Sign of the Paradise Theater with woman standing on a letter to edit the advertisement. The advertisement reads "Opens Friday September 15, Duke Ellington and his Orchestra, On Stage In Person." There is an watermark credit to the Detroit Symphony Orchestra.
Overhead advertising sign for the 606 Horseshoe Lounge. The inscription reads "606 HORSE SHOE Lounge Fine Food the Oldest & Last Nightclub in Paradise Valley."
Clip of a map from Baist's Real Estate Atlas of Surveys of Detroit and Suburbs, Michigan, Volume 2 1929 showing the map location of the venue Paradise Theater. The location is labeled "Orchestra Hall," because it was the hall home to the Detroit Symphony Orchestra until they relocated.
Grammy nominated Gospel & Pop Singer Della Reese talks with Ruta Lee about how she got her start singing pop and R&B songs in Detroit's Flame Show Bar opening for people like Ella Fitzgerald and Nat King Cole. Della Reese is also a beloved actress from tv shows like "Touched By An Angel," "Chico and the Man" and guest host of "The Tonight Show." Della Reese is also a spokeswoman for the American Diabetes Association and minister at Understanding Principles for Better Living Church.
Club Plantation souvenir booklet. The venue, located on 550 East Adams Avenue in Detroit, Michigan, was billed as "Detroit's smartest sepia night club." Program includes photographs of interior, staff and orchestra as well as advertisements.
Souvenir photograph folder from the El-Sino bar at Beacon and St. Antoine in Detroit. Front cover depicts nude woman reclining in champagne glass; man wearing sombrero leans against Beacon/St. Antoine street sign. Printed on front: "Paradise Valley presents the El-Sino." Back cover has images of dancers, musicians and entertainers. Printed on back: "Larry Steele's Smart Affairs of 1954." Photograph attached inside folder depicts four women with drinks sitting at small table inside the El-Sino. Printed inside folder: "Pictures made in the home. Your photo was taken by Earl Fowler and Addie Lawson."
Souvenir photograph folder from Frolic Show Bar in Detroit, Michigan. Cover depicts interior of nightclub, with tables, chairs and bar. Printed on front: "Frolic Show Bar, Detroit's show place, continuous top name entertainment. Photo souvenir. 4556 John R. St., Detroit, Mich., Phone TErrace 2-8553." Folder includes list of coming attractions and advertisement for Jimmy Simms, dealer for Kaiser and Frazer motor cars. Photograph is missing from folder.
Souvenir photograph folder from Flame Show Bar in Detroit, Michigan. Cover depicts woman, wearing grass skirt and lei, standing in a champagne glass. Printed on front: "Flame Show Bar, hottest place in town, continuous entertainment, 4264 John R., corner Canfield, Detroit, Mich., telephone TE 2-8714." Photograph is missing from folder.
View of employees of Paradise Valley Distributors; Friars Ale trucks in background. Printed on front: "Paradise Valley Distributors, a successful Negro business."
View of the Horse Shoe Bar, located on the corner of East Adams Street and St. Antoine Street in Detroit. Group of men stand on corner; three-story brick Italianate building on corner has advertisement for Metropolitan Valet. Handwritten on back: "Horse Shoe Bar."
View of the Ted Buckner Band performing onstage at the Club Three Sixes, located in the Paradise Valley neighborhood of Detroit. "666" banner is displayed over stage. Handwritten on back: "Ted Buckner Band, Club Three Sixes, Paradise Valley, Detroit, Mich. Neal (Ghandi) Robinson, piano; Alfred McKibbon, bass; Kelly Martin, drums; Willie Moore, trumpet; Henry Purifoy, trumpet; Edmund Davis, trumpet; Ted Buckner, leader & sax; Billy Frazier, sax; Charles Bowen, sax, tenor."
View of customers at Horse Shoe Bar in Detroit. Printed on front: "After the game, meet your friends at the Horse Shoe Bar. 606 East Adams. William T. Johnson, LeRoy A. Young, props. Phone CL. 3570. Choice liquor, fine food. In the heart of Paradise Valley."
Souvenir Program for a performance by Earl "Fatha" Hines at the Paradise Theater. The program includes the pieces Hines performed with his band, critic reviews, and a postcard.
