A century-old church in the heart of Tampa’s historic African American community will come alive with music, dance and storytelling next month when The Rooted Door’s “Secret Spaces” immersive arts series returns.
Over three weekends in August, the former Greater New Salem Primitive Baptist Church, 1605 N. Nebraska Ave., will host site-specific performances exploring the city’s past, from its Cigar City heyday to the jazz clubs of Central Avenue.
“Stories make up who we are, they root us to our past,” said Alyse Pask, founder of The Rooted Door. “We wanted to reimagine those stories and transport people to a dreamscape filled with inspirational moments in our city’s history.”
The original church congregation was established in 1906 in The Scrub, Tampa’s first Black neighborhood. The current building was constructed in 1969, after urban renewal displaced many residents. It remains a symbol of resilience for the community.
Local musicians, dancers, designers and storytellers will activate the space through layered artistic vignettes, with support from the Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners, Casa Ybor and developer Darryl Shaw.
Proceeds will benefit the Center for Architecture and Design Tampa Bay, which works to preserve the region’s architectural and cultural heritage. Hotel Haya, an official hospitality partner, is offering discounted rates and themed cocktails for attendees.