The Octagon Centre, built in 1983, is a multi-purpose conference centre and music venue at the University of Sheffield. Situated in the Western Bank campus, it is joined by a skyway to University House and comprises an eight-sided auditorium (seating up to 1,250, standing/fire capacity 1,600), offices, meeting rooms, and a lounge with bar and patio.
As a University building, The Octagon is used for a variety of purposes, including examinations, lectures and graduation ceremonies.
The venue also hosts regular music concerts by well-known acts such as Supergrass and DJ Shadow and is transformed into a nightclub by the Technical Services Committee every Friday (during term-time) for the Space club night (previously Frouk (2003-2007) and Loveshack before that); it has hosted the Valve Sound System on several occasions under the promotion of The Tuesday Club. The Supernaturals gave their song Sheffield Song its name because it was first played at a concert here.
University Balls, an annual fashion show, a biennial 24 Hour Musical, and various other Student Union and Student Societies events also take place. The venue is also used for corporate exhibitions and conferences on a regular basis when free from its academic duties.
Famous quotes containing the word centre:
“Freedom to think our own thoughts, freedom to utter them, freedom to live out the promptings of our inner life ultimated in this convention, was termed a monstrosity of the 19th century. What was it?—the legitimate out-birth of the eternal law of progress. This reformation underlies every other; it is the only healthful centre around which hope of humanity can revolve.”
—Harriot K. Hunt (1805–1875)