Tag Archives: Arkansas Flag and Banner

Black History Month Spotlight – Taborian Hall and Dreamland Ballroom

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The new Arkansas Civil Rights History Audio Tour was launched in November 2015. Produced by the City of Little Rock and the University of Arkansas at Little Rock allows the many places and stories of the City’s Civil Rights history to come to life an interactive tour.  This month, during Black History Month, the Culture Vulture looks at some of the stops on this tour which focus on African American history.

Completed in 1918, Taborian Hall stands as one of the last reminders of the once-prosperous West Ninth Street African-American business and cultural district. West Ninth Street buildings included offices for black professionals, businesses, hotels, and entertainment venues. In 1916, the Knights and Daughters of Tabor, a fraternal insurance organization, hired local black contractor Simeon Johnson to enlarge an existing building to accommodate their activities, other offices and a ballroom.

During World War I, black soldiers from Camp Pike came to the Negro Soldiers Service Center here. In World War II, Taborian Hall was home to the Ninth Street USO, catering to black soldiers from Camp Robinson. By 1936, Dreamland Ballroom hosted basketball games, boxing matches, concerts and dances.

A regular stop for popular black entertainers on the “Chitlin’ Circuit,” Dreamland hosted Cab Callaway, Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Armstrong, B.B. King, Earl “Fatha” Hines and Ray Charles. Arkansas’s own Louis Jordan also performed here. Between the 1960s and 1980s, West Ninth Street declined, and many buildings were demolished. In 1991, Taborian Hall was renovated to house Arkansas Flag and Banner. Once again, Dreamland Ballroom hosts concerts and social events.

The app, funded by a generous grant from the Arkansas Humanities Council, was a collaboration among UALR’s Institute on Race and Ethnicity, the City of Little Rock, the Mayor’s Tourism Commission, and KUAR, UALR’s public radio station, with assistance from the Little Rock Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Set a World Record on FLAG DAY

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flag bannerToday is Flag Day. A day to honor the Stars and Stripes, Old Glory, the Star-Spangled Banner.

It was 200 years ago, in 1814, that Francis Scott Key wrote the poem that became the National Anthem.  In celebration of that, the Smithsonian National Museum is working with local partners to create a nationwide attempt to break the Guinness Book of World Records for “the most people to sing a national anthem at one time.”

In Arkansas, the partner is Flag and Banner along historic 9th Street.  The singing will take place at 3pm CDT.

This official Smithsonian party will be held at Arkansas’ Flag and Banner located in downtown Little Rock to celebrate the 200th anniversary of The Star Spangled Banner. All guests are encouraged to sign up to sing during the sing-a-long which will be coordinated to happen at the same time with all the other party locations across the nation- including Ft. McHenry where the song was written. A National Guard Color Guard will present the colors during the sing-a-long which will take place at exactly 3:00 p.m.

Arkansas’ FlagandBanner.com has also partnered with the American Legion of Arkansas, local area Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts to present a dignified flag disposal ceremony to respectfully dispose of unusable U.S. Flags. Bring your their tattered and faded flags in for retirement and receive a coupon for $5 off the purchase of a new flag.

Kerry McCoy, owner of Arkansas’ FlagandBanner.com encourages everyone to come to this history making event, she said, “Flag Day is always an exciting annual event here at Flag and Banner, but this year is special because we are partnering with the Smithsonian National Museum, one of our long time customers, to make history. Come make history with us! Remember singing starts sharply at 3:00 p.m. and you must be signed up to be counted in the Guinness Book of World Records.”

During the party Arkansas celebrities will be on hand to lead the sing-a-long and give out prizes plus guests can sign up to win an in-ground residential flagpole kit with flag from Arkansas’ FlagandBanner.com. The event will include a special tribute to the troops and veterans along with a tribute to father’s since Father’s Day is this Sunday.

Refreshments and activities include free popcorn, a candy buffet and drinks-plus free games, face painting and activities for the kids at this family friendly event. Vendors selling burgers, barbecue, catfish and ice cream will also be available.

The party takes place Saturday, June 14, 2014 from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Arkansas’ FlagandBanner.com offices located at 800 West 9th Street in downtown Little Rock. This event is free and open to the public.

For more information e-mail tammie@flagandbanner.com or call: (501) 375-7633.

Little Rock’s 9th Street and Ark Rep’s CLYBOURNE PARK focus of Mosaic Templar FRIDAY Lunch Program

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ClybourneRescheduled from earlier in the week, as part of the Mosaic Templars Cultural Center lunchtime “It’s in the Bag” lecture program, members of the Ninth Street Community and Clybourne Park cast members will discuss how Arkansas Rep’s production of Clybourne Park relates to issues of race, property, history and legacy in our own communities.

The “It’s in the Bag” Lunch ‘n Learn Series offers a chance to learn about a host of topics designed to educate, inspire and entertain. Mosaic Templars Cultural Center provides soda and water, and attendees bring their own lunch. “It’s in the Bag” Lunch ‘n Learn Series is free and open to the public.

For decades, Little Rock’s Ninth Street with the hub of African American business and social life in Little Rock.  This can be traced back to 1854 when the family of Chester Ashley gave land to a group of black Methodists so that they could erect a church at 8th and Broadway.

Through urban renewal efforts and changing migration patterns as well as the integration of previously all-white businesses, Ninth Street lost its identity as an important hub for Little Rock’s African American community.  With the opening of the Mosaic Templar’s Cultural Center and efforts to restore the Dreamland Ballroom on the top floor of Arkansas Flag and Banner, efforts are underway to remind others of the important role this area played in Little Rock’s history.

The program begins at 12 noon.  Mosaic Templar’s Cultural Center is located at 9th and Broadway in downtown Little Rock.

The Mosaic Templar’s Cultural Center is an agency of the Department of Arkansas Heritage.