News Summary
The historic Uptown Theater in Providence, formerly known as the Columbus Theatre, is set to reopen following an extensive eight-month renovation. Modern upgrades have been made while preserving its rich legacy. The theater’s grand reopening will feature a lineup of performances, starting with a soft opening concert and continuing with various comedy and music shows. In celebration of its 100-year anniversary, the theater is also launching a Golden Pass Giveaway for fans. The Uptown Theater aims to become a hub for diverse entertainment in the community.
Providence – The Uptown Theater, a historic venue formerly known as the Columbus Theatre, is set to reopen after an extensive eight-month renovation project. Situated at 270 Broadway, the theater owners, Cory Brailsford and David Fiorillo, have modernized the nearly 100-year-old structure while preserving its rich legacy. The theater will celebrate its grand reopening with an exciting lineup of performances, highlighting its commitment to showcasing diverse entertainment options for the community.
The renovations to the Uptown Theater have included significant upgrades to enhance the overall experience for visitors. New lobby bars on both floors have been installed, along with a vibrant interior refresh that gives the venue a contemporary touch while respecting its historical roots. The renovations also feature a state-of-the-art roof, modernized electrical and plumbing systems, upgraded restrooms, and advanced air conditioning. A cutting-edge sound booth has been integrated to ensure superior audio quality for performances, while the carefully restored ceiling and new seating throughout the main theater’s first floor reflect the theater’s storied past, with original balcony seats restored to their 1920s glory.
As the final touches of renovations are underway, the theater is also completing exterior work, installing new carpeting and lighting, and finishing a smaller upstairs theater designed for more intimate events. The theater’s inaugural event will be a soft opening concert titled “Soundcheck LIVE,” featuring local bands such as Northeast Traffic, Jetty, and Z Boys, with the date to be announced soon.
In addition to the soft opening, a series of upcoming comedy and music shows are scheduled, beginning with Kevin Nealon on August 14, with tickets currently available for purchase. Upcoming comedy performances will also include Anthony Rodia on October 12 and Dan Soder on October 24, with the latter’s tickets going on sale soon. Music enthusiasts can look forward to concerts from Ace Frehley on September 5 and moe. on September 6, along with a special New Year’s Eve show featuring Deer Tick. Tickets for these shows will also be available soon.
To celebrate its 100-year anniversary in 2026, the Uptown Theater is launching a Golden Pass Giveaway that will award ten fans free admission to all shows throughout the anniversary year. Century Club members will enjoy additional benefits, including ten bonus entries into the Golden Pass Giveaway, entry to two shows of their choice each year, priority access to ticket sales, discounts on merchandise, as well as a 10% discount on bar and concession purchases. Fans can sign up for updates and exclusive presale access on the theater’s website.
The response from the Providence community is expected to be positive, with a variety of acts slated to perform, including both established and up-and-coming talent. The Uptown Theater aims to become a central hub for entertainment, making its rich history relevant in the modern entertainment landscape.
As the theater transitions to its new chapter, it stands as a notable example of how historic venues can be revitalized to cater to contemporary audiences without losing sight of their cultural significance. With a promising lineup of performances ahead, the Uptown Theater is poised to become a beloved destination for entertainment in Providence.
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HERE Resources
Uptown Theater Set to Reopen After Extensive Renovations
Additional Resources
- Valley Breeze
- Wikipedia: Uptown Theater
- WPRI
- Google Search: Uptown Theater
- Warwick Online
- Google Scholar: Columbus Theatre
- GoLocalProv
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Uptown Theater
- Turn to 10
- Google News: Columbus Theatre reopening
Author: STAFF HERE PROVIDENCE WRITER
PROVIDENCE STAFF WRITER The PROVIDENCE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREProvidence.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Providence, Providence County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as WaterFire, Rhode Island International Film Festival, and Rhode Island Comic Con. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce and Providence Warwick Convention & Visitors Bureau, plus leading businesses in finance and manufacturing that power the local economy such as Citizens Financial Group and Textron. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Rhode Island's dynamic landscape.
