Harlem Renaissance

The word Renaissance is French and means ‘rebirth’. In the Great Migration of the 1920’s Harlem, a neighborhood in upper Manhattan in New York City, was a destination for migrating African Americans pursuing employment opportunities in industrial northern cities. Harlem attracted artists of many disciplines such as painting, sculpture, literature, dance, and theatre. The timely outpouring of art and opportunity created a voice and identity of the African American community in this historical period, that was not only impactful to all of American artistic culture, but also was influential and thereby enjoyed throughout the world, particularly with the unique African American Expression of Jazz music. This is a dance participatory activity relevant to the literature, music, and dance of the Harlem Renaissance, featuring a short historical video, warm up, An interpretation of a Langston Hughes poem through movement and a period dance to the big band sounds of 1920’s Jazz.

Program Artist:

Dance Evert