Historical April–May 2000 article. Dates, prices, services and contacts describe the source period; current availability has not been established.
A sizeable crowd gathered on the north side of the 6100 block of Delmar on the morning of April 12 to officially break ground for the Pageant, a concert hall and club with offices and retail. Since the Pageant will present rock, blues, jazz and other forms of music, it was only fitting that St. Louis’ king of rock and roll be present at the ceremonies. Chuck Berry was there with his own hard hat that emanated at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland.
He had his own shovel too. Before earth could be turned, there were a few speeches. Pageant co-developer Joe Edwards served as host.
He thanked a number of people and had them offer remarks. Two elected officials, Alderman Irving Clay Jr. of the 26th ward and Alderman Lyda Krewson of the 28th congratulated Edwards. Clay mentioned other developments in the area and Krewson told everyone to look around Delmar carefully.
This is a before snapshot.
It will not look at all the same in a couple years. Joe Edwards also thanked JoAnn Vatcha and the SDCC Commercial Committee for all of their help.
He introduced his partner, Pat Hagin, and called on Steve Schankman of Contemporary Productions. Schankman, who will be bringing acts to the Pageant, said that St. Louis will be in the main stream of performers and that the Pageant will a state of the art venue in which many groups will wish to perform. Kiku Obata, whose design firm will occupy the office space, was also present.
Also sighted in the crowd were Richard Fleming of RCGA, Captain Harry Hager of the 7th district and several of his officers, representatives of Washington University, and Sarah Smith, director of Arts in Transit who worked with Vatcha and others to bring in grant money to enhance the Delmar streetscape.
The Pageant is set to open in September.
Original photograph caption
Ground breaking for the Pageant, April 12. Photographer not credited.
Originally published in The Times of Skinker-DeBaliviere, April–May 2000.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
Original source: SD_Times2000_04.pdf, printed page(s) 1; PDF page(s) 1.
