New York School of Burlesque Book Club Show presents "Brown Skin Showgirls"

August 5, 6 pm-730 pm EST on Zoom/Facebook Live. 

Join the New York School of Burlesque Book club show for an hour of books and burlesque! Burlesque Historian Bebe Bardot will guest host, interviewing author Leslie Cunningham about her book Brown Skin Showgirls. Learn more now.

Don't wait for the film, see the Brown Skin Showgirls!

BROWN SKIN SHOWGIRLS is a black and white photographic collection of the Black and Cuban women who performed burlesque, shake, exotic, rhumba, salsa, calypso, striptease and female impersonation on Leon Claxton's Harlem in Havana Revue during its run on Royal American Shows from 1936 to 1967. This book is guaranteed to expand your knowledge of Black and Cuban performers that shaped American popular culture. Order your print copy today.

The life and times of Leon Claxton

Leon Dunkins Claxton, Sr. 
Showman/Producer/Vaudeville Artist 

Leon D. Claxton Sr. (April 1902-November 1967) was an African American impresario, award-winning showman and vaudeville entertainer who found great success and infamy in the outdoor entertainment industry with his popular stage revues Harlem in Havana (1946–1960) and the Harlem Revue (1961-1967). 

One of America's first black entertainment moguls, Leon Claxton helped spread Black and Latin music and dance to mainstream audiences during the era of Jim Crow. A star-maker who innovated musical theatre, Claxton grew a road show empire that would go on to influence the world of television, musical theatre and nightclub shows.  

Claxton reached the apex of his career with triumph of his Black and Cuban revue, Harlem in Havana, and went onto enjoy a good deal of wealth and social distinction, despite the odds against him as a self-made, black entrepreneur. 

Read more.

New film release date. Stay safe!

Dear Supporters: During these uncertain times around the world, we hope you and your family are safe and well. Thank you again for your generous support of JIG SHOW | Leon Claxton's Harlem in Havana over the years. Despite a few recent post-production delays, we are on target to release the film this Summer. All DVD and digital pre-orders will be filled in the month of August 2020. 

Further, all plans for community screening events have been postponed until further notice. Please continue to watch this site for more updates, and please stay safe!  

HARLEM IN HAVANA, SEX, SIN & SAWDUST - Watch for the forthcoming book!

HARLEM IN HAVANA, SEX, SIN & SAWDUST

A forthcoming book: by John Cunningham

HARLEM IN HAVANA, SEX, SIN & SAWDUST, a new forthcoming book by author and musician John Cunningham is a coming of age memoir about a black kid growing up in the shadow of the Royal American Shows, the world’s largest carnival midway during the 1940s, his last journey with them during the summer of 1958 and the secrets he’s had to live with until now. 

This project began in response to a question asked by one of his Grandchildren. Where are you from, they asked. In trying to answer the question he realized there was more to its answer than he was ready to reveal. Learn more.  
   

Visit https://www.johncunninghamauthor.com

View the Online Photography Gallery

The Harlem in Havana Project's Online Photography Gallery features nearly 50 never-before digitized images from Claxton's revue. All photos are copyright protected.

Multimedia Magazine Collector's Edition

Get the Harlem in Havana Collector's Magazine in print or via IPad! This collector's edition features 28 never-before-digitized pages from the 1955, 1958 and 1959 show brochures.

This stunning collection features cast members and includes autographs from the entertainers themselves!  

VIEW THE DIGITAL FORMAT