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Then & Now: Black & Tan Hall
- Karen O'Brien
- May 18
- 2 min read
The building at 5608 Rainier Avenue has stood at the heart of Hillman City for over a century, bearing witness to generations of change.
Opened in 1921 as the American Theatre, it served as a beloved neighborhood movie house and performance venue, offering affordable entertainment within walking distance for local families. Over the decades, the theater evolved with the community—becoming the art-focused Beaux Arts and later, in the 1970s, the Toyo Theater, which screened Japanese-language films for the area.
My parents, John and Mary O’Brien, both grew up in Hillman and fondly recalled the American Theatre’s heyday. My father, who discovered a love of drama early in life, earned free tickets by handing out flyers to promote upcoming shows. For my mother, a frequent moviegoer during the war years, walking to the local theater was a welcomed alternative to riding the bus downtown. The ease of access made it a cherished part of daily life for many families.
Today, more than 100 years later, the building begins a new chapter as Black & Tan Hall—a vibrant, community-driven music venue and cultural space—continuing its legacy as a gathering place for art, expression, and connection in Rainier Valley.
Black & Tan Hall is a cooperatively-owned performance venue that serves as a vibrant cultural hub for the community. Rooted in a legacy of racial integration and musical excellence, the Hall takes its name from the “black and tan” nightclubs of Harlem—venues that welcomed patrons of all races during an era of legal and social segregation.
Seattle’s own Black and Tan Club, once located at 12th and Jackson, thrived for nearly fifty years and hosted legendary performers such as Ernestine Anderson, Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Charlie Parker, and Gladys Knight, many of whom would jam late into the night at Black-owned clubs after playing to segregated audiences downtown.
Today, Black & Tan Hall continues that tradition of inclusivity and creativity with a full calendar of live music events from Thursday through Sunday, featuring jazz, blues, salsa, R&B, gospel, and more alongside delicious food. Black & Tan Hall is a community-powered space dedicated to fostering a local economy rooted in art, culture, and opportunity. With a mission to build an equitable, people-centered environment, the Hall champions the diversity and resilience of the neighborhood through programming, job creation, and celebration of local voices.
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