HARLEM IN HAVANA IS BACK! Drive-In Screening Oct 9 in Durham, NC

DURHAM, N.C. - Sept. 30, 2021 - PRLog -- The Hayti Black Filmmakers Collective presents an outdoor film screening of the new feature documentary film JIG SHOW | Leon Claxton's Harlem in Havana on October 9, 2021. The Durham, NC community is invited to come tailgate and enjoy a pre-show performance by Greensboro Hip Hop Poet Mr. Rozzi and the Dynasty All Stars Youth Dancers of Durham.

About the Film: A magical journey into the complexities of American entertainment, race history and family, JIG SHOW | Leon Claxton's Harlem in Havana (1:52 min) is a compelling feature documentary film produced by TRIBES Entertainment and directed by filmmaker Leslie Cunningham. In the film, Leslie shines a spotlight on her family's Black and Cuban traveling carnival revue- a so-called "Jig Show" that endures racism, segregation and immigration laws to become popular in the 1940s through the 1960s. Switching lanes between national history and personal memoirs, Leslie turns the cameras on her own family to understand how her grandfather went from humble beginnings in Memphis as water boy for Ringling Brothers Circus- to producing a groundbreaking and highly successful multicultural stage show that earned him millions and a place in history.

"This project has so much cultural and social relevance because it teaches us more about African American and Afro-Cuban history and its mark on American culture. Harlem in Havana was the place where the future heavyweights of entertainment like Fontella Bass, Rufus Thomas and Mercedes Valdés birthed new music, dance and comedy. This film project provides an opportunity for a whole segment of artists to tap into this rich history and enhance their current art forms", explains filmmaker Leslie.

Durham Community Drive-In Film Screenings - On October 8-9, the Hayti Film Festival Next Level and the Hayti Black Filmmakers Collective are presenting two great films: The Passing On (dir. Nathan Clarke/ produced by HBFC member Lana Garland showing Friday, Oct 8) and JIG SHOW, Leon Claxton's Harlem in Havana (produced and directed by HBFC member Leslie Cunningham showing Oct 9). The Drive-in will be located at the Lincoln Community Health Center Parking Lot @ 1301 Fayetteville St. in Durham, NC The lot opens at 5:30pm! Come early to tailgate, and remember to wear a face-mask outside of your car. The event is sponsored by The Forest at Duke, ABC-11 WTVD, and Lincoln Community Health Center.

Reserve a spot at https://haytifilmnextleveloctober.eventive.org.
(Can't make the drive-ins? Choose Virtual screenings).

Visit http://www.jigshow.com to learn more.
Reserve tickets for the October 9 Durham, NC screening https://haytifilmnextleveloctober.eventive.org .

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