Remembering Harlem's Savoy Ballroom: FREE

Showing posts with label FREE. Show all posts

Friday, January 16, 2015

Saving the Renny FYI Meeting - NOW February 23rd: Harlem's Historic Renaissance Ballroom

The Renaissance Ballroom
and Casino

NEW DATE

Monday February 23rd

Save the Renny

6pm to 8:30pm

Informational Meeting

Encouraging the preserving of

The Renaissance Ballroom:

Also known as “The Renny”

The Harlem Renaissance Ballroom and Casino

was a large reception hall where

African Americans would gather for entertainment.

Completed in 1924, this cultural icon accentuated Harlem; it showcased accomplishments of African Americans, as during the Harlem Renaissance period was a time of artistic revolution and culture. William Roach & Joseph Sweeney were overseeing the only major black-owned uptown

theater during this time.

The two story tall building had
a 900-seat movie theater,

a large space for dances, meetings,

private parties, and even sporting events!

Home for the famous "Rens”

The first all African American

professional basketball team

in the nation.

Film, Discussion, Q&A

and Petition Signage

Lt Joseph P Kennedy Center

34 West 134 St

NY NY 10037

For more information call

The Harlem Swing Dance Society

at 347 – 709 – 7022

or email

theharlemswingdancesociety@gmail.com

If you cannot make this event

sign the petition online at

https://lnkd.in/dhSGJAm

Sunday, November 30, 2014

The 2014 Harvest Moon Ball Swing Dance - Harlem History for All! Nov 8th 2014

2014:The Harvest Moon Ball Swing Dance

On November 8th The Harlem Swing Dance Society partnered with the NYC Parks and Recreation to have the annual Harvest Moon Ball (HMB)Swing Dance with HMB Champions and Winners present to tell their stories.

Beatrice Pierce with her partner Smitty (John Smith) in 1953
- and here she is today just as sharp!

Beatrice Pierce (Champ, 1953), Barbara Billups (3rd Place, 1958) and Sonny Allen (Champ, 1958) represented the Last of the Best of the Savoy Ballroom era.

Sonny Allen Barbara Billups

Representing the Savoy Manor era we had two rare and history making champions present: Clementine "Tiny" Thomas (a TWO time Champ, 1971 and 1976) and Crystal Johnson who is a 2nd generation champion! Crystal won in 1972, and her father Tops Lee (of Tops and Wilder) won in 1940. Needless to say THIS will never happen again, and these two brought a few prized artifacts for all to view.

Ralph Hopkins and Bernard Dove

The surprise of the evening was Ralph Hopkins, a 2nd and 3rd place winner in the late 1960's and 1970's with a slew of medals to prove it - and getting back into his costume of over 40 plus yeas ago! His partner back in the day was Sheryl D. Sullivan..... yes the daughter of George Sullivan and Sugar Sullivan 1955 Champions

Recounting and hearing their first hand experiences had many guests excited; this with a free dance lesson,classic film clips, music and social dancing made the evening electric and memorable! The words were repeated over and over: "Lets bring this back to Harlem and it's youth!"

STAY TUNED: As we get more photos we'll be posting them here and on Facebook!

Monday, October 20, 2014

November 8: FREE EVENT! The Harvest Moon Ball Swing Dance Returns - ALL are Welcome!

Invites you to

Save the DATE
November 8

5pm to 9:30pm

The 2014

Harvest Moon Ball

Swing Dance

Celebrate a

Harlem Tradition

that started in 1935

Meet Winners and Champions

from the 1950's

Barbara Billups 1958

thru the 1970's

Crystal Johnson 1972

Classic Film Clips, Meet -n- Greet,
DJ'd Classics, Refreshments,
Social Swing Dancing
and More!

Hansborough Recreation Center

35 W 134th ST

York, New York 10037

https://www.facebook.com/events/689151067821717/