VOA标准英语2012--Historic Theater With Black History Roots Reopens in Washington

Historic Theater With Black History Roots Reopens in Washington

The Howard Theater, a Washington DC landmark¹, is reborn.

The sound of music once again fills the historic venue² that was built in 1910 as the largest theater in the world for African American entertainers and audiences. 

The theater occupied a big part of black history.

In the 1930s, Washington born composer and big-band leader Duke Ellington made his mark at the Howard. 

Black artists like Diane Ross and the Supremes also graced its stage. 

Grammy award winning singer Marvin Gaye was discovered here.

Smokey Robinson was a teenager when he first performed at the Howard. 

He and other black musicians came back to celebrate the theater’s revival³. 

"I grew up in this theater and it was a mainstay," said Smokey Robinson. "We use to bring the Motown reviews here. So we had a great deal of fun in this theater, and I am very happy that they opened it again." 

Broadway actress and singer Leslie Uggams also came to celebrate. 

"In these kinds of theaters you really had to make your mark because the audiences took no prisoners [were very critical] so you better know your stuff," said Leslie Uggams. "Plus, for me what was great about it is that everything I do on Broadway right now - and I do eight shows a week - I learned from playing in theaters like this." 

For decades the Howard Theater hosted vaudeville⁴ acts, plays, musicals and local talent shows. It was called "Black Broadway.” In a time of racial segregation⁵, African Americans could only perform in certain venues⁶. 

Leatha Blount lived two blocks away from The Howard. It was also a social destination for her. 

"It was a ball," said Leatha Blount. "This was the black Harlem [like in New York]. We use to dance in the streets, dance in the show in the theater and have fun." 

But during the 1968 race riots, the theater was looted. It reopened in1975 as a national historic landmark but only for a short time. For the last 30 years, it has sat empty and in total disrepair. 

Two years ago, a massive renovation⁷ was launched aimed at restoring the theater’s glory. Now, the interior is state of the art with contemporary lighting⁸, video screens and a cabaret feel. 

At the ribbon cutting, the consensus⁹ was that the project was a huge success.

April and Edward Ellington came to see the theater where their father, Duke, thrilled audiences. 

"They have done a magnificent job [in the renovation] and I know our dad is looking down smiling," said Edward Ellington.

Steven Bensusan, president of Blue Note Entertainment, said the goal is to make the Howard Theater a DC companion of the Blue Note, the famous New York jazz club. 

“This is something we're looking forward to doing, promoting new musicians and helping¹⁰ spread the word that we're making the Howard Theater for the 21st century," said Steven Bensusan.

Now that this grand theater has reopened for business, the people who run the Howard Theatre say it will continue to be a Mecca for African American entertainers for generations to come. 

1 landmark   

n.陆标，划时代的事，地界标

参考例句：

• The Russian Revolution represents a landmark in world history.俄国革命是世界历史上的一个里程碑。
• The tower was once a landmark for ships.这座塔曾是船只的陆标。

2 venue   

n.犯罪地点，审判地，管辖地，发生地点，集合地点

参考例句：

• The hall provided a venue for weddings and other functions.大厅给婚礼和其他社会活动提供了场所。
• The chosen venue caused great controversy among the people.人们就审判地点的问题产生了极大的争议。

3 revival   

n.复兴，复苏，（精力、活力等的）重振

参考例句：

• The period saw a great revival in the wine trade.这一时期葡萄酒业出现了很大的复苏。
• He claimed the housing market was showing signs of a revival.他指出房地产市场正出现复苏的迹象。

4 vaudeville   

n.歌舞杂耍表演

参考例句：

• The standard length of a vaudeville act was 12 minutes.一个杂耍节目的标准长度是12分钟。
• The mayor talk like a vaudeville comedian in his public address.在公共演讲中，这位市长讲起话来像个歌舞杂耍演员。

5 segregation   

n.隔离，种族隔离

参考例句：

• Many school boards found segregation a hot potato in the early 1960s.在60年代初，许多学校部门都觉得按水平分班是一个棘手的问题。
• They were tired to death of segregation and of being kicked around.他们十分厌恶种族隔离和总是被人踢来踢去。

6 venues   

n.聚集地点( venue的名词复数 )；会场；（尤指）体育比赛场所；犯罪地点

参考例句：

• The band will be playing at 20 different venues on their UK tour. 这个乐队在英国巡回演出期间将在20个不同的地点演出。
• Farmers market corner, 800 meters long, 60 meters wide livestock trading venues. 农牧市场东北角，有长800米，宽60米的牲畜交易场地。 来自互联网

7 renovation   

n.革新，整修

参考例句：

• The cinema will reopen next week after the renovation.电影院修缮后，将于下星期开业。
• The building has undergone major renovation.这座大楼已进行大整修。

8 lighting   

n.照明，光线的明暗，舞台灯光

参考例句：

• The gas lamp gradually lost ground to electric lighting.煤气灯逐渐为电灯所代替。
• The lighting in that restaurant is soft and romantic.那个餐馆照明柔和而且浪漫。

9 consensus   

n.(意见等的)一致，一致同意，共识

参考例句：

• Can we reach a consensus on this issue?我们能在这个问题上取得一致意见吗？
• What is the consensus of opinion at the afternoon meeting?下午会议上一致的意见是什么？

10 helping   

n.食物的一份&adj.帮助人的，辅助的

参考例句：

• The poor children regularly pony up for a second helping of my hamburger. 那些可怜的孩子们总是要求我把我的汉堡包再给他们一份。
• By doing this, they may at times be helping to restore competition. 这样一来, 他在某些时候,有助于竞争的加强。