Carver Theatre (Birmingham, Alabama) facts for kids
The Carver Theatre, also known as the Carver Performing Arts Center, is a special theater in downtown Birmingham, Alabama. Long ago, it was a movie theater where African-American people could watch the newest movies. At that time, many theaters only allowed white people because of unfair laws called segregation.
Today, the Carver Theatre is a place for live shows. It can seat 527 people. It is also the home of the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame, which celebrates famous jazz musicians.
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History of the Carver Theatre
The Carver Theatre first opened its doors in 1935. It is located on the corner of Fourth Avenue North and 17th Street North. In 1945, the theater was updated with many new features. These included 1,300 modern theater chairs, air conditioning, and better sound and movie projection.
A Community Hub
The Fourth Avenue area was a busy place for the city's Black community. It was a center for businesses and entertainment. Many important events of the Civil Rights Movement also happened in this area.
Changes Over Time
Like many theaters in city centers, the Carver Theatre became less popular over the years. It eventually closed in the early 1980s.
Reopening as a Performance Center
In 1990, the City of Birmingham bought the Carver Theatre. The city wanted to improve the area where many Civil Rights events took place. They remodeled the theater for live performances. The goal was to remember the Carver's important role in the African-American community.
One of the main plans was for the theater to become the home of the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame. Since it reopened, the Carver Theatre has hosted many exciting events. These include the Taste of 4th Avenue Jazz Festival and the yearly AJHoF Student Jazz Festival. Famous performers like the Duke Ellington Orchestra, Lionel Hampton, Diana Krall, and Lou Marini have played there. The theater also hosts touring plays and many concerts and educational programs from the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame. The Carver Theatre is now an important part of the Birmingham Civil Rights District.
More to Explore
- List of jazz venues
- List of jazz institutions and organizations
External Links
- Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame official website
- The Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame All-Stars at All About Jazz
- 2007 Taste of 4th Avenue Jazz Festival website
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