Burlesque in North Omaha | 2410 Lake Street

Early Beginnings - Club Harlem | 1933

Although the entertainment history of 2410 Lake Street did not begin with Club Harlem, it was the first to advertise and host a burlesque dancer in the building. (The same location was previously the Diamond Theatre and then the Lake Theatre in the early 1900s.) Club Harlem was opened by Jim Bell (1884-1959), an African American restaurateur and entrepreneur, in 1933.

He opened multiple businesses in North Omaha, including the Midway Cafe and the Off Beat Cafe.

The businesses were managed by Carrie Bell (1883-1964), his wife. Club Harlem employed a regular twelve-piece orchestra and a group of chorus line dancers, as well booking nationally known singers, musicians, and comedians. Club Harlem had an orchestra pit, a lunch counter with tables to serve food to patrons, and a grand space for dancing.

In 1937, Jim Bell’s Harlem hosted the 'danseuse' and songstress Daisy Boone. Miss Boone was an internationally known dancer with an unusual voice.

Also in 1937, Bell hosted a boxing contest with the Catholic Youth Organization, along with vaudeville acts by “Jim Bell’s Harlem Revue.” Club Harlem continued to provide world-class entertainment for Omaha patrons until it’s close in 1938.

After Club Harlem | 1938

In 1938, the location came under new management, Red Perkins, and renamed the Swingland Cafe.

It was then used by the 1000 Club for their headquarters until it was bought and renamed the Cotton Club in 1939.

The Cotton Club | 1939

Swingland Cafe was renamed not long after opening as The Cotton Club, which had a five piece orchestra, known as the Cotton Club’s Syncopators.

The Off Beat Club | 1953-1969

Gerald Morris opened a new nightclub, The Off Beat Club,  in 1953 at 2410 Lake Street. The first floor was called "The Onyx Room” and the second floor became the “Skyroom Lounge” or “Skyroom Supper Club.” The Omaha Star stated, “This club brings to Omaha, the latest floor shows and bands. Such well known artists as Mable Scott, Savannah Churchill, Maxine Sullivan and Little Miss Sharecropper have appeared in the Skyroom Lounge.” The Off Beat boasted a professional kitchen and delicious food in addition to top-notch floor shows and entertainers.

“Omaha’s Jim Crow realities made these places essential for Black musicians and fans, because other nightclubs in Omaha wouldn’t book African American performers below a certain earning threshold.” - Adam Fletcher Sasse, author of “North Omaha History” and “A History of the Off Beat Club in North Omaha.” Read his article here.

The Off Beat was open every night except Mondays. They hosted floor shows every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Dancing for patrons was on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursdays with ‘Lil Green’ and Orchestra. Admittance was 75 cents to dance on those days.

Burlesque at the Off Beat Club | 1953-1954

In March 1953, the Off Beat hosted a “Midnight Ramble” featuring ‘Lil Green’ and Her Revue. Three floor shows took place Sunday night between 9pm and 1a.m. The cover charge was $1.50. No burlesque dancers are mentioned in this advertisement, though a few months later, in May 1953, a burlesque dancer would be advertised.

On May 29-30, 1954, the Off Beat hosted the blues Singer Willie Littlefield along with exotic dancer, Zelma. Admission was $1.50, the show ran from 10pm to 2am. November 26-28, 1954, Lavern Baker, “Little Miss Sharecropper”, performed at the Off Beat Club in two floor shows—a famous blues singer at the time. Zelma reportedly performed her "Dance of Fire" three times a night. This was the earliest advertisement of an "exotic dancer" I could find.

In November 1953, the Off Beat Club and the TMA Club (another popular nightclub) were raided by the Omaha morals squad, where 33 people were arrested and booked for liquor violations and keeping a disorderly house. The Off Beat Club did not have a liquor license though officers confiscated four boxes worth of alcohol.

The Off Beat Supper Club is Born | 1954

In an attempt to rebrand, Morris launched the Off Beat Supper Club as a membership only-club in 1954, members could of course bring guests. This was in direct competition with another Black-owned membership club, the Carnation Ballroom, owned by Mildred Brown, the publisher of the Omaha Star Newspaper. Read about burlesque at the Carnation Ballroom here.

On Saturday October 1st, Raymond Buxton, an exotic dancer, was billed with Luther ‘Guitar’ Woodruff and Susie Whitehall (singer) at the Off Beat Club.

The K-VETS Club at the Off Beat | 1955-1956

The Skyroom Supper Club (2nd story of the Off Beat Club), was rented by the K-VETS Club (Korean War Veterans), where they hosted a series of burlesque dancers, billed as "exotics."

On Friday November 4th, the K-VETS hosted the Jim Keithe Band and Betty Bond, an exotic dancer. Advance tickets were $1.25 and $1.50 at the door.

On November 12th, the K-VETS produced a floor show with music by Eddie Baker and performances by Josephine Bird and Tanya. Bird was billed as “The Original Aunt Jemima of Broadway” and Tanya as “Exotic Dancer.”

 

Then on Saturday November 19th, the K-VETS produced a floor show and dance featuring “Denise”, an exotic dancer, along with a drummer Burt Hurley and Speedy Huggins Band.

On Saturday December 31st, the K-VETS Club hosted a New Years Eve party featuring Princess Teeny “exotic shake dancer” along with the singer and dancer Wild Cat, accompanied by Cliff Dudley’s Band.

On Saturday January 21, 1956, the K-VETS hosted 2 floor shows featuring Christian Buckner, a blues singer, and Vera Masterson, an exotic dancer, with music by Cliff Dudley’s Orchestra.

On Saturday February 4th, the K-VETS brought the Mixers Quintet plus an exotic dancer by the name of Irene Autry, with music by Basie Givens’ Orchestra.

On Saturday April 21, the K-VETS brought an exotic dancer named Clarice Ford to perform along with “The Mighty Spoon; Mr. Blues Himself” and Big George's Orchestra. There was a special admission price between 9:00pm and 9:30pm of $1. General admission outside of the time frame was $1.25. 'Mr. Blues' was Wynonie Harris.

The Off Beat Supper Club | 1957-1965

In 1957, Morris opened the Onyx Room as a “high-end” club with fancy furniture and a strict dress code. This version of the club lasted just a few years before it was re-incorporated into the rest of the Off Beat Club. In 1958, the Off Beat Supper Club hosted Tarza, an exotic dancer, and Kathia, an interpretive dancer, direct from the Flame Show Bar & the Club De Lisa.

On October 17-18, 1959, the Offbeat hosted Maurica Wheeler, singer and dancer, with “bongo list”, Odell White. A “sensational exotic dancer” is advertised but no name is listed. See Tarza dance her "Burlesque in Harlem" here.

On April 29 and May 1-2, 1960, Anita Lopez, nationally famed dancer, appeared at the Off Beat Supper Club along with Delores Rio “fire dancer.”

On November 1-3, 1963, A Jazz Festival Revue was held with a new floor show entitled, “Bronze Cleopatra.” This show starred Francine and her Dancing Girls, Sonny Boy Williams (singer), Delia, an exotic dancer, and Little Leroy (singer).

On January 3-5, 1964 the Off Beat presented “Boys Will Be Girls Revue”, featuring Sherrie, “Goddess of Fire”, Faye LaBennett, vocalist, and Anita Lopez, exotic dancer. The show boasted $10,000 worth of costumes were featured from the National Theatre in Montreal, Canada.

From June 12-14th, 1964, Anita Lopez and her Motor City Revue were featured at the Off Beat Supper Club. Her dancers were called “impressionist dancers,” hailing from Detroit, MI. The other performers on the bill were, Sandra Gail, a risqué singer and emcee, Valerie Compton, an exotic dancer, Santa Devine, the “Male Della Reese”, and Anita Lopez, the “Spanish Bombshell.”

In 1965, exotic dancers and stripteasers were successfully banned in Omaha under a new city ordinance (for the time being)—as a result semi-nude go-go girls became the standard. In December 1965, the Off Beat Club paid for a wanted ad reading, “Go-Go-Girls; Apply to the Off Beat Night Club—3-7p.m. 2410 Lake.”

Finally, on December 21, the Chondalettes Club rented the Off Beat Supper Club for a “Pre-Christmas Dance and Show” starring “New Breed of Soul”, advertised as “Adults Only.” Suspicious- no exotics or go-go dancers are mentioned in the advertisement.

The Off Beat Club closed in the fall of 1969. The building was demolished in 1974 and as of 2020, no historical marker or plaque recognizes its location in North Omaha.

Sources

Websites

• "A History of The Off Beat Club in North Omaha" by Adam Fletcher; https://northomahahistory.com/2019/10/19/the-off-beat/

• "History of 2410 Lake Street" by Adam Fletcher;https://northomahahistory.com/2020/10/05/a-history-of-2410-lake-street/

• "A History of Jim Bell's Club Harlem in North Omaha" by Adam Fletcher; https://northomahahistory.com/2015/11/29/a-short-history-of-jim-bells-club-harlem-in-north-omaha/

Newspapers

• Omaha Evening Bee. Ad for Jim Bell's Harlem Club. August 19, 1937
• Omaha World Herald. "Hi-De Ho Ho! In Harlem." May 16, 1937
• Evening World Herald. "Jim Bell, Wife Ask Bankruptcy." August 6, 1938
• Evening World Herald. "Transfer of License Refused Jim Bell." August 23, 1938
• Lincoln Journal Star. "Joker Wynonie Harris Won Fame as 'Mr. Blues'." Preston Love. November 21, 1976
• Omaha World Herald. "Agent Didn't Taste 'Buys;' Three Freed." April 10, 1937
• Omaha World Herald. "R&B Artist Wynonie Harris." Jim Bresette. November 28, 1999
• Omaha World Herald. "Jim Bell is Fined $500 for Late Sale." May 25, 1937
• Omaha Evening Bee News. "'Playful' Lion Cub Nips Club Patrons." April 9, 1937
• Omaha Evening Bee News. "Club Chatter." May 6, 1937
• Omaha Evening Bee News. "Fine Jim Bell in Liquor Sale." May 25, 1937
• The Omaha Guide. "Songstress; Daisy Boone." Page 4. June 12, 1937
• The Omaha Guide. "Red Perkins and his Orchestra Pack 'Em in at the Harlem Club." April 3, 1937
• The Omaha Guide. "Former Omahan in the Movies." August 7, 1937
• The Omaha Guide. "Gregg A. Williams and His Joyland Revelers Now at the Harlem Night Club." May 1, 1937
• The Omaha Guide. "Jim Bell's Harlem to Open October 1st." October 3, 1936
• The Omaha Morning Bee News. "B'nai B'rith to Hold 'Sit-Down' Stag Party." April 23, 1937
• Morning World Herald. Ad for Swingland Cafe. November 20, 1938
• Evening World Herald. "Club Indorses 'Outs'." April 24, 1939
• Evening World Herald. "Thousand Club Plans Rally." April 1, 1939
• Evening World Herald. "One Thousand Club Opens Headquarters." March 22, 1939
• Evening World Herald. Ad for Cotton Club. June 30, 1939
• Evening World Herald. "'57 Sepia Queen Crowned at Club." November 11, 1957
• Evening World Herald. "Off-Beat Plan for Burglary; Man Spotted in Bar's Ventilator Shaft." August 22, 1957
• Evening World Herald. "Blind Omaha Musician Near Debut." April 6, 1959
• The Omaha Guide. "Cotton Club Notes." September 23, 1939
• The Omaha Star. Advertisement for the Off Beat Club. May 28, 1953
• The Omaha Star. Mildred Brown congratulates Gerald Morris on his club. Page 8. February 20, 1953
• The Omaha Star. Advertisement for the Off Beat Club. September 30, 1955
• The Omaha Star. Advertisement for Betty Bond at the Off Beat Club. October 28, 1955
• The Omaha Star. Advertisement for Off Beat Club. November 11, 1955
• The Omaha Star. Advertisement for K-VETS at Off Beat Club. November 18, 1955
• The Omaha Star. Advertisement for K-VETS at the Off Beat Club. December 30, 1955
• The Omaha Star. Advertisement for the K-VETS at the Off Beat Club. January 20, 1956
• The Omaha Star. Advertisement for K-VETS at the Off Beat Club. February 3, 1956
• The Omaha Star. Advertisement for K-VETS at the Off Beat Club. April 20, 1956
• The Omaha Star. Ad for the Off Beat Supper Club. September 5, 1958
• The Omaha Star. Advertisement for Off Beat Supper Club. October 16, 1959
• The Omaha Star. Advertisement for Off Beat Supper Club. April 29, 1960
• The Omaha Star. Advertisement for Off Beat Club. October 31, 1963
• The Omaha Star. Advertisement for Off Beat Supper Club. January 3, 1964
• The Omaha Star. Advertisement for Off Beat Supper Club. June 12, 1964
• The Omaha Star. "Off Beat Club, Inc. Membership Drive." April 23, 1954
• The Omaha Star. "Holiday Fare at Off Beat." December 17, 1954
• The Omaha Star. "Three Shows at Off Beat Xmas. Night." December 24, 1954
• The Omaha Star. "Little Miss Sharecropper at Off Beat." November 26, 1954
• The Omaha Star. "Queen of Juke Boxes Appears Sun. at Off Beat." October 15, 1954
• The Omaha Star. "Wini Brown at Off Beat This Saturday, Sunday." October 22, 1954
• The Omaha Star. "Pete and Repete At the Off Beat." February 4, 1955
• The Omaha Star. "Fun The Order of the. Night at Off Beat." January 14, 1955
• The Omaha Star. "Repeat Fun Night at Off Beat Sat." January 21, 1955
• The Omaha Star. "Big Maybelle At Off Beat Next Week." January 28, 1955
• The Omaha Star. "Fashions and Moods at Off Beat Club." December 6, 1957
• The Omaha Star. "Co-Sponsors Put on YMCA Benefit Dance." June 26, 1959
• Omaha World Herald. Go-Go Girls Wanted Ad for Off Beat Night Club. December 12, 1965
• Omaha World Herald. Advertisement for Off Beat Supper Club. December 20, 1968
• Evening World Herald. "Omahans File Papers for Club Incorporation." December 2, 1953
• The Fremont Tribune. "33 Booked by Police After Raids in Omaha." Omaha, NE. November 16, 1953
• The Columbus Telegram. "Omaha Police Busy on Sunday." Omaha, NE. November 16, 1953
• Omaha World Herald. "Ella Fitzgerald Opens Omaha Date Monday." November 28, 1954