Big bands and a Sinatra-like atmosphere will help the Stardust Ballroom cater to a crowd that embraces the nostalgia of the good ole' times.
The ballroom will be Springfield's latest source of live weekend entertainment, set to open in mid-February in the Macleod Plaza off of South Campbell Avenue, said Minority-owner Louie Michael. The club is a partnership between Michael and Ozarks Lunkers football team owner Mark Burgess.
Think big, eight-to-ten piece bands, clients sporting dress-and-tie, room to dance and an environment that Wayne Newton would envy. The Stardust Ballroom will feature a variety of specialty cocktails, snacks and host an eight-piece orchestra every Friday and Saturday night, Michael said.
The 5,500-square-foot live music venue aims to cater to seniors, or the 55-plus crowd, Michael said. There will be a coat-and-jacket casual dress code.
“Our focus is going to be the older generation, for them to have somewhere to dress up to go to, to have some enjoyment and maybe bring back some memories of their past,” Michael said. “I think we'll do that with not only the music, but the ambience here, as well.”
Two-hour flight produces business plan
The spark for the idea of ballroom came back in July 2023, when Michael and Burgess were on a domestic flight from Las Vegas. Within the span of the two-hour flight, the business plan for the Stardust Ballroom was born and by October, the business partners had selected the space off of South Campbell.
“By the time we landed, we had a business plan put together and it was just a matter of finding the right facility in the fight,” Michael said.
A vocalist from Havana, Cuba, Freisa Blanco, will lead the orchestra, Michael said.
“She's a great gal,” Michael said. “Beautiful voice. I think she came to Silver Dollar City for World Fest and fell in love with somebody. And here she is living in the Ozarks.”
Stardust Ballroom aims to have a soft opening the weekend of Feb. 17, said Michael, who will run day-to-day operations. The club will hire an off-duty law enforcement officer as a bouncer and a sound specialist. While no plans are concrete, the owners may open the club up to other special live performances during the week, Michael said.
