Throwback Thursday and Pat Chapelle
Born in 1869, Patrick Henry Chapelle was
a guitar player and entrepreneur from Jacksonville, Florida. He opened Excelsior
Hall on Bridge Street in Jacksonville, the first black-owned theater in the
South. It seated 500 people. He also established other theaters in the south.
Chapelle was sometimes compared to P.T. Barnum.
Because black performers often experienced
discrimination and unfair treatment from booking companies and theaters, Pat
Chapelle decided to organize his own traveling vaudeville troupe which
eventually became Pat Chapelle’s Rabbit’s
Foot Company.
Soon joined by his brother James and
Lewis, according to https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Rabbit%27s_Foot_Company#Pat_Chappelle's_Rabbit's_Foot_Company,_1900%E2%80%931911:
“organised
a small vaudeville circuit, including theatre venues in Savannah,
Georgia, Jacksonville and Tampa. By 1902 it was said that the Chappelle
brothers had full control of the African-American vaudeville business in that
part of the country, "able to give from 12 to 14 weeks [of employment] to
at least 75 performers and musicians" each season.”
Chapelle was known for presenting
exciting shows, and his performances drew large crowds. His performers included
dancers, aerialists, comedy, music, drama and even opera. The group performed and
toured until 1916 – even after Chapelle died.
Pat Chapelle died in October 1911 at the
young age of 42. He was reputed to be one of the wealthiest African-Americans
in Jacksonville Florida. He also owned a several pieces of real estate.
For more fascinating details about his
life: https://uncoveringjax.com/patrick-chappelle/.
From the Big
Blue Book of Ballet Secrets
Secret #202:
“Pat Chapelle opened the first black-owned theater in
the South.”
Link of the Day:
Quote of the Day:
“You see,
Evey, all the world's a stage. And everything else...
... is vaudeville.”
― Alan Moore
... is vaudeville.”
― Alan Moore
Help
expand the knowledge base!
Leave
a comment about any instructions, ideas, or images that worked best for you!
My
latest books are coloring books! They are available on Amazon.
Want
to know more about me? Read my interview at Ballet Connections:
Or "Like" me on my Facebook Author Page:
For interesting articles involving mental health:
No comments:
Post a Comment