The Uptown Theater in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, also known as Uptown Theater and Office Building , is an Art Deco building built in 1927. It was designed by Philadelphia-based architectural firm. from Magaziner, Eberhard & amp; Harris. Uptown Theater is located at 2240 N. Broad Street. It became the main place on the chitlin circuit, from 1951-1978. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1982.
It was briefly reopened as a church in the 1980s until water damage occurred and caused it to shut down in 1991. In 2001, Uptown Enterprise Entertainment and Development Company bought a building with plans for renovation.
Video Uptown Theater (Philadelphia)
Starter
Opened on February 16, 1929, 2,040 seats, 50,000 square feet Uptown Theater was built for sound, especially the new talkie at the time, made by Warner Brothers. Designed by Louis Magaziner, it features luxurious interiors, with four floors of office space above. The inside consists of stained glass, high ceilings, and terracotta. As the industry age peaked in America, North Philadelphia became a city of male workers. The large number of European immigrants moved to the northern part of the city, and moved to a newly developed rowhome.
In addition to new immigrants, North Philadelphia is also home to many upper and upper middle class homes. Executives from adjacent factories live on Victorian brown stones with several towers and gondola roofs lining the streets of North Philly. Along Broad Street is the luxury home of many famous industrialists. Lower North Philadelphia specifically accommodates a number of new rich people; first or second generation immigrants who are ambitious or who have made their fortunes start manufacturing companies.
The theater was originally built for the new rich people in the area. Unconsciously, it was open on the eve of the Great Depression, which in turn had a profound effect on the environment. Over the next few decades The Great Depression, outsourcing, and white flights took their toll in North Philadelphia in the same way as other major US cities from the mid to late 20th century, if not in a clearer way. While some small areas have long been populated primarily African-Americans, redlining, racist lending companies, and rising unemployment are causing white people out of the city, and forcing blacks into. Black doctors, lawyers, politicians and preachers took over luxury homes along Diamond Road, while middle and lower-middle-class blacks moved to previously white-dominated rowhomes.
Maps Uptown Theater (Philadelphia)
Golden Years
In 1951, Uptown Theater was purchased by Sam Stiefel, who also owns Washington's Howard Theater and Baltimore's Royal Theater, and became part of the "chitlin circuit," hosting live music events, especially rhythm and blues, and the Gospel directed at African American audiences. Performances at Uptown Theater came to rival them at Harlem's Apollo Theater. In 1957, Georgie Woods's fame from WDAS (AM) began producing the show at Uptown Theater . In 1960, Sid Booker became a theater manager, and remained so until 1979. In 1961, the place was sold by Mrs Bert. Steifel to a large chain company, after managing it just two months after the death of the Steifel brothers, who have had it for years
Show
Various types of events take place on the premises during his prime. Typically, each show consists of several artists, usually ten to twelve stunts, and they appear in the order of popularity. There are several performances a day, and the performances usually last for about ten days. The first show of the day began at 2 pm. The midnight show of the show was worth $ 2.50, while the previous show cost $ 1.50, and the children's show cost 50 cents per person.
Also on Thursday nights, they usually have Temple University nights, where many white students will come and watch the show. Quite often, many theater visitors will hide in places like bathrooms to see additional shows in one day. The show itself is very competitive in nature, with every action trying to get the biggest increase from the crowd. Actors and spectators were both dressed while attending the theater performance. The perpetrators also try to impress each other by mesmerizing the audience with the best dance moves as well. Artists do not often order a lot of money. Georgie Woods is able to order Supremes for $ 400 to run the full 10 days.
Not only do musicians perform in the Uptown Theater , but comedians are often opened for action, such as Redd Foxx and Flip Wilson. The place itself is unique in that it has its own home band. Bill Masse was the band's leader until he died in 1961. In 1963 Sam Reed became the home band leader, famous among artists on the chitlin circuit. According to the Philadelphia Inquirer, in 1971, the show earned $ 250,000 per year. For the rest of the month when players are not in town, movies are usually played. There is also a jazz show where local and famous jazz performers perform on stage. The show was not marked by the rowdy crowd that accompanied the show promoted by Georgie Woods.
Uptown Theater is also famous for its amateur night where local artists will compete for various prizes. Many artists started in the music industry because of these amateur nights. One of the people who started his career at Uptown Theater was Daryl Hall of Hall & amp; Oates. Hall, who attended nearby Temple University, won a talent show playing with the group later, Ringtones. This was before pairing with Oates. The group, backed by James Brown Band, won the contest so get Hall of his first record deal.
Civil rights
Theater is a fertile place for civil rights activism, especially in the form of music. Georgie Woods produced a show at the theater, called the freedom show, where artists played to promote civil rights, and the money generated on the show went to Georgie Woods's preferred charity, regardless of confidence, color or religion. In 1967, Georgie Woods held a special show for a wounded veteran of the Vietnam War coming from the Philadelphia area. Theater also became an important milestone for civil rights in Philadelphia. Cecil Moore is a Philadelphia lawyer deeply involved in civil rights, and a close friend of Georgie Woods, and also involved in freedom shows.
In 1963, Georgie Woods, Jackie Wilson, and Del Shields won awards at the Uptown Theater from the NAACP branch of Philadelphia as entertainers actively involved in civil rights. Also, the famous race riots of 1964 took place in the blocks of the theater, and when that happened, Commissioner Howard Leary asked Georgie Woods to speak and calm the crowd, which eventually broke up at his request. His influence on the community is so great, showing how important Uptown Theater is to the people of North Philadelphia.
About
In the late 1950s, North Philadelphia was the epicenter of the African-American community of Philadelphia. It's a busy place in all the classes. There are dozens of factories, many clubs along Columbia Avenue, shops and restaurants all over the place, and Uptown - which evolves into a mecca for live music. Many family-owned businesses around the theater are becoming a popular venue for players and audiences alike. Many of the performers will eat at Miss Pearl's house, which is located just behind the spot on Carlisle Street.
In addition, many of them are styling their hair at Don's Doo Shop, which is still owned by Don Williams, just round the corner on 15th Street and Susquehanna Avenue. Many artists stay at Ben Motor Inn at 22nd Street and Spring Garden. The environment is often noted as a tight spot, where many people living in the area work in nearby factories and get to know each other. The area around the theater is also unique because it does not provide much space for parking, so many people walk or take public transportation to Uptown.
Year later and downhill
Finally, the 1960s manufacturing riots and exodus took place, and the 1970s gang war. In 1978, Uptown was too small for major action, in areas with high crime. In 1971, Sam Reed, who became the leader of the home band in 1960 resigned. In December 1971, there were frequent concert gangs that broke out. In 1972, Georgie Woods stopped producing performances at the Uptown Theater , mainly due to drugs and violence in the neighborhood of the theater. In May 1972, the show stopped playing at the venue, and in 1978 Theater Uptown finally closed.
Another reason led to a theatrical decline similar to that place. The music industry has changed significantly since the theater is in its heyday. Black artists can now cross, and play in places like in Atlantic City and Las Vegas. Musicians who play there are able to perform in larger places and generate more profits. Georgie Woods also stated in an interview that the existence of a booking agency makes it more difficult to order an action as they will ask for more money.
There is a point in time when black artists can only be heard if they go to Georgie Woods, but once the music becomes integrated. Also, the decline of independent record stores makes local artists unable to promote their music. On the other hand, music becomes more integrated, so many radio stations only play rhythm and blues sampling, compared to stations that usually only play rhythm and blues. Many artists started to cross over to pop, so they were less likely to play in cinemas like Uptown.
The environment also changed dramatically. Many businesses start to decline as they serve Uptown customers and lose them once the theater is closed.
The Uptown was briefly reopened in 1980 as a church. A group of churches hold services there until 1991 hurricane roof damage, allowing water to contaminate and damage the walls painted gilded auditorium. After the congregation leaves, the only people who enter are thieves, crackheads and taggers. Recently, community members gathered in Uptown to mourn the death of Michael Jackson.
Uptown Entertainment and Development Corporation (UEDC)
Uptown Entertainment and Development Corporation (UEDC) is a Community Development Corporation founded as a non-profit organization in 1995. Its mission is to stimulate the economy in the ravaged areas of Philadelphia by creating commercial companies, developing environmental revitalization projects and managing housing and housing. UEDC has identified Uptown Historic Theater as its first acquisition and revitalization project. In 2002, they became owners of the actual building. The development plan includes renovating the theater into a technology center, loft artist, and office space. Proposed tenants include religious, high school, recording and restaurant production facilities. The technology center will create employment opportunities for 200 youth and adults and provide entrepreneurial opportunities for disadvantaged members of the community. The cornerstone of the program's strategy is the creation of film and media center, technology center and stage film. It will be the headquarters for the Arts and Education Youth Program, providing space for voice studios and catering facilities and home business offices for development companies. UEDC has received an appointment of $ 3.5 million but will need about $ 8 million to get the facility fully operational. Famous drummer and group founder, The Trammps, Earl Young served as Outreach Entertainment Club Chairman along with renowned Musician Alfie Pollitt. On December 0f 2013, Mural Wall is dedicated to Georgie Woods and the groups that appear there are damaged because the retaining wall separates the theater from the one-time building next door. Repairs and remissions are in progress. Additional funds are being sought to complement the walls and repaint the mural. The projected completion date is now being revised, but officials from the Uptown Entertainment and Development Center are expecting the theater to open before the end of 2014.
References
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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