Alban Arena Explained

Alban Arena
Logo Image:File:Alban Arena logo.jpg
Former Names:St Albans City Hall
Address:Alban Arena, Civic Centre, St Albans Hertfordshire AL1 3LD
Location:St Albans, United Kingdom
Type:Theatre
Genre:Music, Children's Entertainment,
Opened:June 1968
Architect:Sir Frederick Gibberd
Seating Type:
    Seating Capacity:
      Pushpin Map:United Kingdom Hertfordshire
      Pushpin Map Caption:Alban Arena on the map of Hertfordshire

      Alban Arena (formerly known as St Albans City Hall or Civic Hall) is a theatre and music venue located in St Albans, England.

      History

      The venue was designed by Sir Frederick Gibberd in the modern style, built in red brick and was officially opened in June 1968.[1] [2] It opened with a performance by blues singer John Mayall, and has staged concerts by bands such as The Who in November 1968,[3] Dire Straits in July 1978[4] and Jethro Tull in March 2010.[5]

      Soon after opening the City Hall began hosting regular "Civic Discos", on Mondays for teenagers and on Saturday nights (with occasional live music) for older patrons. The Monday night Disc Jockeys included the London impresario "Rocky Rivers" and Jeff Spencer, later DJs included Graham Kentsley[6] who hosted a series of events celebrating 50 years of the Civic Disco[7] [8] in aid of the New St Albans Museum, which opened in 2018.[9]

      Over the Christmas period of 2004, the pantomime Aladdin was staged at the venue with participation Michelle Bass,[10] the December 2005 show was Peter Pan, featuring Leslie Grantham and Dani Harmer,[11] and in 2009 The Little Mermaid with Sarah-Jane Honeywell.[12]

      In 2007 the St Albans International Organ Festival took place at the arena.[13]

      In December 2021 asbestos was discovered on stage equipment and forced a temporary closure of the venue.[14]

      The venue hosts the annual St Albans Beer & Cider festival, Hertfordshire's biggest beer festival.[15]

      Notes and References

      1. Web site: St Albans Museum and Gallery. 10 July 2018. John McAslan and Partners. 28 December 2020.
      2. Web site: The Alban Arena. St Albans Museum. 22 May 2023.
      3. Book: Anyway, Anyhow, Anywhere: The Complete Chronicle of the WHO 1958–1978. Andrew . Neill. Matthew. Kent . 2009 . 303. Sterling Publishing Company. 978-1402766916.
      4. Web site: Dire Straits tour 1978 . Tours . Mark Knopfler official site . 13 February 2010 . Canada . dead . https://archive.today/20120904145335/http://www.mark-knopfler.info/tour1978.htm . 4 September 2012 .
      5. News: Jethro Tull announce new UK tour and ticket details. 13 January 2010. NME. 10 May 2023.
      6. Web site: From local DJ to Hollywood Film Producer! . Matt Johnson, Dirty Dozen DJ . 27 June 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160305182458/http://share.pho.to/9MoCJ . 5 March 2016 . dead .
      7. Web site: The Ultimate Civic Disco. St Albans Museums and Galleries Trust.
      8. Web site: The Civic Disco raises 6000 pounds for the New St Albans Museum Trust. St Albans Museums and Galleries Trust.
      9. Web site: Graham Kentsley about the upcoming Ultimate Civic Disco. 2017-06-27. https://web.archive.org/web/20170331210513/http://www.radioverulam.com/audio-clip/graham-kentsley-live-on-out-about/. 2017-03-31. dead.
      10. Web site: Michelle gets A 'new' laddin!. 17 October 2004. BBC. 6 March 2010.
      11. Web site: What's on. 20 December 2005. St. Albans City and District Council. 7 March 2010.
      12. Web site: Sarah-Jane Honeywell: news about Sarah-Jane Honeywell . 6 March 2009 . Sarah-Jane Honeywell official site . 6 March 2010 . https://web.archive.org/web/20100405084344/http://www.sarah-jane.biz/news.htm . 5 April 2010 . dead .
      13. Info from St Albans International Organ Festival#The Fringe
      14. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-beds-bucks-herts-60849701
      15. https://www1.camra.org.uk/event/st-albans-beer-cider-festival-80754