Now that the FedExForum has been in operation for almost a year, many people are left to wonder what will happen to the Pyramid Arena and the Mid-South Coliseum.
Even though the Pyramid is no longer the hub of entertainment, it will continue to be used.
“The Pyramid has been leased to Paramount Pictures as a sound stage for the new Craig Brewer film,” said Jeff Foley, box office manager for the Pyramid.
Recently, the Pyramid hosted a casting call audition for “Hustle and Flow” director Craig Brewer’s next film. About 1,400 people showed up to audition for Brewer’s new film, “Black Snake Moan.” The movie will center on Memphis’ blues music scene. Samuel L. Jackson will star in the movie along with Christina Ricci and Memphis’ own Justin Timberlake. It will begin production in September.
The third entertainment facility in the Memphis area is the Mid-South Coliseum, which was once the home of the Central Hockey League’s Memphis RiverKings. However, while the building looks empty from the outside, that does not mean that it is empty on the inside.
“Due to the non-compete clause, the Forum has first choice of national events,” said Steve Fox, building director for the Mid-South Coliseum.
Local events are bid on by all three facilities, Fox said, giving each facility the same chance to host the event.
The Coliseum was the first entertainment facility built for the city of Memphis. Over time, the Pyramid graced the Memphis skyline and a friendly competition arose between the two buildings.
For years, both the Coliseum and the Pyramid hosted art exhibits, sporting and family events, concerts and other activities. Today, the Forum hosts the majority of major entertainment programs in Memphis.
However, there are a few ways the Pyramid and Coliseum are still used.
“The Pyramid, as an extension of the Cook Convention Center, has party rooms for lease,” Foley said.
The Committee for Pyramid Reuse is still evaluating proposals for the use of the Pyramid.
“Last I heard, there were at least 90 proposals on the table,” Foley said.
Among the proposals are recommendations that the Pyramid be used as a church sanctuary, bio-medical center, amusement park, aquarium and federal jail.
The Pyramid is currently playing host to the WONDERS: The Memphis International Cultural Series exhibit, The Art of Motorcycles. This event started in April and will continue until October.
The Coliseum will host local Memphis rhythm and blues radio station K-97’s 2005 Summer Jam and the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association rodeo in September. The Mississippi rock group Three Doors Down is scheduled to perform this fall.
“We have about 70 events scheduled for the Coliseum between July 2005 and June 2006,” Fox said.
The FedExForum, the newest facility and located close to historic Beale Street, was is home to the NBA’s Memphis Grizzlies.
According to the contract between the Forum and the Grizzlies, the Forum has first refusal of entertainment programs that come to Memphis.
The Pyramid Arena, located near Memphis’s Pinch District, was originally home to the Grizzlies, The University of Memphis Men’s Basketball Program and The U of M commencement ceremonies, as well as other activities that came to town such as major concerts and family shows.
However, the Pyramid has not hosted any major entertainment since 2004. Just as the Grizzlies have done, many of The U of M activities such as the men’s basketball team and commencement ceremonies have switched home arenas to the Forum.
