An effort to revive the historic Dunbar Theatre at 9th and Cleveland in Wichita continues.
The Dunbar Theatre is located in what was once known as the hub of Wichita’s African-American community. It was built in 1941 and closed in the early '60s.
In the theatre's heyday, audiences would come to watch performances and also enjoy dime movies and nickel popcorn.
“Dunbar was quite a theatre," remembers Herman Owens, who has lived a block behind the Dunbar Theatre for more than 50 years. "People [came] down here on weekends and [watched] during the week too."
Owens says it’s time to see the theatre revived.
James Albertha with Power CDC says the local nonprofit is halfway through its fundraising effort to re-open Dunbar, with about $1.5 million left to go. Albertha compares the new Dunbar to the Apollo Theatre in New York. He says the theatre, which will hold an estimated 275 seats, will expose great talent within the community.
“Poetry, dance, ballet," he says. "Anything that covers the arts will be done at the Dunbar Theatre.”
Bands and local artists will perform at Wichita’s McAdams Park at 13th & Ohio on Saturday, June 17, to assist with the revitalization effort of the Dunbar Theatre.
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Carla Eckels is assistant news director and the host of Soulsations. Follow her on Twitter @Eckels.
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