The newly renovated Howard Theatre opened a year ago bringing back memories of Duke Ellington, Marvin Gaye and Diana Ross who all played the club when it was a premier entertainment destination. Its amateur night gave young talents such as Ella Fitzgerald and Billy Eckstine their big breaks.
A woman and man chat at the bar in front of a picture of James Brown at the newly renovated Howard Theatre in Northwest at its grand opening Monday. The space is filled with photographs of famous acts that once played there, including Ella Fitzgerald, D.C.'s own Duke Ellington and Marvin Gaye, Lionel Hampton and, later, Redd Foxx. Photo galley, washingtontimes.com/multimedia. (Barbara L. Sallisbury/The Washington Times)
Painter Gino Garcia adds final touches to a second floor window next to a large photograph of Ella Fitzgerald as the redesigned historic Howard Theatre is set to reopen with a ribbon cutting Monday and an opening night gala on Thursday, Washington, D.C., Thursday, April 5, 2012. (Andrew Harnik/The Washington Times)
Ella Fitzgerald
LANDMARK: Entertainers such as Ella Fitzgerald, Duke Ellington and Louis Armstrong performed at the Lincoln Theatre during a time when segregation barred patrons from downtown theaters. The venue faces a financial crisis. (T.J. Kirkpatrick/The Washington Times)
