Aaron Davis Hall is a performing arts center in Harlem, Manhattan, New York City. It opened in 1979[1] and is located on the campus of the City College of New York, between West 133rd and 135th Streets on Convent Avenue, one block east of Amsterdam Avenue. and is the northern extension of Morningside Avenue beginning at 127th Street. It consists of the Marian Anderson Theatre, named after the American contralto, and Theatre B, a black box theater.
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| Address | 160 Convent Ave. |
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| Location | New York City |
| Public transit | Subway: 135th Street–St. Nicholas Avenue   |
| Owner | City College of New York |
| Type | Performing arts center |
| Capacity | Marian Anderson Theatre: 750 Theatre B: 250 |
| Construction | |
| Built | 1974–1979 |
| Opened | October 24, 1979 |
| Construction cost | $5.3 million |
| Website | |
| adhatccny | |
In 2007, it was among over 530 New York City arts and social service institutions to receive part of a $20 million grant from the Carnegie Corporation, which was made possible through a donation by New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg.[2]
History edit
In 1974, the City College announced plans for the $5.3‐million Aaron Davis Hall, which would house the school's Leonard Davis Center for the Performing Arts.[3] The Aaron Davis Hall was opened in 1979 with a concert by many notable artists such as Mikhail Baryshnikov and Ella Fitzgerald. The architecture received acclaim for its verve and "dignified" style.[4]
In December 1992, the hall underwent a $250,000 renovation, which involved replacing torn carpet, repainting and sprucing up the lobby and backstage areas, and installing a new computerized lighting system and a 40-channel audio system, compared to the old system which only allowed four microphones.[5]
In 2007, it was among over 530 New York City arts and social service institutions to receive part of a $20 million grant from the Carnegie Corporation, which was made possible through a donation by New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg.[2]
Notable performers and visitors edit
- American Symphony Orchestra
- Mikhail Baryshnikov[1]
- Harry Belafonte[6]
- Ornette Coleman[7]
- Gil Evans[7][8]
- Suzanne Farrell
- Ella Fitzgerald[1]
- Freddie Hubbard[7]
- Bill T. Jones
- Alicia Keys[6]
- Ted Koppel[9][10]
- David Letterman[11]
- Nelson Mandela[9][10]
- Patricia McBride
- Barack Obama[11]
- Paul Smith Trio
- Max Roach[5]
- Carl Hancock Rux[12]
- Nancy Wilson[5]
- Lillias White[13]
See also edit
References edit
- ^ a b c "Gala Opening of Davis Hall Tomorrow" (PDF). The Campus. October 23, 1979.
- ^ a b Roberts, Sam (July 6, 2005). "City Groups Get Bloomberg Gift of $20 Million". The New York Times. Retrieved September 3, 2007.
- ^ Gent, George (March 29, 1974). "City College Unveils Arts Center Plan". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved December 19, 2022.
- ^ Goldberger, Paul (November 5, 1979). "Aaron Davis Hall: Architectural Paradox". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved December 19, 2022.
- ^ a b c Collins, Glenn (December 5, 1992). "Jazzing Up a Harlem Concert Hall". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved December 19, 2022.
- ^ a b "Harry Belafonte Tribute Concert Back By Popular Demand at Aaron Davis Hall". New York Trend Online. February 14, 2019. Retrieved December 19, 2022.
- ^ a b c "History – Jazz At City". Retrieved December 19, 2022.
- ^ "The Jazz of Gil Evans Conducted by Gil Evans". The New York Times. November 19, 1982. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved December 19, 2022.
- ^ a b "The Koppel Report: A Town Hall Meeting With Nelson Mandela | Vanderbilt Television News Archive". tvnews.vanderbilt.edu. Retrieved December 19, 2022.
- ^ a b Magazine, Harlem World (July 18, 2022). "Nelson Mandela Speaks At City College In Harlem, 1990". Harlem World Magazine. Retrieved December 19, 2022.
- ^ a b York, The City College of New (January 26, 2018). "A surprise visit from a man who needs no introduction: Obama". The City College of New York. Retrieved December 19, 2022.
- ^ Hinckley, David (May 7, 1998). "A Record Year for Poetry & Pop". Daily News. New York. Retrieved August 15, 2023 – via newspapers.com.
- ^ York, The City College of New (October 17, 2011). "Lillias White Opens Aaron Davis Hall Season November 4". The City College of New York. Retrieved December 19, 2022.
External links edit
40°49′03″N 73°57′05″W / 40.81750°N 73.95139°W
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