HARLEM IN HAVANA NYC IGNITES NEW YORK WITH A ONE-DAY CULTURAL EXPERIENCE ON MAY 9, 2026

Film. Performance. Legacy—across two iconic NYC stages.

New York, NY — April 23, 2026— The Harlem in Havana Project presents Harlem in Havana NYC, a one-day cultural experience bringing a powerful chapter of American history to life through film and live performance.

Taking place at the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts and the David Rubenstein Atrium at Lincoln Center, the event honors Black and Afro-Cuban performers who shaped American entertainment during segregation while being historically overlooked.

ONE DAY. TWO EVENTS. ONE LEGACY.
A documentary screening and art talk at 1:00 PM is followed by a live tribute performance at 7:30 PM, offering audiences a rare opportunity to experience this history both preserved and reimagined.

EVENT I: FILM SCREENING & ART TALK

1:00 PM | Free & Open to the Public
📍 New York Public Library for the Performing Arts

New York premiere of JIG SHOW | Leon Claxton’s Harlem in Havana, a documentary by filmmaker Leslie Cunningham.

The film explores the world of Leon Claxton’s touring revue—where Black brilliance, Cuban rhythms, and early burlesque artistry flourished during the Jim Crow era.

Following the screening, Cunningham joins leading Black burlesque historians and performers for a discussion on the legacy and cultural impact of the revue. Read more.

EVENT II: BROWN SKIN SHOWGIRLS — A HARLEM IN HAVANA TRIBUTE SHOW

7:30 PM | Free | 18+
📍 David Rubenstein Atrium at Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts

A high-glam, immersive burlesque tribute inspired by Claxton’s legendary Harlem in Havana revue.

Brown Skin Showgirls celebrates Black and Afro-Latine performers who challenged racial, sexual, and artistic boundaries across decades of performance history, and paved the way for performers of today.

Featuring a dynamic ensemble and headlined by internationally acclaimed burlesque artist Jessabelle Thunder, Miss 2026 Exotic World, the show blends historical homage with contemporary performance. Read more.

A LEGACY RECLAIMED

Leon Claxton’s Harlem in Havana revue toured from the 1930s–1960s, breaking racial barriers while blending global performance traditions during segregation.

“Harlem in Havana is about reclaiming a legacy that was never lost—only overlooked,” says Leslie Cunningham.

ABOUT HARLEM IN HAVANA PROJECT

The Harlem in Havana Project is a multidisciplinary initiative preserving the legacy of Leon Claxton’s Harlem in Havana revue, a pioneering touring production that showcased Black and Afro-Cuban performers across North America and challenged segregation-era entertainment norms. Read more.

ABOUT THE PRODUCER & ARTIST

Leslie Cunningham is an artist, filmmaker, producer and the granddaughter of impresario Leon Claxton. Her work bridges archival research and performance to uncover and amplify overlooked Black and Afro-Latine histories.

Through the Harlem in Havana Project, she brings forward erased cultural narratives at the intersection of history, art, and social impact. Her documentary JIG SHOW | Leon Claxton’s Harlem in Havana has received support from leading arts organizations and continues to spark dialogue around race, performance, and cultural memory.