Dallas, TX

South Dallas Cultural Center
DESCRIPTION: Recently upgraded and expanded, this treasure of of South Dallas features distinguished African American plays and Black Cinematheque films - a sampling of the latter includes: Sisters of the Yam, Faces of Women (Ivory Coast), Alma's Rainbow, Suzanne/Suzanne, The Arrangement, Mute Love and Nobody Knows My Name; one can also see rotating exhibits by local, nationaland international artists, a drum circle, youth art classes, a reading room, and poetry in an modern 18,000 square foot facility; the 120-seat Black-box theatre is must-visit for Black Music Month in JUne

DAYS & HOURS: event-driven calendar

ADDRESS: 3400 South Fitzhugh Ave  MAP

PARKING: on premises

PHONE: 214-939-2787

WEBSITE: http://www.dallasculture.org/southDallasCulturalCenter.cfm

Black Forest Theater
DESCRIPTION: Erykah Badu renovated this 1940s South Dallas movie house into a beautiful space wthat cultivates the arts; welcoming the best in local soul, hip-hop and R&B, its becoming similar to the Apollo; all concert proceeds go to BLIND, a charity for local youth

DAYS & HOURS: event-driven calendar

ADDRESS: 1920 Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd  MAP

PARKING: on street

PHONE: 214-421-0677

WEBSITE: http://www.myspace.com/blackforesttheater

Black Academy of Arts and Letters
DESCRIPTION: Founded 1977 by Curtis King; a cultural arts institution that promotes and preserves the Arts and Letters of African-Americans; 250,000 square feet of space which houses: Naomi Bruton Theatre (seating: 1,750), Clarence Muse Cafe Theatre (seating: 225), Eva Jessye Gift Shop, James E. Kemp Art Gallery, Lectures, Classes, Film Screenings and Receptions; programs span the gamut in music, theatre, dance, literature, visual arts, film, television, and photography by emerging artists and established artists

DAYS & HOURS: event-driven calendar

ADDRESS: 650 S Griffin Street, Dallas Convention Center  MAP

PARKING: paid lots nearby

PHONE: 214-743-2440

WEBSITE: http://www.tbaal.org

Booker T. Washington School for Performing & Visual Arts
DESCRIPTION: The best dance and arts departments of any high school in the Southwest; it also creative home of many famous artists, including Erykah Badu; designated a Dallas Historic Landmark in 1980, the facility features a theatre cluster, a black-box theatre and is home to dozens of arts organizations

DAYS & HOURS: often features after-school events

ADDRESS: 2501 Flora Street  MAP

PARKING: on street

PHONE: 214-925-1200

WEBSITE: http://www.dallasisd.org/btw

Dallas Black Dance Theatre
DESCRIPTION: Founded 1976; acclaimed professional Black dance troupe that fuses jazz, African, spiritual, ballet and tap styles; performances at the restored 1920’s era Majestic Theatre; up to 300 company's dancers study, train and/or perform with some of the pre-eminent performers and teachers in the American dance world, including Alvin Ailey, Arthur Mitchell, Talley Beatty, Donald Byrd, Judith Jamison, Alonzo King, Twyla Tharp, Milton Myers, Elisa Monte, Martha Graham, Donald McKayle, Kevin Jeff, and George Faison; the company has toured worldwide; notable perfomances include the 1996 Arts Festival in Atlanta, the Lincoln Center Out of Doors Festival in New York, Europe and Mexico

DAYS & HOURS: event-driven calendar

ADDRESS: 2627 Flora Street  MAP

PARKING: on street

PHONE: 214-871-2376

WEBSITE: http://www.dbdt.com

Dallas African American Museum
DESCRIPTION: Founded 1974 as a part of Bishop College Library; became a separate private institution in 1979; dedicated to the research, acquisition, presentation and preservation of visual art forms and historical documents that relate to the life and culture of the African American community in Dallas and the southwestern United States; the museum has held major exhibitions for Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington and Black Rodeo stars; included in the permanent collections are: African, African American Contemporary and Folk Art; the rotating exhibits are complex, informative and artistically inspired; also presents meaningful experiences for children that would not ordinarily visit a museum; in 1985 the citizens of Dallas voted $1.2 million in city bonds towards the construction of the $6.5 million home for the Museum structure that opened 1993 and in use today; the distinguished museum building has the shape of a cross with an exterior of ivory stone and a 60 foot high rotunda interior

DAYS & HOURS: Tue–Fri 12a-5p, Sat 10a-5p, Sun 1p-5p

ADDRESS: 3536 Grand Ave in Fair Park  MAP

PARKING: on premises

PHONE: 214-565-9026

WEBSITE: http://www.aamdallas.org

Dr Martin Luther King, Jr. Center
DESCRIPTION: Dedicated in 1974, Dr. King’s statue graces this community center featuring a library, local meeting spaces, medical facilities and indoor basketball

DAYS & HOURS: Mon-Tue 9a-6p, Wed 9a-6p, Fri-Sat 9a-5p

ADDRESS: 2922 Martin Luther King, Jr Blvd  MAP

PARKING: on premises and street

PHONE: 214-670-8355

WEBSITE: http://dallaslibrary.org/martin.php

Paul Quinn College
DESCRIPTION: Founded 1872 by AME preachers in Austin, it’s the oldest historically black college west of the Mississippi

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Irving, TX

Irving Black Arts Council
DESCRIPTION: Founded in In 1989 by Jackie Mae Howard Townsell, IBAC coordinates and develops cultural activities for African-American and other minority talent; IBAC also provides venues to display the talent of targeted artists and highlights vocational opportunities in the arts by providing exposure to local artistic role models

DAYS & HOURS: event-driven calendar

ADDRESS: 3333 North McArthur Blvd  MAP

PARKING: on premises and street

PHONE: 972-252-2787

WEBSITE: http://www.irvingblackarts.com

Fort Worth, TX

National Multicultural Western Heritage Museum and Hall of Fame

DESCRIPTION: Founded by Jim and Gloria Austin to give recognition to the outstanding multicultural pioneers who played a role in settling the early American western frontier and contributed to the western culture; includes featured exhibits of the Tuskgee Airmen and Buffalo Soldiers

ADMISSION: $5 adult, $2 student

DAYS & HOURS: Wed-Sat 11a-6p

ADDRESS: 3400 Mount Vernon Ave  MAP

PARKING: on premises and street

PHONE: 817-534-8801

WEBSITE: http://www.cowboysofcolor.org