In the 1950s, just before the Cuban Revolution, Leon Claxton’s Harlem in Havana showcased a powerful cultural alliance between Black and Cuban nationalists. The revue’s stars included the Cuban Dancing Dolls, a sizzling troupe whose precision moves and sequined glamour embodied Havana’s nightlife, and Mercedes Valdés, a powerhouse Santería singer who carried the deep spiritual rhythms of Afro-Cuban tradition.
Onstage, their artistry was a statement of solidarity. Touring together across segregated America, Black and Cuban performers joined forces to challenge stereotypes, celebrate their shared African heritage, and present a dazzling vision of pride, resilience, and unity in the face of oppression.
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HARLEM IN HAVANA 