On Thursday, March 30, the historic Eldorado Ballroom Grand Reopening and Unveiling was one for the history books, as Project Row Houses (PRH) rededicated the iconic venue to Anna and Clarence Dupree and the historic community it serves.
The Eldorado was one of the nation’s most acclaimed live venues for Black musicians and audiences, and the cultural and social center of the community. Now, it has returned to Third Ward and the Dupree’s legacy lives on.
PRH celebrated the completion of this historic preservation project with key supporters and community partners with a Harlem Renaissance theme. Guests arrived at the newly restored Eldorado Ballroom in 40s fashion, draped down and dressed to the nines. From elegant gowns and wrist length gloves to feathered fedoras and double-breasted jackets, attendees were greeted with hors d’oeuvres and champagne as they mixed and mingled with one another.
Mayor Turner arrived in awe to see the revived Eldorado Ballroom in all its glory; a place that has been treasured for so many years. As Turner toured the space, he shared his thoughts on what this means for the City of Houston, and more specifically, historic Third Ward.
“For Project Row Houses to revitalize and bring it back to life, it’s breathing life into a place where so many people gained so much from it.”
Mayor Sylvester Turner
He went on to share that the Eldorado “is not a museum, it’s now again another place of destination.”
Hosted by media personality Deborah Duncan, the program began with Danielle Fanfair delivering a lovely tribute titled “Eldorado In Her Own Words,” followed by a praiseworthy blessing over the newly renovated space from Reverend Marilyn White. PRH Board President Bert Brown III, and Eldorado fundraising campaign co-chairs and PRH board members Anita Smith and Hasty Johnson, who shared their remarks on the collective efforts of Eldorado supporters to reach the finish line of the project.
PRH Executive Director Eureka Gilkey presented a heartwarming speech honoring the Duprees and her desire to “dedicate this night to Anna and Clarence Dupree, the generous visionaries who built the Eldorado.
“They built a place for community and connection. They built a place for revelry,” Gilkey said with gratitude. She expressed her gratitude to all who made this restoration possible and excitement for the community to engage and fellowship in the space for years to come.
She also took the audience on a journey through time, asking attendees to close their eyes and think about what it would be like to enjoy a night at the Eldorado sitting next to the legendary Black musicians who graced the ballroom stage. She then presented the keys to the Eldorado Ballroom to three legendary artists who once performed at the venue: Jewel Brown, Horace Grigsby, and Lizette Cobb (in honor of her father Arnett Cobb).
Duncan invited the Dais members to stand and grab their scissors for the ribbon cutting as the audience started the grand countdown. After the symbolic ribbon cutting, the entire Eldorado was activated, and guests were welcomed to flow throughout the space and see the revitalized building. Guests soon made their way to the elegant ballroom to enjoy a reception with wonderful performances by jazz and blues singer Jewel Brown, jazz vocalist Horace Grigsby, DJ Mookie Copeland, Houston Steppers, and DJ Flash Gordon Parks.
Towards the end of the event, one of PRH’s co-founders, Jesse Lott was surprised with a cake for his 80th birthday. Brother Jesse, the 2022 Texas State Three-Dimensional Artist has been very instrumental in PRH’s growth as an arts and culture institution and is viewed as a mentor, teacher, and friend in the lives of many. This was a wonderful way to round out the night, as Jewel Brown sang a lovely happy birthday song to close the show.
The Eldorado Ballroom building being restored means more than just showcasing a historical artifact, it means protecting this sacred space “to nurture hope, reconnect with each other and experience joy,” Gilkey shared, as she encourages others to treat it with care. PRH was founded on the principles of collective creative action and part of that initiative is to protect and preserve structures such as the Eldorado in perpetuity. “That is the essence of collective creative action and that is why PRH has become a part of the Eldorado Ballroom story.” The community celebrates as they witness the whole restoration come to fruition and the return of this historic Black space.
