LOCAL Houston | The City Guide January 2017 | Page 28

ART

GET SMART All-Star Lineup Kicks Off a New Venue

Talk about star power ! Smart Financial Centre in Sugar Land will be the region ’ s first state-of-the-art , indoor performance venue , and the diverse lineup of performances will appeal to Houstonians everywhere . JERRY SEINFELD will open the venue with two performances on Saturday , January 14 . From there , the lineup is filled with top talent , including STING , THE LUMINEERS , BASTILLE , TONY BENNETT , REBA MCENTIRE , STEVE MARTIN & MARTIN SHORT and KRISTIN
CHENOWETH , among others . The $ 84 million project will further position the city as a destination location for culture and entertainment .
Located off of U . S . Highway 59 and University Boulevard , Smart Financial Centre at Sugar Land is situated on a portion of 38.5 acres of City property . It will set a new standard for live performance venues and will be equipped to host a wide array of programming , including national music and comedy artists , children and family entertainment , theatrically staged productions and cultural and performing arts attractions . It will also be open to the community for local graduations and community theatre performances .
“ This is a project unlike any other in the Houston region , one that supports tourism and economic goals that have been identified throughout more than a decade of discussion – including support from a citizen-led Visioning Task Force and a public vote in 2008 ,” says MAYOR JAMES THOMPSON . “ Along with a new 50-acre business site for Fluor , the Texas Instruments campus , the future expansion of Class A office space , and plans for a hotel / conference center and other amenities , the Smart Financial Centre at Sugar Land is the cornerstone of an exciting development that will increase tourism , provide unique destination activities for local and regional visitors , promote capital investment and create new jobs .”
Designed for flexibility , the 200,000sf venue incorporates innovative moveable walls that can expand and contract to create four different seating capacities that range from an intimate setting of 3,400 seats to a maximum of 6,400 . It also features 14 luxury suites , corporate hospitality areas , and the latest sound , light and video technology . Other offerings include space to house up to 18 trucks and buses , as well as 2,500 guest parking spaces . “ We are excited to provide the Greater Houston area with a multifunctional , state-of-the-art performance venue located in Sugar Land , Texas ,” said GARY BECKER , ACE SL . “ Its customizable features and flexible design allow us to easily transition from one performance to the next .”
www . smartfinancialcentre . com
By Tim Moloney Photography courtesy of Smart Financial Centre
28 LOCAL | january 17