When most people mention the legacy of Houston’s historic Fifth Ward, the focus generally falls upon the long line of political powerhouses. And that’s understandable when you consider that this one neighborhood produced the likes of Congresswoman Barbara Jordan, Congressman Mickey Leland, Commissioner El Franco Lee and several others.
But quiet as it’s kept, Fifth Ward’s art legacy is just as impressive, if not more so.
This north Houston neighborhood, known in its heyday as the “Harlem of the South,” has been experiencing a renaissance for years now. And it’s only expanding in brilliance, thanks in large part to the Fifth Ward Cultural Arts District (FWCAD).
Harrison Guy, founder and artistic director of Urban Souls Dance Company, is the director of arts and culture for the FWCAD, even though a career in the arts was his second love.
“I first wanted to be a preacher. I’m a church boy. I was in church probably every day, honestly. And probably four times on Sunday,” said Guy, who was bitten by the arts bug while participating in theater and band in school.
Though the trumpet and tuba-playing Guy attended Prairie View A&M University (PVAMU) to major in music and ambitions of becoming a band teacher, he worked predominantly in higher education and finance. But he took full advantage of the opportunity to work with the FWCAD.
A huge part of Guy’s job is sharing Fifth Ward’s arts history and building upon it.
Arts legacy
Guy is quick to let you know that Third Ward doesn’t have one of its anchor institutions, Project Row Houses, without the input of two of its Fifth Ward-born founders. And certainly, the arts world would not be the same without the award-winning productions penned by Dr. Thomas Melancon, another neighborhood child.
And there’s so much more.
“Fifth Ward is an African American cultural arts district as designated by the State of Texas. That means the state recognizes its legacy of Black residents who made the community what it is today. The FWCAD also uses arts as the vehicle for that memory,” said Guy, who then began to rattle off countless names of art giants—in fine arts, music, theater and more—produced by Fifth Ward.
“[Regarding] the musical legacy of Fifth Ward, you have Peacock Records, the Motown before there was a Motown. Archie Bell and Drells are from Fifth Ward. Joe Sample and the Crusaders, out of Fifth Ward. We had the Club Matinee live music venue on Lyons. That’s where Ray Charles met his wife… The Laws family is a musical family from Fifth Ward. And then you have Rap-A-Lot Records, J. Prince, The Geto Boys… Little Richard found his touring musicians from Wheatley High School’s musical program,” shared Guy.
“I love being in this position and able to tell people about [Fifth Ward’s arts legacy], celebrate it, find projects to really bring attention to it,” Guy added.
And Guy is not alone.
“Lyons Avenue was home to several businesses, including Club Matinee, which was known as the ‘Cotton Club of the South,’” shared Deshara Goss, the Fifth Ward CDC’s community initiatives manager. “Through the segregation years of the late 1930s and 40s Fifth Ward was home and known for art and culture.
“Fifth Ward is an urban frontier, a rich landscape where materials for creation can be found and the soul to conceive art is nurtured,” said Fifth Ward artist Jesse Lott.
Deluxe Theater
To that end, Guy’s FWCAD duties include managing the Historic Deluxe Theater (3303 Lyons Ave, Houston, 77020).
Founded in 1941, the theater had an illustrious, multi-use history. Still, it remained vacant from 1976 to 2015 when it came back to life as its current state via an agreement between Texas Southern University, the City of Houston and the Fifth Ward Community Redevelopment Corp.
“I get the pleasure of both managing the district and figuring that part out, but managing the Historic Deluxe Theater,” shared Guy who keeps the arts programming flowing through the Deluxe Theater.
Guy also oversees an adjacent space available for rental uses from parties to repasses.
“It’s really become a hub for community gatherings and also performances,” stated Guy.
