The W.C. Handy Theatre was a movie theater at 2355 Park Avenue in Memphis, Tennessee. [1] The venue was built for the African-American community during segregation. The theater was opened in 1947 and it also served music venue. The building was demolished in 2012. [2]
The W.C. Handy Theatre was located at 2355 Park Avenue in the Orange Mound neighborhood of southeast Memphis. [3] The 1,275-capacity theater cost $200,000 to build. [4] In the lobby, there was a milk bar for theater patrons and transient passers-by. [5] There was a stage for top African-American entertainers to perform at the venue. [6]
The theater was named in honor of musician W.C. Handy, the father of the Blues. [3] A life-sized portrait of Handy was displayed in the lobby, and every program began with the recording of his song " St. Louis Blues" and closed with his song "Memphis Blues." [6]
Before the theater was opened, there was some controversy regarding its construction in 1946. The City Board of Adjustment received a petition signed by 113 people objecting to the theater when Chalmers Cullins and his associates applied for permits for the theater and shops on Park Avenue. [7] Cullins and his associate Nate Evans responded that the opposition was due to the interest of people who built a theater nearby on Carnes Avenue. [7] However, many residents supported the plan for theater in the neighborhood. Evans presented a petition signed by 309 residents in favor of the theater. [7]
The theater opened with performances by Cootie Williams' orchestra, Mantan Moreland and Company, the Congaroos, and Miller and Boojie on May 11, 1947. [8] [4] W.C. Handy made a personal appearance during the first four days. [4]
Although the venue was built for African Americans, there were segregated shows for white patrons to attend. [9] [10]
On October 31, 1953, the first all-Black television show was broadcast on WMCT. [11] The amateur show was filmed on Saturday nights at the W.C. Handy Theatre. [12] The amateurs competed for cash prizes on a show featuring the comedy duo Rufus and Bones; Rufus Thomas was the master of ceremonies. [12]
The cinema continued to operate in the 1960s. [13] [14] [15] After years of abandonment, the building was demolished in 2012. [2]
Notable entertainers who performed at the W.C. Handy Theatre include:
The W.C. Handy Theatre was a movie theater at 2355 Park Avenue in Memphis, Tennessee. [1] The venue was built for the African-American community during segregation. The theater was opened in 1947 and it also served music venue. The building was demolished in 2012. [2]
The W.C. Handy Theatre was located at 2355 Park Avenue in the Orange Mound neighborhood of southeast Memphis. [3] The 1,275-capacity theater cost $200,000 to build. [4] In the lobby, there was a milk bar for theater patrons and transient passers-by. [5] There was a stage for top African-American entertainers to perform at the venue. [6]
The theater was named in honor of musician W.C. Handy, the father of the Blues. [3] A life-sized portrait of Handy was displayed in the lobby, and every program began with the recording of his song " St. Louis Blues" and closed with his song "Memphis Blues." [6]
Before the theater was opened, there was some controversy regarding its construction in 1946. The City Board of Adjustment received a petition signed by 113 people objecting to the theater when Chalmers Cullins and his associates applied for permits for the theater and shops on Park Avenue. [7] Cullins and his associate Nate Evans responded that the opposition was due to the interest of people who built a theater nearby on Carnes Avenue. [7] However, many residents supported the plan for theater in the neighborhood. Evans presented a petition signed by 309 residents in favor of the theater. [7]
The theater opened with performances by Cootie Williams' orchestra, Mantan Moreland and Company, the Congaroos, and Miller and Boojie on May 11, 1947. [8] [4] W.C. Handy made a personal appearance during the first four days. [4]
Although the venue was built for African Americans, there were segregated shows for white patrons to attend. [9] [10]
On October 31, 1953, the first all-Black television show was broadcast on WMCT. [11] The amateur show was filmed on Saturday nights at the W.C. Handy Theatre. [12] The amateurs competed for cash prizes on a show featuring the comedy duo Rufus and Bones; Rufus Thomas was the master of ceremonies. [12]
The cinema continued to operate in the 1960s. [13] [14] [15] After years of abandonment, the building was demolished in 2012. [2]
Notable entertainers who performed at the W.C. Handy Theatre include: