#St pete little theatre professional

She wondered if this a house? But either way, she thought it shouldn't be on such a place! She also said that when she arrived in Guernsey on the boat last year, she noticed what looked like a huge glass box on the site of the Little Theatre. Sue remembers performing in the Eistedfodd in the 1950s at the Little Theatre. It was very sad to se this lovely old building go up in smoke and I hope something creative is done to the site. Within 10 minutes the whole roof was ablaze and the flat I was in heated up quite alarmingly due to the ferocity of the blaze. I quickly called the fire brigade although they had already been alerted to it. the sound was the wooden roof timbers cracking. I got up and looked out of my bedroom window to see flames licking the apex on the Eastern side of the theatre. I remember being woken in the early hours of (I think) Feb '84 to what sounded like mini explosions. My mother had the garden flat above the Little Theatre back in the '80s, next to the Salvation Army building. Also saw bands there like Edison Lighthouse. It was a great place to play hiding seek. I grew up in Clifton Steps so my playground was around the Little Theatre, riding my bike down the hill and just stopping before reaching the steps. The venue closed its doors in 1968 but has been recently revived as an events hall and entertainment venue as part of a larger revival initiative of this historic neighborhood.Please turn on JavaScript. Local minister and radio personality Goldie Thompson booked religious programs at the Casino, as did Father Divine, a spiritualist. Some of American music's most legendary performers played at the Manhattan including James Brown, Louis Armstrong, Fats Waller, Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Lionel Hampton, Cab Calloway, Ray Charles, Nat King Cole, Sarah Vaughn, Fats Domino, and the Ink Spots.Īfter the era of the big bands, the Manhattan Casino hosted dances featuring local artists, and provided a stage to rock and roll and blues singers popular in the 1960's. The Manhattan was a showcase for local African American artists as well as a haven for traveling African American entertainers who stopped in St. Pete.ĭuring segregation, the Manhattan Casino was the place for cultural and social entertainment for the African American community, similar to what the Coliseum provided to the white community. that was a hub of business and entertainment for the African American community during segregation-era St. It later became known as the Manhattan Casino and was part of “The Deuces”-an area along 22nd St. two-story entertainment facility, which first opened as the Jordan Dance Hall in 1931. In 1925, a local African-American entrepreneur named Elder Jordan contracted with R.L. The main ballroom provides seating for up to 300 people that can be configured to accommodate any style event.

#St pete little theatre professional

The main ballroom features a built-in raised stage with professional lighting and sound equipment, alongside premier bar service and catering options. View the Manhattan’s website for a current listing of upcoming eventsīook the Manhattan The Historic Manhattan Casino provides the perfect venue for a variety of special events. It offers ample parking, in-house beverage and catering options, and seating for up to 300 people in the main ballroom. The Manhattan is an active food hall and event space that hosts a variety of public and private events across the venue. S., in what was once a thriving downtown area, the Manhattan has long been known as the community dance hall. Built in 1925, the Manhattan Casino has contributed to entertainment and culture in the African American community for more than 40 years.