The Avalon Regal Theater (originally the Avalon Theater, and later the New Regal Theater) is a music hall located at 1641 East 79th Street, bordered by the Avalon Park and South Shore neighborhoods on the south side of Chicago, Illinois, United States. It is a noted venue for African-American performers. The theater opened in August 1927.[citation needed]
Architecturally, the Avalon Regal's atmospheric and Moorish Revivalist theme was conceived by Austrian-born architect John Eberson, who was nationally known for his exotic motifs. Legend has it that Eberson was inspired by an ornate Persian incense burner he found in an antique market in the French Quarter of New Orleans.[2]
Usage
An upper view of the lobby, looking toward the entrance of the theater
The theater opened as the Avalon Theater on August 29, 1927, when the community was known as Avalon Park, a then predominantly German, Swedish and Irish neighborhood. At the time of its opening, The theater served as a live-performing arts venue until 1934.[3] During the 1960s, more African Americans began to move into the area around the theater, transforming local culture while taking advantage of this historic gem for their unique musical and artistic ends.
The theater was later in business, only showing motion pictures from 1935 until its closing in 1967. When the theater was sold in 1970, It served as the Miracle Temple Church and a meeting place for 14 years. In 1985, The building was purchased by Edward and Bettiann Gardner, the founders of Soft Sheen Products. The Gardner's renovated and reopened the theater as a performing arts venue two years later.[1] At that time, the Gardners renamed the theater The New Regal Theater. The name was in honor of the old Regal Theater[4] in Bronzeville, a celebrated cultural center for Chicago's African American community beginning in the 1920s. The old Regal Theater, located at 4719 South Martin Luther King Jr. Drive caught fire in September 1971[citation needed] was later demolished in 1973. In May 1987, the theater received a $1 million dollar grant for renovations from Illinois Development Action Grant program under mayor Harold Washington administration. The grant was part of a financial package totaling $4.1 million.[5] The theater received Chicago Landmark status on June 17, 1992.[6] After 18 years, the Gardner's closed the theater due to low-attendance and operational cost of the building in June 2003.[citation needed]
A view of the stage from the second tier.
The theater was later purchased by Regina Evans, Country Club Hills, Illinois police chief in 2008 with the help of state fund of $2.36 million dollars with the hope of reviving it as a cultural venue.[7] Evans secured a state loan for $1.25 million dollars for renovations to the theater but Evans used the funds for personal use.[8][9] The site did hold a party to celebrate Barack Obama's presidential nomination acceptance speech in August 2008.[10] The theater was foreclosed and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. acquired the theater in 2011. It was later sold to Community Capital Investment, LLC. Jerald Gary, president and chief investment officer of Community Capital Investment Partners, LLC purchased the theater for $100,000 in a foreclosure deal in 2010[11] or February 2014.[8][12] In September 2018, Rapper and Chicago native Kanye West committed to help restore the theater, pledging to donate $1 million dollars.[13][14]
Chicago Regal and Architecture Foundation
The Chicago Regal Foundation 501(c)(3) was created to raise funds needed to reopen and operate it [15] The Foundation plans to recreate pivotal moments in entertainment history using holographic stage technology.[16] The theater regularly participates in the Chicago Architecture Foundation's yearly event, Open House Chicago.[17] This annual opportunity allows visitors to tour the interior of the building for free.[18]
^ ab"New Regal Theatre in Chicago, IL". Cinema Treasures. Retrieved November 15, 2013.
^Mark Konkol. "No man is an Island - Hop off the Dan Ryan for a compelling journey through a hood that's authentic Chicago". Chicago Sun-Times. November 9, 2007. p. 12.
^Chicago Sun-times - Kanye West joins effort to revive shuttered Avalon Regal Theater - September 11, 2018
^Explore Chicago Collections - Mayor Washington at the New Regal Theater opening
^New Regal Theater August 26, 2007, at the Wayback Machine, City of Chicago Department of Planning and Development, Landmarks Division (2003). Retrieved on August 21, 2007.
^David Roeder and Fran Spielman. "Regal rebirth - The old Avalon Theatre is taking on new life as investors close a $2.36 million deal for the South Side icon". Chicago Sun-Times. March 14, 2008. pg. 54.
^ abCrains Chicago Business - He's no Roc-a-Fella, but this J has Regal plans - March 18, 2014 - SHIA KAPOS
^David Roeder and Fran Spielman. "Curtains for New Regal? October 3, 2009, at the Wayback Machine" Chicago Sun-Times. October 2, 2009. Retrieved on October 23, 2009.
^Chicagoans Celebrate Obama's Nomination November 21, 2008, at the Wayback Machine. CBS 2 Chicago. August 28, 2008. Retrieved on October 23, 2009.
^Chicago Sun times - EDITORIAL: Kanye’s right. Restoring the Avalon Regal Theater a cause worth championing - September 14, 2018
^Style Magazine - Jerald Gary, 30, Buys Historic Regal Theater in Chicago to Restore and Use with Art Non-Profits Style Magazine Newswire - 7/20/2016
^WGN News (Chicago, IL) Kanye West committing $1 million to restore Avalon Regal Theater, owner says - February 2019
^The Real Deal - Kanye West donating $1M to restoration of historic South Side theater (The Avalon Regal Theater in South Shore, a 1920s-era movie palace, has been closed since 2003) - March 02, 2019
^Kapos, Shia (March 10, 2014). "Rumors aside, new owner of Chicago's New Regal Theater has big plans". Crain's Chicago Business. Retrieved July 14, 2014.
^. DNAinfo Chicago. Archived from the original on February 25, 2016. Retrieved February 18, 2016.
^. Archived from the original on February 22, 2016. Retrieved February 12, 2016.
^. Archived from the original on February 24, 2016. Retrieved February 12, 2016.
External links
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Avalon Regal Theater.
Recent interior photographs by Matt Lambros
February 25, 2023
avalon, regal, theater, former, theater, regal, theater, chicago, originally, avalon, theater, later, regal, theater, music, hall, located, 1641, east, 79th, street, bordered, avalon, park, south, shore, neighborhoods, south, side, chicago, illinois, united, s. For the former theater see Regal Theater Chicago The Avalon Regal Theater originally the Avalon Theater and later the New Regal Theater is a music hall located at 1641 East 79th Street bordered by the Avalon Park and South Shore neighborhoods on the south side of Chicago Illinois United States It is a noted venue for African American performers The theater opened in August 1927 citation needed Avalon Regal TheaterAddress1641 East 79th StreetChicago IllinoisUnited StatesCoordinates41 45 05 N 87 35 01 W 41 75139 N 87 58361 W 41 75139 87 58361 Coordinates 41 45 05 N 87 35 01 W 41 75139 N 87 58361 W 41 75139 87 58361OwnerCommunity Capital Investment LLCOperatorChicago Regal Foundation 501 c 3 DesignationChicago Landmark June 17 1992 TypePerforming Arts CenterAfrican American Cultural CenterCapacity2 250 seatsConstructionOpenedAugust 29 1927 citation needed ClosedJune 26 2003 August 2008March 2010Rebuilt1985 renovated 1 Years active1927 19671970 19851987 20032008 2010ArchitectJohn EbersonWebsiteregaltheater wbr orgChicago LandmarkOfficial nameNew Regal TheaterTypeCultural venueDesignatedJune 17 1992 Contents 1 History 1 1 Structure 1 2 Usage 1 3 Chicago Regal and Architecture Foundation 2 Notable performers 3 References 4 External linksHistory EditStructure Edit Architecturally the Avalon Regal s atmospheric and Moorish Revivalist theme was conceived by Austrian born architect John Eberson who was nationally known for his exotic motifs Legend has it that Eberson was inspired by an ornate Persian incense burner he found in an antique market in the French Quarter of New Orleans 2 Usage Edit An upper view of the lobby looking toward the entrance of the theater The theater opened as the Avalon Theater on August 29 1927 when the community was known as Avalon Park a then predominantly German Swedish and Irish neighborhood At the time of its opening The theater served as a live performing arts venue until 1934 3 During the 1960s more African Americans began to move into the area around the theater transforming local culture while taking advantage of this historic gem for their unique musical and artistic ends The theater was later in business only showing motion pictures from 1935 until its closing in 1967 When the theater was sold in 1970 It served as the Miracle Temple Church and a meeting place for 14 years In 1985 The building was purchased by Edward and Bettiann Gardner the founders of Soft Sheen Products The Gardner s renovated and reopened the theater as a performing arts venue two years later 1 At that time the Gardners renamed the theater The New Regal Theater The name was in honor of the old Regal Theater 4 in Bronzeville a celebrated cultural center for Chicago s African American community beginning in the 1920s The old Regal Theater located at 4719 South Martin Luther King Jr Drive caught fire in September 1971 citation needed was later demolished in 1973 In May 1987 the theater received a 1 million dollar grant for renovations from Illinois Development Action Grant program under mayor Harold Washington administration The grant was part of a financial package totaling 4 1 million 5 The theater received Chicago Landmark status on June 17 1992 6 After 18 years the Gardner s closed the theater due to low attendance and operational cost of the building in June 2003 citation needed A view of the stage from the second tier The theater was later purchased by Regina Evans Country Club Hills Illinois police chief in 2008 with the help of state fund of 2 36 million dollars with the hope of reviving it as a cultural venue 7 Evans secured a state loan for 1 25 million dollars for renovations to the theater but Evans used the funds for personal use 8 9 The site did hold a party to celebrate Barack Obama s presidential nomination acceptance speech in August 2008 10 The theater was foreclosed and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp acquired the theater in 2011 It was later sold to Community Capital Investment LLC Jerald Gary president and chief investment officer of Community Capital Investment Partners LLC purchased the theater for 100 000 in a foreclosure deal in 2010 11 or February 2014 8 12 In September 2018 Rapper and Chicago native Kanye West committed to help restore the theater pledging to donate 1 million dollars 13 14 Chicago Regal and Architecture Foundation Edit The Chicago Regal Foundation 501 c 3 was created to raise funds needed to reopen and operate it 15 The Foundation plans to recreate pivotal moments in entertainment history using holographic stage technology 16 The theater regularly participates in the Chicago Architecture Foundation s yearly event Open House Chicago 17 This annual opportunity allows visitors to tour the interior of the building for free 18 Notable performers EditTwista Common Tupac Da Brat Biggie Bow Wow Barbara Acklin Louis Armstrong Michael Baisden Josephine Baker Count Basie Jan Bradley James Brown Solomon Burke Jerry Butler Cab Calloway Benny Carter Gene Chandler The Chi Lites Dee Clark Nat King Cole Natalie Cole John Coltrane The Contours Bill Cosby Dorothy Dandridge Miles Davis Sammy Davis Jr The Dells Earth Wind amp Fire Billy Eckstine Duke Ellington The Emotions Betty Everett Lola Falana Ella Fitzgerald The Four Tops Redd Foxx Aretha Franklin The Frogs Marvin Gaye Dizzy Gillespie Al Green Herbie Hancock Lionel Hampton Isaac Hayes Earl Hines Billie Holiday Lena Horne Whitney Houston Revella Hughes The Impressions The Ink Spots International Sweethearts of Rhythm The Isley Brothers The Jackson 5 Mahalia Jackson Michael Jackson Millie Jackson Etta James Louis Jordan B B King Gladys Knight amp the Pips Major Lance Ramsey Lewis Ludacris Jimmie Lunceford Moms Mabley Curtis Mayfield Bobby McFerrin Magic Slim amp The MG s The Marvelettes Stephanie Mills The Nicholas Brothers Pearl Jam Richard Pryor Arthur Prysock Lou Rawls Minnie Riperton Martha and the Vandellas Paul Robeson Smokey Robinson amp The Miracles The Shirelles Soulja Boy The Staple Singers Billy Stewart The Supremes The Sweet Inspirations The Temptations Tammi Terrell The Velvelettes Junior Walker and the All Stars Clara Ward Dionne Warwick Dinah Washington Ethel Waters Chick Webb Kirk Whalum Jackie Wilson Mary Wells Kim Weston The Whispers Deniece Williams Joe Williams Flip Wilson Stevie Wonder Kanye West Bob DylanJay ZeeReferences Edit a b New Regal Theatre in Chicago IL Cinema Treasures Retrieved November 15 2013 Mark Konkol No man is an Island Hop off the Dan Ryan for a compelling journey through a hood that s authentic Chicago Chicago Sun Times November 9 2007 p 12 Chicago Sun times Kanye West joins effort to revive shuttered Avalon Regal Theater September 11 2018 Semmes C April 4 2011 UMKC ISBN 978 0230113152 Explore Chicago Collections Mayor Washington at the New Regal Theater opening New Regal Theater Archived August 26 2007 at the Wayback Machine City of Chicago Department of Planning and Development Landmarks Division 2003 Retrieved on August 21 2007 David Roeder and Fran Spielman Regal rebirth The old Avalon Theatre is taking on new life as investors close a 2 36 million deal for the South Side icon Chicago Sun Times March 14 2008 pg 54 a b Crains Chicago Business He s no Roc a Fella but this J has Regal plans March 18 2014 SHIA KAPOS David Roeder and Fran Spielman Curtains for New Regal Archived October 3 2009 at the Wayback Machine Chicago Sun Times October 2 2009 Retrieved on October 23 2009 Chicagoans Celebrate Obama s Nomination Archived November 21 2008 at the Wayback Machine CBS 2 Chicago August 28 2008 Retrieved on October 23 2009 Chicago Sun times EDITORIAL Kanye s right Restoring the Avalon Regal Theater a cause worth championing September 14 2018 Style Magazine Jerald Gary 30 Buys Historic Regal Theater in Chicago to Restore and Use with Art Non Profits Style Magazine Newswire 7 20 2016 WGN News Chicago IL Kanye West committing 1 million to restore Avalon Regal Theater owner says February 2019 The Real Deal Kanye West donating 1M to restoration of historic South Side theater The Avalon Regal Theater in South Shore a 1920s era movie palace has been closed since 2003 March 02 2019 Kapos Shia March 10 2014 Rumors aside new owner of Chicago s New Regal Theater has big plans Crain s Chicago Business Retrieved July 14 2014 Hologram Concerts of Dead Legends Could Be Next Life for New Regal Theater DNAinfo Chicago Archived from the original on February 25 2016 Retrieved February 18 2016 South Side s Restoration on Full View for Open House Chicago Hyde Park DNAinfo com Chicago Archived from the original on February 22 2016 Retrieved February 12 2016 New Regal Theater Avalon Theater Sites Open House Chicago Archived from the original on February 24 2016 Retrieved February 12 2016 External links Edit Wikimedia Commons has media related to Avalon Regal Theater Chicago Landmarks Recent interior photographs by Matt Lambros Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Avalon Regal Theater amp oldid 1109066508, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
