Grand Palace Reopening

The Grand Palace in Branson, Mo., will reopen Aug. 21 with a concert featuring Nelly but it won’t be held outdoors as originally planned.

City officials reportedly denied a special event permit to hold the concert in the venue’s back parking lot because of inadequate parking for the expected crowd as well as noise problems for nearby businesses.

The concert will go on inside the building, which has been closed for renovations. Tickets go on sale July 19.

Although Branson may seem like an odd choice for a Nelly concert, that’s exactly what Grand Palace GM Paul Dunn has in mind.

He told KSPR TV July 4 he plans to bring a variety of acts such as hip hop to the city, which is primarily known for bluegrass, gospel, country and comedy shows.

“It’s important to Branson to get a spark. In the economic situation the world is in right now, people will pay for great entertainment,” Dunn told the television station.

“We are going to modernize our entertainment here. Branson has the best shows, but we are going to bring entertainers that are hot now, everywhere, even worldwide.”