Culture, Art & Music

The East End Cultural Heritage District contains many of Austin’s most historically significant African American cultural institutions, organizations, and venues. For this community, years of racial segregation also resulted in the establishment, and continued development and nurturance, of forms of expressive culture firmly rooted in Black America’s connection to the cultural traditions of Africa. Throughout the history of Black East Austin the influence and melding of African folkways, combined with the experience of North American slavery, has resulted in a rich local tradition of creative output. From oratory and spirited praise-song in the churches, to more formal visual and musical expression through the schools, to the everyday soul food culinary arts, gutbucket blues and jazz of the cafes, Black East Austin has a unique cultural identity that sets it apart from the other sections of the city.

The inventory of cultural assets found in the District represents a diverse mix of historic/heritage sites and institutions, contemporary arts and culture organizations, and workspaces/commercial outlets of individual creatives and small businesses. Though originally settled by a mix of American Anglos, European and Mexican immigrants, and freed African/American slaves, in 1928 the City of Austin designated Central East Austin as a “Negro District.” The resultant legally-enforced racial segregation of the community restricted African Americans’ access to housing, city services, public schools and parks, and most public accommodations and social outlets. In effect, the Negro District also provided the historic foundation and geographic location for many of the churches, schools, entertainment and commercial corridors, and social institutions that now comprise the East Austin African American Cultural Heritage District.

Upon this historic foundation, present-day artistic and cultural activity abounds. The District houses Austin’s two full-time African American cultural arts organizations (ProArts and DiverseArts), the Texas Music Museum, and the Fontaine Religious Museum. Central East Austin also has the highest density of visual art studios in Austin (East Austin Studio Tour), more performing arts venues and theater companies than any section of the city, and a variety of live music venues and recording studios, all anchored by a residential community that includes a large number of working creatives in the fine and commercial arts, media, and arts related businesses.

Jazz Outside (5.22.2014)

Jazz Outside May 2014

 

Date: 
Thu, 2014-05-22 19:00 - 22:00

Death of a Mailman

By , on January 27, 2014 on the arts+labor+austin at

http://artslaboraustin.com/death-of-a-mailman/

 

Bill Martin, who married into the Franklins, Austin’s first family of gospel, delivered good news.

East End Foruth Friday! April 2014

DiverseArts Culture Works and East End IBIZ District presents...

East End Fourth Friday! April 2014Featuring:

- Death Aquatics (Under-18 band from McCallum High School)
- EastSide Blues Syndicate
- The Notorious Miss Lavelle White

When: Friday, April 25, 2014

Gates Open: 6:00 p.m.

Date: 
Fri, 2014-04-25 18:30 - 22:00

Jack White: Neo-Totems & Recent Collage Discoveries

The George Washington Carver Museum and Cultural Center presents...

Jack White

 

 

Where:
Carver Museum and Cultural Center
1165 Angelina St
Austin, TX 78702

Opening Reception:
Thursday, March 13th, 2014
6:30-8:30pm

When:
March 13th-24th, 6:00 - 8:30pm

Date: 
Thu, 2014-03-13 18:30 - 20:30
Thu, 2014-03-13 21:00 - Sat, 2014-05-24 18:00

East Austin memories: blacks picketed Charlie’s Playhouse for catering to UT students on weekends

By , on September 25, 2012 on the michaelcorcoran.net at www.michaelcorcoran.net/archives/2022

 

Villager publisher/ editor Tommy Wyatt talks about E. 11th St. in the 1950s and ’60s

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