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OUTSIDE WEBSTER HALL, PRE-1920 |
Built in 1886, designed by renowned architect Charles Rentz, Webster Hall was described as the "Jewel of the Village" by Eugene O'Neil. It was where the original bohemians, like Emma Goldman, Marcel DuChamp and Margaret Sangor, created unique costume balls to benefit nascent social and political causes.
It was not unknown to witness Emma Goldman, the outspoken exponent of Anarchist philosophy on one night herald the cause of free love and birth control, and on the next, see the refined atmosphere and grace of a society function celebrating the nuptials of two of its elite.
Based upon the bacchanals in Paris and called such names as the "Blind Man's Ball," "The Pagan Rout", and "The Futurist Ball" they created the reputation of Greenwich Village which exists today. As Floyd Dell recalled,"they were spontaneously joyous and deliberately beautiful, focusing in a mood of playfulness the passion for loveliness which was one of the things that brought us to the village." It was the birth of the modern nightclub. During prohibition, the balls moved from the social and political trends of the past to the hedonistic attitude of the "speak." Protection largess was lavished upon local politicians and the police who could turn a blind eye to the merrymakers who attended despite, or perhaps because of, whispers that the venue was owned by the infamous mobster Al Capone. Appropriately enough, prohibition's repeal was the cause for one of Webster Hall's most legendary celebrations "The Return of John Barleycorn." But the depression and new political orthodoxy ended nightlife's first golden age.
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RCA RECORDING STUDIO AT WEBSTER HALL, 1960 |
In the 50's, R.C.A. Records recognized the extraordinary acoustical integrity of the building and converted it into their East Coast recording venue, Webster Hall studios. Carol Channing recorded "Hello Dolly," Harold Prince recorded "Fiddler on the Roof" and luminaries such as Julie Andrews, Elvis Presley, Tony Bennett and Frank Sinatra added their presence to the panoply of stars that the venue had witnessed. On May 1st, 1980 The Ritz opened as the famous showcase venue for emerging rock acts. Tina Turner, Eric Clapton, Prince, Sting, Kiss, B.B. King, and Guns n' Roses all performed on what was routinely called,"the best stage in New York City." The Ritz was the first nightclub to feature a video component, which soon set the trend across America. The Ritz relocated in 1986 giving the opportunity for Webster Hall to be born.
In 1990, the Ballinger Family from Toronto, Canada, rewrote the rulebook on New York nightlife. To become purveyors of "the ultimate party," the restored the luster of Webster Hall, fusing state of the art audio, video, and lighting technology with the spirit of the past. The original color scheme was painstakingly recreated and once again Webster Hall is the shining jewel of New York City. A facility capable of catering to an intimate gathering of 100 or hosting a cocktail party for 2,000 the Ballinger brothers proudly present Webster Hall.
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:: Previously Hosted Events and Organizations:
American Express
Chase Manhattan
Christian Dior
Conde Nast
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Morgan Stanley
Harper Collins
H.B.O.
Miramax
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Nexxus
N.Y. Mercantile Exchange
People Magazine
Silicon Graphics
Salomon Brothers |
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:: Special Events:
Grammy Awards
Announcements
Obie Awards
Worth Magazine's 2nd Birthday
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Internet Awards
Sequent Computer Launch
Vibe Magazine Launch
President Clinton & Vice |
President Al Gore's Campaign kickoff in N.Y.C
Medgar Evers 25th Anniversary
City Volunteer Corps
10th Anniversary |
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:: Benefits:
AMFAR "Mask for Aids"
NRDC " Two Steppin for the Planet"
N.Y.C. "It Ain't Over"
Grammy Awards
Big Sisters "La Noche Tropical"
PWAC Heart and Soul II" |
Housing Works 'Dada Ball"
The One to One Partnership, Inc.
"Back to the Bull Market"
The Children's Aid Society
"Springtime in Paris
Literacy Volunteers
"Liz Smith's 60th Birthday" |
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:: Performances:
Aesop Rock
Alicia Keys
Amuka
Ashanti
Ashlee Simpson
Avril Lavigne
Beenie Man
Black Box Remover
Boys II Men
Broken Social Scene
Café Tacuba
Calanit
Cassidy
Cheap Trick
Chubby Checker
Cindy Lauper
Cold War Kids
Crystal Method
Deftones
Dispatch
DJ Shadow
Duran Duran
Eamon
Evanescence
Fabulous
Faithless
Finger 11
Franz Ferdinand
Gonnabees
Gustavo Cerati
Holly Janes
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Hot Chip
Infected Mushroom
Iron and Wine
Jadakiss
Jah Rule
Jason Nevins
Jennifer Bacchus Joe and Mario Winans
Joey Ramone
Jose Gonzalez
Kanye West
Kelis
Kevin Aviance
Killing Joke
La Bouche
Lasgo
Le Chic
Les Nubians
Lil Kim
Limp Bizkit
Linkin Park
Lucy Woodward
Mase
Michael Buble
Misfits
Modest Mouse
My Morning Jacket
New Deal
Petey Pablo
Placebo
Prince
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Ray Charles
RjD2
Royksopp
Ryan Adams
Sasha
Seduction
Silversun Pickups
Slick Rick
Sonic Youth
Steel Pulse
Stereophonics
Super Furry Animals
The Editors
The Fever
The Good The Bad and The Queen
The Knife
The Rolling Stones
The Roots
Tina Ann
Todd Rundgren
Unkle
Usher
VHS or BETA
Wide Life
Wolf Parade
Wolfsheim
Wu Tang Clan
Wyclef
Yeah Yeah Yeahs
Young Guns |
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:: Locations:
"To Wong Foo, Thanks For Everything, Julie Newmar"
Big
Radio Days
Fox T.V.'s New York Undercover
Universal T.V.'s Law and Order
MTV's "Madonna Pajama Party |
MTV's Singles Out
Prince "7"
Mick Jagger"Wandering Spirit"
Whitney Houston "Count on Me"
Cab Calloway "Hi De Ho"
"Raging Bull"
"Awakenings" |
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