Friends of Dreamland Ballroom Holds First Open-House
- When: Thursday, October 1, 2009, 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
- Where: Dreamland Ballroom, Taborian Hall, corner of Ninth and State streets, Little Rock, AR
- Cost: Not available
- Age limit: All ages
- Categories: Lectures, Poetry
Friends of Dreamland Ballroom Holds First Open-House
LITTLE ROCK, AR Friends of Dreamland Ballroom, the non-profit group formed to support the restoration of the historic Dreamland Ballroom, will hold its first open house Thursday, October 1st, 2009 from 6:30 to 8:30pm.
"Friends of Dreamland Ballroom" is a non-profit committed to bringing back the music, the history, and the party of the Dreamland Ballroom. "This open house is an opportunity for us to share our mission and vision with the public" says Kerry McCoy, Chairman of the Friends of Dreamland. "We will serve wine and cheese, give a short presentation, and then tours of the building" says Kerry.
Background-
Stately Taborian Hall, located on the corner of Ninth and State streets, is the only remaining historic building on West Ninth, a testimony to the street's former vibrancy and glory days as Little Rock's "Little Harlem." Once known as Taborian Temple, it was built for the African American fraternal insurance organization, the Knights and Daughters of the Tabor. Construction began on the Classical building in 1916 by local black contractor, Simeon Johnson, and was completed in 1918. Over 1,500 fraternal members attended the dedication of Taborian Temple in that year.
By 1937, the Dreamland Ballroom was firmly established on Taborian's third floor. The popular dancehall with its famous "swing floor" was a hotbed for big bands, jazz, and blues, and the scene for dances, socials, and basketball games. It was a regular stop for the "Chittlin' Circuit," a national touring company of professional black entertainers, revues, and stage shows. With the advent of World War II, the United Service Club, USO, bought the building and turned the first to the third floors into a club that served thousands of black soldiers from Camp Robinson (formerly Camp Pike) and the Stuttgart Air Base. The Dreamland ripped and rollicked during those war years and beyond with legendary musical artists including "Fatha" Earl Hines, Louis Armstrong, Count Basie, and Ella Fitzgerald, and comedians Redd Foxx and Sammie Davis. Local stars cut their musical teeth in the Dreamland too including Blind Al Hibbler, Louis Jordan, the Yellowjackets, and Lloyd Armon and his Orchestra. In 1954, the Temple became known as Taborian Hall. During the 1950s, "The Blues Boy" B.B. King brought his "Three O'Clock Blues" to the premier night spot along with "Famous Blind Singing Star" Ray Charles who sang "Little Rockers" into hysterics with "Midnight Hour," and "Roll With My Baby." Throughout the early 1960s, Taborian Hall's musical legacy remained strong, but by 1970 had ended.
