News

We’re excited to announce JIG SHOW | Leon Claxton’s Harlem in Havana has won best documentary film at the 2024 Seoul International Short Film Festival. Seoul International Short Film Festival is a monthly online festival for films/web-series/scripts that explore new approaches to the world of narrative and form. They welcome submissions from all over the world and strive to connect filmmakers, producers, screenwriters, actors, editors, music composers and etc. through a shared platform. Learn more.

Watch the full film here!

Embark on a mesmerizing journey into the heart of American entertainment history with artist and filmmaker Leslie Cunningham as she officially unveils The Harlem in Havana Project—a captivating exploration of her family’s extraordinary entertainment legacy. 

Leslie, the visionary granddaughter of a legendary African American impresario, has meticulously crafted an expansive multimedia documentary masterpiece that she is ready for the world to see. The grand reveal of this extraordinary venture will be at  Brown Skin Showgirls Weekend in Atlanta, GA during Black History Month 2024.

The Harlem in Havana Project is a testament to Leslie’s passion for preserving her family’s rich entertainment heritage. Her mission is bold and imaginative—to tell the story of Harlem in Havana and honor the legacy of her grandfather Leon Claxton in ways that captivate and inspire. Bursting with awe-inspiring visuals and riveting narratives, this groundbreaking, and educational project offers an intimate glimpse into a bygone era that birthed music icons and left an indelible mark on Black and Brown entertainment. 

The project’s expansive reach is evident in the diverse array of offerings, including the feature documentary film “JIG SHOW | Leon Claxton’s Harlem in Havana,” a Burlesque Education Series, enticing photography books titled “Brown-Skin Showgirls,” and a Harlem in Havana Collector’s magazine. The journey continues with the Brown Skin Showgirls events, and a dedicated website, harleminhavana.com, serving as the digital gateway to this mesmerizing world.

At the epicenter of the project is Leon Claxton, an award-winning showman and one of America’s first Black entertainment moguls. Through Leslie’s artistic lens, Claxton’s groundbreaking and highly successful show comes to life in the documentary film, showcasing the spectacular journey that earned him millions and secured his place in history.  An educational and immersive experience, this project resounds with wonder, paying homage to a pioneer whose influence echoes through time. 

At the Brown Skin Showgirls Weekend, Leslie’s documentary work will take center stage, offering a glimpse into the dazzling world of Brown-Skin Showgirls and the mesmerizing allure of Harlem in Havana.  Come witness the culmination of years of dedication, research, and artistic prowess, as Leslie brings to light a legacy that deserves to be celebrated and remembered for generations to come.

Brown Skin Showgirls Weekend | Atlanta | Feb 17-18, 2024.

Join the Harlem in Havana Project, The Atlanta School of Burlesque and Black Burlesque Atlanta for an electrifying weekend filled with glamour, history, and unbridled excitement in honor of Black History Month 2024! Get ready for a tantalizing showcase featuring spectacular shows, riveting films, and an immersive dive into the rich tapestry of Black Burlesque History.  All are welcome 18+ to these free events, so gather your friends and mark your calendars for a weekend like no other. But beware, space is limited at the fabulous Metropolitan Studios, Inc. located at 1259 Metropolitan Avenue Southeast, Atlanta, GA 30316. This event promises to be a celebration of culture, history, and the indomitable spirit of African American showmanship.

Prepare to be transported to an era of glamor, talent, and groundbreaking showmanship that will leave you breathless and inspired. Don’t miss the chance to be a part of this must-see cultural phenomenon. For more information, to register or grab show tickets, visit brownskinshowgirls.com.

To learn more about The Harlem in Havana Project, visit harleminhavana.com.

From The Atlanta School of Burlesque: We’re pleased to announce the ✧ The Atlanta School of Burlesque: Leslie Cunningham Burlesque Education Scholarship ✧.

We believe that education, especially Black burlesque education, should be accessible to everyone. All donations from the upcoming Brown Skin Showgirls Weekender events will help raise funds for the scholarship, which aims to remove financial barriers and cultivate the artistic talents of promising Black performers in our community.

We believe dance is a powerful language of expression and movement, and everyone deserves the opportunity to shine without limitation.

The Atlanta School of Burlesque: Leslie Cunningham Burlesque Education Scholarship will directly impact the lives of talented Black burlesque dancers by providing them with the tools and resources they need to flourish. We envision a future where burlesque represents a vibrant microcosm of diversity and inclusion, and where artistic opportunities are accessible to all, regardless of their background.

Learn about Leslie Cunningham and the Harlem in Havana Project at https://harleminhavana.com/ then hop over to https://www.metrostudioseav.com/scholarships to learn how you may benefit from this opportunity to learn the art of the tease. 

Step Right Up, Folks for the BROWN SKIN SHOWGIRLS WEEKEND!

Get ready to be dazzled and swept off your feet at the Brown Skin Showgirls Weekend in Atlanta – where the spotlight shines on elegance, empowerment, and the mesmerizing world of Black Burlesque!

Join the Harlem in Havana Project and The Atlanta School of Burlesque for an electrifying weekend filled with glamour, history, and unbridled excitement in honor of Black History Month 2024! Get ready for a tantalizing showcase featuring spectacular shows, riveting films, and an immersive dive into the rich tapestry of Black Burlesque History. This isn’t just an event; it’s a celebration of the art, the passion, and the allure that define Brown Skin Showgirls.

Whether you’re a devoted fan or a curious soul, this weekend is your golden ticket to an unforgettable experience! From jaw-dropping performances to engaging insights, we’re bringing you the very best in burlesque entertainment.

All are welcome 18+ to these free events, so gather your friends and mark your calendars for a weekend like no other. But beware, space is limited at the fabulous Metropolitan Studios, Inc. located at 1259 Metropolitan Avenue Southeast, Atlanta, GA 30316.

Don’t miss the pièce de résistance – the Candybox Revue Tribute Show on 2/17! Snag your tickets now for an evening that promises to be the talk of the town. It’s a show you won’t want to miss, so secure your spot early and make history with us!

Day 1 – Saturday, 2/17 – register here.

11:00 am-2:00 pm:

• Meet & Greet with the Dazzling Leslie Cunningham: Step into the glittering world of The Harlem in Havana Project and mingle with the creator and director! Let’s make memories, snap some selfies, and bask in the brilliance of this artist, author, and filmmaker extraordinaire!
• Black Burlesque History Class – My Grandma Was an Exotic Dancer – Unleash the secrets of the past with a class that’s anything but ordinary! Join us for a riveting journey into the history of Black Burlesque. This isn’t your typical history lesson – it’s a chance to uncover the sultry stories and shimmy through the eras. Who knew Grandma had such a fabulous past?
• BIPOC Performer Talk Back hosted by the Fabulous Zara Estelle! Get ready to spill the tea, spill the glitter, and spill all the behind-the-scenes magic! Join burlesque sensation Zara Estelle as she leads an unfiltered and unforgettable discussion with our incredible BIPOC performers. It’s a talk back that’s as sassy as it is enlightening – because who said education can’t be fabulous?.

—YOU MUST PURCHASE TICKETS FOR THE BELOW SHOW —-

8:00 pm-12:00 am:

• Brown Skin Showgirls UNLEASHED! Brace yourself for an intoxicating display of burlesque brilliance as The CANDYBOX REVUE takes the stage to pay homage to the magic of Harlem in Havana. Our showgirls are ready to captivate, enchant, and leave you breathless with their jaw-dropping performances! A Fundraiser Like No Other! But wait, there’s more! This isn’t just a night of entertainment; it’s a chance to support a fabulous cause. Join us in raising funds for The Atlanta School of Burlesque and be part of an evening that combines philanthropy with flair! The Sweetest Revue in Town! The CANDYBOX REVUE promises an evening of sweetness, spice, and everything nice. It’s not just a show; it’s an experience that will leave you craving for more. Mark your calendars, grab your tickets, and prepare for a night that will be the talk of the town! The Brown Skin Showgirls Opening Ceremony + Burlesque Show is an event you won’t want to miss. Purchase tickets here for this event – https://www.eventbrite.com/e/brown-skin-showgirls-burlesque-show-tickets-771188043197

Day 2- Sunday, 2/18 – register here

2:00 pm-5:00 pm

• Brown Skin Showgirls Extravaganza: Sizzling Edition! Immerse yourself in an afternoon of allure and artistry with a tantalizing book reading and signing event featuring some of the fabulous Brown Skin Showgirl performers from The Atlanta School of Burlesque!
• JIG SHOW: Unveiling the Legacy of Harlem in Havana: Join us for an eye-opening screening of the documentary film “JIG SHOW,” a mesmerizing journey into the legacy of Leon Claxton’s Harlem in Havana. The lights dim at 3:00 pm, setting the stage for an immersive cinematic experience that’s as enlightening as it is entertaining.
• Meet the Mastermind: Post-Screening Q&A with the Filmmaker: Stick around after the film for an exclusive Q&A session with the brilliant mind behind the documentary. Get ready to delve into the behind-the-scenes magic, stories untold, and the intricate details that bring this captivating history to life. It’s not just a conversation; it’s an opportunity to connect with the filmmaker on a whole new level!

5:00 pm-8:00 pm

• The Grand Finale: After Party Extravaganza! Don’t let the night end just yet – join us for the ultimate celebration at the After Party hosted by The Atlanta School of Burlesque! The party doesn’t start until you walk in! Get ready to dance, mingle and let loose in an atmosphere that radiates energy and excitement. It’s not just an ending but a continuation of the unforgettable Brown Skin Showgirls saga.

________________________

About The Harlem in Havana Project: Embark on a riveting journey through time with The Harlem in Havana Project, a compelling multimedia documentary work by artist and filmmaker Leslie Cunningham that pays homage to one of America’s most triumphant traveling girl shows. Delve into the untold story of Leon Claxton, a courageous African American showman who, against the backdrop of the oppressive Jim Crow era, pioneered a spectacular fusion of Black and Cuban entertainment. Read more at harleminhavana.com.

.______________________

About Leslie Cunningham: Meet Leslie Cunningham, a Durham-based storyteller extraordinaire. As the creative force behind TRIBES Entertainment, Leslie wears multiple hats—artist, writer, filmmaker, and owner of this boutique digital media haven that crafts narratives from the frontline of urban music, arts, and culture. Read more. Learn more at lesliecunninghamfilms.com.

________________________

About The Atlanta School of Burlesque – We are an arts and movement community open to creators who seek a place to make, congregate, collaborate, and entertain. We offer classes, workshops, and intimate events. We are a dance studio, burlesque school, burlesque show venue, art space, event venue, creative space, film/photo production space, and more. Dubbed “Atlanta’s Burlesque & Cabaret House”, we are home to the Atlanta School of Burlesque and the award-winning burlesque troupe, The Candybox Revue. Learn more at https://www.metrostudioseav.com/atlburlesqueschool.

NEW WEBSITE LAUNCH! I am excited to present the reimagined HARLEM IN HAVANA PROJECT which stands poised to propel my family’s entertainment legacy forward! The reimagined website home is filled with BREATHTAKING, NEVER-BEFORE SEEN show photos, video interviews, burlesque education, project news, and so much more! Check out the new doc film page (still jigshow.com) and stay tuned for details about upcoming screenings of the FINAL CUT ready for its world premiere! Thank you so much for your continued support of my documentary project and in the spirit of my grandfather Leon Claxton, STEP RIGHT UP, FOLKS, IT’S HARLEM IN HAVANA TIME! – Leslie

 Contact us to learn more.

Join us Saturday, May 20@3pm (CDT). The Rose Academy of Burlesque is very excited to announce an upcoming virtual workshop titled “My Grandma was an Exotic Dancer?!” Presented by Leslie Cunningham for the Harlem in Havana Project Burlesque Education Series! You won’t want to miss out on getting an inside look into the ways that three sisters changed the game for exotic dancing, as we knew it, in the American carnival system during early black burlesque history! 

Register now https://www.roseacademyofburlesque.com/grandmaexoticdancer.

In April 2023, the Harlem in Havana Project presented the Brown Skin Showgirls Book at the The International Booklover’s Burlesque Festival in Portland Oregon. Produced by Lacy Productions, the festival is a celebration of the literary and the performing arts, highlighting burlesque, boylesque, and draglesque artists from around the world. Project director Leslie Cunningham was selected as a guest of honor for the event and read from the Brown Skin Showgirls book followed by a performance from D.C. showgirl Aquarius Moon. Learn more at www.bookloversburlesque.com/festival. 

The Harlem in Havana Project: Burlesque Education Series was featured at BurlyCon 2022 in Seattle, WA. Presented by Leslie Cunningham, the Burlesque Education Series features classes covering American burlesque history from the traveling carnival stage. These fun, passionate and energetic classes are filled with new and existing burlesque material, personal experiences, book reviews, film clips and much more. 

BurlyCon is offering the virtual class “My Grandma Was an Exotic Dancer?!”  The class looks at early Black Burlesque through a glimpse into the lives of the Bates Sisters, three brown-skin showgirls who helped innovate exotic dance from the American carnival stage. Visit Virtual BurlyCon 2022. 

Join us for a community screening Sunday, August 28, 2022 at 7:00pm. Part of The Art of Tease, Richmond, VA, Gallery 5.