MIAMI, FL – November 18, 2021) – The Black Archives History & Research Foundation of South Florida, Inc. will open Part I of “If These Streets Could Talk: An Historic Exploration of Black Miami” at 7 p.m., Wednesday, December 1, 2021 during Soul Basel. The exhibit is dedicated to telling the true and remarkable story of Black Miami, from bygone days of incorporation to the revitalization of the decade. It includes up-close-and-personal buildouts of landmark buildings from Miami’s Black past, and highlights many of the people, places and events that were formative parts of the city’s history. “If These Streets Could Talk” was curated by Timothy A. Barber, Black Archives Executive Director, and the exhibit text and scholarship is by Dr. Dorothy Jenkins Fields, Black Archives Founder.
“It was through reading the vivid retelling of Miami’s Black history in the writings of Black Archives Founder Dr. Dorothy Jenkins Fields, that the idea of this exhibit was born,” said Timothy A. Barber, Black Archives Executive Director. “For many years, I have been thinking about this exhibit, and how I would bring her scholarship to life. I believe that if the streets of Black Miami could talk, they would say many of the things that Dr. Fields has written about over the years. This exhibit is a tribute to not only the places and voices of the past, but to Dr. Fields, and her mission of over 40 years to protect it.”
“If These Streets Could Talk: An Historic Exploration of Black Miami” Part I will be on view at the Black Archives Historic Lyric Theater, 819 Northwest Second Ave., Miami FL 33136 on Wednesday, Dec. 1, from 7 p.m. to 12 a.m., Thursday, Dec. 2, Saturday, Dec. 4, from 10 a.m. to 12.a.m., and Sunday, Dec. 5, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Part II will open February 2022 at the be-ginning of Black History Month.
Complementing the exhibit indoors is the Soul Basel Open-Air Art Village will feature 11 artists of color showcasing their works in medium ranging from paint to digital to found objects and quilting. Staged in an outdoor tent village on the beautiful piano key plaza of the Black Archives Historic Lyric Theater, the art village will feature artists from the local Miami area and beyond. All artists will have original works available for sale, along with limited edition prints, apparel, and jewelry. The art village will be open during the same hours of the indoor exhibit.
Presented at the Black Archives’ other property, the Historic D. A. Dorsey House, will be the exhibit, “In Motion: The African American Migration Experience.” “In Motion” is a part of the Black Archives permanent collection and was originally exhibited in 2006 in partnership with the Schomburg Museum and the New York Public Library. The exhibit has been enhanced and updated with artifacts from the Black Archives Collection for this showing. Historic D. A. Dorsey House Museum is located at 250 Northwest Ninth Street, 33136. Exhibit hours are Wednesday, Dec. 1 from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 2 – Saturday, Dec. 4 from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Sunday, Dec. 5 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
As a special bonus to these Soul Basel activities, the Black Archives will also present its monthly talent showcase, Lyric Live, for free admission on Friday, December 3. Hosted by comedian Chello Davis, with live music by Jody Hill & Deep Fried Funk Band and DJ H2, this show will be the last regular show of season 7 before the Lyric Live All Star show in February 2022.
If These Streets Could Talk: An Historic Exploration of Black Miami (Part I)
Free entry
Hours: Wednesday, Dec. 1, Public Opening 7 p.m. to 12 a.m., Thursday, Dec 2, Saturday, Dec 4, 10 a.m. to 12 a.m., Sunday, Dec 5, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., at Black Archives Historic Lyric Theater Cultural Arts Complex, 819 NW Second Avenue, Miami FL 33136
*Soul Basel Open Air Art Village
Free entry
Hours: Wednesday, Dec. 1, 6 p.m. to 12.a.m., Thursday, Dec 2 – Saturday, Dec 4, 10 a.m. to 12 a.m., Sunday, Dec 5, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Black Archives Historic Lyric Theater Cultural Arts Complex, 819 NW Second Avenue, Miami FL 33136
*“In Motion: The African-American Migration Experience”
Free entry
Hours: Wednesday, Dec. 1, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., Thursday, Dec 2, Saturday, Dec 4, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., Sunday, Dec 5, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., at Historic D. A. Dorsey House Museum 250 NW Ninth Street, 33136 exhibit presented by The Black Archives
*“Lyric Live”
Free Entry
*Friday, Dec 3 at 8 p.m., at Black Archives Historic Lyric Theater Cultural Arts Complex, 819 NW Second Avenue, Miami FL 33136
