INDIANOLA – Already famous for being the hometown of many legendary performers including B.B. King, Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf and Sam Cooke, the Mississippi Delta will forever be remembered as the “Birthplace of the Blues.” But for a new generation of up-and-coming artists, a new cultural arts center has emerged that will showcase not only the best in visual and musical excellence, but the newest in local and statewide talent as well.
The House of Khafre, affectionately referred to as, “da’ House” by its founders, will open its doors on Friday, March 5, and is located at the epicenter of where the Blues was born at 103-105 Main Street, in historic downtown Indianola.
da’ House is an entrepreneurial venture by two cultural arts veterans, C. Sade Turnipseed, the host of The Delta Renaissance, an arts program on WABG-TV and businessman Robert L. Terrell of Terrell and Associates.
Turnipseed and Terrell, who remain actively involved in international and Mississippi-based community development projects, said the significance of the name, Khafre, is indicative of their goal of expanding the arts center and other like projects throughout the Mississippi Delta.
“The name Khafre is important in African and world history,” said Turnipseed, who is also pursuing a Ph.D. in Public History. “Khafre was the builder of the second pyramid in Egypt.”
“[And] this is significant because we believe with the help of others in Mississippi and the Delta communities, we shall build monumental projects that will last forever…kind of like the pyramids,” Terrell added.
Special features at The House of Khafre are an African Art Boutique and Gallery, da’ Kitchen and the Front Porch.
The art boutique and gallery features jewelry, clothing, quilts and fabrics, besides authentic masks and sculptures from Africa. The House of Khafre also invites local artists to submit their finest pieces for display along side the works of other world-renowned artists in the gallery.
da’ Kitchen is a restaurant and juice bar that specializes in fresh, soft and crunchy Mississippi Teacakes, smoothies, specialty coffees and gourmet herbal teas, daily lunch specials and Sunday brunches that are “clean” or grease-free with whole vegetarian alternatives.
The Front Porch is a performance stage that will showcase storytellers and performing artists from around the globe, with the ultimate goal of featuring every performing artist from the state of Mississippi.
Turnipseed said WABG-TV and WGNL radio have committed to broadcasting regular programs from The House of Khafre and performances from the Front Porch to allow talented artists from the state even more public exposure.
“We are on a mission,” said Turnipseed. “To bring a fresh energy and a homey vibe back to historic downtown Indianola, with arts and cultural performances.”
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