Portrait of a palace see historic chicago three centuries of theatres more than 30 theatre buildings are featured in a touring exhibit. Opened on 16 february 1929, the 2,000 seat uptown theater was built for sound, specifically the new talkies. Lagoon cinema 20 lagoon avenue a block from uptown theatre minneapolis, mn 55408 612 8233020. Why philadelphias uptown theater wont end up like d.
The uptown theater on broad street, philadelphia, was a major venue on the. It became a major venue on the chitlin circuit, from 19511978. Here, he shared a few photos with us from his upcoming book after the final. Visit philadelphia is the official visitor website for philly travel and tourism information including hotels and overnight options, restaurants, events, things to do, and local attractions. The uptown theater is a historic theater located in kansas city, missouri. Many of the neighborhood theatres were located in commercial corridors. To book your tour email us your request to lrichardson. Preserving john coltranes house can help save phillys soul opinion.
When he shoots an abandoned theater, its just one part of an intensive research process. Uptown theater, between susquehanna avenue and dauphin. The tower theater is one of philadelphias most popular theaters to visit and is famous for holding an incredible lineup of talent throughout the year. A stroll through the history of philadelphias movie theaters demonstrates the importance of saving the boyd. A major announcement about the uptown theater has been promised for august. The greater philadelphia region is home to a vibrant and diverse theatre community that. The uptown entertainment and development corporation held a fundraiser friday night for the historic uptown theater at the cbs broadcast center. Brought to you by north central philadelphia cdcrcoin partnership leon h. North philadelphias uptown theater to be renovated in two. History of the theatre philadelphia, pa official website. It is also the official state theatre of pennsylvania, and a national historic landmark.
Experts share what books you should be reading this black history. I believe the upton theater to be one of the best, most intimate venues. From 6pm to 7pm there will be a community of people standing in front of this historic theater located. May 26, 2014 this is a photo of the bond bread plant, formerly located on godfrey ave near rising sun ave in the lawncrestcrescentville section of phila. See activities planned for philly free streets 2019. The building was listed on the national register of historic places in 1979 as the uptown building and theatre history. Construction first began on the portion of the uptown that would house offices and shops along broadway. The uptown theater in philadelphia, pennsylvania, also known as uptown theater and office. A renaissance for one of philadelphias most famous. The stars and stories of phillys famous uptown theater. Musicians, patrons, an architect, and a wide variety of north philadelphia neighbors tell the story of the famed but closed uptown theater. For much of its history, the nixon theatre lit up its night.
Sullivan trust, joe frazier scholarship fund, uptown theater, and morejoin the neighbors of north broad street for a scavenger hunt to learn about north broads history. Uptown entertainment and development corporation, uedc, is more than halfway done restoring the uptown theaters infrastructure, linda richardson, president of uedc, said. Friends of the philadelphia uptown theater, philadelphia. Inside americas historic movie theaters national trust. North philadelphias uptown theater to be renovated in two phases february 14, 2012 at 5.
Edina cinema 3911 west 50th st at france edina, mn 55424 952 9208796. The uptown theater in philadelphia, pennsylvania, also known as. Sign the uptown theatre petition and save this movie palace. Pick up your railroad ticket to history at any of the six philly free streets rest areas.
Uptown entertainment and development corporation, uedc, is more than halfway done restoring the uptown theater s infrastructure, linda richardson, president of uedc, said. In its early years, the uptown theatres slate of films ran the gamut from the first academy award winner wings to movies starring the bowery boys. The house was designated a national historic landmark, the highest level for. Uptown theater is elated to announce that they are the recipient of a grant from the state of pennsylvania which was released by. The greater philadelphia region is home to a vibrant and diverse theatre community that strengthens our cultural sector through the creation of classics, modern, and original works for the stage. Uptown theater in north philadelphia, built in 1927. Tower theater latest events and tickets upper darby. Americas oldest existing surgical theater, where you can practically hear the screams. Philadelphia, pa on february 1, 2018 at 1 pm, the board of the uptown entertainment and development corporation will began their first steps in phase two deployment plans of renovating the historic uptown theater which is scheduled to opens its doors mid 2019. Friends of the philadelphia uptown theater home facebook. The uptown theatre was opened february 16, 1929 as a spectacular art deco.
Philadelphia nonprofit aims to reopen historic uptown theater. The uptown theatre operated as an independent theatre not affiliated with any of the national theatre chains of the era and was operated by locallyowned 4th avenue amusements. Philadelphias uptown theater, under renovations, will follow a path upon opening which would almost ensure that it doesnt mirror the howard theater in washington d. Franklin 19222009 donated his collection of over 500,000 negatives and photographs to the african american museum in philadelphia in 1986. West philadelphias main street for well over a century has been 52 nd street. Uptown theatre kansas city 2020 all you need to know. See activities planned for philly free streets chestnut hillmt. Musicians, patrons, an architect, and a wide variety of north philadelphia neighbors tell the story of the famed but closed uptown theatre.
With nearly 50,000 season ticket holders, the walnut is also the most subscribed theatre company in the world. This wonderful venue, often referred to as phillys version of fillmore in new york has brought some of the biggest names in music history to its stage. I traveled three and a half hours to see blackberry smoke at the uptown theater. Featuring the finest in independent film and foreign language cinema, the uptown also screens classic midnight movies every weekend including monthly showings of the legendary rocky horror picture show. The uptown theater on broad street, philadelphia, was a major venue on the chitlin circuit from 1951 to 1978. Spanning decades, the film chronicles one of the greatest unsolved mysteries in american history, the disappearance of legendary union boss jimmy hoffa, and offers a monumental journey through the hidden corridors of organized crime. I am a newspaper reporter in philadelphia, and i just want fans of the uptown theater to know about my new book, joy ride. Despite being averse to history, ive recently decided to start learning more about both philadelphia and the united states. This book assembles essays from a variety of authors and covers philadelphias colonial period to. The 1,200 seat theater was built as a variety theatre in 1889 to the designs of new york theater architect john baily mcelfatrick. The new historic philadelphia uptown theater youtube. A look at the history of philadelphia theatre free library of philadelphia, rare book department and theatre collection a popup exhibition highlighting the history of philadelphia theatre, particularly the proliferation of theaters in the 19th century. Near lawrence and broadway, it shares the same intersection with the famous green mill jazz club, the aragon ballroom, and the riviera theatre. The collection is a significant and extraordinary local history comprising virtually every social, cultural and political event in philadelphias african american community during his lifetime.
The original design for the uptown was carried out by kansas city architect robert gornall. February 16, 2019, the historic uptown theater turns 90 years old and is ready to celebrate in a huge way. Discover americas oldest operating theater in philadelphia, pennsylvania. The uedc has identified the historic uptown theater as its first acquisition and revitalization project. A history of phillys iconic uptown theater, where a deep list of black musics most famous stars graced the stage and the philadelphia sounds. He finds out when it first opened, what it first showed, how many it seated, and whats become of it since. Having previously lived in kc, i am familiar with the concert venues there. History the walnut street theatre, founded in 1809, is americas oldest theatre. This is a photo of the bond bread plant, formerly located. Freedom theatre, and uptown theater, north philly has the second. Uptown theatre 2906 hennepin avenue in the uptown district minneapolis, mn 55408 612 8233005. The uptown theatre is located in the heart of the uptown district in minneapolis.
Black music month, north philadelphia, uptown development corporation, uptown theatre. Historic movie theaters of center city phillyhistory. On saturday june 29th at 730pm, the hottest and most soulful musical ever to hit the east coast will be on stage at the clef club of philadelphia, remembering the uptown theater. The stars and stories of phillys famous uptown theater kimberly c. Uptown chicago neighborhood and uptown theatre theater history with info on green mill, edgewater, aragon ballroom, essanay studios, and chicago jazz age history. Philadelphia, pa on february 1, 2018 at 1 pm, the board of the uptown entertainment and development corporation will began their first steps in phase two. Originally a vaudeville theater operating under a tent, the grand nixon was built in 1910 near the head of the vibrant commercial strip. A look at the history of philadelphia theatre theatre.
Uptown theatre chicago compass rose cultural crossroads. Take a tour at the uptown tours will start back up on june 15, 2019. A 300year history traces the political, artistic, physical, and social evolution of the city and illumines its very special spirithow it has. Uptown theater philadelphia philadelphia, pennsylvania. The uptown theater in philadelphia, pennsylvania, also known as uptown theater and office building, is an art deco building built in 1927. In this book, the first comprehensive history of philadelphia to be written in nearly threequarters of a century, the reader will discover a rich and colorful portrait of one of americas most vital, interesting, and illustrious cities. The uptown theater is historic and significant to the african. Brief profile of philadelphias premier music venue for doowop and soul artistes. Africanamerican grassroots dance culture in north philadelphia from the speakeasy to the uptown theater during the 1960s. He knew little about the history of american cinema and movie theaters before, but hes an expert by now.
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