Howard Theatre - Historic African American Performance Venue

Opened in 1910 at a prominent site in Shaw, the Howard Theatre became a leading venue for African American performers including Duke Ellington and Ella Fitzgerald. The theatre hosted vaudeville, jazz, R&B, and later rock acts, and served as a cultural hub for Black entertainers and audiences during segregation. After periods of decline, it underwent major restoration and reopened in 2012 as a performing arts venue while retaining its historic designation.