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Saturday, July 9, 2011

long live the RITZ

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The Ritz Theatre and Museum in Jacksonville, Florida has a long and rich history in the historic African-American community of La Villa. Built in 1929, Ritz Theatre movie house was renovated in 1999 where it was renamed and transformed into a community museum to celebrate and showcase African American artists from North Florida. Formally called the "Harlem of the South", The Ritz Theatre and Museum has served as a constant reminder and as an emblem of African-American contributions to the Arts and history of America.

THE ARTS
Events such as the Black History film series, Amateur Poetry Night,  and the Ritz Jazz Orchestra have infused Jacksonville with an eclectic mix of innovation and tradition. Natives and visitors alike can enjoy local and national artists in a theatre which intimately seats 426 art lovers. In addition, the rich and diverse legacy of music within the African-American community is constantly displayed with influential  programs such as Ritz Jazz Society, Ritz Voices, and Along This Way.

Along with it's permanent collection, Ritz Theatre and Museum also exhibits visiting collections, most notably, For Women and Men of Color: The Art of Relationships, Jacksonville's longest running exhibit featuring works by African-Americans. The gallery's current exhibit is entitled, More Than A Game African-American Sports in Jacksonville, 1900-1975, a collection of sports photographs and memorabilia which examines the contributions of African-Americans in the North Florida sports arena.

WHAT'S NEW
New to the venue this year is Ritz Youth Institute, a 4 week educational and historical workshop for teenagers between grades 9 and 12. The program infuses several forms of media, such as film, art, and museum collections to inspire and  inform future generations of artists, educators, historians, and art connoisseurs. Professionals in the fields of art, business, law, and other fields engage students with live performances, lectures, and hands on experience. The history and contributions of African-Americans is explored as students gain a better understanding of their identity and their place on a global scale.

THE FUTURE
The Ritz Theatre and Museum has a rich historical legacy that continually contributes to the evolution of Jacksonville. In June 2011, the city witnessed the inauguration of its first African-American mayor. Perhaps more community, corporate, and youth involvement programs would enable The Ritz Theatre and Museum to offer more platforms and create an environment where all members are equally recognized for their contributions and transformed for the better. As the history of the Ritz Theatre and Museum continues to inform and inspire us, it is also a reminder that nothing is impossible and every one of us has something to offer for the greater good of humanity. The future of the Ritz Theatre and Museum is dependent upon the residents of Jacksonville and if nothing else, these residents have proved that anything and any dream is possible.

Long live the Ritz.
  


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Ritz Theatre and Museum
829 North Davis Street Jacksonville, Florida 32202
http://www.ritzjacksonville.com/