The Club Handy was a stop on the "Chitlin' Circuit," a selection of venues considered safe and acceptable for African-American entertainers in the era of racial segregation in the United States.
[6] At the Club Handy, Mitchell employed dancing girls called the Mitchellettes and a house band.
[7] Performers who appeared at the Club Handy include Little Junior Parker, Bobby "Blue" Bland, Ted Taylor, The "5" Royales, Jimmy McCracklin, Al "TNT" Braggs, Arthur Prysock, Ike & Tina Turner, and Big Ella.
[1][8] The Club Handy sponsored a Ray Charles concert at Ellis Auditorium on August 20, 1961.
[10] He added that the Alcohol Licensing Commission "used to frown" on whites being served at Black nightclubs, but he hadn't heard anything since the act was passed.
[10] At the time, the Club Handy was one of three Black nightclubs in downtown Memphis to hold a cabaret license and allow dancing on the premises.