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Indy's Indiana Avenue reborn
- By News Hound
- Published 07/11/2007
- Theatre
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News Hound
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View all articles by News HoundIndy's Indiana Avenue reborn
By Becky Linhardt
Indiana Avenue in Indianapolis, once the heart and soul of the African-American community, is seeing a rebirth as the Indiana Avenue Cultural District.
"The Blues and Bar-B-Q event draws huge crowds of people each summer to enjoy the music, food, and community feeling," said Bruce Williams, vice president at the Madame Walker Theatre Center on Indiana Avenue. "The celebration (which begins Friday) fills the parking lot areas next to the theater and spills out onto the avenue."
The Madame Walker Theatre on Indiana Avenue is again a focus of the spirit of creativity and social life for the African-American community with concerts, plays and special events.
"I remember coming to the opening of the theater when I was five," said Indianapolis native Thomas Ridley. "In my teenage years it was the place to come for movies and to meet friends. The décor includes scenes from Africa, not just because of its black patrons, but also because Madame Walker's daughter (A'Lelia) was influenced by travels to East Africa and Egypt."
Named after the first American "self-made" female millionaire, the theater was a part of a plan that Madame C. J. Walker had for the property that included the manufacturing facilities for her line of beauty products. The project was completed by her daughter in 1927 and was almost a city within one building having its own grocery store, barbershop, other retail businesses and the theater where the African-American community gathered for entertainment, from vaudeville to talking pictures.
Though it is now listed on both State and National Registers of Historic Places, the property was nearly abandoned until 1973 when a group of African-Americans formed a committee to save the complex. A $2.5 million restoration project started with the 900-plus seat theater in the early 1980s. Plans for the 10-block area along Indiana Avenue also include a welcome center.
Special events and monthly programs now fill the schedule for the theater with top name entertainers and dramatic performances. The spacious ballroom hosts "Downtown Live" performances on first Fridays and Jazz on the Avenue the fourth Friday of every month.
The spiritual life of the Indiana Avenue community continues to be the Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church on Vermont Avenue, which was built in 1869. As the oldest African-American congregation in Indianapolis with 170 years of worship, the church history includes active participation in the Underground Railroad and many notable members, including Madame Walker.
"We feel we have a unique opportunity to minister to travelers," said Rev. John Lambert. "We have a central, downtown location and our church is on the National Register of Historic Places. We welcome visitors for tours and Sunday services."
The second-floor sanctuary is impressive, and the church maintains a small museum room on the first floor. You can see hitching rings imbedded in the sidewalks in front of the church built in 1869 beside the canal. The waterway was restored and has become a focal point for downtown Indianapolis.
Contemporary African-American culture is emphasized by the Indiana Black Expo (IBE), a multifaceted old community service organization. Black Expo Summer Celebration is a major fundraiser for the organization and a vehicle for promoting the social and economic advancement of African-Americans. The event takes place July 12-22 at various locations in and near the Indiana Convention Center. It includes business workshops, a health and wellness fair, exhibits, youth activities, job fair and spiritual enrichment.
Entertainment highlights include a Music Industry 101 panel discussion by industry insiders on July 20 that is followed by Summer Scratch: DJ Battle & Break-dance Showcase.
The Music Heritage Festival on July 21 features Erykah Badu, Anthony Hamilton, and comedians Michael Colyar, Sheryl Underwood and Tony Sculfield. A Teen Bling Party on the same evening is geared to the 21-and-under crowd with performances by DJ Unk, Lil Mama and more.
Kids' World, a day of activities for children, will be noon-8 p.m. July 22 at the Indiana Convention Center. The indoor amusement area will have rides, games and inflatable bounce houses.
http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070701/LIFE09/707010335/1052/LIFE
Indiana Avenue in Indianapolis, once the heart and soul of the African-American community, is seeing a rebirth as the Indiana Avenue Cultural District.
"The Blues and Bar-B-Q event draws huge crowds of people each summer to enjoy the music, food, and community feeling," said Bruce Williams, vice president at the Madame Walker Theatre Center on Indiana Avenue. "The celebration (which begins Friday) fills the parking lot areas next to the theater and spills out onto the avenue."
The Madame Walker Theatre on Indiana Avenue is again a focus of the spirit of creativity and social life for the African-American community with concerts, plays and special events.
"I remember coming to the opening of the theater when I was five," said Indianapolis native Thomas Ridley. "In my teenage years it was the place to come for movies and to meet friends. The décor includes scenes from Africa, not just because of its black patrons, but also because Madame Walker's daughter (A'Lelia) was influenced by travels to East Africa and Egypt."
Named after the first American "self-made" female millionaire, the theater was a part of a plan that Madame C. J. Walker had for the property that included the manufacturing facilities for her line of beauty products. The project was completed by her daughter in 1927 and was almost a city within one building having its own grocery store, barbershop, other retail businesses and the theater where the African-American community gathered for entertainment, from vaudeville to talking pictures.
Though it is now listed on both State and National Registers of Historic Places, the property was nearly abandoned until 1973 when a group of African-Americans formed a committee to save the complex. A $2.5 million restoration project started with the 900-plus seat theater in the early 1980s. Plans for the 10-block area along Indiana Avenue also include a welcome center.
Special events and monthly programs now fill the schedule for the theater with top name entertainers and dramatic performances. The spacious ballroom hosts "Downtown Live" performances on first Fridays and Jazz on the Avenue the fourth Friday of every month.
The spiritual life of the Indiana Avenue community continues to be the Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church on Vermont Avenue, which was built in 1869. As the oldest African-American congregation in Indianapolis with 170 years of worship, the church history includes active participation in the Underground Railroad and many notable members, including Madame Walker.
"We feel we have a unique opportunity to minister to travelers," said Rev. John Lambert. "We have a central, downtown location and our church is on the National Register of Historic Places. We welcome visitors for tours and Sunday services."
The second-floor sanctuary is impressive, and the church maintains a small museum room on the first floor. You can see hitching rings imbedded in the sidewalks in front of the church built in 1869 beside the canal. The waterway was restored and has become a focal point for downtown Indianapolis.
Contemporary African-American culture is emphasized by the Indiana Black Expo (IBE), a multifaceted old community service organization. Black Expo Summer Celebration is a major fundraiser for the organization and a vehicle for promoting the social and economic advancement of African-Americans. The event takes place July 12-22 at various locations in and near the Indiana Convention Center. It includes business workshops, a health and wellness fair, exhibits, youth activities, job fair and spiritual enrichment.
Entertainment highlights include a Music Industry 101 panel discussion by industry insiders on July 20 that is followed by Summer Scratch: DJ Battle & Break-dance Showcase.
The Music Heritage Festival on July 21 features Erykah Badu, Anthony Hamilton, and comedians Michael Colyar, Sheryl Underwood and Tony Sculfield. A Teen Bling Party on the same evening is geared to the 21-and-under crowd with performances by DJ Unk, Lil Mama and more.
Kids' World, a day of activities for children, will be noon-8 p.m. July 22 at the Indiana Convention Center. The indoor amusement area will have rides, games and inflatable bounce houses.
http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070701/LIFE09/707010335/1052/LIFE
