SHOW ME CENTER ON COURSE

The Show Me Center has had a run of bad luck. Within one week, center management was forced to cancel two major concerts -- Kenny G and the Pointer Sisters -- due to lack of ticket sales. Understandably, the Show Me Center staff is frustrated. They also are worried about long-term implications.

These cancellations are unfortunate, but they are a natural risk in the concert business. Things happen. The fact that there were two cancellation in a short period of time can be chalked up to just an unfortunate coincidence.

These cancellations reflect a bump in Show Me Center operations, certainly not a downhill trend. This joint venture by the city/university continues to afford wonderful entertainment opportunities for Southeast Missouri.

These cancellations provided some costly lessons at the Show Me Center. The lost concerts could cost the center $25,000 -- money that will take a chunk from its contingency fund. Kenny G was well known, but people had a hard time accepting $25.50 to $45.50 ticket prices. Both concerts were also scheduled on a week night.

But ticket prices and scheduling alone can't be blamed for the cancellations. The community also bears some of the responsibility. Talking up events isn't good enough. Support must come in ticket purchases.

The Show Me Center receives many requests for events other than country music. But country sells, and other concerts haven't done as well. Country singer Alan Jackson sold 3,500 tickets on the first day of ticket sales. About 5,000 tickets have been sold for the Sunday concert. Two country concerts last fall enjoyed similar crowds.

No doubt these cancellations will make the Show Me Center staff more conservative in the future. It shouldn't prevent promoters from taking a chance on Cape Girardeau.

No doubt the Show Me Center staff also feels pressure about living up to expectations -- the old "what have you done for me lately" attitude. But the fact is the center has an extraordinary track record. The arena welcomed its 2 millionth customer last spring -- far ahead of expectations. The Show Me Center was host to 46 events in 1993, 55 in 1992, 48 in 1991, 42 in 1990, and 46 in 1989. About one-third of these activities were main arena events.

In addition to the Alan Jackson concert Sunday, the Show Me Center has scheduled a 1960s show with Wolfman Jack Oct. 23, then Southern comedian Jeff Foxworthy on Nov. 4. Foxworthy pokes fun at his southern heritage and is well known for his you-might-just-be-a-redneck routine. Tickets for all three events are on sale now.

The Show Me Center staff has served the university and city well, bringing top-notch entertainment to town. David Ross, director of the center, was recently elected chairman of a national committee that oversees event coordination on college campuses.

With luck, ticket sales for the coming events will allow center management to put these cancellations behind them. Decisions about price, product and promotion have to be in sync for a successful Show Me Center event. But the bottom line is the number of tickets sold. And that is a responsibility everyone shares.