensive $35 million renovation that vastly improved its acoustics while adding an orchestra pit, new seats for the audience, a larger lobby and ticket area, and much more.

Making the reopening even more special is the first scheduled performer: blues legend B.B. King, who has been entertaining audiences with his beloved guitar, Lucille, for more than six decades. The show also will serve as a preview performance for the 2011 season of Seven Days of Opening Nights, the university’s wildly popular annual festival for the performing arts.

The concert will take place:

SATURDAY, OCT. 2

8 P.M.

RUBY DIAMOND AUDITORIUM, INSIDE THE WESTCOTT BUILDING
ON THE FSU CAMPUS

200 S. COPELAND ST.

TALLAHASSEE, FLA.

“After more than two years, the anticipation for the new Ruby Diamond is off the charts,” said Seven Days director Steve MacQueen. “The whole community is excited about it. And I can’t think of a better opening act than one of the world’s most beloved musicians, the great B.B. King.”

Tickets will go on sale to Seven Days members on Tuesday, July 20, and to the general public on Tuesday, July 27. Ticket prices are $100, $70 and $50 (and $35 for FSU students with a student ID); they are only available online at http://tickets.fsu.edu.