THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, April 13, 1995 TAG: 9504120162
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 23 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY FRANK ROBERTS, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: AHOSKIE LENGTH: Medium: 54 lines
Lottie Lassiter, recently retired as executive director of the Gallery Theatre, is a native of this town and in her 60s, so she remembers a few things about the building she served so well.
Built in 1917, during World War I, it offered some vaudeville, some movies.
``It switched to all movies in the 1940s,'' Lassiter said, ``but they were still bringing in a few live acts.''
Little Beaver was one of them. If you are in the 50-plus age group, you may remember the Indian lad as cowboy Red Ryder's sidekick.
The very young actor was Bobby Blake. In adulthood, as Robert Blake, he gained a reputation on television and in the movies as a fine, intense performer.
Also around the early '40s there was an important swing era event.
``Bob Crosby came in as a performer - and stayed for a month. He had a small band with him,'' Lassiter said. ``The acoustics in the theater were so good, he had musicians come in and audition for his band.''
The Bobcats, a big band noted for its Dixieland, was born in Ahoskie, headed by Bing's younger brother.
One thing that made the Gallery enticing to traveling performers was its downtown location - a block from the railroad station, across the street from the Garrett Hotel, a building that now houses businesses.
Ben Blue, who appeared in just about every 1950s variety show on television, also appeared at the Gallery.
In later years, he was a comedian, but he began his professional career as a singer.
``He tried to duck out of town without paying his bill at the Garrett,'' Lassiter said.
She also remembered an appearance by Ina Ray Hutton and her All-Girl Orchestra.
People coming to hear such performers plunked a few cents down in the ticket booth, the same one still in use. They bought sweets from the concession stand, also still in use.
The seats, from 1917, are also still in use and, all things considered, are not too uncomfortable.
Pull up a Gallery seat. The theater is still going strong.
And look up Lottie Lassiter. She's still going strong, too. ILLUSTRATION: File photo by FRANK ROBERTS
Lottie Lassiter has fond memories of the Gallery Theatre, where she
served as executive director until her recent retirement.
by CNB