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Post Exhibit Showcase

Exhibitor ---- John T. Stephens III.

Reproduction, Layout and Contents ---- Brandon K. Stephens

Color Collages and Banner ---- Tom Smith (Butler & Associates)

This exhibit respectfully salutes the beautiful and talented people who graced the stage of the Black Extravaganza Productions Inc. We regret that we were unable to acknowledge or display all of the performers who participated (lost photos and names) but our efforts did find refreshing memories from the material we were able to research, secure and restore. We hope that in viewing this pictorial presentation, you will grasp vividly the pride, honor and determination that embodied the spirit of this Las Vegas Community, historically referred to as, “The Westside”.

Black Extravaganza

A Cultural Awakening!

An Exhibit Authored by John T. Stephens II

Filed Copyright in the U.S. Library of Congress

All Rights Reserved

A historical educational presentation commerating the Productions contribution to Black Culture, diversity, and community involvement; A legacy of efforts in creating, promoting and funding opportunities for Las Vegans.

January 19, 2008. West Las Vegas Art Center Gallery.

Reception day for Black Extravaganza, A Cultural Awakening! Family members, visitors and refreshments provided by the West Las Vegas Art Center created an evening of sociable mingling, viewing and discussion.

Scheduled for a March 2^nd removal, the colorful historical exhibit date was extended as a viewing scene for the 6^th annual celebration for women in honor of National Women’s History Month. The exhibit concluded on 3-23-08.

Our thanks to the City of Las Vegas, The Department of Leisure Services and The West Las Vegas Art Center. Thank you for your courteous and welcoming service and that “unique cake”.

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Upcoming Exhibit Showcase

Credits

Exhibit director, photographer and content organizer, Brandon Stephens and Aunt Peggy Davis.

John T. Stephens III ..... Exhibitor

Black Extravaganza

A Cultural Awakening!

An Exhibit Authored by John T. Stephens II

Filed Copyright in the U.S. Library of Congress

All Rights Reserved

Flashback part 2!

Flashback Part 1!

A historical educational presentation commerating the Productions contribution to Black Culture, diversity, and community involvement; A legacy of efforts in creating, promoting and funding opportunities for Las Vegans.

Exhibit Author: John T. Stephens II

I never imagined that a box of old pictures, program books, news clippings, proclamations and letters would interest anyone. After all, these were my link to a time in my past. My dimension and my measurement of existence all neatly packed away in this old and torn cardboard box. My own personal memorabilia of an event that brought a small community of Black people together at DooLittle Recreation Center (Las Vegas Nevada) with one beckoning call, “Black Extravaganza ‘68”

Our production existed from 1968 to 1976. We missed one year during that span, 1970. The Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity sponsored the first four shows. However, sponsor dependence led us (Willie Jacobs Jr. and myself) to Las Vegas Mayor Oran Gregson who suggested and guided us to our own non-profit corporation and our production was off and running.

So now, Here I was 38 years later from that first show in 1968 standing in the gallery of the Summerlin Library (Jan. 2006) and talking to visitors who were viewing this display of the Black Extravaganza Productions.

The Summerlin Theater was featuring R&B guitarist Mr. Huck Daniels and friends in a musical dedication to Black music. Mr. Huck Daniels and his band, “The Soul Patrol”, performed in our first two shows at the DooLittle Center. On this 2006 occasion, I presented him with a poster frame picture of him with his band, which set and broke attendance records at the Plaza Hotel & Casino Lounge in 1973. Huck is a long time musical fixture in Las Vegas and is considered the longest performing lounge entertainer in Las Vegas.

This exhibit fills some of that void of curiosity and inquiry about Blacks in Las Vegas during that interval of racial equality. The exhibit clearly illustrates the cultural presence and efforts of a community dealing with the ills of racial discrimination. We (Blacks) were alive and well in Las Vegas and were pounding the door to equality. Watching those neon establishments over and across the tracks, we consoled ourselves with song, dance, fashions, music, and art. We secured, we endured and we assured by our own conscious commitment to aspire to a better life in Las Vegas, Nevada.