Fais Do-Do

WHAT’S A FAIS DO-DO?

When you walk into Fais Do-Do, a rustic venue in the West Adams sector of South LA, you may feel that you’ve been there before. This sensation of déjà vu is no mistake, as if you’ve just stepped back into history. The spirits of legendary musicians, like Sam Cooke, Billy Preston, and John Coltrane, continue to linger in the hall, the energy mingling on stage as if it were yesterday. This vibe did not create itself. Fais Do-Do has a rich history and a fantastic story spanning over many decades. In the 1930s, the venue was a who’s who of Los Angeles entrepreneurs, industrialists, hipsters, and silent filmmakers who packed the room to listen to a plethora of jazz greats who went on to become the legends we know and love.

Originally a First Citizens Savings Bank and Trust, Fais Do-Do was converted into a local neighborhood bar in the late 1960s. The name was changed to Café Fais Do-Do in the 1990s to reflect the large influx of people from New Orleans moving to South Los Angeles. This was an intentional effort to make it a racially, culturally, and musically diverse club where all felt welcome to express themselves, and is still the mission of the venue today. In the mid-90s, Fais Do-Do developed a reputation for supporting the underground hip-hop and neo-soul scene even before it was popular to do so. Club Nappy at The Roots, hosted by Fais Do-Do every second Friday of the month, helped to build the cult followings of Questlove, The Roots, Black Eyed Peas with Kim Hill, Cody ChesnuTT, and many more. Artists who have graced the Fais Do-Do stage have gone on to perform the world over.

Through it all, Fais Do-Do has kept one thing at the forefront of all its events: a tangible sense of community. Bringing people together under one roof or sometimes two, if you count the ballroom next door, is the modus operandi of this legendary venue. It is a wonderful place to experience cool music, live bands, spoken word poetry, and yes, even comedy shows. When the SOVO// team walked into the joint last month, there was nothing left to talk about – we instantly knew that we had found the best spot for our first SOVO// WEDNESDAY comedy night. Fais Do-Do’s historic Art Deco architecture seems to vibrate from the positive energy oozing from its walls. All that can be said is if you join us at SOVO// WEDNESDAY you will have the chance to experience one of South LA’s most iconic venues and a place that always feels like home. // Get tickets here.

— Written by SenYon Kelly