tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2048034911181517049.post1602719734355639392..comments2024-03-27T05:56:36.051-04:00Comments on H A R L E M + B E S P O K E: ☞ PROTECT: The Renaissance BallroomUlysseshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00817576268296958520noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2048034911181517049.post-8074677141402342622010-10-12T10:53:51.438-04:002010-10-12T10:53:51.438-04:00For those who want to know more about the history ...For those who want to know more about the history of the Renaissance Ballroom, the only major black-owned uptown theater in the 1920s: I've seen evidence that it was built in 1920, not 1921--either way, the man behind it was William C. Roach (one also sees Roche), an immigrant from Montserrat who became a major player in uptown real estate and a member of Marcus Garvey’s UNIA. Located at 2341-59 Seventh Avenue, between West 137th and West 138th streets, close to the Abyssinian Baptist Church, it featured concerts and dances. Fletcher Henderson was one of the early features. There were also shows, and gambling, especially after Roach added a second-floor ballroom and casino in 1923. The Renaissance also became famous for its basketball team, the Renns, which compiled a 2,588-592 record over almost three decades of competing with black teams from elsewhere in New York City (including the Savoy Big Five) and from Chicago, Akron, Philadelphia, and Detroit.Jonathan Gillnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2048034911181517049.post-18368300490457465772010-09-16T13:30:37.362-04:002010-09-16T13:30:37.362-04:00great chow mein sign there, if you look at the nor...great chow mein sign there, if you look at the north side of it.garynoreply@blogger.com