Carver Theatre (Birmingham, Alabama) facts for kids
The Carver Theatre, officially called the Carver Performing Arts Center, is a cool theater in downtown Birmingham, Alabama. Long ago, it was a movie theater. It was very special because it was one of the few places where African-American people could watch the newest movies. At that time, many other theaters only allowed white people because of unfair laws called segregation.
Today, the Carver is a busy place for live shows and concerts. It has seats for 527 people. It's also the home of the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame, which celebrates amazing jazz music.
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History of the Carver Theatre
The Carver Theatre first opened its doors in 1935. You can find it on the corner of Fourth Avenue North and 17th Street North. In 1945, the theater got a big upgrade. It added 1,300 new seats, air conditioning, and better sound and movie projectors. This made it a very modern place to watch films!
A Special Place for the Community
The area around Fourth Avenue was a lively center for Birmingham's black community. It had many businesses and fun places. This area was also important during the Civil Rights Movement, a time when people worked hard for equal rights.
Like many old downtown theaters, the Carver became less popular over the years. It closed down in the early 1980s.
Reopening and New Life
In 1990, the City of Birmingham bought the Carver. They wanted to improve the area where many important Civil Rights events happened. The city decided to fix up the Carver and turn it into a place for live performances. They wanted to remember its special history in the African-American community.
One of the main goals was to make it the new home for the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame. Since it reopened, the Carver has hosted many exciting events.
Famous Performers and Events
The Carver Theatre has welcomed many talented artists and shows. Some of these include the Taste of 4th Avenue Jazz Festival and the yearly AJHoF Student Jazz Festival. Famous musicians like the Duke Ellington Orchestra, Lionel Hampton, and Diana Krall have performed there.
The theater also hosts touring plays and many concerts. Educational events sponsored by the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame are held there too. The Carver Theatre is now an important part of the Birmingham Civil Rights District.
See also
- List of jazz venues
- List of jazz institutions and organizations
