The Victory Grill is a historic venue in East Austin, Texas. Opened in 1945, it has hosted famous local and national blues artists, witnessed the consequences of segregation and urban gentrification, and served as a community base. The Victory Grill’s story has been undocumented, until now. This documentary portrays the Victory Grill’s legacy, impact, and possible future.
I worked with a fantastic team – Nick Swartsell (Journalist) and Alex Curry (Scholar) – to produce this film. It took us about three months to gather background information, find and interview artists and community members, attend events at the Victory Grill, and edit all of the footage. We are hoping this film will help garner increased attention and appreciation for the Victory Grill and its role in East Austin’s heritage.
Dagny Zenovia 