More acts booked for River Campus

Though a schedule won't be released until April, River Campus managers got a peek Friday at next year's slated performances. Battleworks Dance Company, the Russian National Ballet, tap dancer Savion Glover and Cirque Eloize, performing the acrobatic show "Nebbia," are booked to take the stage.

Under negotiation are the musicals "Footloose," "Stomp," "Chicago" and "The Putnam County Spelling Bee." Bob Cerchio, assistant director of the School of Visual and Performing Arts, would like to see the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra return as well.

Since October, the campus has hosted more than 50 events, and there are 20 more planned before the end of the academic year. Despite the ice storm this week that left many people without power, "Ring of Fire" was performed Wednesday with about a 50 percent attendance rate.

"We have sold out just about everything," Cerchio said. "'The Producers' sold out with late notice, and we spent less than $400 on publicity."

As the novelty of the performance hall wears off, Cerchio acknowledges the campus will have to work harder for the same effect. "Next year we'll have to actually learn how to do publicity to sell shows," he said.

Scheduling procedures were discussed at the River Campus Board of Managers meeting Friday, and the issue of catering for events drew contention.

Members Jerry Ford and Dennis Vollink disagreed with a clause in the procedures that said "all food and beverages served at River Campus facilities must be secured through Chartwells' catering services." They said community members who sponsor events at the facilities, such as family reunions, should have their choice of vendors.

"The city made a $10 million investment here. To shut the community out is inappropriate. ... I'm not ready to approve a monopoly," Ford said.

Dr. Dennis Holt, vice president for administration and enrollment management at Southeast Missouri State University, said the university's contract with Chartwells is connected to buildings, not university events. He agreed to remove the clause until the university could discuss its contract with Chartwells.

Another issue that drew discussion was the cost to rent Bedell Performance Hall. Cerchio suggested $2,500, excluding staff fees and certain equipment fees, saying the facilities are state of the art. Other members, including Ford, said the cost was too high and could exclude community members' events. Cerchio said he is willing to negotiate charges with clients.

lbavolek@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 123