Houston First Celebrates Black History Month at Avenida Houston

Black History @ Avenida Houston will be three Saturdays in February, 2-6 pm on the Plaza at Avenida (between GRB & Discovery Green) 

Houston First Corporation (HFC) recently shared the 2023 Black History Month lineup at Avenida Houston, downtown’s convention and entertainment district. Make connections, discover and celebrate Houston’s rich diversity. This year’s programming will feature art, music, vendors and activities for the entire family that reflect some of the best of our city.

Everyone is invited to participate in a number of free events and experiences throughout the month of February as HFC highlights the heritage and contributions of African Americans. 

BLCK Market: For the fourth year HFC is partnering with J.O. Malone, founder of BLCK Market to present an outdoor market featuring locally black-owned entrepreneurs each Saturday including artists, designers, and business entrepreneurs offering a wide variety of unique and one-of-a-kind products.  

Live Entertainment: KTSU 90.9 FM will be hosting the main stage at Avenida Houston which will feature live musical entertainment provided by various local bands with different genres highlighted each Saturday from 2pm-6pm. New this year, The Vibe Lounge, will feature some of Houston’s most popular DJ’s.  

Saturday, Feb. 11 – Creole Soul, Blues, R&B and Neo-Soul Mainstage hosted by Donna Franklin/KTSU 90.9 FM 

Live music featuring:  

• Marium Echo 
• Shonnie Murrell 
• Spud Howard 

The Vibe Lounge featuring DJ Michele McKnight  

Saturday, Feb. 18 – R&B, Soul and Gospel  Mainstage hosted by Chilly Bill Smith/KTSU 90.9 FM 

Live music featuring: 

• NaKitta Clegg Foxx 
• Zacardi Cortez 
• Polo The Vibe 
• Patrice Dominique 

The Vibe Lounge featuring DJ Madd Hatta  

Saturday, Feb. 25 – Neo-Soul, R&B, Zydeco  Mainstage hosted by Donna Franklin and Chilly Bill Smith/KTSU 90.9 FM 

Live music featuring Cupid, Madicin, Clynese with The Vibe Lounge featuring DJ Rob G                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             

Art 

A special collection of images by Houston-based artist Sebastien Boncy is on display along Avenida Houston in Partnership Tower, Level 2, South Garage Elevator Lobby.  

Little Known Facts presents dozens of images selected from thousands catalogued in Boncy’s Purple Time Space Swamp archive. Never without his camera, and often while walking downtown or in his north side neighborhood, since 2013, Boncy has captured movements in time throughout the city.  

Born in Haiti, Boncy received his BFA from the University of Houston, his MFA from the University of North Texas and has exhibited at a number of art spaces and galleries throughout Texas. 

Photos courtesy of Houston First