The 5th Ward Cultural Arts District received formal designation from Texas Commission for the Arts in September 2020, which established Lyons Avenue as a Cultural Arts District to celebrate and share the neighborhood’s 150+ year-old heritage, improve quality of life, provide opportunities for community engagement, and invite and nurture new artists and community groups.
Houston’s Historic 5th Ward community is one large masterpiece. It is a place where art is a way of living, from its food, music, and art; to its historic buildings and gathering spaces like the Deluxe Theater; to its iconic stoops, its language and its corner jam sessions. Fifth Ward CRC’s partners in this endeavor are the Houston Arts Alliance, the City of Houston, and national and local artist.
Visit the Website: https://www.5thwardarts.com/
The DeLUXE Theater, now operated through a tri-party agreement between the City of Houston, the Fifth Ward Community Redevelopment Corporation, and Texas Southern University.
- Includes
- 125 seat proscenium theater
- Property room
- Two dressing rooms
- Box office
- Concession area
- Grand lobby
- State-of-the-art lighting and sound equipment
- Professional lighting/sound booths
- Administrative offices
- 2500 sqft multipurpose space
- Wet bar
- Outdoor patio area
Programming at the facility is offered by both the Fifth Ward Community Redevelopment Corporation and Texas Southern University. Private rentals of the theater and multipurpose space are available when the venue is not in use for internal programming.
Visit The Website: https://thedeluxetheater.com
An artist village where creatives of all walks of life can live and work while collaborating with neighbors. Located next to The DeLUXE Theater, artists will also have access to performance and show space to increase visibility to their craft.
For leasing opportunities, please contact our property management staff.
At first glance, art enthusiasts will immediately recognize the work of artists Dan Havel and Dean Ruck. The JAM is more than just public art though. The JAM, initially a temporary art piece and performance space, is a fitting addition and tribute to the musical history of Houston’s 5th Ward.
During its musical heyday in the 1940s and ’50s, the 5th Ward, or “The Nickel” as it is affectionately known, was home to Don Robey’s Peacock Records, which recorded the Mighty Clouds of Joy and Big Mama Thornton, and its sister club, The Bronze Peacock, which hosted the likes of T-Bone Walker and Clarence “Gatemouth” Brown. Renown musical natives also include the infamous Archie Bell and Joe Sample.
Jam Park came to be when the Fifth Ward Community Redevelopment Corporation took an abandoned house, moved it to an empty lot, and with the help of Havel and Ruck, it was transformed into art that doubled as a community stage for small performances. The completion of the functional art piece was just the start of all that went into turning that empty lot into Jam Park. The stage was initially meant to be a temporary installation, but after over ten years it still remains. Plans are underway for “The JAM REDOUX” a premiere, 2nd generation permanent installation. The stage is regularly used for community event and the park has become a focal point for the 5th Ward area. (3705 Lyons Ave, Houston, TX 77020)
For rental opportunities contact Charli Worrell ([email protected])
The Fifth Ward community is the home of Houston’s first solar-powered splash pad, which is situated in the JAM Recreational Complex and sponsored by NRG. The project supports the community mantra of a great place to live, work and play and is one of a series of projects that are planned to provide the community with public spaces to gather and engage with one another.
As the demographics in the area shifted toward younger families and children, the needs in the community shifted as well. The solar-powered splash pad adds educational fun to the area by providing an on-site explanation of how it operates through the harvesting of solar power. The system is operated through a central command unit underground, and the stream of water is kept clean and cool by passing through a water filtration system. With eighteen solar panels stationed nearby, the water will flow all summer with net zero energy consumption.
Now approaching its tenth year, the Lyons Avenue Renaissance Festival remains FREE to the community and continues to celebrate the history, art, culture, and current revitalization of Houston’s 5th Ward. Using the allure of music, dance and other art forms to engage the community, this annual celebration showcases positive changes in the area and new developments that are taking place. Unique to the Festival is Houston’s only egg drop by helicopter!
If you’d like more information on how to participate as a vendor or volunteer at the event, please email [email protected] or call 713-674-0175 to speak with a festival committee member.
Visit the Website: https://www.lyonsavenuefestival.com/
