Prospect Park, the celebrated green oasis of New York City, conceals a hidden gem – the iconic Lena Horne Bandshell. Steeped in history dating back to the mid-19th century when it formed part of railroad magnate Edwin Litchfield’s estate, the journey of this bandshell is a captivating tale. Let’s embark on an exploration of how this architectural marvel came into existence and discover the recent tribute to the legendary Lena Horne.
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Before the Lena Horne Bandshell
The genesis of Prospect Park can be traced to 1859 when the initial planning commenced. Designed by Fredrick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux, the park’s gates swung open in 1867. The ground that now cradles the Lena Horne Bandshell once belonged to Edwin Litchfield, a prominent railroad magnate of that era.
Notably, the western periphery of Prospect Park was the last to be claimed. Initially, this area was a blank canvas in Olmsted and Vaux’s plans. However, by 1888, it had evolved into the Archery Ground. By 1918, it had transformed into a space frequented by girls’ field hockey teams.
The Birth of the Lena Horne Bandshell
The tradition of hosting concerts in Prospect Park commenced in 1870 with the establishment of the Concert Grove, followed by the Music Pagoda in 1887. In the 20th century, bandshells gained popularity for their superb acoustics and the space they provided for dancing.
Aymar Embury II, the Parks Department’s Chief Consulting Architect, oversaw the building of the Prospect Park bandshell, which was paid for by the Federal Works Progress Administration (WPA) during the Great Depression. Along with a nearby playground, this majestic building first opened its doors in 1941.
During the 1940s and 50s, the Lena Horne Bandshell hosted mesmerizing dance concerts featuring music legends like Benny Goodman and Cab Calloway, drawing in hordes of spectators. While the musical programming witnessed a decline for a period, the Celebrate Brooklyn Performing Arts Festival, inaugurated in 1978, reinvigorated the tradition with contemporary popular musical acts. Today, the local arts organization BRIC curates a diverse program, encompassing world music, classical, new music, jazz, pop, alternative rock, and hip-hop.
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Honoring a Brooklyn Icon
In a momentous decision in 2021, the Lena Horne Bandshell was renamed as part of NYC Parks’ initiative to celebrate African American achievements in city parks. This bandshell was bestowed with the distinguished name of Lena Mary Calhoun Horne (1917–2010), in tribute to the legendary Brooklyn-born singer, actress, and civil rights activist.
Lena Horne’s journey commenced in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, where she attended Girls High School. At the tender age of 16, she left school to join the chorus line at the famous Cotton Club in Harlem. Her Broadway debut took place in 1934 in “Dance With Your Gods,” followed by a return for “Lew Leslie’s Blackbirds of 1939.” Horne’s career reached its zenith she became the highest-paid Black artist of all time when she signed a seven-year deal with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM).
Her cinematic contributions included roles in “Panama Hattie” (1942), and she later starred in all-Black films like “Cabin in the Sky” (1943) and “Stormy Weather” (1943). She gave a USO performance during World War II but withdrew when black military members were seated behind German POWs.. Nevertheless, she continued to support Black GIs of the segregated US Armed Forces.
Horne leveraged her fame to advocate for fair and empowering portrayals of Black people in the entertainment industry, fighting against subservient or unintelligent roles. Throughout the 1950s and 1960s, she embarked on extensive nightclub tours, captivating audiences across the United States and Europe.
In 1981, Lena Horne achieved a Tony Award for “Lena Horne: The Lady and Her Music.” Her contributions to American culture were further acknowledged when she received the Kennedy Center Honors Lifetime Achievement Award in 1984.
Prospect Park’s lasting cultural relevance and the memory of this exceptional Brooklyn institution are both exemplified by the Lena Horne Bandshell.
Conclusion of Lena Horne Bandshell
The Lena Horne Bandshell in Prospect Park is not just a stage for music and performances; it’s a living testament to the rich history and diverse cultural tapestry of New York City. As it continues to host a variety of events and pay homage to the legendary Lena Horne, it remains an integral part of the city’s artistic heritage, carrying forward a legacy that’s as vibrant as the city itself.