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Ending a tradition

Popular student hang-out to be demolished by December

As the Memorial Student Union awaits its entire renovation, a certain MSU cornerstone will close its doors for demolition and re-open as an improved establishment for University of Arizona students.

The Cellar, an established venue for students to see live entertainment or hang out and watch television, is part of the university's student union overhaul.

UA will renovate the entire student union, including the Cellar, in order to update the aging building and create a modern appearance.

Many student entertainment groups and comedy troupes adopted the Cellar as their performance home, including the Charles Darwin Experience, Comedy Corner and Eat to the Beat, which showcases weekly presentations each semester.

"Eat to the Beat concert series has shown a lot of strength for the Cellar," said Senior Coordinator of Campus Mindy Griffith. "Many college bands in the Cellar have gone on to bigger and better things."

When the new student union is constructed, the Cellar will receive a complete facelift, including more seating, better lighting and the introduction of warm meals served in the Cellar.

"(The Cellar) has great atmosphere," Griffith said. "But the darkness is challenging. We will adjust the lighting to make it conducive to all programs."

Griffith also said the planned lower level of the new union will have the ability to be roped off - enabling students to relax later, past normal MSU hours.

Director of Student Unions Dan Adams said he hopes to increase the amount of programs in the Cellar.

He said with the new union, the university wants to increase the number of students who visit the Cellar later in the day.

"It's used heavily at lunch time," Adams said. "But the number dwindles at nighttime."

With a history spanning almost 30 years, the Cellar has become a recognizable landmark and social lounge in Memorial Student Union - and UA officials say they hope to continue this into the future.

Adams said the availability of cooked food and complete service, in addition to better sound and lighting, will add to an existing ambiance in the Cellar.

"The design becomes a night club-ish atmosphere," Adams said. "We can put on dances and show entertainers at night."

While the Memorial Student Union was constructed in the 1951, the Cellar itself was not introduced to the student body until 1970. Its purpose was to showcase student talent on campus while providing a place to meet friends and socialize.

By 1971, MSU built dark wood booths, a small stage and a dance floor in the Cellar. New game rooms and an enlarged photography area helped allow the lower level to grow.

Performances in the 225-seat facility were usually free admission. Sometimes, a 75-cent admission was charged for the notable bands.

Adams said the Cellar is a multi-purpose space, which fits the needs of all students. He plans to create diverse and innovative uses for the area next year, as well.

Performing groups will need to find a temporary venue to entertain because the student union will be demolished by December, and the new Cellar will not be ready for another 18 months.

"Students like to utilize the professional atmosphere," Griffith said. "The new union will be exciting when it first opens, and it will be challenging in the meantime."

Griffith said groups like Comedy Corner have to challenge themselves to stay alive in order to maintain student interest.

"If these groups die for two years, re-creation will be difficult," she said.

Some students said the Cellar's demolition would not extensively affect them. They said other UA locations could sustain activities usually performed within the walls of MSU.

"Comedy groups will remain an active part of student life - as long as students don't forget about them," journalism freshman Paige Edelman said. "We come for the performances, not specifically for the surroundings."

Edelman said although ambiance is not key for a successful show in the Cellar, renovations might increase audience attendance.

Student union organizers plan to implement fresh ideas for the new Cellar. The main focus will still be bands and performers but will also draw attention to off-nights.

"We are thinking about theme nights," Griffith said. "Maybe a coffee house or a nightclub or an old-time tavern without alcohol."

Plans for the Cellar also include open-mic nights and holding award ceremonies or banquets for on-campus organizations.

Griffith said the activities of the future Cellar will "be done to the caliber of today's Cellar." She said because of its unique setting and close-knit atmosphere, there are not many places on the UA campus that compare with it.

"I think theme nights is a creative way to maintain student interest," Edelman said. "I would love to see my friends participate on open-mic night."

Melanie Winderlich can be reached at catalyst@wildcat.arizona.edu.