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I was born in WDC in '46, grew up downtown and by the age of 13 (8th grade in Chevy Chase), I got the hots and visited the Howard Theater more than a dozen times throughout my high school years. I clearly remember the long lines getting tickets, the black dudes decked out along with thier women. I never feared being there alone or with my date and I was always indirectly protected you could say by the black bro.'s. In '59-'60-'61 there where only a half a dozen white folk at these shows. I learned to dance, sing and appreciate blues, soul and the big band sound which was so intense. The legendary microphone coming up from the middle of the floor, James Brown's none stop dancing for 40 minutes, Coasters, etc., etc, What fond memories. By chance I navigated to this site and I am so happy to have found out about the HT's rebuild. I will send a cash donation to help out. The Howard Theater is one of the most important parts of my youth, upbringing in WDC and helped me form my cultural viewpoint with the opposite races. I really loved that place, and I was able to take my older brother and some of my younger ones in 1961. My personal and family story is another chapter.My Dad was Ambassador from Nicaragua to the USA for 36 years.I now live in Nicaragua and actually can sing some of those legendary songs in Karaioki. My Nicataguan friends are amazed at the "Legitamet Soul" that come out of me. Thanks Howard Theater, I am very happy you are getting rebuilt, and I promise to visit you when you open up again.Can't wait. Best Regards from a white fan, Luis Ramon Sevilla Somoza
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February 20, 2010, 1:17 am
