The Southland Cafe

The Southland Cafe was a ballroom and cafe on 76 Warrenton Street in Boston, Massachusetts (since 1957, it has been the home of the Charles Playhouse). Built as a church in 1839, then used as a synagogue, the building later became a speakeasy. It opened as the Southland Cafe and Ballroom in September 1937. Starting in April 1939, the Southland booked only name bands, including the orchestras of Duke Ellington, Jack Teagarden, Teddy Powell, Count Basie, Jimmie Lunceford, and Cab Callowway. Southland engagements were popular with the musicians because each engagement lasted between two and four weeks, offering a respite from buses and one-nighters. Many of the shows were broadcast nationwide over the NBC Blue network, with Fred B. Cole of WBZ Boston serving as the announcer.