Popular on s4story
- ProStrategix Proud To Announce Being Chosen as a Top Web Design Agency by DesignRush - 110
- Digital publisher SelectScience secures major investment in mission to make the world healthier
- California Author Renaii West Releases New Women's Mystery Novel - Death by Chaos
- California Writer-Illustrator J.C. Stevens Promotes Her Middle Grade Fantasy Trilogy – Dragon Lad
- Ohio Author Deborah Clark Vance Releases New Women's Fiction - Sylvie Denied
- OmazingYou has another new book launch
- Author Leanne Lovegrove Releases New Contemporary Romance - Escapades of a Personal Stylist
- Renowned Author Releases New Early Chapter Book!
- Author M. Tasia and Boroughs Publishing Group Release New MM Romance - Sawyer
- MiaSolé, Solliance Break World Record Efficiency Of 26.5% On A Tandem Solar Cell Based On A Flexible CIGS Solar Cell On Feb 10, 2021
Similar on s4story
- Calvetta Phair, CEO of PEP Travel Group and Waldron McCritty, CEO of BE LUX, Alumni of ASCEND 2020, form teaming alliance to promote Luxury Hospitality
- Nationally Syndicated Radio Show "Radio Bassment" Launching Daily Programming 7 Days a Week
- Multi #1 International Best-Selling Author Jennifer S. Wilkov Hosts the Sold-Out The Next Bestseller™ Workshop Virtually for Writers
- 8th Annual American Reality TV Awards - ARTAS Official Nominations
- Legacy Gospel Series Project - New Previously Unreleased Recordings
- Joyoshare Newly Introduced VidiKit to Improve Video-processing Efficiency
- Emmy/Golden Globe-nominated Star Anthony Anderson to Lead "The Encore Gospel Celebration of Unity"
- GRAMMY Nominees Lift Every Voice in Celebration and partnership with 60th Anniversary of Chicago's DuSable Museum of African American History
- LGBT Near-Death Experience Researcher Seeks LGBT Near-Death Experiencers for Online Survey as Part of New Study and Book
- Impact of COVID-19 Vaccines On Event Promotion by Businessman Ismail Sirdah
JIG SHOW!? Brown-Skinned Showgirls, One Legged Tappers, and a Lucumi Ritual Dance. Celebrating Black History Month!
S For Story/10467312
New documentary film series shines a spotlight on Leon Claxton's Harlem in Havana Revue and a little-known aspect of African American culture. Meet the unknown pioneers who helped shape Black and Cuban entertainment during Jim Crow. Watch Part One in Celebration of Black History Month!
DURHAM, N.C. - s4story -- Step right up, folks! The last remaining great Black troupers are finally telling their stories about one of America's most successful traveling shows that broke carnival records from the U.S. to Western Canada, birthed music icons like Rufus Thomas, Fontella Bass and Mercedes Valdés, and significantly impacted Black and Latin entertainment during the Jim Crow era. Also unearthed is the legend of one of Tampa's most beloved showman, Leon Claxton Sr., a brave African-American impresario who left an extraordinary legacy despite the insurmountable odds against him and his dreams.
A magical journey into the complexities of American entertainment and race history, JIG SHOW | Leon Claxton's Harlem in Havana is a compelling three-part documentary film series produced by director Leslie Cunningham who shines an overdue spotlight on her grandfather's wildly popular tent theatre presentation of Black and Cuban music, dance and comedy. This "all-colored" stage revue was the top midway attraction on Royal American Shows' North American traveling carnival exhibition for nearly forty years (from 1935-1967). Considered a carnival "Jig show" by the outdoor entertainment industry and media of the day, Claxton's popular brown-skin girl show, nevertheless, rose above the segregated stage and achieved mainstream and international recognition.
"The idea of calling the film 'JIG SHOW' continues to make me uncomfortable, as I suspect it will make others uncomfortable as well," says Leslie. In part one of the film series, Leslie addresses her discomfort and deals with the racist slur head-on. "As I researched the etymology of 'Jig", I came to realize the power and punch this three-letter word held in the progress of this film project, and the more I became aware of the inevitability of the film title," adds Leslie.
More on S For Story
The cast is led by main characters Shirley Bates-Johnson, Leslie's 96 year-old grandmother who was the lead exotic dancer on Leon Claxton's Harlem in Havana revue in the 1940's, and her son John Cunningham (Leslie's father), a long-time Latin musician from San Diego, California who was raised on the traveling show and drove stakes with the tent-hands in the 1950s. However, JIG SHOW is not just about family, but triumphs, connections and weaving across cultural divides. "Above all else, my mission is to preserve this rich Black and Cuban entertainment legacy before the memories die with a generation," shares Leslie.
Each part of JIG SHOW combines breathtaking never-before digitized show photographs and rarely seen historical clips with interviews from a colorful cast of former performers, academics and patrons who witnessed the spectacle. Beautiful b-roll of the city of Tampa highlight where Harlem in Havana was headquartered for nearly 20 years, while classic and new Hip Hop music honor the voluptuous showgirls and tenacious entertainers of color who bravely showcased their talents on the frontline of racial polarization and left behind a glorious legacy that still resonates with wonder today.
2021 Film series schedule (start watching on Vimeo On-Demand at https://vimeo.com/ondemand/jigshow on the below dates):
The film series is a part of a larger creative work titled "The Harlem in Havana Project", a multimedia documentary project created by Leslie nearly ten years ago to help revive her family's rich show-business history. The project includes a website (harleminhavana.com), the film series, and a set of titillating photography books called Brown-Skin Showgirls that help to expand our cultural knowledge about Black Burlesque. Leslie concludes, "This creative work provides an opportunity for a whole segment of artists, dancers and performances to tap into this history and enhance their current art forms. Back then it was just a colored variety show with performance pieces, but today it's an art form. This is where that history originated!"
More on S For Story
Giving Back to the Community
In honor of producer Leon Claxton's philanthropy work in the city of Tampa, Leslie is donating $1 from every online order to Stand Up Speak Out - NC (SUSO), a Durham, North Carolina-based community organization which aims to empower children and teens by providing advocacy and therapeutic support through Art Therapy.
Filmmaker Q&A
Filmmaker Leslie Cunningham is currently available for virtual interviews and speaking engagements about the film series or documentary project. She is also planning live screenings and Brown-Skin Showgirls photography exhibits in 2022.
Visit http://www.jigshow.com to learn more about the film series or http://www.harleminhavana.com to learn more about the multimedia project.
A magical journey into the complexities of American entertainment and race history, JIG SHOW | Leon Claxton's Harlem in Havana is a compelling three-part documentary film series produced by director Leslie Cunningham who shines an overdue spotlight on her grandfather's wildly popular tent theatre presentation of Black and Cuban music, dance and comedy. This "all-colored" stage revue was the top midway attraction on Royal American Shows' North American traveling carnival exhibition for nearly forty years (from 1935-1967). Considered a carnival "Jig show" by the outdoor entertainment industry and media of the day, Claxton's popular brown-skin girl show, nevertheless, rose above the segregated stage and achieved mainstream and international recognition.
"The idea of calling the film 'JIG SHOW' continues to make me uncomfortable, as I suspect it will make others uncomfortable as well," says Leslie. In part one of the film series, Leslie addresses her discomfort and deals with the racist slur head-on. "As I researched the etymology of 'Jig", I came to realize the power and punch this three-letter word held in the progress of this film project, and the more I became aware of the inevitability of the film title," adds Leslie.
More on S For Story
- Home2 Suites by Hilton Tucson Airport Celebrates Topping Off - Tucson's Newest Extended-Stay Hotel
- Truthset and the ANA AIMM Release First of its Kind Multicultural Online Data Benchmarks
- Julia Hair Tax Refund Season Flash Sale Week With Buy Now Pay Later
- The Best Virgin Hair Vendors 2021
- ACS Lawyer In Brooklyn Announces Dismissal of OCFS Case
The cast is led by main characters Shirley Bates-Johnson, Leslie's 96 year-old grandmother who was the lead exotic dancer on Leon Claxton's Harlem in Havana revue in the 1940's, and her son John Cunningham (Leslie's father), a long-time Latin musician from San Diego, California who was raised on the traveling show and drove stakes with the tent-hands in the 1950s. However, JIG SHOW is not just about family, but triumphs, connections and weaving across cultural divides. "Above all else, my mission is to preserve this rich Black and Cuban entertainment legacy before the memories die with a generation," shares Leslie.
Each part of JIG SHOW combines breathtaking never-before digitized show photographs and rarely seen historical clips with interviews from a colorful cast of former performers, academics and patrons who witnessed the spectacle. Beautiful b-roll of the city of Tampa highlight where Harlem in Havana was headquartered for nearly 20 years, while classic and new Hip Hop music honor the voluptuous showgirls and tenacious entertainers of color who bravely showcased their talents on the frontline of racial polarization and left behind a glorious legacy that still resonates with wonder today.
2021 Film series schedule (start watching on Vimeo On-Demand at https://vimeo.com/ondemand/jigshow on the below dates):
- Part 1: (Available to watch now). Premiered Friday, February 5 (Celebrating Black History Month)
- Part 2: Friday, April 2 (Happy Birthday Leon Claxton!)
- Part 3: Friday, June 4 (Celebrating Juneteenth!)
- In the Fall, the full film series will be available on VOD and DVD, plus a study-guide for the educational market.
The film series is a part of a larger creative work titled "The Harlem in Havana Project", a multimedia documentary project created by Leslie nearly ten years ago to help revive her family's rich show-business history. The project includes a website (harleminhavana.com), the film series, and a set of titillating photography books called Brown-Skin Showgirls that help to expand our cultural knowledge about Black Burlesque. Leslie concludes, "This creative work provides an opportunity for a whole segment of artists, dancers and performances to tap into this history and enhance their current art forms. Back then it was just a colored variety show with performance pieces, but today it's an art form. This is where that history originated!"
More on S For Story
- Liquid Core® Gum Company announces TDA Boulder Creative Director Jonathan Schoenberg has joined its Advisory Board
- myLAB Box Launches 16 New At-Home Tests, Offering Comprehensive Health Monitoring from the Comfort of Home
- Zilker Partners Acquires Growth Digital, Forming One-of-a-Kind Firm
- California Boating Supply Company Danik Hook Launches New Product for 2021
- Whose Dreams Of Hell Are More Interesting, Politicians Or Popes?
Giving Back to the Community
In honor of producer Leon Claxton's philanthropy work in the city of Tampa, Leslie is donating $1 from every online order to Stand Up Speak Out - NC (SUSO), a Durham, North Carolina-based community organization which aims to empower children and teens by providing advocacy and therapeutic support through Art Therapy.
Filmmaker Q&A
Filmmaker Leslie Cunningham is currently available for virtual interviews and speaking engagements about the film series or documentary project. She is also planning live screenings and Brown-Skin Showgirls photography exhibits in 2022.
Visit http://www.jigshow.com to learn more about the film series or http://www.harleminhavana.com to learn more about the multimedia project.
Source: TRIBES Entertainment
Filed Under: Entertainment
0 Comments
Latest on S For Story
- Upcoming Local-Lit Event at Unicoi County Public Library!
- Announcing the Release of Atlantis: City of Mages
- Oklahoma Author Larry Darter Releases New Detective Mystery - Omerta
- Cowboy Movie Towns and 1940's Filmmaking are the Subjects of a New Mystery Novel
- 2021 Marketing Excellence Awards—Call for Entries: Honoring the Best in B2B Services and Solutions Marketing
- Histria Books Announces the Release of Percy St.-John and the Chronicle of Secrets by E.A. Allen
- edjuster Launches Fully Interactive Digital Contents Claims Portal
- Senseeker Engineering Acquires SE-IR Corporation
- Velocity Press To Reissue Acid House Cult Classic
- eMoney Advisor Veterans Start Firm to Help Fintech CEOs Jump Start Growth
- Trauma Release & Self-Empowerment Coach Release Novel Guiding Readers Through the Trauma Healing Pr
- Florida small town festival ranks Top 50 BEST in nation
- Delray Beach Branding Agency Celebrates Women in Business on International Women's Day
- Digital Cash Processing, Genmega Partner to Deliver Next Generation ATM Functionality
- Nationally Syndicated Radio Show "Radio Bassment" Launching Daily Programming 7 Days a Week
- Organized Crime Sophistication Inspires New International Thriller
- Meghna Dassani DMD Announces the Release of Airway is Life
- Dirty Laundry is a thought-provoking psychological thriller coming this summer!
- Colorado Author Davalynn Spencer Releases New Sweet Historical Romance - A Change of Scenery
- Young Adult with Autism Publishes 3rd Children's Picture Book