The Victory Grill was on the Chitlin' Circuit. This collective name was given to a string of performance venues throughout the eastern and southern United States, that were safe and acceptable to African-American musicians and other entertainers,
During its heyday in the 1950s, most of the popular national blues, rhythm and blues, and jazz acts that played Austin performed at the Victory Grill. Ike & Tina Turner, James Brown, Etta James, Billie Holiday, Chuck Berry, B.B. King, Bobby Bland, Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown, W. C. Clark and Janis Joplin were some of the artists who graced the stage.
The historic Victory Grill is one of the last remaining Chitlin' Circuit juke joints. In addition to being listed on the National Register of Historic Places, it is archived by the Texas Historic Commission and dubbed a "Texas Treasure" by the statewide organization, Preservation Texas.
Victory Grill stands as an artifact to the development of a distinct American music tradition. The restoration and preservation of this working juke joint and cafe provides performance opportunities and educational events that link past African-American musical forms and culture with the present.
Under the new management of Another Option Productions and with booking and preservation assistance from Capitol View Arts, the Historic Victory Grill is now open for self-produced/private events, educational opportunities and cultural tourism. Contact Clifford Gillard at Clifford@CapitolViewArts.org for more information.
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