HOUSTON CULTURAL SITES
Houston, TX
Buffalo Soldiers National Museum
DESCRIPTION: history museum
The Ensemble Theatre
DESCRIPTION: Founded in 1976 by George Hawkins as a touring company with a mission to preserve African American artistic expression, entertain and enrich a diverse community; the theatre enjoyed overwhelming growth in the 1980s when it moved to its current home and has since become a distinguished resident theatre able to purchase its facility in 1995; this theater and performers can hold its own with any regional theatre in the nation; a sample of their performances which appeal to all ages and across cultures includes: A Lesson Before Dying, Sparkle: The Musical, Tap Dance Kid, A Pure Gospel Christmas, Johnny B. Goode, and Black Eagles, fee-based workshops and master classes offered for children to gain confidence and enhance creativity by participating in theatre and for students to refine their theatrical skills; year round season with parking nearby and next to a METROrail station; schedule your acting audition
DAYS & HOURS: check their online calendar
ADDRESS: 3535 Main Street MAP
PARKING: on street
PHONE: 713-520-0055
WEBSITE: http://www.ensemblehouston.com
Texas Southern University
DESCRIPTION: Founded in 1947 so that many African American Texans could utilize their veteran’s educational benefits, TSU has been ranked by US News & World Report as one of the nation’s best universities
Traditional African Art Gallery
DESCRIPTION: Contains a collection of African art acquired over the past four decades; composed of over 200 works from East, Central and West Africa, the collection is varied and vast enough in it scope to allow the study of true African traditions and concepts
DAYS & HOURS: Mon-Thu 7a-12a, Fri 7a-8p, Sat 9a-6p, Sun Noon-12a
ADDRESS: Robert J Terry Library, Texas Southern University, 3100 Cleburne Street MAP
PARKING: on premises for a fee
PHONE: 713-313-7149
WEBSITE: http://www.tsu.edu
Barbara Jordon & Mickey Leland Archives
DESCRIPTION: Robert J Terry Library is home to archives which chronicle local, state, national and international achievements of TSU’s most famous alumnae who also represented the 18th District in the US Congress; Barbara Jordan (1936-1996) was the first African American from Texas elected to the US Congress after Reconstruction; a masterful orator, debate team captain and constitutional scholar she is best remembered nationally when arguing for the impeachment of Richard Nixon and delivering the keynote address at the 1976 Democratic Convention; perhaps her greatest compliment is the respect received from arch-conservative rivals who dared not to publicly debate her; due to multiple sclerosis she retired from the US Congress after three terms in 1979; Mickey Leland (1944-1989); he filled Barbara Jordan’s seat and went on to chair the Congressional Black Caucus during the 99th US Congress; he successfully pushed for stronger sanctions that helped lead to the collapse of Apartheid in South Africa; tragically, he died in a small plane flight during a humanitarian mission to Ethiopia; a federal office building downtown is named in his honor
DAYS & HOURS: Mon-Thu 7a-12a, Fri 7a-8p, Sat 9a-6p, Sun Noon-12a
ADDRESS: Robert J Terry Library, Texas Southern University, 3100 Cleburne Street MAP
PARKING: on premises for a fee
PHONE: 713-313-7011
WEBSITE: http://www.tsu.edu
Heartburn Collection
DESCRIPTION: Although its not officially an African American Research Library, like the Schomberg, it should be; ask for Special Collections Archivist Bernard Forrester to help you locate the right resources among this incredible collection of original artifacts including a Phyllis Wheatley book; here’s a bet – avid researchers will not be disappointed in 2nd largest collection of Africana historic artifacts and documents in the world
DAYS & HOURS: Mon-Thu 7a-12a, Fri 7a-8p, Sat 9a-6p, Sun Noon-12a
ADDRESS: Robert J Terry Library, Texas Southern University, 3100 Cleburne Street MAP
PARKING: on premises for a fee
PHONE: 713-313-7011
WEBSITE: http://www.tsu.edu
Starving Poets
DESCRIPTION: This energetic group of underground (mostly) poets is making a major impact in markets they perform; their eloquent spoken word play is rooted with conscious vibrations of edutainment for critics and fans; their resume is rolling out as they make many special appearances at marquee events, such as at the Buffalo Soldiers Museum, Black Heritage Festival, Juneteenth Festival, Super Bowl XXXVIII Soul Festival, and most of all their slamming Poetic House Party
DAYS & HOURS: check their online calendar of events
ADDRESS: changing venues
PHONE: 409-839-8187
WEBSITE: http://www.starvingpoets.org
Project Row Houses
DESCRIPTION: Inspired by the artistic paintings of John Biggers, this collective of 22 restored “Shotgun” row houses is a nurturing and reaffirming shelter for artists-in-residence, community services, and galleries for primarily African American art; considered a major urban revitalization success story; guided tours available by appt
DAYS & HOURS: Wed-Sun Noon-5p
ADDRESS: 2521 Holman Street MAP
PARKING: on street
PHONE: 713-526-7662
WEBSITE: http://www.projectrowhouses.org
Community Artists Collective
DESCRIPTION: The Baldwin Park facility houses The Collective, 56 condominium units and 10,000 square feet of retail space, and positively impacts Houston's artistic, residential, educational, and business communities; if you are lucky, visit when the artists are hosting a fundraising event for the new building
DAYS & HOURS: schedule an appointment Tue-Sat 11a-3p
ADDRESS: 1413 Holman Street MAP
PARKING: on street
PHONE: 713-523-1616
WEBSITE: http://thecollective.org
Shape Community Center
DESCRIPTION: Founded in 1969, S.H.A.P.E. (Self-Help for African People through Education) Community Center provides many programs and activities that strengthen families and communities; over the years it has become a staple in the Third Ward with its indoor community programs and summer youth programs; each year the Shape is the proud coordinator of the city’s Kwanzaa Celebration and the annual Pan-African Cultural Festival attended by thousands
DAYS & HOURS: Mon-Fri 7a-7p, Sat 8a-5p
ADDRESS: 3815 Live Oak MAP
PARKING: on street
PHONE: 713-521-0641
WEBSITE: http://www.shape.org
Ancestral Films
DESCRIPTION: Founded 1991 by director Mohammed Kamara, this cultural arts organization is an oasis to view independent African, European, Latin American, Asian, and North American films; his venues of choice are often at Rice University Media Center or the Houston Museum of Fine Arts; co-organizer of the Galveston Film Festival
DAYS & HOURS: ON HIATUS
ADDRESS: none
PARKING: on street
PHONE: 713-527-0470
WEBSITE: none
Kuumba House Dance Theatre
DESCRIPTION: An African dance and education group with roots firmly in the Third Ward and touring Texas; their popular shows are performed at a variety of venues throughout the region; Kuumba House is also a non-profit multi-cultural arts education center it hosts theatrical, musical, and African dance & drumming classes for children; you can also take dance or introductory tap, ballet, Jazz and tumbling classes
DAYS & HOURS: check online calendar screening times and locations
ADDRESS: 3001 Cleburne Street MAP
PARKING: on street
PHONE: 713-524-1079
WEBSITE: http://kuumbahousedancetheatre.org
American Cowboy Museum
DESCRIPTION: Mollie Stevenson The more than a century-old Taylor-Stevenson several hundred acre ranch is not an idealized version of a cowboy museum; instead it is home to a special museum focusing on African American cowboys and cowgirls; you can easily spend an afternoon here; because it is a working ranch managed by the family its not a good idea to just “drop in”, please call to arrange an appointment for a tour, party, horseback riding, petting zoo, and leather craft display, expanded
DAYS & HOURS: by appt
ADDRESS: 11822 Almeda Road MAP
PARKING: on premises
PHONE: 713-433-4441
WEBSITE: http://www.americancowboymuseum.org
Houston Ebony Music Society / Houston Ebony Opera Guild
DESCRIPTION: A company of classical singers based on Houston's African American community and committed to the expansion of opportunities for participation in and exposure to opera, traditional Negro spirituals and other classical music genres; performance of opera, choral music and other styles year-round
DAYS & HOURS: check online press releases for times and locations
ADDRESS: 117 Texas Avenue at Christ Church Cathedral MAP
PARKING: on premises and street
PHONE: 713-529-7664
WEBSITE: http://www.houstonebonymusic.org
Mickey Leland Library & Museum of African Hisotry, Culture & Social Change
DESCRIPTION: Honoring George Thomas "Mickey" Leland, this facility was created in 1996; for your reading comfort has a sitting library with a tea room; the center works with the community to preserve and interpret African history, natural history, and cultural materials beyond the walls of the library; library also support research, collect speeches of well known orators, generate publications, display exhibitions, and other educational activities to advance the public's understanding and appreciation of Black art, history and culture with particular emphasis on the work of the late Congressman Mickey Leland; will be moving to a large new facility in the Museum District
DAYS & HOURS: weekdays by appt and weekends 10a-2p
ADDRESS: 5407 Chenevert Street, Suite 102 MAP
PARKING: on street
PHONE: 713-524-3334
WEBSITE: http://www.mickeyleland.org
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