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Black Theatre Troupe - Home of African American Theatre in the Valley

The Black Theatre Troupe has been the crown jewel of African American professional theatre in the Valley since the 1970s.

I have many fond memories of visiting the Helen K. Mason Center for the Performing Arts on 333 E. Portland when I was a kid. I remember when the Black Theatre Troupe hosted the play "227" before it became a popular TV sitcom! The crowd laughed and hollered the whole night! Even back then, I was amazed at the talent of the actors on stage! I was filled with pride to see people on the stage who looked just like me!

I encourage all African Americans in the Phoenix area to support the Black Theatre Troupe!

Please visit BlackTheatreTroupe.org to find out about the current season of performances.

The Black Theatre Troupe also conducts educational workshops and produces quality plays which reflect the African-American experience and help to illuminate the culture to the Phoenix metropolitan area and throughout Arizona.

For more information, please visit BlackTheatreTroupe.org!

PhxSoul.com is not responsible or liable for any changes, misrepresentations or misleading information related to the performances and is in no way affiliated with the Black Theatre Troupe.

 

Visit the African American Multicultural Museum in Scottsdale

Did you know that Scottsdale is home to an African American museum? Yeah, I was shocked when I first heard about it too!

However, I finally made a visit in October 2007 to the African American Multicultural Museum, 617 N. Scottsdale Road, and my shock turned to pride after my experience there.

The African American Multicultural Museum offers an incredible opportunity to not only learn about African and African American culture, but you can also hear about and see the influences of all races and cultures on our world today. The numerous artifacts in the museum give you a glimpse into how our ancestors lived, hunted, made music and socialized thousands of years ago.

The African American Multicultural Museum's mission is "Fellowship through Education."

If you are involved with an organization that's looking for a unique environment to host a social event while learning about our history, I'd definitely recommend that you contact the museum staff. There is no fee to visit, but the museum gladly accepts donations.

Please click here to learn more about the African American Multicultural Museum today!

The Playing Field in Phoenix Is Equal When It Comes to Interracial Relationships!

We all know that the Phoenix area is a "hotbed" (forgive the pun) of opportunity for people who want to engage or are already engaged in interracial relationships.

The various cultures in the Valley of the Sun make it too easy for people of different backgrounds to intermingle, become friends and/or become more than friends.

Personally, I love and prefer to see black men and black women together, but I also support interracial relationships. I'd be a hypocrite if I didn't support interracial couples because I used to be an Equal Opportunity Dater back in the day!

But I've really noticed a striking trend in the world of interracial relationships (especially in the Phoenix area) ... more black women are finding love with men of other races!

Do I have a problem with black women dating or marrying men of other races? ... NO!

But I do have a problem with black women claiming that black men are the ONLY ones who are choosing to date outside of their race! Sorry black women, you can't play that victim role anymore! And please don't tell me you were forced to date outside of your race because ALL the BLACK MEN are taken! That's hogwash! You're developing meaningful relationships with men of other races and that's fine with me! Don't diminish your love by saying you had no other choice! BE REAL and BE HAPPY!

I'm thrilled for ANYONE who finds love! The couples could be green-and-red, yellow-and-blue, purple-and-orange ... it doesn't matter to me as long as the lovers treat each other (and other people) with respect!

So black men, as far as I'm concerned, you're off the hook! There's no reason for you to feel guilty when you find genuine love with other cultures - black women are doin' it too!

I'm not trying to start an Interracial Love Parade here, but it's clear to me that the playing field is equal in the Phoenix area!

You are welcome to COMMENT on this topic by clicking here!

I Love My Black People in Phoenix, No Matter What We Say and Do!

Like my boy "K" always says, "Black people in Phoenix are just different!"

I recently went to a club and noticed a brotha in his late 30s wearin' a Members Only jacket! What? It was obvious that this was his favorite jacket! He had some thick glasses and he looked nervous as hell! I think he overheard a few people clownin' him because he left early and in a hurry! I hope he went to the mall!

I recently went to a department store and saw a black woman in her 40s who had her hair styled (I think it was her hair) like a rooster! It was dyed blond in the front and the rest of her hair was black! Her hair stood straight up almost like feathers but she had this mullet thing happenin' near the back of her neck! Ooooo ... I wanted to say somethin' but she had one of those "don't-mess-with-me-or-I'll-cut-ya" looks on her face!   

I was walking in downtown Phoenix near the US Airways center last weekend and this tall brotha (he might've been in his 50s) greeted me with the following words, "Uh uh, what's happenin' cool daddy ..." When did we do the timewarp back to the 1970s? He was wearin' an old, beat-up fedora to match!

Conversely, I was hangin' out in Scottsdale with my wife and I said hello to another black man. He looked at me like, "why are you talking to me?" Then he just walked off like I offended him. Wow ... I attribute his reaction to home training. My parents taught me from an early age to say hello to people ... especially if they looked like me. Apparently, a lot of people did not learn those same social graces.

Oh well, I don't care what y'all say, we may be different, but I still got nuthin' but love for my peoples in Arizona!

Best Happy Hour Hangouts for Black People in Phoenix!

Ahhhhh … it’s 5 p.m. on Friday and for most of you, that means your work is done! But you and your friends aren’t ready to go home because it’s time for Happy Hour!

But where do you go?

The happy hour scene here has traditionally been hit or miss. I miss the good ol' days when Club Rio was THE happy hour spot!! You could ALWAYS count on Club Rio for a good time! Cheap drinks, cheap food, big dance floor, big outside patio and cool people to hang out with!

Back to the present ...

Here's my list of happy hour joints for black people in the Valley of the Sun.

Club Central
3110 N. Central #140
Phoenix  AZ
(602) 200-8121

Club Central has stood the test of time as one of the best happy hour spots in Phoenix for African Americans! The DJ bangs hip hop and R&B on the upstairs level and if you think you can sing, you can do your thang in the karaoke downstairs. If you get there before 7 p.m., you don't have to pay cover! If you are in your late 20s to your 40s, Club Central is the place to be!

Sandbar Mexican Grill
7200 W Ray Road
Chandler, AZ 85226

Better get there early because this place gets PACKED with 20- and 30-year-olds fast! Good place to hang out with a big group of friends or to meet cool, easygoing people. The music at Sandbar is OK (mainly Top 40, Pop). Every now and then you'll see some local celebrities/athletes in the house.

Z Tejas
7221 W Ray Road
Chandler, AZ 85226

From 7-10 PM this place is PACKED with 20- and 30-year-olds. Good place to hang out with friends or to meet cool, easygoing African Americans. No stress, no loud music.

Blue 32 Sports Grill
1524 E. Williams Field Road
Gilbert, AZ

Recommended by Alicia H. from Gilbert ...

"I recently relocated to the area 10 months ago, and as of late, I've been frequenting Blue 32, a trendy new sports bar in Gilbert (across from Warren's Jazz Bistro). This has become my primary place of choice to watch the playoff games this year. The crowd ranges from late 20s to mid 40s and is a fairly mixed group. I have been to Blue 32 about 10 times over the past 2 months, and every time I am there, I can't help but notice the number of single, black men there by themselves watching the game. There are a good amount of black women in attendance as well. The atmosphere is what attracts such a lively crowd. Blue 32 has a fully serviced bar, about 20 wall-mounted flat screens and awesome happy hour specials. There is no DJ, but you will frequently hear hip hop/r&b/pop music on the speaker system. It's best to catch the lively crowd on a game night, but be sure to get there early because it fills up quick."

Michael's Cafe
5025 N. 7th Ave.
Phoenix, AZ
602-248-2233

Finally had a chance to visit Michael's Cafe in October 2011 and judging from the crowd I saw on a Friday night, this gathering spot in central Phoenix will be here for a long time to stay. Michael's Cafe, 5025 N. 7th Ave., Phoenix, bills itself as a soul food restaurant but the venue offers much more. It's a great place for grown, soulful folk to dance, have a few drinks, socialize and network.

As you can see, PhxSoul.com is hurtin' for recommendations!! Tell us ... where is YOUR favorite Happy Hour spot? Your Comments are welcome!! We need help on this one!!

Also, don't forget to visit our Nightclub Calendar to find out what's poppin' after Happy Hour!