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In the News

Howard Theatre’s reopening

Hundreds turn out for historic theater’s reopening ceremony.

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April 9. 2012

A crowd gathers in Northwest Washington for a community day event that marks the grand reopening of the historic Howard Theatre. The theater, which originally opened in 1910, was the first facility of its kind to cater to black audiences, making it a cultural mecca for African Americans. It once hosted musical stars such as Duke Ellington, Aretha Franklin and James Brown, but it was closed for 30 years prior to a $29 million renovation.

Ricky Carioti / The Washington Post

Melvin Deal, an African Heritage performer, raises his arms as he offers words of encouragement during the official reopening ceremony at the Howard Theatre.

April 9, 2012

Melvin Deal, an African Heritage performer, raises his arms as he offers words of encouragement during the official reopening ceremony at the Howard Theatre.

Ricky Carioti / The Washington Post

From left: D.C. Council member Marion Barry (D-Ward 8), Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes- Norton (D-D.C.), Mayor Vincent C. Gray (D), council member Jim Graham (D-Ward 1), Malik Ellis and Chip Ellis of Ellis Development, and ANC 1B Chairwoman Myla Moss cut the ribbon during the official reopening at the Howard Theatre.

April 9, 2012

From left: D.C. Council member Marion Barry (D-Ward 8), Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes- Norton (D-D.C.), Mayor Vincent C. Gray (D), council member Jim Graham (D-Ward 1), Malik Ellis and Chip Ellis of Ellis Development, and ANC 1B Chairwoman Myla Moss cut the ribbon during the official reopening at the Howard Theatre.

Ricky Carioti / The Washington Post

A crowd tries to enter the Howard Theatre during the community day event, marking its grand reopening.

April 9, 2012

A crowd tries to enter the Howard Theatre during the community day event, marking its grand reopening.

Ricky Carioti / The Washington Post

The Howard is returning to a part of the city that is nothing like it was even a decade ago. Beginning in the 1990s, as developers seized on the area, professionals moved into new condos and renovated rowhouses, eventually tripling median sales prices to $629,000. African Americans now account for a bit less than half of Shaw and LeDroit Park and the neighborhoods surrounding the Howard, though the areas were nearly 80 percent black a generation ago.

The Howard is returning to a part of the city that is nothing like it was even a decade ago. Beginning in the 1990s, as developers seized on the area, professionals moved into new condos and renovated rowhouses, eventually tripling median sales prices to $629,000. African Americans now account for a bit less than half of Shaw and LeDroit Park and the neighborhoods surrounding the Howard, though the areas were nearly 80 percent black a generation ago.

Marvin Joseph / The Washington Post

Neighborhoods surrounding LeDroit Park and Shaw were once riddled with crime and mostly occupied by African Americans.

Neighborhoods surrounding LeDroit Park and Shaw were once riddled with crime and mostly occupied by African Americans.

Marvin Joseph / The Washington Post

The Howard’s reopening is the culmination of a $29 million project sponsored by the District and the not-for-profit Howard Theatre Restoration.

The Howard’s reopening is the culmination of a $29 million project sponsored by the District and the not-for-profit Howard Theatre Restoration.

Marvin Joseph / The Washington Post

Hall Brothers Funeral Home dates back to the 1930s and catered to an African American clientele in the Shaw neighborhood.

Hall Brothers Funeral Home dates back to the 1930s and catered to an African American clientele in the Shaw neighborhood.

Marvin Joseph / The Washington Post

Richard Ables, right, and Robert Smith have been working for Hall Brothers Funeral Home for most of their lives.

Richard Ables, right, and Robert Smith have been working for Hall Brothers Funeral Home for most of their lives.

Marvin Joseph / The Washington Post

Richard Ables, right, shown with Robert Smith at Hall Brothers Funeral Home, says of the Howard Theatre’s heyday: “You could see the crowds at the ticket booth, all dressed up, it was like our little Times Square. It can’t be like the ’50s and ’60s when it was the place to go. It’s gone.”

Richard Ables, right, shown with Robert Smith at Hall Brothers Funeral Home, says of the Howard Theatre’s heyday: “You could see the crowds at the ticket booth, all dressed up, it was like our little Times Square. It can’t be like the ’50s and ’60s when it was the place to go. It’s gone.”

Marvin Joseph / The Washington Post

Richard Ables, left, shown with Robert Smith at Hall Brothers Funeral Home, is an affable, soft-spoken man who likes to refer to burials as “cases,” his discussions with potential clients as “conferences,” and people who have died as having “expired.” “It’s prettier,” he explained.

Richard Ables, left, shown with Robert Smith at Hall Brothers Funeral Home, is an affable, soft-spoken man who likes to refer to burials as “cases,” his discussions with potential clients as “conferences,” and people who have died as having “expired.” “It’s prettier,” he explained.

Marvin Joseph / The Washington Post

If the Hall brothers were performing 350 funerals a year at their height, Richard Ables said he’s lucky to get half that number, a performance that has made him try, with little success, to advertise in places that could draw patrons who are white, Hispanic, Indian and Ethiopian. “It’s diminished; it’s not dying,” Ables said of his business. “It will come back. Everyone still knows us. Ables is shown above at left with Robert Smith.

If the Hall brothers were performing 350 funerals a year at their height, Richard Ables said he’s lucky to get half that number, a performance that has made him try, with little success, to advertise in places that could draw patrons who are white, Hispanic, Indian and Ethiopian. “It’s diminished; it’s not dying,” Ables said of his business. “It will come back. Everyone still knows us. Ables is shown above at left with Robert Smith.

Marvin Joseph / The Washington Post

Frank Love, who has been cutting hair since 1961 at Gregg's Barber Shop on Seventh Street, says he is looking forward to the opening of the newly renovated Howard Theatre.

Frank Love, who has been cutting hair since 1961 at Gregg's Barber Shop on Seventh Street, says he is looking forward to the opening of the newly renovated Howard Theatre.

Marvin Joseph / The Washington Post

“It’s all changed around here,” said Frank Love, 77, shown giving Anthony McDuffie a trim. Love says he can’t wait for the Howard Theatre’s reopening and the chance to step inside the place where he went to see Jackie Wilson with his future wife, Pearl Love. He knows the theater can’t be what it was, but he’s okay with that. “That was then and this is now,” he says. “You can’t look for it to be the same.”

“It’s all changed around here,” said Frank Love, 77, shown giving Anthony McDuffie a trim. Love says he can’t wait for the Howard Theatre’s reopening and the chance to step inside the place where he went to see Jackie Wilson with his future wife, Pearl Love. He knows the theater can’t be what it was, but he’s okay with that. “That was then and this is now,” he says. “You can’t look for it to be the same.”

Marvin Joseph / The Washington Post

Neighborhoods surrounding LeDroit Park and Shaw continue to go through renovations, including the restoration of the historic Howard Theatre.

Neighborhoods surrounding LeDroit Park and Shaw continue to go through renovations, including the restoration of the historic Howard Theatre.

Marvin Joseph / The Washington Post

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