Editing Columbia, South Carolina (section)

===Venues===
[[File:Cola Met Conv Cntr.jpg|thumb|right|Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center]]

====Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center====
The Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center, which opened in September 2004 as South Carolina's only downtown convention center,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.columbiaconventioncenter.com/index2.cfm |title=Columbia Convention Center|access-date=September 14, 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120222090035/http://www.columbiaconventioncenter.com/index2.cfm|archive-date=February 22, 2012}}</ref> is a {{convert|142500|sqft|m2|-1|adj=on}}, modern, state-of-the-art facility designed to host a variety of meetings and conventions. Located in the historic Congaree Vista district, this facility is close to restaurants, antique and specialty shops, art galleries, and various nightlife venues. The main exhibit hall contains almost {{convert|25000|sqft|m2|-2}} of space; the Columbia Ballroom over {{convert|18000|sqft|m2|-2}}; and the five meeting rooms ranging in size from 1500 to {{convert|4000|sqft|m2|-2}} add another {{convert|15000|sqft|m2|-2}} of space. The facility is located next to the Colonial Life Arena.

====Koger Center for the Arts====
[[Koger Center for the Arts]] provides Columbia with theatre, music, and dance performances that range from local acts to global acts.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.koger.sc.edu/history.html|title=History of the Koger Center|access-date=September 14, 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140722102051/http://www.koger.sc.edu/history.html|archive-date=July 22, 2014}}</ref> The facility seats 2,256 persons. The center is named for philanthropists Ira and Nancy Koger, who made a substantial donation from personal and corporate funds for construction of the $15 million center. The first performance at the Koger Center was given by the [[London Philharmonic Orchestra]] and took place on Saturday, January 14, 1989. The facility is known for hosting diverse events, from the State of the State Address to the South Carolina Body Building Championship and the South Carolina Science Fair.

[[File:Koger_Center_for_the_Arts_May_2007.jpg|thumb|right|[[Koger Center for the Arts]]]]

====Carolina Coliseum====
[[File:CarolinaColiseum.jpg|thumb|The [[Carolina Coliseum]] (1968) facing Assembly St.]]
[[Carolina Coliseum]], which opened in 1968, is a 12,401-seat facility which initially served as the home of the USC Gamecocks' basketball teams. The arena could be easily adapted to serve other entertainment purposes, including concerts, car shows, circuses, ice shows, and other events. The versatility and quality of the coliseum at one time allowed the university to use the facility for performing arts events such as the [[Boston Pops]], [[Chicago Symphony]], Feld Ballet, and other performances by important artists. An acoustical shell and a state-of-the-art lighting system assisted the coliseum in presenting such activities. The coliseum was the home of the [[Columbia Inferno]], an [[ECHL]] team. However, since the construction of the Colonial Life Arena in 2002, the coliseum now is the center for the men's and women's basketball programs, with the center arena now housing the two main practice courts.

====Township Auditorium====
[[Township Auditorium]] seats 3,099 capacity and is located in downtown Columbia. The [[Georgian architecture|Georgian Revival]] building was designed by the Columbia architectural firm of Lafaye and Lafaye and constructed in 1930. The Township has hosted thousands of events from concerts to conventions to wrestling matches. The auditorium was listed in the [[National Register of Historic Places]] on September 28, 2005, and has recently undergone a $12 million extensive interior and exterior renovation.<ref>Taylor, Otis R.. (June 6, 2010) [http://www.thestate.com/2010/06/06/1316737/the-townships-12-million-facelift.html The Township auditorium's $12 million facelift – Life & Style] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100609103313/http://www.thestate.com/2010/06/06/1316737/the-townships-12-million-facelift.html |date=June 9, 2010 }}. TheState.com. Retrieved on 2010-09-29.</ref>