Black Entertainment and Sports Institutions/Organizations in Atlanta, GA 1865 – 2012 During Harlem's renaissance, Atlanta was often called "the Harlem of the South" due to its rich heritage, particularly in the area of music. Famous artists such as Bessie Smith, Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, Jackie Wilson, Dina Washington, and Billie Holiday regularly performed in Atlanta's many exclusively-black clubs. Accommodating many tastes in music, the clubs featured minstrel, ragtime, vaudeville, blues, jazz, classical, rhythm and blues, and soul. Atlanta's influence is not merely limited to music, however; with the third largest black population among American cities, Atlanta has proven itself to be a bastion of opportunities for African Americans in the areas of higher education, sports and all types of artistic expression.
Black Entertainment and Sports Institutions/Organizations in Atlanta, GA
1880s to the early 1900s -- "African-Americans in Atlanta were entertained by traveling minstrel companies and local orchestras which performed at social events held at the first Odd Fellows Hall, located on Piedmont Avenue. Atlanta University offered musically talented students, including James Weldon Johnson, brother of J. Rosamond Johnson, who entertained throughout the city during the late 1890s" (Mason, Jr. 10).
Circa 1900 -- "81 Theater" -- Blues Theater that became known as the home of Bessie Smith (Hill).
"…following the race riot of 1906 to the 1930s…Virtually every known entertainer and musician in the country appeared in Atlanta. These entertainers traveled the 'chittling circuit' and came to Atlanta on broken-down buses and down segregated back roads to perform on its states. For W.C. Handy, Bessie Smith, Ma Rainey, Duke Ellington, Count Basie, the Nicholas Brothers, Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, Jackie Wilson, Dina Washington, the Motown Revue, and even the legendary Billie Holiday and hundreds of others, Atlanta's club scene was a must stop. They resided at the Savoy Hotel, the Royal Hotel, the Forrest Arms…on Butler Street, and later Paschal's Hotel, before desegregation opened the fine hotels downtown" (Mason, Jr. 7-8).
1909 -- 1979 -- City Auditorium replaced the old Armory. Site of many shows, including minstrel, ragtime, vaudeville, blues, jazz, classical, rhythm and blues, and soul (Mason, Jr. 6).
1910 -- 1915 -- Roof Garden -- of the Odd Fellows Hall was used for dances (Mason, Jr. 12).
1919 -- Washington Park -- first recreational park for blacks in Atlanta. "The park started with a gift of six and a half acres and expanded to 25 acres when completed in 1928. It originally included a swimming pool, dance hall, pavilions, and tennis courts" (National Park Service).
1920s and forward -- Sunset Casino -- one of the most popular Atlanta destinations for large dances, concerts, and recreational sports (Mason, Jr. 37). Later (1947) renamed the Magnolia Ballroom (Mason, Jr. 38)
1920s -- Lincoln Clubhouse
1937 -- Top Hat Club -- "Known as 'Club Beautiful,' the Top Hat Club was considered one of the finest clubs for African-Americans in the country (Sweetauburn).
1940s -- Club Poinciana -- so popular during WWII that many performers did after-hours shows there to capacity crowds after performing at the City Auditorium (Mason, Jr. 43).
1942 -- Clark Atlanta University Art Galleries -- First of 29 Atlanta University annual art series (Clark Atlanta University).
1947 -- Paschal's Restaurant/La Carrousel Jazz Club (Paschal Restaurant Group).
1947 -- Congo Club (Mason, Jr. 38).
1949 -- Top Hat Club became the Royal Peacock Club -- "hosted top performers including Ray Charles, Marvin Gaye, Aretha Franklin, Dizzy Gillespie, Bessie Smith, Louis Armstrong, B.B. King, the Supremes, and Gladys Knight and the Pips" (Sweetauburn).
1949 -- WERD Radio Station launched (Halper).
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