The Venue at UCF

Coordinates: 28°36′29″N 81°11′49″W / 28.60809°N 81.19689°W / 28.60809; -81.19689

The Venue at UCF is a sports and entertainment arena located in Orlando, Florida on the main campus of The University of Central Florida. The arena which was opened in 1991, housed the Knights men's and women's basketball teams from 1991 to 2007, and has served as home to UCF's volleyball team since 1991. The Venue also serves as a practice facility for the university's basketball teams, and houses administrative offices for the same.

The Venue is 87,000 square feet (8,100 m²), and boosts 2,500 fixed seats, or up to 3,000 standing-room general admission. The Venue can be configured for concerts, family events, musical theatre, commencements, and other stage shows and sporting events. The Venue is owned by the university, and is managed by Global Spectrum, a subsidiary of Philadelphia-based Comcast Spectacor.

History

In 2007, the arena was replaced by the CFE Arena as the game facility for both the Men's and Women's basketball teams. The last basketball game played in the facility was on March 3, 2007, when the Golden Knights Men's team beat the East Carolina Pirates, 77–64, in Conference USA play. The last Women's game was on March 1, when they lost to the Southern Methodist Mustangs, 79–58. The arena hosted the Atlantic Sun Conference men's basketball tournament three times in 1994, 1995, and 2002.

The Venue

The Venue may refer to any of various places including:

Leicester Square Theatre

The Leicester Square Theatre is since 2008 the name of a 400-seat theatre near Leicester Square, in the City of Westminster, London, previously known as Notre Dame Hall, Cavern in the Town and The Venue. The theatre, which also has a 70-seat basement lounge theatre, hosts stand-up comedy, cabaret, music, plays and comedies.

History

The building originated as the Notre Dame Hall in 1953, replacing an earlier building that had been destroyed by World War II bombing. It was used as a French cultural centre for a time. It became a popular music venue in the 1960s under the name Cavern in the Town, regularly hosting beat music group The Small Faces. It was renamed Notre Dame Hall in the 1970s and presented The Rolling Stones and The Who, but specialised in punk music, hosting such acts as The Sex Pistols. In 1979, The Clash previewed material from London Calling here shortly before recording the album. The hall continues hosting live music acts venue such as Tommy Emmanuel, Macy Gray Larry Carlton Paul Mcartney John Mayall, Cleo Laine, Ruby Turner and Tony Christie. In 2001, it was converted to a theatre and named The Venue.

The Venue (Victoria Street, London)

The Venue was a music club at 160-162 Victoria Street, London, England, owned by Virgin Records. It opened its doors in October 1978 and operated until 1984. The first act to play there was Graham Parker and The Rumour, followed by the last live performances by Alex Harvey before his death. Todd Rundgren played some dates there just before Christmas in 1978, as part of the tour to back up the Back to the Bars album; released for the Christmas market, at the time. Two shows were sometimes played per night, and the ambience was akin to a nightclub, where audience members sat at tables and could have drinks and meals while listening to the acts. It was also popular for use by record companies showcasing new signings to the music media.

Additional info

The sound system was supplied by Eastlake systems, it was their first foray into live sound.

The building first opened as the Metropole cinema on December 27, 1929. After The Venue closed, it was occupied by a Dicky Dirt's discount jeans shop in the mid 1980s and was a branch of the restaurant chain "Ask" prior to its demolition in early 2013 as part of a major redevelopment of the area.