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Black Circus

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1 Dupont Cir., NW

Opened September 1970. Initially only open to 8:30 PM with no entertainment. Artists generally appeared for six-night (Monday to Saturday) weekly engagements (closed Sunday). A dinner theater run by Lew Resseguie was added in late April 1971 in the downstairs cafeteria area. Black Circus was still in existence as a restaurant at least into 1974, though entertainment had been discontinued (the last ads in local newspapers appeared in spring 1972). By October 1972 it was featuring an unnamed “seven-piece all-girl band Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights” that played “rock, bossa nova, and straight pop.”

Black Circus was one of many establishments owned by Ulysses ‘Blackie’ Auger. At its opening, the manager was Demetrios Jaragiorgis. Auger was assisted at times by Pete Lambros (though many of the possible upcoming bookings that Lambros mentioned never appeared, including Mabel Mercer, Toots Thielemans, Carolyn Hester, Jimmy Witherspoon, and Joe Mooney). When the restaurant opened, capacity was given as 280, though as 125 when the first act, the Charlie Byrd Trio, started in December 1970.

Artists

  • Charlie Byrd (1970)
  • Ray Bryant (1971)
  • The Runners (1971)
  • Joe Wilford (1971)
  • Al Cardany (1971)
  • Charlie Byrd (1971)
  • Dick Fazio and T’Day (1971)
  • Charlie Byrd (1971)
  • Keter Betts (1971)
  • Shirley Horn (1971)
  • Charlie Byrd (1971)
  • Goodtimes (1971)
  • Charlie Byrd (1971)
  • Charlie Byrd (1972)
  • Tiny Grimes (1972)
  • Charlie Byrd (1972)
  • Bucky Pizzarelli (1972)
  • Hal Posey (1972)
  • Charlie Byrd (1972)
  • Shirley Horn (1972)
  • Mose Allison (1972)

Bibliography

Segraves, John. “After Dark: Charlie Byrd’s New ‘Residence.’” Washington Star, November 28, 1970.
Segraves, John. “After Dark: Charlie Byrd’s New ‘Residence.’” Washington Star, December 12, 1970.
Segraves, John. “After Dark: ‘Got to Remember They’re Athletes.’” Washington Star, February 3, 1971.
Segraves, John. “After Dark: A Fresh Face, A Sturdy Voice.” Washington Star, February 18, 1971.
Segraves, John. “After Dark: ‘Circus’ Tries and Makes It.” Washington Star, March 25, 1971.
Segraves, John. “After Dark: Charlie Looking for New Spot?” Washington Star, June 12, 1971.
Segraves, John. “After Dark: Welcome ‘Home,’ Charlie Byrd.” Washington Star, December 2, 1971.
Segraves, John. “After Dark: ‘Circus’ Stars.” Washington Star, February 3, 1972.
Segraves, John. “After Dark: Lonely Opening for a Fine Act.” Washington Star, February 3, 1972.
West, Hollie I. “Black Circus.” Washington Post, March 1, 1972.

Wiki Tags: 1970s

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