I was looking for the original Bar Ebro at Corrientes 1628 where some of our favorite orchestras (Laurenz, Maffia, Donato) used to play starting in 1945. Instead, I found this theatre across the street, at 1639. The top pic shows the "Astral" just before it opened on 15 June 1927. In his biography of Juan Carlos Cobián, Enrique Cadícamo recalls writing skits for theatre in that same year. He names its director as Segundo Pomar. (Revised 7/23/16)
That marquee looks promising: "Notable Orquestas Típicas"! Between 1926 and 29, many theatres had tango and jazz orchestras to accompany the silent films. Later, a lot of them hosted Carnavál dances. They'd take all the seats out of the main floor section for the dancers, and the orchestras would take the stage.
The second pic appears to show a later incarnation (30s?) with a new marquee and significant remodeling of the facade.
The Astral is still operating to this day, although it seems to have suffered further architectural indignities over the years. The second floor seems to have disappeared entirely. At least it retains a hint of that unique fenestration on what I presume are the stairwells to the right and left of the facade. When I return to Buenos Aires, I'll definitely visit the Astral!
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