The restoration and renovation of the historic Brooklyn Paramount Theatre at Long Island University is a partnership project between the Long Island University and Paramount Events Center, under Barclays Center management. The Theatre opened its doors in 1928 as an ornate movie palace and later introduced rock and roll and jazz to the borough, hosting artists such as Ella Fitzgerald and Frank Sinatra. The Paramount was converted into a gymnasium in the 1960s and was utilized by many Blackbirds basketball champions.