Historic Paramount Theatre To Again Host Entertainment Events

The historic Brooklyn Paramount Theatre, located at Flatbush and DeKalb Avenues, will again host big-time entertainment acts thanks to a new partnership between its current owners, Long Island University (LIU) and Barclays Center affiliate Brooklyn Sports & Entertainment (BSE).

As first reported by Billboard, the deal will allow BSE to bring a mix of music, comedy, boxing and other events that feature “emerging artists” to the 86-year-old space — built in 1928 as a movie palace — which once welcomed rock and roll and jazz greats the likes of Buddy Holly, Chuck Berry, Ella Fitzgerald, and Frank Sinatra.

In the process, the 1,500-seat Paramount Theatre itself — which is still in wonderful condition, with “much of its original luster,” according to a press release — will be on display again to a large portion of the public for the first time in over 50 years.

LIU President Kimberly Cline described the partnership with BSE as a way to honor LIU’s commitment “to delivering a unique education that combines rigor in the classroom with engagement beyond our walls.

“Working hand-in-hand with Barclays Center’s affiliate [BSE], we will create new opportunities for our students and alumni as part of this exciting new endeavor,” Cline said.

As part of the deal, LIU students will also have new part-time job opportunities working the theatre during events.

Barclays CEO Brett Yormark also enthused about the partnership, touting the theatre’s “enormous potential” and “big untapped future.”

LIU Brooklyn Paramount Theatre’s first re-entry to the entertainment venue world will be as host of the NBA All-Star 2015 fan hub, “provid[ing] an interactive basketball experience on its full-size court and will include appearances from NBA legends.”