User:Sag Harbor 27/sandbox

Leviticus was a nightclub in midtown Manhattan that opened in November 1974 at 45 W. 33rd Street and featured disco and live music until its closing in October 1986. In t977, the name was changed to "Leviticus International" to reflect the large number of African, Caribbean, and European patrons. However, the majority of guests were middle class African Americans, many of whom worked in the midtown area.[1] Leviticus attracted a diverse crowd, including many celebrities and personalities such as Lola Falana, Nick Ashford, Valerie Simpson, Nick Nolte, Don Cornelius, Rev. Ike, Vaughn Harper, Rick James, Frankie Crocker, G. Keith Alexander, Iman, Janet Jackson, Arthur Ashe, Pam Grier, Douglas Turner Ward, Ed "Too Tall" Jones, Jim Brown, Grace Jones, and many more. Vaughn Harper worked at Leviticus as MC at the start of his career, but quickly became one of the top DJs on WBLS radio in New York. Even after his success on radio, Vaughn occasionally returned to Leviticus to serve as MC for the live shows.[3]

Leviticus was built, owned and operated by The Best of Friends, Inc. an organization that also owned Justine's on W. 38th Street, Bogard's on E. 48th Street, Orpheus on Washington Ave. in Brooklyn and Lucifer's on Linden Blvd. in Queens.[2] Leviticus added live music in 1977 and featured nationally-known acts such as Curtis Mayfield, Cuba Gooding, Sr., Blue Magic, Billy Paul, Mtume, the Originals, Phyllis Hyman, Billy Cobham, Taste of Honey, and many others. A strict dress code was enforced to control the large crowds: jackets were required, no sneakers or jeans and men had to remove hats.

The Best of Friends were comprised of Tony Cooper, Danny Berry, Charles "CP" Perry, Harry Felder, Mal Woolfolk, Wayne Scarbrough, Andre Smith, and Noel Hankin.

[1] Black Enterprise, September 1981, “The Million Dollar Party” by Stephen Gayle

[2] Black Enterprise, September 1981, “The Million Dollar Party” by Stephen Gayle

[3] Amsterdam News, July 11, 2016, “Vaughn Harper, WBLS & ‘Quiet Storm’ Pioneer, Dies at 71”