Things to do / Travel Guide
Address:829 N Davis St.
Jacksonville, Florida
Tel:
(904) 632-5555
Come visit the center of African-American culture in Northeast Florida and the Harlem of the South! See musicals and theater, and explore cherished artifacts and celebrate the rich history of the area at the Ritz Theatre and LaVilla Museum.
Between 1921 and 1971, the Ritz Theatre was the center of cultural life in LaVilla, an African-American neighborhood known as the Harlem of the South. Still today, the Ritz Theatre boasts a variety of musicals and theatrical performances, which the whole family will enjoy, including the popular Amateur Night at the Ritz, the Ritz Voices Youth Choir, and Spoken Word, a monthly gathering of artists, writers and others. Visitors to the Theatre and Museum will see the original northwest corner of the building, and the original Ritz sign, with a new 426-seat theater. The LaVilla Museum is home to art and artifacts from several African countries, as well as photographs by Aaron Mervin, paintings, ceramics and other visual arts replicating scenes of the everyday life of yesteryear.
The Ritz Theatre and LaVilla Museum are right in downtown Jacksonville, so there are plenty of dining options around. The Ritz Theater is located at 829 N. Davis Street.
From Ritz Theatre & LaVilla Museum - Jacksonville, Florida:
The Ritz Theatre & LaVilla Museum celebrates the rich legacy of the African-American community that thrived in LaVilla for more than 100 years. The theatre and museum are revered as the premiere cultural institution in Jacksonville, Florida, showcasing art, music, drama, poetry, and African American history.