Step behind the velvet curtain for the New York premiere of JIG SHOW: Leon Claxton's Harlem in Havana, a documentary on a sizzling, untold chapter of American entertainment--where Black brilliance, Cuban rhythm, and early burlesque lit up the big top and defied segregation. This three-part documentary takes viewers inside the legendary Harlem in Havana Revue, featuring Cunningham's grandmother Shirley Bates, former lead exotic dancer, and her father John Cunningham, a San Diego musician raised on the show. Rare footage, never-before-digitized show photos, archival clips, and vibrant performances illuminate the rise and fall of Claxton's troupe, while historians, burlesque artists, and musicians provide cultural context. Director: Leslie Cunningham In addition to the screening, the program features a special pop-up burlesque performance by The Doll of D.C. Bebe Bardeaux, and a post-screening panel discussion with filmmaker Leslie Cunningham, burlesque historians Bebe Bardeaux and Chicava HoneyChild, and facilitated by NYC burlesque artist GiGi Holliday.
New York City, NY; NYC