DeVoine Entertainment’s Chitlin Circuit Revue (Live Performance) & Music Video

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DeVoine Entertainment’s The Chitlin Circuit Experience, coming soon to a club near you!

TOBY

(Theater Owner’s Booking Association, TOBA)

From the Robert Johnson’s Chitlin Circuit Revue, February 26, 2000

(a Black History Month Celebration)

DeVoine Entertainment, and a cross-generational cast, will give you a retrospective view of the Chitlin Circuit. Yes, we are going to take you back to an era when Black People, in the confines of segregation, began to embellish their spiritual and secular life with some of the cultural amenities for which they were starving (focusing on us, not them). We became the center of our world and our creative talents and abilities flowed forth nourishing our hunger and needs for our music, songs, dance and humor. Through live performances, articles, and music video you will experience the soul & spirit of the Chitlin Circuit. You will see African-Americans will not only make major contributions in sports, music, arts and entertainment, but the major impact Blacks made with inventions, development, and discoveries that were earth shaking and ground breaking, benefiting the whole world.

About Us! Yes, all that creative talent latent within us activated and began to reveal us.

By Us! Inherent within us came forth Soul, that through which Black People infuse life and feeling into their creations and expressions.

For Us! Then and now, we feel the energy and force from within us that powers the creations and expressions that are About Us, By Us and For Us.

Near Us! The happenings were in our part of town. We had Saints and Sinners, geniuses and fools, most of all, the accomplishments and historical achievements of Black People were beginning to receive recognition nationally and internationally.

Segregation, necessitated the organization of the Chitlin Circuit. Black entertainers, entertaining Black audiences, in Black neighborhood establishments, segregated from whites. Good and bad, the Chitlin Circuit was About Us, For Us and Near Us; it was within the confines of our World. At home with us, our entertainers were not spectacles of buffoonery of amazement, they were, scientists, teachers, businessmen/women, great geniuses, doctors, lawyers, Black royalty, one of us. It is believed that the Chitlin Circuit started during slavery, as cakewalk parties and competition. When at night slaves would sneak away to a near by preplanned location or plantation and communicated where the cakewalk party will be at through their secret songs they would sing while working in the fields. After a hard days work they will gather together food, drinks, and instruments to be used that night, and up early the next morning for a full day of hard work.

In New Orleans, Louisiana in places like the legendary Congo Square and Lafayette Square were sites of mass meetings on Sundays, usually the slaves only day off, where free Blacks, Slaves, Creoles, American and European whites mingled, partied, dancing, signing, playing music, etc. I guess we can call it networking. Thousands of people partying late into the evening, to a wide variety of music, dances, food and entertainment. For the slave & the free Black and some of the working whites, it meant an early rise for work.

The need to showcase the abundance of Black talent in theaters (independent of white control, plus freedom from humiliation by white audiences) was provided by Sherman Houston Dudley. Mr. Dudley (a Black actor and comedian), owned and leased several theatres in Washington, D. C. and Virginia. He gave a major boost to Black performers and shows by organizing the first Black theatrical circuits in 1913. The Dudley Circuit (the Chitlin Circuit) grew to include twenty-one theaters at its highest point. Mr. Dudley participated in a second major boost for Black performers by helping establish the Theatre Owners and Booking Association (TOBA) (nicknamed Toby or “Tough on Black Artists/Acts/Asses”), which was organized in Chattanooga, Tennessee in 1920. Black and white owners of Vaudeville houses and theatres obtained membership in TOBY. Membership in the organization was offered to any theatre owner by a purchase of three shares of capital stock at par value of $100.00 per share. Members of TOBY automatically became recipients of a free franchise for life, for the city in which they operated.

TOBA, started as a theater circuit of southern, mainly Black vaudeville houses that spread throughout the south, into several midwestern states (Texas, Oklahoma, Missouri, Colorado) and many northern cities. Eventually, the Circuit grew to include over 80 theatres and could book Black acts for a full season (this, some say was the birth of the Chitlin Circuit).

By 1932, TOBA’s exploitive business practices and management that filled the Circuit with mediocre entertainment, was no longer giving the public what it wanted or would pay to see. The Chitlin Circuit was ridicule and accused of perpetuating negative stereo-types of Black face minstrel-style shows, plus using ludicrous imitation of dimwitted-happy-go-lucky ex-slaves as a chief port for its comedy routine, TOBA’s demise was eminent. Although TOBA had out lasted white vaudeville, which died a few years earlier, most of its vaudeville houses and theatres started showing talking films that were beginning to attract large audiences. Also, a growing trend toward dancing to live jazz added to the demise of TOBA and the Black vaudeville tradition.

Today, as we look back at the Chitlin Circuit’s good side, we see that it brought to Black audiences shows ranging from blues, big band, jazz, gospel, plays, musicals, dance and comedy routines, and latter-day vaudeville and minstrel shows. During it’s hey day in the 1920’s, the Circuit wielded enormous influence over the world of Black and white entertainment. Many of the most important Black entertainers of the 20th century built their careers through the Chitlin Circuit.

Some of the major female blues/jazz singers of the Circuit included: Ma Rainey, Billie Holiday (Lady Day), Dinah Washington, Bessie Smith, Ida Cox, Alberta Hunter, Ethel Waters, and many others. Jazz musicians and ensembles included: Louis Armstrong, King Oliver, Buddy Bolden, Duke Ellington, Fletcher Henderson, The McKinney Cotton Pickers, Count Basie (early in his career) and countless others. Among the performers who joked, juggled, dance, and snake charmed their way through the Circuit were: Bert Williams and Bill “Bojangles” Robinson, The Davies family (Sammy Davis Jr.), The Berry Brothers, Buck & Bubbles, Buzzing Burtons, Butterbeans Edwards, and his wife Susie, Dewey (Pigmeat) Markham, Jackie “Moms” Mabley, Bill Cosby, Red Foxx, Williams & Walker and lets not forget the legendary Robert Johnson, blues singer of The Crossroads fame, just to name a few of the many who’s star still shines bright today.

The child performers played an extremely important role on the Circuits, especially for weak Black or white acts, to give their sagging show a boost. These Black and white children (more often Black children), were called Picks or Pickaninnies (probably from the Portugese word pequeno or the Spanish word piquito, both meaning little one), and were often sensational performers for low pay, but great exposure and experience. Some of these Picks later became stars and headliners. One of the most popularized Picks were Shirley Temple. Our Grand Otto Children’s Talent Showcase is a tribute to the Picks of the Circuit. The Grand Otto Children Talent Showcase is sponsored by Mrs. Mary R. Keeling in memory of her late husband, Mr. Otto R. Keeling, Jr.

The Chitlin Circuit provided great entertainment from some of the best entertainers of that era. DeVoine Entertainment along with the director, and the cross-generational cast of the Chitlin Circuit Revue invites you to have some fun as we present to you a good old fashion live show and soon to be released music video in tribute to the Chitlin Circuit.

The Chitlin Circuit Revue

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Accomplishments and Achievements in Black America

The Chitlin Circuit Revue and video will attempt to show you how dance and music of that era influenced the world then, is still influencing entertainers generations later, and is appreciated by us today. The featured music and artists, such as Ella Fitzgerald & Chick Webb, Lionel Hampton, Dinah Washington, Jimmy Rushing, Count Basie, Jimmy Lunceford, Sarah Vaughn, and Billie Holiday, etc. are a few of the musicians whose music kept the dance floors of all of the different circuits sizzling while influencing the whole wide world to our dances and music. We’ll cover the music, dance and African-Americans’ achievements and accomplishments during this period.

From 1900’s-1960’s the music, played and song by these musicians was synonymous with dance. Their music captivated the audience with a spellbinding, irresistible, urge to move, to chair dance, toe/foot tapping, head bobbing, hip rolling, hand clapping, even sing-a-long, and outright dancing. In the face of many discouraging obstacles, these musicians continued to be refine and develop their talents to leave a legacy of great music that is still captivating today’s listeners while influencing today’s artists.

Dancing musicians have always captured the imagination of audiences worldwide. These musicians also had to be aware of what the audience and the dancers wanted. All of the musicians we’re paying tribute to were known as dancing musicians. Count Basie, a world-renowned bandleader/musician, who could dance and swing with the best, never severed the connection between dance and music. Early in his career, he would perform many dance acts and tricks on stage, like playing behind his back, a tap routine while playing the piano. Sarah Vaughn, a world-renowned vocalist, was an established jitterbug dancer. Ella Fitzgerald and Chick Webb, both world-renowned musicians, were great lindy hoppers. Chick Webb was a dancing musician that felt the way dancers felt which kept him in control and command of the audience, and in tune to the needs of the dancers. He would captivate the audiences with his dance/drum performances. Jimmy Lunceford had one of the most precise and beautiful stage presentations. He had musicians that could tap, lindy, Charleston, shimmy, etc. They would dazzle you with fancy footwork while throwing their instruments in the air without missing a beat or losing a note. He often featured drummers who had an act of their own. Some would throw their sticks in the air like a juggler, catch the sticks with their mouth, dance & tap while playing the drums or throw the sticks in the air, while doing a drum roll, do a split and continue the drum roll without missing a beat. Lionel Hampton was quite a showman. He would rhythm tap while playing the vibes. I remember when I was a child, I saw him perform on the Ed Sullivan Show, tap dancing on drums.

Jimmy Rushing, Dinah Washington, & Billie Holiday, voices often soared with the spirit and soul of the music, where the dancer, audience, and the musician experience a feeling of communion, which is the true meaning of Soul Music. The vocalist, the music, the musician (instrumentalist), the dancer, and the audience, all form a vital whole of Black music as an institutional & global art form. Neither part is complete without the other.

DeVoine Entertainment’s goals are to elevate the consciousness of the audience of this majestic period of our history. We want the audience to feel the spirit through music and dance that was played and performed by our ancestors. We want to inform and educate the audience that the Chitlin Circuit is much more than little backwoods clubs (Juke Joints) of the South that thrived from the 20’s to the 60’s. In addition, we want to entertain, inspire, captivate, and educate the audience through entertainment that inspires the soul and excites the spirit, while at the same time, captivating and educating the audience that the Chitlin Circuit was as much a part of the Black experience as the Tuskegee Airmen, NAACP, the Buffalo Soldiers, Negro Baseball, Basketball, and Football Leagues, Civil Rights Movement, etc. Because they all were involved in the Chitlin Circuit, one way or the other.

Many Blacks didn’t recognize the Chitlin Circuit as a positive part of our historical legacy. In fact, it should be recognized and acknowledged as one of our rich historical legacies that should be appreciated and respected. Many believe that it was only in the South. When indeed, it was nationwide. Far from the Deep South or rural South was the Chitlin Circuit under different names. In San Francisco, it was the world famous Fillmore “The Mo” District; Chicago, The Regal; New York (it was called the Harlem Renaissance), The Apollo, The Savoy, Smalls Paradise, The Renaissance (The Rennie); The Vaudette, and The Paradise Club of Detroit; The Howard in Washington, D. C.; The Royal in Baltimore, Chainey’s, Ed Longs, Gladys & Grace in Beaumont, Texas, etc. are just a few of the clubs that thrived from the1840’s through the Civil Rights Era. Famous record labels like Motown, Atlantic through Stax (Stax left the record label business for quite some time, but recently returned), and others, made millions on the Chitlin Circuit. Legends, such as, James Brown, W. C. Handy, Duke Ellington, Jackie Wilson, Count Basie, Dinah Washington, Nat King Cole, Louis Armstrong, Ray Charles, Little Richard, etc. all appeared on the Chitlin Circuit one time or the other.

While some of Black America were making history and contributions in sports, entertainment, and music, Blacks also made many accomplishments and achievements in business, played a very important role in the industrial revolution, law, science, medicine, education, politics, etc. that not only benefited the Black community, but the world.

The turn of the century was a major turning point for the African-Americans in the United States. Intimidation, exploitation, discrimination, harassment, being cheated, robbed, legalized discrimination & segregation, and disfranchisement essentially destroyed many of our political developments, achievements, and possibilities. If that wasn’t effective, lynchings, rape, beatings, and killings became part of the African-American’s way of life, producing disillusionment among Blacks. During this period, we experienced and participated in two world wars, the Korean War, and other police actions the United States may be involved in around the world. We survived many of the worst racial disturbances in the form of riots, or outright race wars (many thriving Black communities & settlements were destroyed), and the depression.

The results of the disfranchisement movement appeared so satisfactory on a whole, that African-American political force had dropped out of serious consideration. This, however, produced positive affects, as Africans-Americans once again proved that the inherit legacy of the many Africans before us who made cities out of deserts and thrived in the jungle, the many African-Americans who succeeded in spite of the obstacles in their way, have passed on the ability to adjust, accommodate, adapt, excel, and to succeed by moving and overriding obstacles that the dominant culture may put in our way. By the power that is within us, to do what we want to do or dream of doing.

William Trotter was one of the Black scholars and advocates that helped W.E.B. Du Bois and John Hope, the First Black President of Morehouse College, in the organization of the Niagara Movement, which in 1909 became the NAACP. We produced the Harlem Renaissance, and toward the end of this period, we attacked Jim Crow, and regained some of our economical and political power back. Black self-help organizations was critical during this period as we began to take our fate into our own hands. We had many social clubs, groups, etc., but the Black church was one of the most important institutions, as it provided leadership, cohesion, economical, spiritual and intellectual growth. African-Americans was engaged in many types of businesses, and contributions. Throughout history, Blacks have made many inventions and contributions that helped to make life better and the whole world benefited from these Black men and women who had the power within them to dream or envision the impossible and had the determination to make the impossible a reality in spite of the tremendous odds against them. Blacks were rarely acknowledged for their business acumen, educational, literary, mathematical or scientific ingenuity and innovations. Many Black geniuses never received credit or recognition for their inventions, discoveries, and developments that improved and enhanced life worldwide. If it weren’t for the narrow minds of the dominant culture, the world would be hundreds of years advanced. There is no denying that African-American’s inventions, discoveries, and developments have made a major impact on the world. Still, in spite of all of this, there is only four Blacks (George Washington Carver, Dr. Percy Julian, Mark Dean, and James West) inducted in the National Inventors Hall of Fame.

Some of the lesser known or forgotten African-American pioneers and achievers who made major impacts on the world. These men and women imaginations, visions and inventions were revolutionary charting new paths and breakthrough discoveries in almost every area. Elijah McCoy (the Real McCoy) had many inventions and held the rights to many patents, but he revolutionized the transportation industry, paving the way for the invention of the automobile with the invention of his lubricating drip cup. George Washington Carver not only saved the South, but he revolutionized the agricultural industries with over 300 different products he discovered from the peanut and the potato. Jan Matzeler revolutionized the shoe industry with the invention of his shoe lasting machine, which increased the production of shoes in less time. Elbert R. Robinson invention of the electric trolley car made it possible for Patterson-Greenfield, a Black-Owned automobile manufacturing firm in the early 20th Century in Greenfield, Ohio. Fred Patterson (1869-1932), engineered a quality car that competed with Ford, Hudson, Packard, and Nash. Patterson also manufactured buses. His buses were among the first to travel the streets of the United States. Richard Spikes invents the automatic gear shift, while Joseph Gammel invents the super charged system for the internal combustion engine, also revolutionizing the automobile industry. John Standard's invention of the refrigerator revolutionized the food industry, while Frederick M. Jones improved on this invention by making refrigerating cars for trucks, railway, ships, and now planes preserving food while transporting it around the world. He also invented the air conditioner. Alice Parker invents the heating furnace, keeping the world warm. Dr. Daniel Hale Williams were the first doctor to successfully perform open-heart surgery, paving the way for many discoveries in the study of the heart. Alexander Miles invents the elevator.

James Weldon Johnson and his brother, J. Rosamond Johnson, composed the Black National Anthem, “Lift Every Voice and Sing”. Charles W. Anderson became the first Black to serve in the Kentucky Legislature. Dr. James R. Gladden became the first Black certified in Orthopedic Surgery. Violette N. Anderson is the first African-American woman to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court. On February 12, 1926, Dr. Carter G. Woodson (the Father of Black History Month), presented and developed the first Black History Week, which is now call Black History Month. President Franklin D. Roosevelt created his “Black Cabinet”, naming Mary McLeod Bethune, an educator; Ralph Bunche, a political scientist who later became the first Black to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, and Under Secretary of the U. N.; William H. Hasties, an attorney, later becoming the first Black Federal Judge, and Governor of the Virgin Islands; and Robert Weaver, an Economist, who later became the first Black and the first Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Biologist Ernest E. Just receives the NAACP’s Spingam award for pioneering research on egg fertilization and cell division in 1915. Phillis M. Dailey became the first Black Nurse in the Naval Nursing Corp. John Lee becomes the first Commissioned Officer in the Navy. William H. Lewis becomes Assistant Attorney General for the United States. Explorer Louis T. Wright is a pioneer in cancer research. Dr. William H. Barnes is the first Black certified in Ear/Nose/Throat surgery.

Madame C. J. Walker becomes one of the first African-American female millionaires of the 20th Century in Black cosmetics. Dr. Effie O’Neal-Ellis is the first Black woman to hold an Executive position in the American Medical Association. Jane M. Bolin became the first African-American female judge. Judge Edith Samson is the first Black and the first Black woman to become an U. N. Delegate. A. Phillip Randolph organized the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters. Dr. Clarence S. Green became the first Black certified in Neurological Surgery. Dr. Roscoe C. Giles became the first African-American certified in General Surgery. Dr. Charles S. Drew discovered how to preserve blood plasma in WWII, saving many lives and revolutionized the medical world with his blood banks. In 1928, Oscar Depriest was elected Congressman from Illinois, becoming the first Black to sit in Congress for twenty-seven years, since George H. White left in 1901. DePriest, a Republican, was defeated by Arthur L. Mitchell, a Black Democrat in 1934. Charles C. Diggs was the first African-American from Michigan to be elected Congressman. Crystal B. Faucet became the first African-American to serve in the Pennsylvania’s State Legislature. Edward A. Johnson is the first Black elected to the New York State Assembly.

Lloyd A. Hall, food chemist and inventor, holder of more than 100 U. S. and foreign patents, revolutionized the meat industry by developing a process for curing and the preservation of meats. Dr. Percy L. Julian, a chemist with over one hundred patents, developed synthesis of cortisone used in treating arthritis. Granville Woods & Lewis Latimer were holders of many patents, both were pioneers that made major impacts in the development and improvements in electricity, the telephone, filament for the light bulb, electric railway system, automatic air brake, are just a few of their inventions. Dr. Patricia Bath, an ophthalmologist, created the Laserphaco Probe, used in cataract surgery. George Carruthers, an engineer, develops the ultraviolet space camera, allowing pictures from the moon, space, Mars, etc. to be seen on Earth.

Physicist Lloyd Quarterman helped usher in the atomic/nuclear age by helping build the atomic bomb and he developed the nuclear reactor for atomic powered submarines. Robert E. Shurney development of the wire meshed tires not only helped NASA’s moon buggy, but it also revolutionized the automobile tire industry with this development. Dr. Ben Carson, Neurosurgeon and Chief of Neurology at John Hopkins, successfully separated, joined by heads, Siamese Twins. Drs. Karen Drake & Paula R. Mahone delivers the first septuplets born alive in the USA. Acoustical engineers James West & Gerhard Sessler revolutionizes the broadcast and telecommunications industries with the invention of the foil-electrical microphone. Computer and electrical engineer Mark Dean develops the ISA systems bus, a device that allows multiple devices to be connected to the computer, while computer scientist and mathematician, Philip Emeagwali develops methods for making computers faster and more powerful. Norbert Rillieux, a chemist from New Orleans, sweetened the world by revolutionizing the sugar industry by developing a better process of converting sugar cane to sugar.

In 1955, Rosa Parks (Mother of the Civil Rights Revolution) spoke loud for all of Black America when she refused to surrender her seat to a white man on the bus. This was the beginning of many attacks on the oppressive Jim Crow system. Attorney Althea T.L. Simmons is one of the forgotten or not so well known heroine of the Civil Rights Movement, who helped to fight against oppression. Willie Brown becomes the first Black Mayor of San Francisco, California, while Les Brown becomes the first Black Mayor of Houston, Texas.

We do hope this little taste of African-American History will motivate you to read about the many Blacks that made a difference in the world, continue to teach our children about their great legacy, not just for Black History Month, but everyday.

Thank you for your support!

DeVoine Entertainment

PROUDLY PRESENTS:

“The Chitlin Circuit Experience”

The Chitlin Circuit Experience is a re-creation of the people, dances, music, food, and activities that made it such an important part of the Black experience, born in America, but you will always find a part of the Chitlin Circuit in other parts of the world. Each month DeVoine Entertainment will take you on an exciting live historical journey on the Chitlin Circuit Experience. You will witness a re-creation of the history, your eyes & ears will see the action (dances) and hear the music allowing you to relive the musical excitement and the intensity of that part of the African-American experience in America with provocative music that will provoke you into dancing all night. Your nose will experience the smell of the food while your tongue will experience the taste of the Chitlin Circuit’s wide variety of great food. The Chitlin Circuit Experience is designed to stimulate all of your senses and allowing you become part of the action.

DeVoine Entertainment in association with Myrick Communication’s Internet Radio will conduct on the spot interviews with members of the audience and cast to hear some of their experiences told to them or what they actually experienced on the Circuit. We want to hear as many stories about the Chitlin Circuit as possible and who knows, we may make a re-creation of one of your stories.