UPDATED: MARCH 16, 2023 AT 5:00 PM

PART ONE: THE PREPARATION

The Chesapeake Employers Insurance Arena team is preparing to host an action-packed weekend of events, starting with the Monica & Friends concert on Friday, March 17th featuring special guests Stokley, NEXT, and Jagged Edge. Fans of the R&B legend will be treated to a night of unforgettable music. The arena staff will work hard to ensure that everything is perfect for the performance and ready to welcome thousands of fans through the doors in a short period of time.

Once the concert is over, the staff will quickly break down the stage, pick up and stack 764 floor seats, clean the entire arena, and get ready for the next day's event: the Cheer & Dance Extreme competition starting bright and early on March 18th. The arena will be transformed into a competitive space, with cheer squads from across the region vying for the top prize. The energy will be high, the Sweet Frog Frozen Yogurt will be plentiful and the staff will work hard to create an atmosphere that keeps the crowd, parents and participants pumped up and excited for the long day ahead.

After the cheer competition is over, the staff will once again have to quickly transition the arena overnight, this time into a basketball court. The Harlem Globetrotters, one of the most iconic basketball teams in the world, will be coming to town for two shows on March 19th at 11AM and 4PM. Fans of all ages will be treated to an unforgettable display of basketball skills, acrobatics, and hilarious antics.

With only six hours to build the basketball court piece by piece, the Chesapeake Arena operations crew has their work cut out for them. “Our team has done this many times before, and we're always up for the challenge. Putting down a basketball court in a matter of hours is a testament to our hardworking staff and their dedication to providing a seamless experience for all our guests. We take pride in our ability to quickly transform the arena and ensure that every event is a success,” said William Wilson, Assistant General Manager.

It will be all hands on deck to make sure the team is ready and the venue is in tip-top shape to open doors on time for the second Harlem Globetrotters show. With only 1 hour from the end of the 11AM show to the doors open for the next showing, the team must clean the entire concourse, bathrooms, and seating areas to make sure the venue is ready for guests.

With three exciting events lined up in just three days, this weekend promises to be a highlight of the season for anyone who loves music, cheerleading, or basketball. “We're thrilled to welcome fans back to the Chesapeake Employers Insurance Arena for a weekend of exciting events. We're excited to showcase the versatility of our arena and provide a top-notch experience for all attendees" said Tiffany Sun, General Manager of Chesapeake Employers Insurance Arena.

Don't miss out on the excitement at the Chesapeake Employers Insurance Arena. Get your tickets now and get ready for an unforgettable weekend of entertainment!

Follow along on social media by following @cei_arena and stay tuned for behind the scenes content from this upcoming weekend.