Vancouver’s Hogan’s Alley, a historic neighbourhood once vibrant with Black-owned businesses and a thriving cultural scene, was the backdrop for a powerful homecoming concert on . Two-time Juno Award winner Lovena B. Fox brought her one-woman show, Boots to Broadway, to the city, not just as a performance, but as a deeply personal tribute to her family’s legacy and the lost community that shaped them.
The concert, a fundraiser presented in partnership with the Hogan’s Alley Society and the Jr. Black Achievement Awards Society, wasn’t simply a musical performance; it was a reclamation of history. Fox’s show paid homage to musical icons like Aretha Franklin, Tina Turner, and Beyoncé, weaving together a tapestry of soul, country, rock ‘n’ roll, and Broadway classics. But underpinning the dazzling performance was a story of a neighbourhood, a family, and a cultural heritage that deserves to be remembered.
Fox’s connection to Hogan’s Alley runs deep. Her father, Ernie King, was a jazz musician and nightclub owner, and her mother, Alice Marcella King, known as Choo Choo Williams, was a celebrated dancer and entertainer. Their nightclub, the Harlem Nocturne, became a vital hub for Black performers visiting Vancouver, hosting figures like Ike Turner and the Harlem Globetrotters. “It’s fantastic to be back,” Fox shared in an interview with CBC’s Lyndsay Duncombe. “I haven’t performed in Vancouver for over 22 years, and this show feels incredibly special considering my family’s history here.”
Hogan’s Alley emerged in the early 20th century as a haven for Vancouver’s Black community, a consequence of discriminatory housing practices that limited where Black residents could live. It blossomed into a self-sufficient and culturally rich enclave, a place where businesses thrived and a strong sense of community flourished. Fox’s family stories offer a glimpse into that world. She recounted how her grandmother once babysat Jimi Hendrix, and her aunt danced with his uncle, illustrating the interconnectedness of the community and its influence on the wider cultural landscape.
The neighbourhood’s vibrancy, however, was tragically disrupted with the construction of the Georgia Viaduct. The project effectively dismantled the physical community, scattering residents and businesses and erasing a significant part of Vancouver’s Black history. Fox expressed a sense of sadness at never having experienced Hogan’s Alley in its prime, lamenting the loss of a rich environment she only knew through stories.
Despite the displacement, the spirit of Hogan’s Alley endures, and Fox’s performance served as a powerful reminder of its importance. Boots to Broadway wasn’t just about celebrating musical legends; it was about honouring the legacy of those who built a community against adversity, and ensuring that their stories are not forgotten. The concert’s proceeds were directed towards supporting Black-led youth empowerment initiatives, housing justice efforts, and community programs through the Hogan’s Alley Society and the Jr. Black Achievement Awards Society, solidifying its commitment to rebuilding and preserving that legacy.
Fox’s artistic journey, nurtured by her musically inclined parents, has taken her around the world, including a long run performing on cruise ships. She described her parents as supportive and encouraging, providing her with singing and dance lessons while allowing her to explore her own path. “They didn’t push it on me, but they were happy when I did it,” she said, reflecting on their influence. Her background in musical theatre informed the diverse repertoire of Boots to Broadway, featuring selections from shows like Showboat, Evita, and Ain’t Misbehavin’.
While currently based in Las Vegas, Fox acknowledged the challenges facing the United States and expressed a growing desire to return to Canada, particularly to spend more time with family and friends in Vancouver. “I’m very grateful I was born in Canada and I can always come back,” she stated. “As I get older, I appreciate Vancouver more and I appreciate the people here. The most important thing in life is the people that you love and care about, and I really want to spend more time with my family and friends here.”
Lovena B. Fox’s Boots to Broadway was more than just a concert; it was a homecoming, a tribute, and a powerful statement about the importance of remembering and celebrating Black history in Vancouver and beyond. It was a reminder that even in the face of displacement and loss, the spirit of a community can endure, carried forward by those who honour its legacy.
