Memory Builds The Monument

Musical legends like Ray Charles, James Brown, Aretha Franklin often ignited their early careers by performing at this iconic southern music venue in Houston’s historical 5th Ward. Club Matinee was known as “the Cotton Club of the South” by musical legends and area residents alike. Compelled by the vivid memories of the legendary venue by aging citizens, this film leaps into the music, the art, and the community of Fifth Ward, Tx. The doc highlights the impossible to ignore cultural and social challenges of African-Americans in the 1940s, 50s, and 60s living in the South. The through-line of this story showcases how the music of these eras played a part in defining generations and bringing people of all ethnicities and backgrounds together and how memories, at the verge of being lost can be shared to propel the future.