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 celebrates African-American culture. People come here to enjoy music, dance, plays, and movies. The theatre can hold 426 people. It also has a big lobby for parties and events. Right next to the lobby is the LaVilla Museum. This museum has over 11,000 square feet (1,000 m2) of cool exhibits. LaVilla is often called "the heart of African American culture" in Florida.
The Ritz Theatre: A Look Back
Building History
The original Ritz Theatre was built in 1929. It was designed in the beautiful Art Deco style. A local architect named Jefferson Powell created its plans. It was built where an older movie house used to be.
LaVilla's Golden Age
From 1921 to 1971, the LaVilla neighborhood was full of life. It was known as the "Harlem of the South." This meant it was a very important center for African-American entertainment and culture.
A New Beginning
After the 1970s, the entertainment area in LaVilla became less popular. But then, Mayor Ed Austin had a plan called River City Renaissance. This plan included $4.2 million to fix up the theatre and museum. Work on the project started in 1998. The theatre and museum reopened on September 30, 1999. Today, only the sign and the northwest corner are left from the very first building.
