Woodward Avenue, also known as "Michigan Highway" runs through Downtown Detroit. It is known for the variety of churches, nightclubs, bars and of course, theaters. Performing arts venues on Woodward included; Fox Theatre, The Fillmore Detroit, Orchestra Hall, Majestic Theatre, Bonstelle Theatre and City Theatre.
"The Graystone Ballroom was the cradle of Detroit Jazz." In the 1920's it was a very popular place to go to dance to jazz music. During this time the Ballroom was segregated. The Ballroom catered mostly to whites but Monday nights were dedicated to blacks. Berry Gordy Jr., the founder of Motown Records, wrote, "Monday nights, the only night colored people could go. That was our night. Everybody who was anybody would be there, dressed to kill."
"The Graystone Ballroom was the cradle of Detroit Jazz." In the 1920's it was a very popular place to go to dance to jazz music. During this time the Ballroom was segregated. The Ballroom catered mostly to whites but Monday nights were dedicated to blacks. Berry Gordy Jr., the founder of Motown Records, wrote, "Monday nights, the only night colored people could go. That was our night. Everybody who was anybody would be there, dressed to kill."
Below is two videos of Woodward Avenue. The first video is a short clip of people crossing the street on Woodward Ave in 1940. The second video is footage of someone driving down Woodward Ave during present day, with barely any pedestrians walking. The two videos give us a very different scene as to how Woodward Ave was an important and popular place for the people of Detroit. The second video gives us a good idea of the variety that it has along it with buildings towering on each side of the street, including the theaters that I had mentioned above. The drive shows what people walk or drive down to get to the city. Starting off far away, we can see the city in the distance and the video ends with the car arriving in downtown Detroit. While the person is driving we can occasionally see a theater, museum or music hall.