Chaifetz Arena's versatility key to success
Midtown location ensures diverse crowds
Performers at the new Chaifetz Arena do not have to be Pope-approved.
That was certainly a relief for the thousands of Fanilows who attended the Midtown venue’s first concert on the campus at Saint Louis University. “They got Super Jew?” Barry Manilow said when he learned he was going to be the first Chaifetz headliner.
The event on April 25, seemed to go off without a hitch. Decatur, Illinois’ Brian Culbertson kicked the evening off with some funky jazz and an Earth, Wind and Fire tribute before the man who writes the songs took the stage in a glittering electric blue and black suit, running through much of his repertoire.
There were no delays, sound issues or, thank goodness, wardrobe malfunctions.
Chaifetz was open for business.
“It’s been the vision of university leaders for some time,” Chaifetz’ general manger Darius Dunn said, adding the arena bookends the second of two huge undertakings for the school, the other being a new medical building. “They thought it would be nice to bring the commencement (ceremony) back to the campus and also bring men’s basketball back to the campus.”
Chaifetz is set to hold 90-100 events per year, about half university functions such as basketball, volleyball, student functions and ceremonies and the other half entertainment events open to the public.
Dunn said Global Spectrum, the firm SLU hired to book events and operate the arena, was not given a mandate as to what type of events it could schedule at the arena, even though the university is Catholic.
“We always keep in mind the big picture, which is the image of the university,” he said. “We’re here to do as many events as can be successful and appeal to as much of the cross-section of the community. Is that country? Yes. Is that hip-hop? Yes. Is that alternative? Yes. Is that family? Yes.”
The next big scheduled entertainment event is a Stevie Nicks concert on June 13, though Dunn encouraged people to check out the arena’s Web site at thechaifetzarena.com as more events into the summer and fall are planned, but not announced yet. Chaifetz is located on the northwest corner of Compton Ave, Forest Park Parkway and Market St. The address is No. 1 S. Compton Ave.
When asked who Chaifetz’s competition is in the St. Louis market, Dunn might be expected to mention venues like the Family Arena and Scottrade Center, but he said “for us the entertainment dollar crosses into The Fox, movie theaters, all of that. What we need to do is offer an experience that makes patrons want to come back to this venue.”
The Family Arena seats around the same as Chaifetz, between 10,000 and 11,000 people, while Scottrade seats closer to 20,000, but has closed off half its arena for some concerts, making it similar in seating to the other two.
Dunn touted Chaifetz’ location in Midtown, SLU’s ample parking, and the venue’s newness to help attract acts that may not have played St. Louis before as well as touring acts looking for a mid-size arena setting.
An added benefit for the university, he said, is the availability for non-traditional part-time campus jobs for SLU students. At the Manilow concert, they could be seen working the concession stands and hawking programs with Barry’s smiling mug on the cover.
Dunn said having a job within walking distance to campus and having flexible before or after class (in addition to weekend hours) is a draw for students. Plus, students can get some hands-on, real-world experience that they have perhaps previously only heard about in the classroom.
“We’re always in one of three modes: getting ready for an event, in the middle of an event or cleaning up after an event,” he said. “The entertainment industry brings with it a lot of glamour, but certainly there’s a lot of behind-the-scenes work that goes on.”
