{"id":108,"date":"2015-09-19T16:40:08","date_gmt":"2015-09-19T23:40:08","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/localhost\/elcasino\/?page_id=108"},"modified":"2016-01-18T20:08:10","modified_gmt":"2016-01-19T03:08:10","slug":"history","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"http:\/\/www.elcasinoballroom.com\/index.php\/history\/","title":{"rendered":"History"},"content":{"rendered":"

Hello, my name is Fred Martinez, and I am the manager of the historic El Casino Ballroom.\u00a0 In 2000, thanks the efforts of dedicated members in the community, all of whom celebrated many of their own events at the El Casino Ballroom, we re-opened after being closed for nine years.\u00a0 Below is the story of the El Casino Ballroom, and how it has come to be on the of most iconic ballrooms left standing today.<\/span><\/p>\n

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El Casino Ballroom circa 1947<\/p><\/div>\n

Let me first explain how the Latin American Social Club (LASC) and the El Casino Ballroom (ballroom) became associated with one another.\u00a0 In the mid<\/span> 1960s, the ballroom and the LASC were separate entities, but that was soon abou<\/span>t to change.\u00a0 The City of Tucson began buying up properties in preparation of building t<\/span>he Tucson Convention Center; one of those properties belonged to the LASC at 425 S. Main.\u00a0 With the monies <\/span>they received from the City, the LASC purchased the ballroom as a business venture, and built their new club on the west side of the ballroom in 1972.\u00a0 Ever since, the two have been joined at the hip.
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My family and I have been involved with the ballroom since the late 1960s, when my dad, Raul “Butch” Martinez, was appointed manager.\u00a0 Butch was a member of the LASC, dating back to when he returned to Tucson in 1945, having served in World War II.\u00a0 Prior to that, my grandfather, Ramon Martinez (WWI – Calvary), was a member of the LASC in the 1930s, and was the owner of one of the first Hispanic-owned bars in Tucson–La Cabania Cantina on Meyer Ave., which opened after Prohibition was repealed in 1933.\u00a0 My dad gained experience working the bar at La Cabnia Cantina, which made him an ideal candidate to the run the ballroom.\u00a0 In 1968, my brother Sam and I were hired on the cleaning crew.\u00a0 In addition to me and Sam, my mother Annie, and my sister Pat would help out in various ways as well.\u00a0 Later on the youngest sibling, my brother Andy, would join the crew; he is still with us today.<\/span><\/p>\n

As far back as I can remember, there was hardly a weekend off: Friday, Saturday, and most Sundays were spent working weddings, quincea\u00f1eras, dances, fund raisers, and other events at the ballroom.\u00a0 In 1974 I started bartending.\u00a0 When my dad, “Butch,” could no longer manage the club due to health reasons, I stayed on board, working for various managers.\u00a0 It was during that time that I really saw it all; not just the tons of shows, but I saw what the ballroom really meant to the community as a traditional landmark that still continues today.\u00a0 From behind the bar I saw the countless familial celebrations continuing from generation to generation.\u00a0 Everyone, sooner or later, ended up at the ballroom.\u00a0 One of the best sayings goes, “If you grew up in Tucson or Southern Arizona, there were a few places you always ended up: Mi Nidito, Pat’s Chili Dogs, the El Casino Ballroom, and Carrillo Mortuary.”\u00a0 Working there was like a reunion of sorts.\u00a0 I would see old classmates, friends, and relatives, many of whom had moved away or left to serve our country in the Armed Forces.\u00a0 Whenever they were in town, the would always stop by the ballroom because they could count on running into someone they knew.\u00a0 Even with a family and a full time job, this is why I stayed on at the club; this is what made it all worthwhile.\u00a0 I didn’t see the ballroom as a second job, but more of a hobby of sorts.\u00a0 It’s in the blood I guess.\u00a0 Fortunately, my wife Cathy, and two daughters–Barb and Jennifer–understood, and gave me their blessings and support.<\/span><\/p>\n

Things nearly ended for the ballroom in October 1991: The Storm.\u00a0 A windstorm picked up the entire south-end of the roof, ripping it off entirely.\u00a0 For five months, the club was left exposed to the elements, causing severe damage.\u00a0 It was during this time that South Tucson Fire Department condemned the building.\u00a0 The ballroom was no longer open for business.\u00a0 A forty-five year tradition of our culture and community ceased to exist.\u00a0 Everywhere I went, people were always asking me when, if ever, were we going to rebuild.
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The Storm<\/p><\/div>\n

I had been a member of the LASC since 1974, yet I had never been involved in the leadership aspects of it.\u00a0 After The Storm, I witnessed how the active<\/span> Boa<\/span>rd of Directors w<\/span>as not doing much to restore and re-open the ballroom.\u00a0 I decided, along with my dad “Butch,” that something had to be done.\u00a0 “Butch” was in ill health, but I knew he <\/span>was well-respected by the club members, so I knew his support would be extremely impo<\/span>rt<\/span>ant.\u00a0 We decided the first thing that needed to be done was to elect a new Board of <\/span>Directors.\u00a0 This was one of the most crucial moments i<\/span>n the survival of the Latin American Social Club and the El Casino Ballroom.\u00a0 We starte<\/span>d attending board meeti<\/span>ng<\/span>s, and actively began recruiting new members.\u00a0 We officially elected a new board: Frank Amparano, Vince Amparano, Jesus Gastelum, Johnny Hernandez, Henry Martinez, Fred Martinez, Danny Rodriguez, and Ed Lopez, with “Butch” <\/span>Martinez as the manager.\u00a0 The new board faced an uphill battle: the LASC had accumulated over $250,000 in debt, and everything from taxes, licenses, and bills were deli<\/span>nquent.\u00a0 And to top it all off, our main source of income, the ballroom (capacity 1,200 at the<\/span> time), was still condemned.\u00a0 The only thing we had was the LASC, which had a capacity of 120.\u00a0 Not quite the inheritance you hope to receive.<\/span><\/p>\n

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“Butch” and Annie with Little Joe<\/p><\/div>\n

“Butch” and I took over operations of the LASC.\u00a0 With “Butch’s” health failing, I took responsi<\/span>bility for running the bar operations.\u00a0 My brothers helped with cleanup, maintenance, <\/span>and wh<\/span>atever else was needed.\u00a0 Others, such as Jerry White, Pete “Cuniado” Muniz, Lee Smith volunteered their time to the cause.\u00a0 In addition to the many volun<\/span>teers, if it weren’t for the financial assistance to keep us barely above water, we would have been forced to close.\u00a0 Much of that financial support was from my parents, “Butch” and Annie.\u00a0 In addition, many others lent us money and were paid back.\u00a0 My parents never took repayment, for them the reward was simply in seeing the ballroom come back to life.\u00a0 Unfortunately, neither got to see the dream fully realized; both of them p<\/span>assed away before the ballroom re-opened.\u00a0 My dad always told me, “We have the right people in place now.\u00a0 With the current board, and many others, you will rebuild it.\u00a0 I won’t see it, but I know you all will rebuild someday.”\u00a0 It took NINE years, and many, many obstacles to overcome, but we did it! \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Below are just a few of the individuals that were instrumental in reviving the ballroom:<\/span><\/p>\n