Avalon Regal Theater facts for kids
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| Address | 1641 East 79th Street Chicago, Illinois United States |
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| Coordinates | 41°45′05″N 87°35′01″W / 41.75139°N 87.58361°W |
| Owner | Community Capital Investment, LLC |
| Operator | Chicago Regal Foundation 501(c)(3) |
| Designation | Chicago Landmark (June 17, 1992) |
| Type |
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| Capacity | 2,250 seats |
| Construction | |
| Opened | August 29, 1927 |
| Closed | June 26, 2003–August 2008 March 2010 |
| Rebuilt | 1985 (renovated) |
| Years active | 1927–1967 1970–1985 1987–2003 2008–2010 |
| Architect | John Eberson |
| Official name | New Regal Theater |
| Type | Cultural venue |
| Designated | June 17, 1992 |
The Avalon Regal Theater is a famous music hall in Chicago, Illinois. It's located on the south side of the city, near the Avalon Park and South Shore neighborhoods. This theater first opened its doors in August 1927. It's well-known as an important place for African-American performers to showcase their talents. It was originally called the Avalon Theater and later became the New Regal Theater.
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What Makes the Avalon Regal Theater Special?
The Avalon Regal Theater has a really unique design. It was created by an architect named John Eberson. He was famous for making theaters look like exotic places.
An "Atmospheric" Design
Eberson designed the theater to be an "atmospheric" space. This means it feels like you're sitting outdoors under a starry sky. The ceiling often looks like a night sky with twinkling lights.
Inspired by Moorish Art
The theater's style is also called Moorish Revival. This design takes inspiration from the beautiful art and buildings of the Moorish people. These designs often feature intricate patterns, arches, and rich colors. Eberson reportedly got his idea from a fancy Persian incense burner he found in a market.
A Look Back: The History of the Avalon Regal Theater
The theater first opened on August 29, 1927. Back then, the area was called Avalon Park. It was a neighborhood where many German, Swedish, and Irish families lived.
Early Years as a Performing Arts Venue
When it first opened, the Avalon Theater was a place for live shows. This continued until 1934. Later, in the 1960s, more African-American families began moving into the area. The theater then became a very important spot for the Black community.
From Movies to a Church
From 1935 until 1967, the Avalon Theater showed movies. After it closed, it was sold in 1970. For the next 14 years, it was used as the Miracle Temple Church.
Rebirth as the New Regal Theater
In 1985, Edward and Bettiann Gardner bought the building. They were the founders of a company called Soft Sheen Products. The Gardners renovated the theater and reopened it in 1987. They renamed it The New Regal Theater. This name honored the old Regal Theater in Bronzeville. That theater was a famous cultural center for Chicago's African American community.
In May 1987, the theater received a big grant of $1 million to help with renovations. This money came from the Illinois Development Action Grant program. On June 17, 1992, the theater was given Chicago Landmark status. This means it's a very important historical building in Chicago.
After 18 years, the Gardners closed the theater in June 2003. This was because not enough people were attending shows, and the building was expensive to run.
New Owners and Future Hopes
In 2008, Regina Evans bought the theater. She hoped to bring it back to life as a cultural venue. There were some challenges with funding and ownership changes over the next few years.
In August 2008, the theater hosted a party. This party celebrated Barack Obama's acceptance speech for president. Later, in 2010 or 2014, Jerald Gary bought the theater. He is the president of Community Capital Investment Partners, LLC. In September 2018, famous rapper and Chicago native Kanye West promised to help restore the theater. He pledged to donate $1 million.
The Chicago Regal Foundation and Open House Chicago
The Chicago Regal Foundation is a group that works to raise money. Their goal is to reopen and operate the Avalon Regal Theater. The Foundation hopes to use special holographic technology. This would allow them to recreate famous moments in entertainment history on stage.
The theater also takes part in the Chicago Architecture Foundation's yearly event. It's called Open House Chicago. This event lets visitors tour the inside of the building for free. It's a great chance to see its amazing architecture up close!
See Also
- Regal Theater, Chicago
