Before the Carnation Ballroom

The Carnation Ballroom was an entertainment venue opened by Mildred Brown, a Black woman, and the publisher of the Omaha Star newspaper, in 1948. The Carnation Ballroom was located at North 24th and Miami Streets. The building originally had two addresses, 2701 and 2711 North 24th Street. Both buildings were originally built in 1923 for $12,000. From 1925 to 1944, 2701 was an auto repair shop, and 2711 was the Adler and Forbes Bakery. The building first entered the social scene when it was rented by the Railroad Men’s Benevolent and Social Club in 1941. It was renovated to become one address into the Coconut Grove and then taken over by the AmVets Club in 1946 (which closed a year later). It originally opened as the “Carnation Lounge” in 1948 by Mildred Brown. By the 1950s, the Carnation Ballroom became one of three Black-owned entertainment venues that regularly featured burlesque dancers—billed as “exotics” or “shake dancers.” It was also a hub for local and national Black performers and musicians.

The AMVET’s Club | 1946

The AMVETS Club hosted an “All-Star Floor Show” at the location of the soon-to-be Carnation Ballroom in May 1946. At the time, the AMVETS was a club for African-American Veterans of World War II. The Club booked an “exotic dancer” by the name of June Davis, who was billed as showing “acrobatic dancing.” The floor show appeared every night for two weeks, with the routine of the show changing every 3 days. Show times were 9:30pm and 11:30pm. The Omaha Guide newspaper reported the show had performed to a full house since its opening night.

Burlesque at the "Carnation Lounge" | 1949

Burlesque was a tried and true form of entertainment during the 1930s, but many cities, including Omaha, had banned and barred it in theaters and clubs by the 1940s. “Exotic” and “shake” dancers became the norm in the Carnation Ballroom floor shows. On February 19th, the Sepia Trio performed at the Carnation Ballroom, with Carrie Mayo, a “sophisticated contortionist dancer.” The group performed for two weeks at the Carnation.

From March 18-20th, the Carnation Ballroom hosted two exotic dancers: Joy Doyle, (the Queen of the Fan), a white dancer, performed a “Javanese Fire Dance” and “The Most Outstanding Single Double Act of Illusion in America!; Iretha “Pepper Pot” Tucker, a nationally famous Black dancer performed well.

On April 2 & 3, 1949, Iretha “Pepper Pot” Tucker performed again, this time with Miss “Flick” Montgomery on the same bill.

On April 9 & 10, 1949, “Babe—The Queen of Them All” performed at the Lounge. She came from the DeLuxe Club in Chicago.

Then, on April 23 & 25, “Little Claudette” and “Mary Jane Johnson” appeared at the Lounge. They were billed as famous dancers though I couldn’t find any information on the pair. The photo in the newspaper advertisement shows two girls, one a young girl and the other a child, dressed in garb reminiscent of "orientalists."

On May 1st brought 2 new floor shows featuring Henrienne (Congo) Bowler and Katherine (The Great) Montgomery (“Queen of the Sombi”) with Cliff Dudley’s Orchestra.

On May 7 & 8, “Betty” an exotic dancer from Detroit performed, as did “Lon Chaney” a contortionist. On May 14 & 15, Ada Jeane, “Sensational Modernistic Shake Dancer” performed at the Carnation Lounge. The Lounge also hosted weekly teen record dances and talent contests.

Trouble at the "Carnation Lounge"

The Carnation ballroom’s dancing license was suspended in June 1949 because a patron was caught with a whisky bottle, which they had brought in without management’s knowledge. The Omaha City Council heard the case and held management responsible. Lawrence P. Lewis put it best in his article in the Omaha Star entitled, “Along My Way.” He stated, “because a man, not acting as an agent of the management, testified and assumed complete responsibility for the entertainment and advertising for the promotion, the City Council took the only ground floor dance hall of any decent size from our community, they took tens of thousands of dollars from Negro entertainers throughout the United States—they took out of service the only establishment that gave this community entertaining floor shows—they took away employment from an already unemployed minority—they took away the only place that gave our children every week, a change to display their talent….The Carnation Ballroom employed policeman to search for guns and knives as we entered the door…The Members of the Negro race in Omaha have never asked for much. We realize that we are not socially accepted.”

Mildred D. Brown Creates the "Carnation Ballroom" | 1950

In 1950, Mildred Brown renovated the floors and changed the name to the "Carnation Ballroom"—keeping in line with the previous name's popularity. Ms. Brown was well known for her carnation bouquet she wore daily with with outfits. She continually booked talented Black musicians and artists to perform at the Ballroom. Attractions such as Duke Ellington, Ray Charles, Ruth Brown, and the Preston Love Orchestra. The Ballroom was also frequently rented by Black social clubs of Omaha to host meetings, banquets, parties, and pageants.

Burlesque at the Carnation Ballroom

The Carnation Ballroom reopened under Brown with performances by Preston Love and his orchestra on December 24, 1950. In addition to Love, they had a comedian, and two “shake dancers”—one of whom was Miss Melba Alexander, a nationally known dancer, perform on December 30 & 31, 1950 . Admission to the Cabaret Dance was $1.50 at the door or $1.25 in advance.

1951

On January 6 & 7, 1951, Preston Love and his orchestra played a red hot floor show with shake dancer, Verona Doll, Bill the Blues Singer, and Everett the Comedian.

On January 13 & 14th, the Ballroom hosted John Sampson’s Hollywood ‘Sextet’ with an added gala floor show featuring shake dancers Virginia Holliday and Venice Doll. September 15th, the Carnation Ballroom brought in a 4-act burlesque show called “Cavalcade of Burlesk” plus “Gay Dawn”, “Septia Follies”, and “A Night in Paris”.

Two shows were performed, the first at 11:45pm and the 2nd at 1:20am.

On December 23 & 24, 1951, the Carnation Club hosted a Cabaret Dance at the Ballroom featuring Tommy Brown and his Combo, “Merisa”, an exotic dancer from the Club Delisa (in Chicago), and Jack Lee—a Tap Dancer and blues singer from Chicago.

1952

On Saturday February 16th, the Carnation Ballroom presented “A Night in Paris” with Preston Love. On April 5th, the Ballroom was rented by the social club the “Silhouettes”. They hosted the “Star Revue of ’52” from St. Louis. It featured June Neal, an exotic and acrobatic dancer.

On May 30th (Memorial Day), the Flamingo Club presented their 2nd annual floor show at the Carnation Ballroom. There was a “Battle of the Blues” between Frankie Jordan and Ada Young. The exotic dancer, Pat Patton, was billed as “body beautiful.”

The Carnation Ballroom presented Valeria, the Body Beautiful, at a New Years Eve Cabaret Dance on December 31, 1952. On the same bill was Frank James, a one leg dancer and star of Ernie Field’s Band. It was James' first time in Omaha.

1953

On March 20th, the Carnation presented a Spring Style Show, Floor Show, and Cabaret Dance. Music was by Gene Franklin and his House Rockers. Susie Jenkins was billed as “Shake Dancer Deluxe; Direct from the West Coast.”

The Carnation hosted a “Pre-Xmas” dance featuring Johnny Ace and Willie Mae “Big Mama” Thornton. 

That same year, they hosted a New Year’s Eve cabaret dance with Little Toni “Shake Dancer Deluxe” and Elmer Delano and His Dukes of Swing.

1954

On February 1, 1954, three groups—the Omaha Star, “the Quacks” and the “Rattlers”, joined forces to produce a star packed floor show, with all proceeds going to the NAACP. Interpretive dancing was billed along with “Toni”, an exotic dancer. The groups raised $1,014.70 for the Freedom Fund.

On the morning of Sunday May 30th, the Carnation presented a “Breakfast Dance” that started at midnight and ended at 4:00am. The floor show featured “the Original Ebony Dancers” with music by Basie Given’s Band.

On October 16th, the Carnation was rented by the Rattlers, a Black social club, for their 4th annual cabaret ball and floor show. It featured Thelma Lee, an exotic dancer from Club Delisa in Chicago. The show as called “Opportunity Night.” On Thursday November 11th, the Carnation hosted the 1954 Sepia Pageant, dance, and floor show with Roy Brown and his band.

1955-1957

Advertising of burlesque dancers at the Carnation Ballroom was quiet from 1955-1957. However, the stars that graced the Carnation's stage are noteworthy to mention.

On August 19th, 1956, Ray Charles and his orchestra performed at the Carnation Ballroom.

On June 9th, 1957, Duke Ellington and his 15-piece orchestra performed at the Carnation Ballroom.

On April 26th, 1958, the Carnation hosted a Rock and Roll Dance featured an “exotic modern dancer” not named in the advertisement along with Jon Elronodo’s “Four star Combo” and tenor Melvin Morrison.

The Carnation Ballroom Closes

In 1959, Ms. Brown decided to close the Ballroom. The Rattlers social club continued to use the building. In 1961 the building was split into two addresses again. The 2701 side became the Huilt Gym and in 1964 the 2711 address became the Veterans Thrift Store. In 2018, the Carnation Ballroom was declared an official historic landmark by the City of Omaha. Funding for the research into what properties should be made landmarks came from the North Omaha Turnback Tax Grant, Restoration Exchange. In 2021, Ben Swan, a member of the North 24th Street Business Improvement District, began renovations to preserve the building and its cultural significance for the people of Omaha.

Segregation and Racism in Omaha, NE

During the early 20th century in Omaha, Black people were treated as second class citizens. Black people couldn’t attend the same schools, stay at the same hotels, eat at the same restaurants, or even hold the same jobs as white people. This was usually enforced through violence. Omaha newspapers were racist and demeaning towards Black people, so the Omaha Star was created and published by Mildred Brown. By 1940, 90% of north Omaha was Black. Omaha was segregated and City Council believed that Black people needed to be screened and approved before moving into white neighborhoods, which meant North Omaha was the only feasible place to live. The needs of the Black community were answered by community members like Mildred Brown, who saw the need for black-owned entertainment venues. If you'd like to learn more about racism and segregation in Omaha, please visit North Omaha History's article here.

Sources

• https://northomahahistory.com/2016/05/07/a-short-history-of-the-carnation-ballroom/comment-page-1/
• https://restorationexchange.org/2017/12/19/carnation-ballroom-considered-local-landmark-status/
• https://northomahahistory.com/2012/12/19/a-history-of-racism-in-omaha/
• "North Omaha building goes under renovation." John Chapman. June 13, 2021 https://www.wowt.com/2021/06/14/north-omaha-building-goes-under-renovation/
• "Landmark Designation Report: Carnation Ballroom." Report. September 28, 2017

The Omaha Star Newspaper Articles/Advertisements

• "Sepia Trio." Advertisement for Carnation Ballroom. Page 6, March 11, 1949
• "Coming Attractions." Advertisement for Carnation Ballroom. Page 6. March 11, 1949
• "Iretha Pepper Pot Tucker." Advertisement for Carnation Ballroom. Page 8. March 31, 1949
• "Dickie--King Cole's Protege." Advertisement for Carnation Ballroom. Page 8. April 8, 1949
• "Relax This Weekend." Advertisement for Carnation Ballroom. Page 8. April 22, 1949
• "Carnation Lounge Floor Show and Dance." Advertisement for Carnation Ballroom. Page 8. April 29, 1949
• "A Great Show this Weekend." Advertisement for Carnation Ballroom. May 6, 1949
• "All Star Attraction." Advertisement for Carnation Ballroom. May 13, 1949
• "Preston Love and his Band." Advertisement for Carnation Ballroom. Page 6. December 15, 1950
• "New Years Cabaret Dances." Advertisement for Carnation Ballroom. December 29, 1950
• "Cabaret Dance." Advertisement for Carnation Ballroom. December 21, 1951
• "Come to Dance and Talent Show." Advertisement for Carnation Ballroom. Page 9. August 31, 1951
• "3 Whirly Girly Shows." Advertisement for Carnation Ballroom. Page 8. September 7, 1951
• "Preston Love and his Orchestra for 2 Big Nights." Advertisement for Carnation Ballroom. January 5, 1951
• "John Sampson's Hollywood 'Sextet'." Advertisement for Carnation Ballroom. January 12, 1951
• "New Year's Eve Cabaret Dance." Advertisement for Carnation Ballroom. Page 12. December 19, 1952
• "Labor Day Cabaret Dance." Advertisement for Carnation Ballroom. August 22, 1952
• "New Year's Eve Cabaret Dance." Advertisement for Carnation Ballroom. December 26, 1952
• "Record Dance." Advertisement for Carnation Ballroom. February 8, 1952
• "Cabaret Ball." Advertisement for Carnation Ballroom. February 8, 1952
• "Silhouettes Present Star Revue of '52." Advertisement for Carnation Ballroom. March 21, 1952
• "Memorial Day Cabaret Ball." Advertisement for Carnation Ballroom. May 23, 1952
• "Pre-Xmas Dance." Advertisement for Carnation Ballroom. Page 8. December 18, 1953
• "New Year's Eve Cabaret Dance." Advertisement for Carnation Ballroom. December 25, 1953
• "Spring Style Show, Floor Show, and Cabaret Dance." Advertisement for Carnation Ballroom. March 13, 1953
• "Breakfast Dance." Advertisement for Carnation Ballroom. Page 10. May 28, 1954
• "N.A.A.C.P. Fundraiser Floor Show." Advertisement for Carnation Ballroom. January 8, 1954
• "6th Annual Crowning of Sepia Queen." Advertisement for Carnation Ballroom. November 5, 1954
• "Sepia Pageant, Dance and Floor Show." Advertisement for Carnation Ballroom. November 5, 1954
• "Top Ten Rhythm and Blues Stars." Advertisement for Carnation Ballroom. November 12, 1954
• "Dance with Charles Brown." Advertisement for Carnation Ballroom. November 12, 1954
• "The Rattlers present 4th Annual Cabaret Ball and Floor Show." October 15, 1954
• "Ray Charles." Advertisement for Carnation Ballroom. Page 6. August 10, 1956
• "Cabaret Dance with Duke Ellington." Advertisement for Carnation Ballroom. June 7, 1957
• "Rock and Roll Dance." Advertisement for Carnation Ballroom. April 25, 1958
• "Quacks, Rattlers, and The Omaha Star Present $1,014.70 to Freedom Fund." April 30, 1954
• "Rattlers Present 4th Annual Cabaret Ball and Floor Show." October 15, 1954
• "Along My Way." Lawrence P. Lewis. Page 1. June 17, 1949
• "To Play at Re-Opening of Carnation." December 22, 1950
• "To Appear at Carnation Ballroom." December 22, 1950
• "New Year's Eve Cabaret Dance at Beautiful Carnation Ballroom." December 26, 1952

• Omaha World Herald. "Carnation Ballroom Blossomed in 1950s." Preston Love. March 20, 1994