Avalon Regal Theater

Andy Pierce on August 29, 2008 at 6:44 am

(A good use for the local movie palace)

Obama on the Big Screen

CHICAGO – Presidential candidate Barack Obama loomed larger than
life last night in Chicago, despite his being far away in the center
of Denver’s Mile High Stadium.

In fact, he was a hit at the old thee-ay-ter in the neighborhood.
More than 1,500 people gathered in the auditorium of the historic
New Regal Theatre, 1645 E. 79th St., last night, Thursday, August
28, 2008, to watch Barack Obama give his acceptance speech live on
the big screen. Several media outlets covered the event from the
back of the main floor as the crowd cheered and rose to its feet to
show enthusiasm for the individual campaign promises Obama made.

Ron and Regina Evans, the theater’s owners invited the public to
watch the broadcast live and for free. Registration was required at
www.mybarackobama.com

The bejeweled lobby hosted several tables of Obama memorabilia and
voter registration opportunities. Popcorn, sodas and other snacks
were available as per custom.

The New Regal’s creative marketing of the event read: “If you cannot
make it to Denver, you can get together with your friends at the
Regal Theater (sic) and watch Barack.” Also, there was an
opportunity to sign up for the New Regal’s mailing list.

Native Chicagoans recall this building was originally the Avalon
Theatre, a fantastic 1927 atmospheric design from architect John
Eberson. Restored in 1985 in a project sponsored by Ed and Bettian
Gardner, of Softsheen Products and backed in part by the City of
Chicago, the New Regal is perhaps the best restoration of a movie
palace in Chicago.

It was renamed to capture the spirit of the lost Regal Theatre, 47th
Street and South Parkway (now MLK). The original Regal was sited in
the second expansion of the Black Metropolis in Chicago’s
Bronzeville. It was a movie palace built for African American
audiences and was venue to many important musicians in the decades
before its 1973 demolition.

http://www.chicagoregal.com/

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/theaters/319/

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http://www.chicagospiedpiper.com/

Story courtesy of Uptown Adviser, www.uptowntheatre.com

kencmcintyre on November 2, 2007 at 7:21 am

Interesting double feature in 1965:
http://tinyurl.com/2wlg2x

Life's Too Short on August 6, 2007 at 2:53 pm

Looks like it is still in excellent shape. I was a little worried that it might not have been properly secured after closing, as is so often the case. What a tragedy it would have been for the building to be vandalized after an expensive restoration.

Broan on August 5, 2007 at 11:05 pm

Now that I think about it, I suppose the Avalon name was more about following the Avalon Park neighborhood.

Broan on August 5, 2007 at 8:58 pm

Well, it appears to be poised for another opening, and that’s what they’re calling it this time around. Avalon never made much sense anyway – a name left over from an earlier English-inspired Eberson design- and Regal is what the marquee has said since 1987. It’s supposed to open around October. Operating as a not-for-profit. Exciting! http://www.chicagoregal.com/

Broan on December 5, 2006 at 1:25 pm

Here is an ad showing a lounge

Life's Too Short on October 5, 2006 at 6:26 pm

That is interesting. I did not think anyone was booked here unless they were related to black culture (not that there is anything wrong with such a policy).

Life's Too Short on August 6, 2006 at 9:29 pm

View link

7/18/2002

New Regal Theatre Shutters Space
BY CHRISTINA BIGGS

The New Regal Theatre, a south-side icon of African-American art, closed up shop on June 30, laying off seven full-time employees and 150 event staff. After shelling out $16 million, owner Edward Gardner feels he can no longer operate the theatre without assistance. “We are discouraged because New Regal Theatre has not been fortunate enough to receive the considerations and major tax incentives and credits that are given to the downtown theatre owners by the municipality and the corporations,” says Gardner. The city did however award the New Regal a $550,000 grant, $45,000 from the Department of Cultural Affairs and a $1 million forgivable loan.
That last item has become the object of Gardner’s greatest discontent. The terms of the loan state that any new owner must continue to use the building as an arts venue, rather than say a church, or the loan comes due with interest. “It has to remain an arts venue,” says managing director Wilma Washington. “We’re holding the new buyer to that condition.” She also said they’re warning potential buyers about the problems they’ve faced with the city so no one goes in with blinders.

The closing has garnered a ton of press so far, and Washington hopes they’ve raised some awareness about the problems non-Loop venues face, such as snow removal and proper street lighting. Despite such problems, Gardner has already had many realistic inquiries on the property, which includes the theatre, a three-flat office building and four parking lots.

Life's Too Short on July 13, 2006 at 6:32 am

I wonder if the Lou Rawls Theatre project on the site of the old Regal was a factor in the decision to shutter the New Regal.

Life's Too Short on January 31, 2006 at 6:03 pm

/theaters/2266/

Broan on July 12, 2005 at 10:11 am

Here is a photo of Mayor Washington presenting a grant to restore the theater in 1987

Patsy on June 7, 2005 at 12:52 pm

The exterior photo is really quite beautiful and the Middle Eastern style reminds me of the Fox in Atlanta. After reading the posts here someone in the Chicago area should contact Stephanie Grant who posted LAST October and review her idea!

oldeastsider on May 3, 2005 at 10:42 am

I last saw the Avalon Theater in the autumn of 1965. I had been just released from active duty in the Pacific, and on returning home found that the neighborhood was changing rapidly. My folks told me there was talk that the theater would be closing soon, so I made a point of going there as soon as possible.

I have no memory of the movie playing then, I really didn’t go for the movie. I went to see, for the last time, the beautiful decorations and mosaics that adorned the theater. The balconies were officialy closed, but I climbed over the ropes and made my way up the grand staircase examining all the mosaics and other decoration as I went. It wasn’t long before some security guard came looking for me (there were no ushers anymore). I explained what I was doing and why, and they said OK.

I then explored each of the grottoes on each side of the auditorium and marveled for one last time at the artistry of the fountain. Then a trip doen to the basement to view what was left of the decorations in the bathrooms, and I was done. The Avalon did close soon after that, and I married and moved to the west side (Austin). I never saw the interior of the Avalon again.

oldeastsider