The South Dallas Cultural Center of Dallas, TX Celebrates 25 Years!

In 1986 a group of Dallas area African American artists and community leaders decided the city needed an art and cultural facility in South Dallas. Working with Dallas City Council, they identified bond money and the Dallas artists’ dream became a reality. The South Dallas Cultural Center (SDCC) provides excellent fine arts programs to celebrate the African American experience and to showcase African influenced artwork and performing arts. This south Dallas arts and cultural center serves arts patrons, both young and old, with art classes, performance events, activities and fine arts exhibits of African American culture.

In June1986, the South Dallas Cultural Center’s first Manager, Pat Johnson, designed a season of programs that explored a wide range of artistic expression, from original plays in the SDCC experimental theater to making African instruments. In 1991 the South Dallas Cultural Center adopted the mission to present, produce and explore the African Diaspora contribution to world culture. This mission broadens SDCC reach to Latin America, Africa, the Caribbean and parts of Europe, bringing awareness of the interconnectedness of people throughout the world. It opens up partnerships with a diverse group of organizations and institutions, presenting a rich quilt of African influenced artistic expression and culture.

Today the SDCC proudly hosts resident companies including: African Diaspora Percussion Ensemble, the Exhibit Dance Collective, A Dance Expression, the Beckles Dancing Company, Os Malandros de Mestre Touro Capoeira Group, Black Cinematheque Dallas, The Third Eye,  the Fahari Arts Institute, and Reciprocity Live!. SDCC also partners with Thriving Minds to present South Dallas After School programs, with Teatro Dallas to co-sponsor Teatro Dallas International Theater Festival, the only international theater festival in North Texas, and with the Dallas Public Library to present the Southern Sector’s exclusive book fair, Tulisoma South Dallas Book Fair.

In April, the Center celebrates National Jazz Appreciation Month. The UNT Three O’clock Lab Band will perform a concert, directed by former Count Basie Orchestra member Brad Leali. The jazz performance, “Honoring Royalty: Music from the Duke & the Count” features classic hits from jazz greats, Duke Ellington and Count Basie. Following the live jazz concert program, Leali will take audience questions about his tenure with the Basie Orchestra.  In the week of April 4, jazz fans will thrill to daily jazz experiences as numerous other Dallas organizations celebrate America’s music – Jazz – at the South Dallas Cultural Center on April 9 at 8 pm.  

Also in April, the Annual DADA Gallery Walk includes the South Dallas Cultural Center’s Arthello Beck Gallery with exhibitions featuring the work of award-winning Austin artist Deborah Roberts and Dallas emerging Brazilian artist Solange Mariel. A special artist talk on the duality of an immigrant’s life by Ms. Mariel, will be held at 5 pm on April 16 and followed by Reciprocity Live! Open stage, at 9 pm, an event that promises an electrifying taste of the performing arts.

North Texans should keep their eye out for the South Dallas Cultural Center’s 25^th Anniversary Celebration in June. 

Are you new to the Center? Call 214-939-2787 for tours Tuesday through Saturday 1pm to 5 pm. For more information on the South Dallas Cultural Center or to sign up for the newsletter, visit SDCC on the Web or become a Fan on Facebook! The South Dallas Cultural Center is a proud member of the National Performance Network, a network of 68 presenting organizations across the United States of America, Latin America and the Caribbean. It is also a program of the City of Dallas Office of Cultural Affairs. All of its programs are subject to change without notice.

3400 South Fitzhugh

Dallas TX 75210

Phone: 214.939.2787

Fax: 214.670.8118

Website: dallasculture.org/SDCulturalCenter/

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