Photos: Historic El Casino Ballroom in Tucson
The El Casino Ballroom in Tucson, 437 E. 26th St., has featured acts like James Brown, Duke Ellington and Tito Puente since it was built in 1947.
A print ad for El Casino Ballroom from May 1948.
Hector La Desma sings along with Duke Ellington, right, at the piano and the 15-piece Ellington band at El Casino Ballroom in Tucson on Sept. 17, 1954.
Little Joe of Little Joe, Johnny and la Familia performs at El Casino Ballroom at 437 E. 26th St. in Tucson on July 29, 1979.
El Casino Ballroom at 437 E. 26th St. in Tucson in May 1980.
El Casino Ballroom in Tucson in May 1980.
El Casino Ballroom in Tucson, circa 1980.
El Casino Ballroom at 437 E. 26th St. in Tucson in May 1980.
El Casino Ballroom in Tucson in May 1980.
El Casino Ballroom in Tucson in May 1980.
Brazilian music group, Olodum, performs in 1991 at the El Casino Ballroom.
The buckled wood on the El Casino Ballroom dance floor due to water that leached through holes in the ceiling. Photo taken on Feb. 21, 1992.
Matt and Bill Smith bolt a beam into place at El Casino Ballroom in Tucson on Aug. 9, 1999. The ballroom fell into disrepair in 1991 after a storm damaged the roof.
Mike Levin uses a rope to help guide a beam while his father Alan operates the crane at El Casino Ballroom on Aug. 9, 1999. Levin and Sons built a new roof overtop the old one.
Children play on the restored dance floor at the El Casino Ballroom in Tucson in February 2000.
An assortment of El Casino Ballroom performance posters that range from 1986-89, part of the KXCI FM community radio series.
Onlookers line up against the wall as hundreds of people gather inside the El Casino Ballroom for their grand re-opening festivities on April 12, 2000, which included Cajun food, zydeco music and dance lessons.
Buckwheat Zydeco, shown entertaining more than 800 people at the El Casino Ballroom's grand re-opening on April 13, 2000.
Guests dance on the legendary El Casino Ballroom dance floor at Gabrielle Barney's Sweet 16 party at El Casino Ballroom on July 28, 2012.
Outside the east end of the El Casino Ballroom remains part of the original dance floor and structure on July 28, 2012. The roof had been blown off the building years before and the remains of part of the dance area was under a corrugated roof.
Filmmaker Dan Buckley, right, interviews Paul Bear on Aug. 2, 2012 for Buckley's documentary about El Casino Ballroom.
Marchers stay cool in the shade before the start of the May Day, or International Worker's Day, march on May 1, 2017. Walkers gathered at El Casino Ballroom and then marched to Armory Park.
The crowd listens to Anton Russell during his time on the stage at the Tucson Storytellers Project at the El Casino Ballroom, Tucson, Ariz., August 13, 2019.
El Casino Ballroom, 437 E. 26th St. in Tucson, Ariz. on August 30, 2023. The venue was built in 1947 and is celebrating 75 years in business.
El Casino Ballroom in Tucson on August 30, 2023.
With his camera, videographer and former journalist Daniel Buckley captured what he calls "the heart and soul of Tucson."
Frank Amparano, longtime president of the Latin American Social Club/El Casino Ballroom and coach of Tucson youth sports, died from COVID-19 related complications on Dec. 15, a day before his 76th birthday.
La causa que más le enorgullecía fue haber sido entrenador de softbol de muchas jóvenes de Tucsón. Murió por complicaciones relacionadas con el COVID-19 el 15 de diciembre, un día antes de cumplir 76 años.
At 75, El Casino Ballroom still the heartbeat of Tucson's Latino communityFor Star subscribers: A celebration this weekend features two days of music and dance, but the true spirit of the iconic venue comes from families who still mark milestones there.