A 1933 newspaper article from the New York Amsterdam News (May 3rd). This one headlined “Dixie Dance Hall Closes, Savoy Remains One of its Kind.”

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The article reads:

Dixie Dance Hall Closes
Savoy Remains as Only One of Its Kind Catering to Negroes

After taking it on the chin for the past few weeks, the Dixie Ballroom, at 125th Street and Seventh Avenue, bowed out recently, leaving the field to the Savoy Ballroom, which inaugurated the form of entertainment now employed at the resort on Lenox Avenue.

Despite the growth of Negro families in the community, the Dixie continued to cater to whites only, until forced by changing conditions to make an appeal for the darker trade. Calling in Harold Parker, who worked as assistant to Charlie Buchanan at the Savoy for years and later stepped into the shoes of the genial Buchanan when the latter withdrew for a time, the Dixie installed the Savoy policy, but business never picked up.

Starting with two bands, the management was unable to meet the fare and soon only Kaiser’s outfit was willing to take a chance on what came in to pay off. This continued for a few weeks, with the musicians losing heart when the dance hall failed to draw. It was decided to call it all off recently and now the hostesses are again seeking an opening.

With popular band music as the special attraction to dancers and beer flowing freely, the Savoy management has redoubled its efforts. Manager Buchanan says the operation of the Dixie did not interfere with the Savoy in the least and the well-known hall will continue to cater to those the place was built to entertain.

To meet the exigencies of a situation which has forced the entire amusement world to lower its admission prices to the various forms of entertainment, the Savoy management announced a new scale of prices.

From now on the admission on Saturday will be 60 cents, Sunday matinee 35 cents and on Sunday evening the charge will be 50 cents.