Editor's Note: When we got the invitation to visit the St. Charles Convention Center for a preview of its party space, we thought: "What? St. Charles. Why would we want to go to St. Charles?" But, we went and were absolutley "wowed" . If you think you'd like to serve prime rib and custom poured martinis at your next event, and do that on a budget, read on.
If you think a spectacular party space complete with outstanding food and beverage is beyond your creach, Global Spectrum, managers of the Saint Charles Convention Center, has a solution for you. We entered the lobby of the mammoth convention center and saw nothing exceptionally spectacular about it except that it seemed warmer, somehow, than most convention centers. We were then led into a huge space that felt anything but huge. Creative divisions, decorating and lighting had turned the center into a series of intriguing and welcoming "stations", each with a different theme including decorations, lighting, food and drinks. On the unlikely chance that none of the beverage "stations" offered the drink you wanted, there was a large, full service bar conveniently located near the entertainment stage. Joe Capitinelli, public relations director, led us through the center and explained its ability to morph into whatever kind of space is desired. We were impressed. We have visited the St. Louis Convention Center and other popular meeting sites on many ocassions, but have never seen a space as creatively managed as this. Even though the center is large enough to acomodate an earthmover and a couple of airplanes, the most interesting fact, in our opinion, is the Center staff's ability to creatively minimize the space, making it intimate and welcoming and their commitment to small groups. Maybe, it is worth the drive. For less money than individual businesses could generally manage, small companies can treat their clients and employees to a grand celebration that features a large space custom designed to create intimate gathering areas and, at the same time, allow for mingling. with other businesses. Smaller businesses or groups of friends and family who don’t generally have holiday parties or who need to scale back their celebrating this season can combine their resources with others by hosting their party as part of the Jingle & Jive or by joining with other groups to design their own event. An outstanding example of this is the upcoming Jingle & Jive Party designed to facilitate small groups who don't want to spend too much time or money planning an event but want to enjoy a lavish event.
Jingle and Jive Holiday Party
Thursday, December 3
Grand Ballroom, upper level.
5:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
The $35 event will feature a
variety of dinner selection stations, cocktails and entertainment by
Jive and Wail Dueling Piano Bar
Special rates apply for groups of ten or more. Reserved seating is available.
"Prime rib, anyone?"
The Center opened in April of 2005 and has hosted nearly 1,600 events through its first four years. The facility boasts a beautiful 16,200-square-foot Grand Ballroom, and 27,600 square feet of Exhibit Hall space, expandable to 35,700 square feet through the adjacent Junior Ballroom.
The Center also features meeting rooms, the Partners-for-Progress Executive Board Room, Charter Business Cyber Café., shopping, and in-house catering, decorating, audio/visual, state-of-the-art communications, marketing, and event staffing for meetings and exhibitions.
The Center is located off South Fifth Street Take Veterans Memorial Drive (Fairlane) Time Centre, and follow the signs to Lakeshore Drive.
And, if you think you might enjoy the party too much and not look forward to the drive home, you can stay at the luxurious Embassy Suites which is located on the property and offers enticing rates for the event. You may purchase tickets online at
The Saint Louis Science Center once again offers audiences a captivating tale through its unique OMNIMAX® Theater with the upcoming film Mystic India: An Incredible Journey. Brought to life through the collaboration of award-winning directors, cinematographers and composers, Mystic India not only connects viewers to the people of India, but to the aweinspiringlands of the geographically diverse country.
Mystic India, opening Friday Oct. 9, tells the true story of Neelkanth, a boy living in 18th century India who leaves home on a seven year journey with no food, no water and no clothing to protect him. Through the telling of his story, audience members are able to travel with Neelkanth across the ice-capped peaks of the Himalayas, through the lush tropical Indian rainforests, and into small villages filled with wisdom and culture.
Van Gogh: Brush with Genius
(or genuis with brush, if you prefer) retraces the artist’s footsteps and leads audiences on a breathtaking journey through the landscapes that inspired his most famous works. From the dazzling yellow of Van Gogh’s cornfields to the deep blue of his famous night sky, the vibrant palette of one of the world’s most innovative painters lights up the giant screen.
The colors and textures seem to spring to life on the four-story OMNIMAX screen and immerse audiences in the branches of a cypress, the warmth of a southern sun, and the hush of a nighttime village.
“This is one of the most unique films we have ever shown at the OMNIMAX,” said Brad Nuccio, Senior Vice President of the Science Center. “It is truly an immersive cultural experience. I think the personal look at an almost mythical artist and his work, in such an amazing forum, will appeal to and impress a wide variety of audiences.” Jacques Gamblin, winner of the Best Actor Award at the Berlin Film Festival in 2002, portrays a realistic and puzzling Van Gogh and brings the painter to life in a way that no one else could. Gamblin is joined by Hélène Seuzaret, playing Ellen, and Peter Knapp appearing as himself. All three characters take audiences through a mystifying journey through the real and painted landscapes and life of Vincent Van Gogh.
The OMNIMAX® Theater features a four-story screen in a wrap-around domed theater and a 15,000-watt sound system that will bring Van Gogh’s famous paintings to life,wrapping audience members in ribbons of color and giving them a completely unique perspective of the artist’s often-imitated brush strokes and style.
Tickets and showtimes are available online at http://www.slsc.org or by phone at 314.289.4424.
