Dreamland Theatre

Charles L. Newman opened the Dreamland Theatre as the city’s first African American theatre and arguably its most important theatre late in the silent era. It was located on Champlin Avenue at First Street. The Dreamland booked both films and African American top music talent and touring vaudeville acts.

Sugar Foot Sam From Alabam' played there with his Ginger Blossoms with 30 players and a live street parade on March 12, 1928. “The Uncrowned Queen of the Blues” Ida Cox, Victor recording artists Utica Institute Jubilee Singers, Dinah Scott’s Revue, Butterbeans & Susie, and Bud Scott, “The Singing Deamon” were among the national acts playing the Dreamland. The larger national acts were opened to White audiences as well as persons of color.

The pinnacle of the Dreamland’s bookings was the appearance of the Empress of the Blues, Bessie Smith, who appeared there on March 9, 1931. But with the Depression in full fear, the good times were over not long after when Newman sold the club… but what a way to go. The Dreamland was taken over by The Central Business College on May 4, 1931. The Dreamland was still used for events including live plays, sporting events, and commencement exercises but it wasn’t the same level of entertainment.

After the Dreamland, the Champlin Avenue and Water Street area was still vibrant with African American-centric nightclubs and venues through the decades including the Cotton Club and the New Ren Theatre / Peppermint Lounge. The Dreamland has since been demolished.

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