Ritz Theatre (Jacksonville) facts for kids
The Ritz Theatre is a special place in the LaVilla neighborhood of Jacksonville, Florida. It's a theatre that focuses on African-American culture and history. The theatre has 426 seats and is used for many different shows. You can see music, dance, and plays there, and even movies. The large lobby is also used for events. Right next to the lobby is the LaVilla Museum. This museum has about 11,000 square feet (1,000 m2) of exhibits. LaVilla is known as a very important place for African American culture and heritage in Florida.
History of the Ritz Theatre
The Ritz Theatre was built in 1929. It was designed in the Art Deco style by an architect named Jefferson Powell. The theatre was built where an older movie house used to be in LaVilla. From 1921 to 1971, LaVilla was a very lively and important neighborhood. It was even called the "Harlem of the South." This meant it was a major center for African American culture and entertainment.
Rebuilding the Ritz
After the 1970s, the entertainment area of LaVilla faced some challenges. It became less active. But then, Mayor Ed Austin had a big plan called the River City Renaissance. This plan aimed to make the city better. It included $4.2 million to fix up the theatre and the museum. Work on the project started in 1998. The theatre and museum reopened on September 30, 1999. Today, only the sign and one corner of the original building remain.
