davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Phoenix index., 1941-03-08
A Cappella Choir
Sings At Hampton

HAMPTON INSTITUTE, Va
The A Cappella Choir of Virginia
State College, directed by j.
Harold Montague, will present a
concert before the student body
and staff of Hampton Institute
in Ogden Hall on the Hampton
campus on Tuesday evening,
March 18. tft
The Virginia State Choir,
which is often referred to as the
"Governor's Choir of Virginia, u
has attracted wide attention since
its organization in 1888. Its
repertoire includes some of the
finest choral literature-modern
compositions, Negro spirituals
and original compositions by the
director.
The Hampton Institute Crea-
tive Dance Group appeared at
Virginia State College last year
The Phoenix index., 1941-03-08

of popular music to a point where
today it embodies much of the
symphonic style t0 a degree where
popular music is laden with SYM
phonic overtones |
Galloway also discussed at great
length the gradual but definite
elimination of the b1atent, harsh
tones of swing music to- it's present
style of sweet swing" Cab also
told the assemblage that in his
opinion, the swing music of today
will continue for many years and
that it will be recognized as an.
original form Of American music
Upon completion of his talk,
questions and he answered a score
Cab invited the students to ask him
of them. embracing almost every
type of musical query. Galloway
received a cordial reception when he
was introduced and an ovation
when he completed his talk.
The Phoenix index., 1941-03-08
DR.. TOBIAS TO
SPEAK MARCH 9
AT HAMPTON

HAMPTON INSTITUTE, Va
tSNS)-Dr. Charming H. Tobias,
senior secretary of the National
Council of the YMCA. will speak
sunday morning. March 9, in Mem
orial Church on the Hampton In
stitute campus. He will also address
the student body. staff, and friends
of Hampton Institute at the chapel
service that evening.
DR. Tobias was born in Augusta,
Georeia in 1882 He is a graduate
Of Paine College and studied the
ology st Drew University Theo-
logical Seminary. Ee has also done
postgraduate work at the Univer-
sity of Pennsylvania. For some
wears he was professor ia Paine
College.
He is a member of the Interracial
Commission of the Federal Coun.
I'll of Churches of Christ in Amer
ica. and was q member of spe-
cial deputation Of National 4MCA
workers sent to Europe in 1921 to
otudv relief work and regular
YMCA in nearly all the countries
of Europe
He also attended the Pan-Afri-
can Congress and the Methodist
Fcumenical Conference in London,
ENGLAND, in 1921 DR. Tobias was
lecturer at Chautauqua, New York,
and at various national &C nferences
and conventions of Negro and
white peonle in many parts of the
country He also attended the
World Conference of YMCA hold
NJ HelSinki. Finland in 1926. Dr..
Tobias received the Harmon Award
in Religious Work for 1923.
The Phoenix index., 1941-03-08
File Eight Cases
Against Theatre
For Discrimination

COLUMBUS, Ohio-(ANP)-
The Vanguard league Thursday
embraced the fourth phase of its
campaign for civil rights when
the organization went into an
call OUT" fight against racial
discrimination by filing eight
cases against Loew's theaters for
violations of section 12940 of
the Ohio General code
Early last summer when the
league was planning action, it
was decided to file not less than
five cases at time. This is the
fourth phase of Vanguard's pro-
gram. Five cases were filed
against Loew's Ohio, and three
against Loew's Broad, two of the
leading theatres in Columbus.
League officials are Frank c..
Shearer, president; Atty. William
Brooks, vice president and Mrs.
Constance j. Nichols. secretary.
The Phoenix index., 1941-03-08
llW[%ll[Z[[1IQ[l
MiM5MaeR l|sg& l1dSI95:ta tagg|

HOLLYWOOD-(ANP)- With a
negotiated peace borrowing Mr..
Hitler's pet phrase) now in effect
between the white theatre managers
of colored theatres and the Negro
Actors Protective league, the OF
kolyum won't have to be cluttered
up so much with incendiary bombs,
aerial torpedoes. land mines and di-
rect bayoneC thrusts like it has been
since last June. tarting with Su-
preme Pictures Am I Guilty" the
Lincoln and other theatres of the
eastside with 100 per cent colored
patronage have again booked colored
pictures showing the fans that they
have lifted the boycott about which
the league was complaining. So
that's that, and the fights over.
The league is now Growing over
the victory, but it thanks MesSrs.
Void and the Sandow brothers for
their consideration of Laura Bow
man. Mantan Moreland. Ralph
Cooper SCetlCCI w lllldl2iS Daloy
Buford. Alfred Grant. Sibyi Lewis.
little Marcia Moreland. Carl Nor
riis, Pigmeat Markham. Sam Me-
Daniel Monte. Hawley, Reginald
Henderson. Lawrence Criner. Vernon
McCa1la. Lillian Randolph. Clarence
Brooks. Cleo Desmond Mae Turner,
Ida Coff:n and the manv other
stars and featured players who gave
excellent performances in the pic
lures in which they played.
For it was on June 3 of last year
that yours truly. detailed by the
guild, politely asked local theatre
managers if out of respect to the
race they would help celebrate the
Negroes rs years of progress by
booking at least one all-colored cast
picture during Negro Motion Pic
ture month. June to July 3. 1t was
only when they refused all pleas
made continuously until the close
of the Negro Exposition in Chicago
in September. that the League took
steps to inform the public and their
fans:
PRODUCERS NOT BLANfELESS
However the league never claimed
he producers of these all-colore'
The Phoenix index., 1941-03-08
Young College
Girl Manager Of
Texas Theatre

MARSHALL. Te<l3-- (ANP} -
Successfully operating a large movie
theatre in !ega town is one Of
the many compliShnents of pretty
Miss Blanche Louise Prestoi, %
She is manager Of the Fa:I2m the
atre, only all-colored rksatle III
the town
Coming 10 Marshall from Tex
arkana ole year ago she had re-
markable success with the theatre.
having played most of the colored
pictures to crowded houses besides
giving them some of the outstanding
pictures of the year. She has strong
competition as one of the larger
white houses gives over to colored
people the entire balcony.
Peculiarly enough. she contends
that the upper class Negroes of the
town patronize the white theatre
while the people lower down in the
social scale patronize her theatre.
HAS 800 SEATS
Like many Negro businesses in
the south, the theatre is adjacent
to the white business district and
has been opened for the past four
years. It contains over 800 seats
and is filled daily. Biggest crowds
attend the latter part of the week
when residents from the rural
districts are in town. Standing
room only is sold frequently.
my hardest problem is to main
tain discipline" Miss Preston said
She has her own way Of subduine
noisy patrons and has never had
to have policeman in the place
I'm checking our boisterous pa
irons, I have found they are not
noisy in the balconies of the white
theatres" she concluded.
She passes crssk0okings for three
shows ope~d by the proprietor
in other towns. She endeavors tc
show all the leading attractions
of colored producing companies.
BORN IN MARSHALL
Miss Preston was born in Mar
shall but migrated to Texarkane
with her family at an early ace.
Finishing high school in that city
she entered the show business as
cashier had assistant to the man
ager of p theatre there. After si>
months in the business she wa!
| called to Marshall to operate th'
| Harlem.
She has attended Prairie View
college and is now attending Wiley
from which she graduates this yea
as an honor student. Tn 1899 sh'
wen the 'rMiss TeXerkan9" ritH'
and was sent to the Dallas tair
She attributes her success in fill
ing the show to her constant ad
vertising in the colored papers.
The Phoenix index., 1941-03-08
Ira AIdridge
Draws Praise In
Latest Volume
Bv CHATWOOD HALL

MOSCOW. USSR.-(ANP)-Al-
though press-noticed as "a mono
graph about the celebrated NEGRO
tragedian Ira Aldridge', the just
published booklet, Ira Aldridge',
authored by S. Ourilin, might well
be sub-labeIled IAN expose of the
studied suppression in other coun
tries, especially England and Amer
ica of the rame, art and mastery
cf one of the worlds greatest his
trionic masters, a brilliant inter-
prefer of Shakespeare and a cul-
ture bearer of the Negro race.
In the land of Shakespeare, Eng
land. and in Aldridges native
America. this celebrated actor. who
was an acknowledged master Of
Shakespearian roles (and not only
. "Othello'O, neither the British En-
cyclopedia of American Biography
could find ink or space to give to
Aldrid9e, one reads on the very
first pare OF this booklet.
Whv this silence over this great
traeedian than whom America has
produced no greater interpreter of
Shakespeare? The author REPLIES:
''The onlv impression created is
that European and American the
atrical authorities have made
deal" among themselves to remain
silent about this celebrated TRACE
dian because he was member of
the black race"
Hardly single page of this 100
page booklet can be read without
discovering what a great artist and
humanist Aldridge was Besides,
the wealth Of information and hui
man incidents also reveal what ali
excellent amount of research and
careful labor the author devoted to
the preparation Of this booklet.
Thus, it is revealed that Aldridge
began early in life not to special
ize in Shakespeare's "Othello"
roles, but to devote himself to the
roles of Romeo" and Hamlet 1t
was only later in Great Britain,
after he had studied at the Uni
versity of Glasgow, that Aldridge
made his first real 'Othello" debut
in London. "Aldridge," says the
author, "was not only the first to
acquaint the Russian provincial
districts with Shakespeare; he was
the first to show the provinces the
genuine art Of the theater, born o.
his mentality and creative talent
and labor Of an actor with the
genius of dramatist -. This Ne"
gro actor showed to the Russian
provinces 4 splendid lesson in hu-
manism."
There was one great tragedy in
Aldridge's life. aside from the roles
of traeedian which he played on
the stage Of the great theaters in
Russia and elsewhere. He, like
many other great present-day Ne
gro artists, was compelled to leave
his native land in order to obtain
recognition of his mastery talent.
His creates. success he found in
distant Russia and, concludes the
author. "Aldridge has always oc-
cupied one of the most honOred
places in the history Of the Russian
theater".
The Phoenix index., 1941-03-08
Cab Guest Lecturer
At Eastman School

NEW YORK CITY-(S N S.
That Cab Galloway has achieved
the pinnacle of success in the high
ly competitive field of popular
music was evidenced last week in
Rochester when he was invited to
be guest lecturer at the Eastman
Conservatory of Music, one of the
outstanding schools of music in
the world, His Royal Highness o.
Hi-De-Ho shared speaking honors
with jose Iturbi, noted concert
pianist, conductor and composer.
Prior to addressing the entire
student body. Galloway witnessed
a rehearsal of the Rochester Phil
harmonic Orchestra, and was in
troduced to each member of the
famous symphonic group.
In his address to the student
body, Galloway discussed the cur
rent conflict between ASCAP and
the three major radio networks:
gave his views on the advancement
The Phoenix index., 1941-03-08

cast pictures were so blamelesS and
pure in heart. They too have their
faults, and the guilty ones among
them Wh3 have treated the race
with disres oect, or have deliberate
ly misrreated hard working PLAYERS
or other employees who have help
ed make their promotional efforts
possible. &re going on the grIddle
next.
Yes, certain producers of all-col-
ored cast pictures who are as guilty
as the exhibitors who boycotted
them, are going to be the next to
be exposed They're going to get it
right between the eyes and the
colored fans will learn what they
could have done to prevent boy
cotting exhibitors ever having an
excuse for a boycott. But at the
same time the league is still on the
hunt for two local theatre man
ayers who spoke very disrespectfully
of the race duCing the recent con-
tlpNtISy. o1lC oc'ASA W IlelFC CO4O
Herman Hill. Pittsburgh Courier,
correspondent that he didn't give
damn about the niger press" An
other was secretly over heard by one
of his own employees to say the race
was ignorant and should have been
kept down south in slavery"
TO BUILD OWN THEATRE
Scoops The biggest news of the
week is that Maceo Sheffield
'ly known colored figure j.
business, theatrical and police
circles has organized a company of
colored business men for the pur-
pose of building large, modern
expensively equipped theatre on
Central avenue in the heart of the
Negro district.
The move is welcomed as a pro-
gressive one by the local group as
it will be the first time in many
years that an amusement house in
the colored district has been own
ed and operated by colored Plans
ore to cater to the we'll STUDIED
tastes Of the 100 per cent Negro
patronage, booking pictures made
by the major studios that feature
colored players the all l~colored cast
The Phoenix index., 1941-03-08

Elmer Carter, acting chairman
Of the executive board in the ab-
scence of Cab Galloway, also spoke
enthusiastically Of the work of the
guild in bringing within its fold
the many Negro professional en-
tertainers rot now on the men,
bership rolls. Clearly and en-
phatically Mr.. Carter stressed the
many advantages to be derived
through Just such organizations as
the guild is vigorously ATTEMPTING
10 mold. The addition of some 225
new members during 1910, he said
attested to the fact that the correct
vieWpoint Is being conveyed 10
ron-memhers.
At the meeting several new Off
GERS were elected and others were
permitted to succeed themselves.
Among the new officers ere two
vice presidents. Todd Duncan and
Katherine Dunham, now featured
in the Broadway hit Cabin in the
Sky; Inez Richardson Wilson, re-
cording secretary; and Romeo l..
Dougherty historian. Continued
in office were Bill Robinson, hon
orary president: Ethel Waters. first
vice president: w. c. Handy, treas
urer: Robert P. Braddicks, assist
ant treasurer; Hubert T Delaney.
counsel; Adam Powell, Jr., chap
lain; Samuel j. Battles, sergeant
alarms
Six members were reelected to
the 30-man board and 10 vacancies
were filled. The first group in
cluded Leroy Butler, Luckey Rob
erts, Will Vodery, Wilhelmina Viii
liams, Mrs. Wilson and Mr.. Brad
dicks. The secon group includes
Eddie Green, Jimmy Daniels, Ear-
old Jackman, Charles Joyce, Ro.
setta Lenoire, Jimmy Lunceford,
Thomas Mosey, Alberta Pryme,
Frances Williams and Dewey VIII
son. All will serve for a three
year period. Claiming H. Tobias
was named to the advisory board
The Phoenix index., 1941-03-08
RATING The RECORDS

latter burlesque on a jackleg
sermon More fine singing is by
Edward Matthews, the standout
baritone, who renders l GOT
PLENTY O. NUTTIN' end IT.
AMT NECESSARILY SO on Co.
lumbia with Leo Reisman's orches-
ira sharing honors.
Ethel Waters, whose song stylings
are away up front, sings GEORGIA
ON MY MIND and OLD MAN
HARLEM on Bluebird But the ac-
Compartment .hy Eddie Mallory's
band is a bring down d. Andy
Kirk makes is 1T A SIN lively
opus on Decca The turnover is
A DREAM DROPPED IN, another
ballad sung by Henry Wells for
the Pha Terrell audience Ben
ny Goodman is superb this week
on two pop tunes, I HEAR A
RHAPSODY and I LEFT MY
HEART IN YOUR HAND. Co
lumbia. Arrangements are distinc-
tive and the feeling is hot. Helen
Forest sings, definite asset
Skeets Tolbert's Decca of THOSE
DRAFTTN' BLUES and BUGLE
BLUES is hardly worth the time
il takes to hear them
Lionel Hampton's seXtet jumps
but that's about all on the Victor
Of ALTITUDE. But the companion
tune. l NEARLY LOST MY MIND,
is something else. It's slow, beau
tiful and a solid sender For
torch singing, Ella Fitzgerald's
Decca of WISHFUL THINKING
will satisfy Coupled is that silly
nothing, HELLO MA ] DONE 1T
AGAIN.
The Phoenix index., 1941-03-08
Marian May Sing In
OAR Hall After All

soloist and that she positively
will appear en- the podium of the
sacred hall.
Confidential note to editors:
Leopold Stokowski, told friends
in Philadelphia that he intended
bringing Miss Anderson to Wash
ington as his Soloist when he
made his appearance here early
in the spring series of concerts
and that he is we'll aware of the
ruckus raised when Miss Ander-
son was refused use of the hall.)
The Phoenix index., 1941-03-08
New Ballroom Is
Opened In Detroit

DETROIT AMP What is
reputed to be one Of the finest
ball rooms in the country catering
to a colored clientele is the New
Dance Paradise, which opened
here last Friday night. Andrew
(Jap) Sneed, we'll known promot-
er, is in charge. John Kirby's
orchestra with Maxine Sullivan
as soloist was the attraction for
the opening week.
The Phoenix index., 1941-03-08
TO RESTRICT LANDLORDS

CHICAGO,-(ANP)- Stirred by
recent tragic fires is kitchenette
apartments, especially the two
cases where several deaths occur
red in the Negro district here, Den
mis- E. Duffy, head, of the COM
munity sanitation for the depart
ment of health went before Num-
cipal Judge Victor Kula Thurs
day and asked fines in a group of
cases where landlords had failed
to comply with health and build
ing ordinances.
The Phoenix index., 1941-03-08

WASHINGTON, D. C.-(ANP)
Belief that Marian Anderson
may sing in Constitution hall af-
ter all is rapidly gaining credence
in certain circles here.
Because conductors of orches-
ira booked to appear in the hall
are permitted to select their own
soloists, it has been rumored that
one noted conducted, whose or
chestra is to appear in Constitu-
ton hall at an early date, has
selected Miss Anderson as his
The Phoenix index., 1941-03-08
BY FRANK MARSHALL DAVIS
YOUNGLESS Basic

YOUNGLESS Basic
Evidently waxed since Lester
Young's departure, ROCKING THE
BLUES and VOLCANO are out on
Okeh this week by Count Basie's
band The first is jump side en-
ploying typical Kansas City riffs.
with WalteY Page and Joe Jones
shining The flip-over has unusual
scoring for Basic and is built over
a pseudo-rhunaba rhythm, Harry
Edison's trumpet is very effective
e. Glenn Miller produces a unique
disc on his Bluebird of SONG OF
THE VOLGA BOATMAN. You'll
like the odd effects Coupled is
CHAPEL IN THE VALLEY, the
current hit tune Bing Crosby
also sings Chapel for Decca, but
] prefer the other side, WHEN
DAY IS DONE an oldie on which
he does a lam-up job.
Recorded in Europe, Victor now
releases DlCKY WELLS BLUES
and BILL COLEMAN BLUES. The
first is a lesson in trombone i'm
provisation by one of the real mas
ters of that instrument Coleman
on trumpet is accompanied by
ReInhardt on guitar. Bill shows
extremely sensitive playing in the
blues field end spiritual kinship
with Frank Newton :. Bob Crosby
uses full band and voice on his new
Decca of BUG NOISE FROM WIN
NETKA but is so inferior to dis
1888 version as to make any COM
parison odious. Coupled is SUN.
SET AT SEA, more commercial
stuff Inspired by what Miller
old, Les Brown tries his hand at
ANVIL CHORUS for Okeh and
produces noisy killer diller not
equal to the Miller biscuit. The
other side is BETWEEN FRIENDS,
sweet stuff.
The King. Cole Trio gets high
rating for the initial Decca of
SWEET. LORRAINE, a grand yer
sion of this evergreen, and THIS
SIDE UP. jumpy and sparkling
Piano bass and guitar are used.
You've heard the boys on Hamp-
toms wax made in California =.
After a buzzing piano intro, Gene
Krupa rides through FULL DRESS
HOP on Okeh, with fast perform.
ance of WHO on the other side. A
food alto. is heard on both along
with gobs Of the leaders fancy skin
beating . Harlan Leonard has
worlds Of drive on his Bluebird of
RIDE MY PLUES AWAY. played
in typical K c. style. He also
shows he knows how to handle
straight commercial music on. MY
DPFAM. This band should 60 far
in 194f
The Delta Rhythm Boys new
Decca ie definite Improvement
over their initial offering. They
are ma ctnr' of both cIo~n harrro'7''
ard rhvthm on DRY BONES
which however, isn't yup to the
Fotas.Wa1lor version. and JOSHUA
FIT nr nATTT f OF JERICHO,
the rousing camp meeting song
The Golden Gate Quartet also
shinec IN the Rlnabird of T'TMBFR
and JONAH IN THE WHALE, the
The Phoenix index., 1941-03-08
TWO NEGROES ON JURY

MONTGOMERY, Ala.-(ANP)-
Montgomery county stirred the
pages of history and made an ap-
proach toward better racial 1ela-
tions last Monday, when, for the
first time, two Negroes were nam
ed on the February grand jury,
The Phoenix index., 1941-03-08
Guild Report Shows Many
Strides Of Negro Actors
Noble Sissie Tells
Of Many Advances

NEW YORk--(ANPj-Pointing The strides that have
been made show business during the in behalf OF its
MEMBERS Noble Sse made his annual president OF the
Actors guild when that body held its annual meeting Sun
Mr. Sisse, reelected second spoke encouragev
his colleagues the outlook for the organization the forth
coming year Notwithstanding the obstacles to be overcome
The Phoenix index., 1941-03-08

and elected chairman of the vel
iare committeeS
Two important dates in the
guilds calendar were announced.
They are the annual dance at the
Mecca temple on April Is and the
memorial services on Easter Sun
day at ST James Presbyterian
church.
Edna Thomas continues as eXecU-
tive secretary.
The Phoenix index., 1941-03-08

pictures from independent studios.
and presenting colored vaudeville
shows on the mamoth stage.
The Phoenix index., 1941-03-08
DEDICATE BUILDING SUNDAY

NFSV YORK.-(ANP)-The ex-
panding Powell-Savory interests
dedicated their renovated four.
story building at 2340 Eighth ave-
nue. on Sunday by holding open
house and serving tea and coffee.
Mrs. Lillian Sharpe Hunter, pub
lic relations director for the New
York Amsterdam Star-News, one Of
the interests. is charge d'affaire.
Imperial Valley press., 1941-04-10
Easter Services
At Japanese
City Church

Easter evangelistic services are
being held this week at the El
Centro japanese Christian church,
527 Commercial ST.
Wednesday night, at a pot luck
supper, the Rev. Mr.. Chiaki Kuzu-
nara was welcomed. He was tn
prach Thursday night at 7:3O
O'Clock, in japanese, to the adults.
and on Good Friday, in English
Illustrating his sermon with his own
art work, this meeting being at
7:45 pm.
This evangelist is well known
throughout the Pacific coast and
his meetings are open to the public.
Members of this church will have
their annual Easter sunrise serV-
ice at 5 am. in the Heber- Holt
vile sand dunes the mothers serv-
ing breakfast.
Sunday school will be at 10 am.
with the CaleXico Sunday school
aS guests and the morning Wor-
snip at II am. with the evangel.
ist as speaker and the Y.P. choir
presenting an Easter anthem.
Imperial Valley press., 1941-04-10
Shrine Social
Club Me- etino

A pot luck luncheon, a business
meeting. and an afternoon devoted
either to bridge or pinochle were
the highlights of Tuesdays meeting
of the White Shrine Social club
which took place at the home of
Mrs. Thomas E. Anderson, 405
Washington street, Calexico.
Mrs. S. G. Blackman of Calexico
won high score prize in the bridge
game and Mrs. Charles E. Farrell,
of Imperial, second high, while the
pinochle prize went to Mrs. Leroy
Gillett of El Centre.
Ell Centrans attending were: Mes
rames John Kuhn, E. L. Hiteman,
B. o. Mitchell. Leroy Gillett. with
Mrs. Farrell from Imperial and Mrs
Jane Smith of Holtville.
Next meeting of the club will be
in Imperial at the Charles E. Far
rell home.
Imperial Valley press., 1941-04-10

brides mother
Miss Scarisbrick is a member Of
Centrals faculty and has been ac-
tive in Girl Reserve work during
her years in the valley. Mr.. Eber-
sole is vice principal and director
OF research for the BraWleY city
elementery schools and the young
couple will make their home in
Brawley.
Monday night Central Girl Re
serves entertained for Miss Scaris-
brick, presenting her with a beauti-
ful ivory lamp for her new home
Tuesday night Mr.. and Mrs. H
CT. Jones with Miss Margaret He'd
rick and Miss Muriel Brown. were
hosts at linen shower given fol
the young couple at The Jones home
600 WenSley avenue.
Exquisite ,bridal-like arrange
ments of Gala lilies, white petunias
Gnd stock made beautiful decora-
tons for the party attended BY
some 80 guests. Appropriate games
q mock wedding, and of course tht
opening of the nice gifts, were
hi9hlightS of the evenings enter
tannent, the host later serving
refreshments which repeated The
color scheme for the decorations
green and white.